Expats moving to Johannesburg will especially encounter an obsession with personal safety. Homes are surrounded by electrified fences walls and guarded by private security firms while, for many, walking outside in parks is unheard of. The role that crime plays in many people's lives may be the most unfamiliar and disconcerting feature of integrating into South African society.
The good news is that there has been a push towards urban renewal, with an increased emphasis on reducing crime. More and more people are enjoying Johannesburg's outdoor spaces and trendy inner-city areas. At the same time, walking around the streets, beaches and parks in Cape Town is much more common.