Many people are choosing to pack it all up and move to a new part of South Africa. In recent years it appeared that a lot of this movement involved semigration from inland to coastal provinces, although it does appear that inland provinces are again seeing an influx, potentially from returning expats.
“There may be many reasons why people decide to move, or even to move back to their old neighborhood.
“Perhaps it is the slower and more relaxed lifestyle or even a perception that one is leaving crime and grime behind, or they might just miss home.
“One thing is certain and that is that it is now easier for people to pack it all up and move to a new province while remote working allows them to earn a living,” said Charnel Hattingh, group head of communications and marketing at the Fidelity Services Group.
Crime trends are different everywhere so the most important first step, she advises, is to research the area you are moving to.
“There are many questions to ask, and we believe this should include research into local crime trends and security efforts that are in place. Good sources for reliable information on crime trends and neighbourhood security will be your local police, the neighbourhood watch, the armed response companies active in the area, as well as the neighbours,” added Hattingh.
She offers this handy checklist to make sure your new neighbourhood – and home – is as safe as can be:
• Work with the locals, estate agents, police, CPF, and residents to establish a good idea of crime trends on the ground and how well these are being managed.
• Assess the strength of security from the perimeter inwards inside the property.
Check fencing, walls, overgrown foliage and electric fencing and lighting outside. Do you need garden beams and additional sensor lights? Inside the premises, check the quality of locks on doors and windows and the condition of burglar bars and security gates.
• If an alarm is already installed, make sure it is linked to the preferred armed response service provider for that area. This way you can be assured of regular patrols and visibility. Be sure to test the system fully, including the panic buttons and the battery pack.
• Make sure the previous owners return all the keys, locks and remotes.
• Introduce yourself to the neighbours and swap phone numbers. Neighbours are often the first to notice something amiss or respond to something on your property in an emergency.
• Join the suburb WhatsApp and neighbourhood watch groups to keep up with information about security trends in your area.
“Don’t let the excitement overshadow a focus on your safety. Remember, criminals are opportunists and new residents in an area are often soft targets simply because they are usually very preoccupied with the move and neglect to immediately ensure the property is secure.
“Remember all the good safety measures you followed at your old home, and bring those with you to wherever you now call home,” said Hattingh.
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