Coping with an overseas move

With regards to local cuisine, it's not that far off from SA: curries, fish 'n chips, bangers 'n mash, cottage pie, etc - and there are loads of SA shops around if you're lus for something from back "home" (P.S: I bought up most of the Aromat that was left because it's now illegal). Just avoid the Fanta or get it from the SA shops - the local one is just ***.
 
I also did the 2 year working holiday thing many years back. Now back in the UK permanently and loving it.

The Voice said:
but it's important to stop thinking in Rands as well: "R50 for a cup of coffee?!"
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Once you are earning pounds then its best not to convert things. I keep telling my mom in SA how much things here here in pounds and she converts to rand and says its so expensive. I can't help that the Rand is gone to **** :)
 
crackersa said:
Why are you still coming back on a SA forum???
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Because I grew up in SA, all my family and friends live in SA and I like to see what is happening there and keep up to date on things from the perspective and opinion of those that still live there. Also the drama is great! No burning of things and mass murder here like in SA. I like to see that my money was well spent getting out :crylaugh: I've been part of this forum for a long time, I like the community.
 
Method said:
We're also considering a move out of SA. Things are going really really bad really really quickly here.

Will just be myself and the SO. Just waiting for him to finish his LLB and then we can look at the possibility.

I'd like to move to a country where politics and religion don't play a very big role. Tired of both. Looking at Norway.
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It'll be quite an adjustment, very difficult, but totally worth it.

You'll be paying tax out of your ears and anything you spend money on will cost more than double what you're used to in SA. Converting back each time you buy something screws with you, so it's best to just look at it as a % of your income. R75 for a hotdog and R80 for a coffee at a cafe is quite normal. Let's not even talk about the R150 per draught at your local pub.

Oh and then there's the R45k you'll have to fork out for a new drivers license, because ours is only valid for 2 months after arrival.

You'll also be expected to learn the language and eventually if you want permanent residence after 3 years, you'll have to have passed the norwegian national language test as well as pass a culture studies test. I like that they've made that a requirement to aid with integration. I've just submitted my perm rez application last week, so we'll see how things go.

That all said and done, it really is an amazing place. It also has its problems, but nowhere NEAR SA levels.

I also prefer the cold. The lowest it's been was -35C for me, but as long as it snows I don't mind it.
 
I lived in Manila for close to 6 months. Got a very good offer to work there, and went with hubs. I am not going to lie. It was hard. I am a pretty relaxed person, and think I am flexible and open minded. It was still tough. The culture, food, heat, traffic, cramped living style, etc, all got to me. The absolute worst was missing my friends and family. Not being able to catch a movie or just sit around and talk nonsense with friends was very difficult for me. I am very social, so going into an environment where we knew no one was tough. And being "western" didn't really help us, as the locals didn't want to socialise with us or we met very obnoxious Americans, Australians and British.

Skyping friends and family was super hard. With the time difference, we could only really have a good chat once every few weeks. We did have sporadic calls now and then, but it really did make their absence even more obvious. I had feelings of isolation as we no longer had a safety net of someone being available to if we were in trouble or stuck.

The good things though were that things worked. I felt way way safer. It was possible to walk around on the streets at 2am and feel completely safe. In the 6 months I was there, I didn't feel unsafe once, and I didn't see or hear of any criminal activity. Service was way better, and felt like I was being helped with less contempt. It actually got to the point of being annoying they are so friendly and eager to help. They have a wider variety in terms of goods available, and travelling was cheaper.

In terms of strategies on how to cope, there are not many and it is a very personal thing. There is only one thing that will help: time. It will take years for your new country to feel like home and that you belong. It will also depend greatly on what country you are relocating to, as culture will have a massive impact.

Coming back to SA was bliss. I realised I love my country. However, the increasing militant behaviour of certain parties is making me very nervous. If I had kids, I would have left long ago. But as a professional with no intention of having kids, I have an amazing lifestyle. SA has a lot of upsides.
 
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Voicy said:
Oh and then there's the R45k you'll have to fork out for a new drivers license, because ours is only valid for 2 months after arrival.
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Thinks it's probably not wise to mention that some Euro countries will swap a ZA licence for a small admin fee :whistle:

You'll also be expected to learn the language and eventually if you want permanent residence after 3 years, you'll have to have passed the norwegian national language test as well as pass a culture studies test. I like that they've made that a requirement to aid with integration. I've just submitted my perm rez application last week, so we'll see how things go.
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It doesn't seem that long ago that you started your Norway thread, time flies...
 
At what age would you guys consider it too late to make a move to another country from SA?

I am 35, have 2 kids, about to embark on a huge opportunity to Gauteng, at a big corporate, that will, hopefully, provide me with an opportunity to move abroad. However, time is an issue. So, at what point do you sit and think, at age xxxx, it just is too late, financially and from a viability perspective.
 
The Voice said:
This is my second stint in the UK (first time was a 2-year working holidaymakers visa - this time is permanent). Adjustment is a lot quicker once you start working locally - you constantly interact with the locals, and eventually figure out our cultures aren't too dissimilar. I agree with the comments re: getting out there and experiencing your local surroundings. The UK has the most green space I've ever seen - Wales is particularly beautiful apparently, and is definitely on my to-do list. Also, it takes time for some, but it's important to stop thinking in Rands as well: "R50 for a cup of coffee?!"
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You need to get out of London :) £2.60 is the most I pay for coffee(Large Costa Latte)
 
curbs2012 said:
At what age would you guys consider it too late to make a move to another country from SA?

I am 35, have 2 kids, about to embark on a huge opportunity to Gauteng, at a big corporate, that will, hopefully, provide me with an opportunity to move abroad. However, time is an issue. So, at what point do you sit and think, at age xxxx, it just is too late, financially and from a viability perspective.
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As far as the UK is concerned, age is not an issue(maybe it depends on industry). It's the children. Childcare is very costly, especially since you may not qualify for any child benefit, but I know many South Africans who cope with kids. 35 in the U.K. Is still very young. I don't know about other countries.
 
What about coping mechanisms for those that are left behind?
 
Has there ever been a study done, if all the wasted (read stolen) tax money in RSA was actually applied to uplift the disadvantaged if they would be better off today?
 
curbs2012 said:
At what age would you guys consider it too late to make a move to another country from SA?

I am 35, have 2 kids, about to embark on a huge opportunity to Gauteng, at a big corporate, that will, hopefully, provide me with an opportunity to move abroad. However, time is an issue. So, at what point do you sit and think, at age xxxx, it just is too late, financially and from a viability perspective.
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With kids, I would say, any age under 150. I.e., If I had kids, I would take any opportunity to get them out the country, or at least ensure that they have a backup plan. I don't think that the country is necessarily going to go to hell in a hand-basket in the next 20 years, but I don't have high hopes for the next 40-80 years.

I think that a move would likely only be comfortable for those up to 50 or so. 10-15 years working in a country is usually good enough to really integrate, and for a professional, would also provide enough to retire on if very careful.
 
Dave said:
Thinks it's probably not wise to mention that some Euro countries will swap a ZA licence for a small admin fee :whistle:
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Remind me whats the process for this? Mail in the ZA one or something like that?
 
Actually...I do have a good point on coping mechanism:

mybb...in some way it's the one thing that hasn't changed & moves with me if I have a laptop. Small sense of normalcy even if half the threads no longer apply.
 
Oops, slightly out of touch, it's £43 now.

You can no longer drive in the UK with an old South African book of life-style licence or letter of entitlement to one, and you can’t exchange these for a UK licence. You must have a new credit-card style licence or a letter of entitlement to one.

Swap a credit-card style licence for a Great Britain issued licence
Order form D1 from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
Send the form, £43 fee and any documents you need (including your driving licence) to the address on the form.
You should get your new licence within 3 weeks.
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https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-driving-licence
 
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Dave said:
Should save you on insurance as well, they backdate the Brit licence to the date you passed ZA licence.
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I've slacked. Almost been here for 2 years and still haven't done it.

The back-dating: for the date your license was first issued, or the date of the renewal?
 
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