ATNS job offer - living costs in SA
Evening,
I have not seen the ad in Flight International myself, but the salary offered in SA Rands, seem to be quite good. I will give you an average breakdown of living costs in SA. These costs are only average and not 100% on the ball.
Salary package:
The salary packages normally offered by ATNS includes: Basic salary, USC (Unfavorable Service Conditions) allowance and Company pension fund contribution. Station allowance, which is station specific and medical aid are over and above.
To give you an idea of station allowances: Non-radar station R900-R1900. Small radar station R1600-R2000. The station allowance if Cape Town is R4500 and in Jo'burg R7800 (both these will depend on the validations held at the respective centres).
Property:
Property in SA is expensive. In Jo'burg and average 3 bed roomed town house will cost R600 000 to R1 million, with price depending on the area in which you buy. Lots of people live in security complexes, and an additional levy is payable (this normally includes rates and taxes, water consumption etc.). Living in Cape Town and various coastal areas can be quite expensive with the same properties going for R750 000 to R1,2 million. At the current interest rates, you will be looking at paying an installment of 10% of the purchase price. Rentals are 5-7% of the purchase price.
Taxes:
The highest income tax rate is 42%. Prices for goods on shelves at the shops already have VAT of 14% added, unless otherwise stated.
Transport and insurances:
Prices of vehicles are obviously dependent on the class of vehicle. An entry level vehicle [VW, Vauxhall (known in SA as OPEL)] will cost R80 000, intermediate level (VW, OPEL, Peugot or Renault) R150 000 and luxury (Volvo, BMW, Mercedes or Audi) R250 000 plus. Insurance is dependent on where you live, for instance in Jo'burg you insurance will be higher that on the coastal areas. Your household insurance (based on the value of R200 000) and vehicle insurance (for 2 intermediate level vehicles) will probably come to R1000 to R2000, depending on what deal you get with a broker. Petrol is R6 per liter.
Schooling:
If you have kids, it would be better to put them into a private school. Government schools are often overcrowded with the ration being 1 teacher to 35 kids, in some cases more. Private schooling will put you back R40 000 per year and this excludes uniforms, text books and extra mural activities. Although expensive, I think it is worth it.
Groceries:
Average 4 person family could get away with R2500 per month on groceries, excluding meat. Meat prices are between R25 and R35 per kilo, depending on what meat you buy.
Odds and ends:
The going rate for a domestic worker is R80 per day and some will expect you to also pay their taxi fare.
Chivas Regal 750 ml R180
Jack Daniels 750 ml R150
Heineken (cans or bottles) R130 per case of 24.
There are currently international controllers at Cape Town, Jo'burg and Port Elizabeth.
Maybe "expediteclimb" can add some more info or tips to potential expats.
Hope this will or has helped.
Pleasant evening to all.