#ImLeaving - Relocation Advice?

[Steamy Tom]

do you want a party about it? why multiple threads on the same topic, just pack your kak and gaan ne.

 

[Tman*]

I dunno why you would want to take over a container of stuff especially if you are single. I'm married, have pets and if we go it'll be a laptop backpacks, suitcases and wallets...

Because his prospective employer will pay?

 

[wombling]

Good luck with your move. Its not easy to just leave because leaving family is difficult. Things get easier. Think about what you want to take. Some employers will give you a relocation package and you can either move all your stuff or use it to get new things. If you're not sentimental, sell everything and get new stuff.

 

[cguy]

Because his prospective employer will pay?

Actually, that brings up a point: OP, make sure that these benefits are “grossed up”. I know of a few people who were given say $20k or so in moving expenses and then had this $20k added to their taxable income, and then had to pay tax on it.

Personally, mine came up to $40k or so, was grossed up (to about $60k) and then I got a big check back later because I only worked for 3 months of the year, and the gross up was by month.

Obviously this depends on how the tax works in Ireland - in my case the moving costs were considered personal income.

 

[Matt91]

Don't listen to anyone here OP you NEED A CONTAINER.

Can I hitch a ride in your container please?

 

[Tman*]

Actually, that brings up a point: OP, make sure that these benefits are “grossed up”. I know of a few people who were given say $20k or so in moving expenses and then had this $20k added to their taxable income, and then had to pay tax on it.

Some employers will give out these allowances to employees and pay out the lump sums mentioned above.

A more common practice lately is to provide actual benefits and not a lump sum, which the employer will pay for directly (temp accommodation, household goods move etc). This is due to employee abuse on the system, ie they pocket the $20k and complain in host country they are living in a dump, dont have any furniture etc.

Find out what type of benefit your employer will offer and take it from there.

 

[Johnatan56]

Thank you. Many people have accused me of being unpatriotic, especially because South Africa needs my skills. But I'm not so much as leaving as being pushed out. I voted for Mandela's ANC. What is really heartsore is that South Africa had so much potential, only for it to be burnt to the ground.

I'm a person of faith and so I don't want to be a racist but I can see Im becoming that. When I see a government prepared to destroy the lives of so many, it's hard not to resent the black majority for continuing to elect them into office.

Thanks for the laugh, you're unpatriotic for a country that is falling apart at its seems due to corruption and mismanagement with a majority voting for it to continue.

Good luck with the move, I expect free appointments for MyBB members at your new place.

 

[Hamster]

Because his prospective employer will pay?

I suppose. And then you can sell for profit when it eventually arrives 1-3 months later.

 

[Tman*]

I suppose. And then you can sell for profit when it eventually arrives 1-3 months later.

From an employers perspective a relocation allowance is not there so the employee can pocket the cash, or for any "profit" purposes.

The prospect of gaining a large amount of cash is attractive, but its crucial to remember these allowances are put in place to ensure the employee settles in destination country with all the amenities and comforts they had back home, in order for them to perform optimal at work. Well, in theory any reputable company should have this implemented in their mobility policy. In practice if a lump sum is provided 80% of the lump sum goes towards paying off credit cards, or funding a lavish holiday.

 

[Hamster]

From an employers perspective a relocation allowance is not there so the employee can pocket the cash, or for any "profit" purposes.

No s‎hit. Never knew.

 

[cguy]

Some employers will give out these allowances to employees and pay out the lump sums mentioned above.

A more common practice lately is to provide actual benefits and not a lump sum, which the employer will pay for directly (temp accommodation, household goods move etc). This is due to employee abuse on the system, ie they pocket the $20k and complain in host country they are living in a dump, dont have any furniture etc.

Find out what type of benefit your employer will offer and take it from there.

In my case, almost all the moving benefits were direct. About $10k cash stipend, and then the other 75% of it was crates, car rental, corporate housing, etc., but the costs for this still ended up showing up as income for me.

 

[My_King]

If you voted for the anc, you should be forced to live with the consequences imho.

With you on this.

****ing cnut, votes ANC, runs away.

 

[jezzad]

Man this thought has also crossed my mind a good couple times in the last week or two. Do you own property here? If so are you selling or renting it out or just leaving it?

 

[clickingbuttons]

do you want a party about it? why multiple threads on the same topic, just pack your kak and gaan ne.

A South Africans compassion knows no bounds.

 

[MrGray]

It's truly amazing how many people I know that voted for the ANC in the early days have emigrated.

 

[JeanneFick]

It's not English. You're going to have to learn a whole new "English". You're going to have to learn that "shorts" is actually "shirts" in SA. When they say "dirty tree and a turd", they actually mean 33.3. When they say slaan, it's actually a greeting and doesn't mean "moer". They cuss excessively. It's part of their language. And of course, they drink... a lot. All towns are constructed the same: pub, row of housies, pub, church, pub, school, pub, church, pub, housies, pub, and a pub at the end of the road.

 

[Geoff.D]

So I've made the difficult decision to leave SA. I will miss my family and the beautiful outdoors (I'm a hiking enthusiast - my hiking buddies say I'm going to miss the sun

I will not miss greed, corruption, crime, crony appointments, EE and paying taxes for services I don't receive (such as an efficient Post Office, electricity, policing, health.....and the list goes on).

I am a specialist doctor, currently with my own practice at a Netcare hospital. I am in the process of selling the practice.

After Brexit the most important country in Europe is Ireland (except for Malta it's the only English speaking country in the EU) and I will be joining a practice in Dublin as a senior Associate with opportunity for partnership once I've established a relationship.

My employer will be making an application for a work permit for me, though it's possible that because we are a small private practice it will be a general work permit rather than a critical skills one. Either way I'm grateful to have a good job lined up.

Given that the practice would be sponsoring my visa, I'm not sure just what I can ask for in terms of relocation allowance. I'm a single guy so the only major cost would be moving my furniture (I've been quoted R100k for a half container).

I have to negotiate my package next week and don't want to look to expensive. For those who've emigrated (or know those who have), is there a standard/basic allowance for international relocation that I could legitimately expect or would I have to pick up this cost myself?

As a single person, sell off everything and save yourself all the trouble of shipping stuff you can replace anyway. Keep only the really important items, heirlooms etc.
Furniture, unless really high-quality stuff, is not worth shipping half across the World. Get the company to agree to allow you to purchase replacement stuff when you get there.

 

[themba990]

Thank you. Many people have accused me of being unpatriotic, especially because South Africa needs my skills. But I'm not so much as leaving as being pushed out. I voted for Mandela's ANC. What is really heartsore is that South Africa had so much potential, only for it to be burnt to the ground.

I'm a person of faith and so I don't want to be a racist but I can see Im becoming that. When I see a government prepared to destroy the lives of so many, it's hard not to resent the black majority for continuing to elect them into office.

Good for you OP. The sooner you go,the sooner you'll be back . Just kidding. Having lived and worked abroad myself I highly recommend it. It will be tough in the beginning especially since you're going solo but my advice is to get into hobbies and activities around your new community so you can meet people.

 

[grok]

Thank you. Many people have accused me of being unpatriotic, especially because South Africa needs my skills. But I'm not so much as leaving as being pushed out. I voted for Mandela's ANC. What is really heartsore is that South Africa had so much potential, only for it to be burnt to the ground.

I'm a person of faith and so I don't want to be a racist but I can see Im becoming that. When I see a government prepared to destroy the lives of so many, it's hard not to resent the black majority for continuing to elect them into office.

Don't make excuses or second guess your choices, you did nothing wrong & many more feel exactly like you do..
This place is truly ****ed, getting worse by the day & won't recover, burn it & start over somewhere civilized.

 

[maumau]

I dunno why you would want to take over a container of stuff especially if you are single. I'm married, have pets and if we go it'll be a laptop backpacks, suitcases and wallets...

.... and pets I hope.