Emigrating - Who has done it?


I know that is a very difficult topic. But here's my thinking on it if it helps at all: Your parents will only be there for a few more years, but if you don't make the move while you can, you might have to face the reality that your kids might one day move away and leave you here... The world is a lot smaller these days, thanks to the Internet and things like Skype. Also once your parents have retired they can quite easily come and stay with you for several months at a time without having to worry about leave etc.
 
I've got US and UK citizenship so either place will do - UK would probably be less of a shock to the missus though.

Are you looking at adopting for the benefit of the US citizenship? :P ;)

I understand your wife's struggle to leave because of her parents as mine is also torn with leaving family behind.

The world has gotten a lot smaller though with technology and cheaper air fare, so it isn't like it used to be.
 
It it possible to leave Sa, to Aus or UK without having a degree?
 
It it possible to leave Sa, to Aus or UK without having a degree?

Yes, depends if your skills are in demand. Australia for example has very high demand for certain artisans which don't have degrees.
 
Well i am basically just an IT technician with MS certifications.
 
Well i am basically just an IT technician with MS certifications.

Not exactly in high demand, but you can find a job at an IT firm or start your own business if you are a resident of the country you want to emigrate to.
 
Think long and hard.

Why can you not go back to your own country?

If you don't feel like SA is home after so long, what reason is there to think that another country can become home?

Will you not just be swapping one set of problems for another set of problems in another, strange place?

Have you got a wife and kids? A major reason for wanting to leave, but also a major change for them.

The grass is generally only greener in Europe because it doesn't go brown in winter.

In the UK................

Prices are high, unemployment is high, pay for many jobs is fairly low, required skill sets are different, SA references and qualifications usually mean nothing, people can't be bothered, unless you have something very special to offer. With hundreds of applicants for each job, lack of local experience and references is a serious disadvantage.

Housing, transport, energy (gas, electricity petrol etc) are all very expensive.

I left, leaving my two eldest kids behind, I don't regret leaving for the reasons I did, but I long to be back in SA, impossible dream though it is. That longing gets stronger with time, not weaker!


Look at what you have, be realistic about what you would have if you move (dreamers get nowhere), and do a lot of research.

I don't know of a South African who would not rather be in SA if circumstances permitted.

To have a 3 bed detached bungalow on 1/4 acre (typical in SA) you would have to be in a top earning bracket.
 
I left, leaving my two eldest kids behind, I don't regret leaving for the reasons I did, but I long to be back in SA, impossible dream though it is.

The place you long back to no longer exists.
 
im outta here, to the USA in Jan... Luckily I planned correctly and started working for a company whos head office is in USA. So they do all the paperwork.

Getting my L1B visa (10 year) within the week.

screw the post about changing a set of problems for another set - go and see the world man! There is more to life than staying in one place...

if we were meant to stay in one place, we wouldn't have been born with legs...
 
Ouch!!

It still does, as long as you are a positive South African.

I am no longer able to positive about the future of this country. At 1994 sure, at 2002 yeah, at 2008 mmm, not sure, at 2014 no hope

im outta here, to the USA in Jan... Luckily I planned correctly and started working for a company whos head office is in USA. So they do all the paperwork.

Getting my L1B visa (10 year) within the week.

screw the post about changing a set of problems for another set - go and see the world man! There is more to life than staying in one place...

if we were meant to stay in one place, we wouldn't have been born with legs...

Good for you for not being a Steve :D
 
Will you not just be swapping one set of problems for another set of problems in another, strange place?

This question makes sense if the "problems" you need to consider is something like the weather. You can learn to deal with it or you don't.

Getting murdered isn't something you can learn to deal with.

TheSangoma said:
I don't know of a South African who would not rather be in SA if circumstances permitted.

They're not in SA precisely because of the circumstances in SA.
 
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There are other places in the world to experience than the UK and Aus.

Sure each country has its problems to deal with...but these genuinely are "1st world problems". Trust me, you can eat a lot of red tape to sleep peacefully at night and to know if you're sick you don't have to go to a SA hospital...or even pay to go.

However...if you go, it has to be to move TOWARDS a certain goal rather than running AWAY from other problems. That way no matter how nice SA is to you, you're still focussed on your goal and not just a refugee in another country.
 
The place you long back to no longer exists.

I realise that, but there is still a longing.

I have moved around to different countries, and although the UK may be safer, there are still more problems than just the weather.

My youngest (4) is lucky to be here, thanks to the mess made by the NHS. A colleague of mines daughter was not so lucky with her child, again because of mess ups by the hospital. We don't plan another, but if one came along, we would take the other kids out of school, and move to the Philippines for a year or so. Sad, but never again here!!!

My eldest two who are in SA, were born in Pmb, and at that time greys was excellent, my eldest here was born in a private hospital in Pmb, again top notch.

My point was to make sure you are certain, and the decision is based on the right reasons, there is no going back for most people!
 
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