Why on earth would anyone want to move to SA?!

[WhenweB]

Originally Posted by satori

WhenweB, I understand your feelings. We have lived in the UK for over 16 years - reared three children here and while I love this country in many ways - the weather is more wearing than I'd ever imagined, like your hubby mine works and works and quality of life is imo, very poor. Set to become even more so as petrol costs make even a little family outing extremely expensive. I feel the drawbacks of living here become more evident month by month it seems.

I'm semigrating. That's a way of saying I just cannot quite bring myself to commit to being in South Africa permanently. Not yet - but if I can see a way forwards I will.

It's interesting - I have family very pro-SA , they are doing well with their own businesses and love the lifestyle. I also have family who hate it there but are unable to leave - I hear the story from both perspectives. Attitude does matter - the pro's bounce back from the inevitable frustrations whereas the others struggle on through everything begrudingly. Pretty obvious to me which set are enjoying life more despite the drawbacks! I am hoping to form my own opinions and attitude once I arrive.

My husband is leaving next week to begin work. He is on a contract - at this stage it still needs finalising in some respects. I plan to follow later this month. I'm pretty nervous about it all but at the same time cannot wait to be back among family and friends.

The thought of sunshine, cafe culture, the abundant creative spirit of many people in CT, the beautiful mountain, day trips to the winelands...only add to my need to get back asap!

WhenweB, it may not be easy , but worstcase, if things don't work out for your family you will still have your British passports and could always return? For me - I have to know if I can give SA another whole hearted try and feel if I don't take this opportunity I will never know if we could have settled there again.

My take on it is if it doesn't work out, I may be forced to return to live here, but at least I will do so with peace of mind on my side.

When are you planning to leave the UK? Good luck sorting everything out!

Ah thanks for that. Hope all goes well for your hubby and rest of the family when you go over. We are hoping to go between Aug and Dec this year when my daugher finishes her school year. As you say if it doesn't work out there isn't anything stopping one from returning to UK. I just want to avoid uprooting my daughter and changing schools too many times as I know how traumatic it is to move schools. Will keep you posted. Please let us know how you get on and whether it is what you expected. Take care and good luck.

[Johanna]

Whenwe, hope you remember the school year in SA starts in the beginning of the year !

[WhenweB]

Originally Posted by Halo

3 Years......

PS What area do you live in? As that is not my experience.

Have you joined the Heritage Society. English Heritage Home Page | English Heritage
(loads of free stuff and going out is reasonable if you earn £)

Wait till you have to PAY in SA - and get something bad and you don't have the RIGHT medical Aid in SA - My mates mom is paying R20k/Month for her meds. Tomorrow you may need the medical so THINK.

Old people in Britain needed to have saved - I have little sympathy for the majority. Same thing in SA PLUS no medical NO subsidies etc.

You need to shop around for insurance or move to a better neck of the woods - Wait till you PAY Car insurance in SA... LOL

PS Who wants to go to SA when New York is 6 hours away at £250/person - Then come back with cheap clobber.............

Cape Town is the last bastion.... It won't last. You will no longer be free to come and go. Think long term... Europe is not great at the mo but that will change..... Perhaps you should think about the USA or OZ which can give you the weather..... if its that important.

Okay Halo I hear what you are saying about having to think long term - will do. I do agree with some of what you say but also prefer not to believe the rest as I try to be optimistic and positive and you remind me of my husband who is often seeing the negative or "realistic" view of things and I can't drag myself out of bed in the morning if I were to have that attitude.

Gosh the thought of going to New York to shop just fills me with dread - that would be my idea of hell.... a) I hate big cities and b) not one to follow fashion and buying clothes is a nightmare at the best of times.... give me online shopping anyday! Trips to Portugal, Malta, Malaga, Ireland - different story.

Where do I live - whilst best not to say given some of my other comments earlier - near an airport north of London if you know England well. Not the best area to be in but beautiful countryside just up our road.

Um best to steer away from the pensioner topic. I feel they have a raw deal here and I do have sympathy for the majority of them.....

Oh I do love this forum its such fun to argue the pros and cons with other people as its great to hear different opinions!

[stormgal]

Originally Posted by Johanna

Not quite Brazilian here


Or exotic.


Most maids come from very poor communities and do not have easy lives.


But I do like a little lightheartedness once in a while...

Well, that's exactly the thinking that gets women in trouble. Doesn't matter how disadvantaged, old, or ugly she appears to be to you (as a woman). Men's minds are very different.
Now....

[WhenweB]

Originally Posted by Johanna

Whenwe, hope you remember the school year in SA starts in the beginning of the year !

Hi Johanna - yes I have taken taken that into consideration - the private schools say my daughter can go the term after July (which means she misses the summer holiday which she will not be happy about). The government schools have said they would prefer for her to start Jan 2013 as their classes are full midyear. She turns 9 in December so not sure what grade she would be going into.

[Johanna]

Originally Posted by WhenweB

Hi Johanna - yes I have taken taken that into consideration - the private schools say my daughter can go the term after July (which means she misses the summer holiday which she will not be happy about). The government schools have said they would prefer for her to start Jan 2013 as their classes are full midyear. She turns 9 in December so not sure what grade she would be going into.

I would think grade 3 or 4.

Do keep us posted!

[Daxk]

Originally Posted by stormgal

Well, that's exactly the thinking that gets women in trouble. Doesn't matter how disadvantaged, old, or ugly she appears to be to you (as a woman). Men's minds are very different.
Now....

Is Stormgal suggesting that you have to be ugly to be bright?

[stormgal]

Originally Posted by Daxk

Is Stormgal suggesting that you have to be ugly to be bright?

LOL, no!! and stop getting me into trouble, I'm not sure my comments were received nicely. I just think having exotic Brazilian live in maids is not the way to go as a married woman!

[Daxk]

Originally Posted by stormgal

LOL, no!! and stop getting me into trouble, I'm not sure my comments were received nicely. I just think having exotic Brazilian live in maids is not the way to go as a married woman!

NP, Stormgal, the Brazilian is not live in, she comes on a friday (let me rephrase that)
She works for a couple of hours on a Friday and does the Ironing and cleans and dusts and gets the House ready for the weekend.

my wife has no concerns regarding how exotic or beautiful ANY young woman would be, she knows that by the time I have caught up with them I would have forgotten what I wanted them for anyway.

[stormgal]

When people say, "Brazilian live-in maid" this is what I imagine!




and




I'm sorry, I don't care how poor or disadvantaged they are, if I were still married, they wouldn't be staying in my house! End of story!