#ImLeaving - Relocation Advice?

[backstreetboy]

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

You're expecting too much from someone calling themselves wetwipes...

 

[reactor_sa]

As another solo, I can attest it will be emotionally tough but good luck.
Also if I did it again I would leave everything behind and buy new simply because we collect too much stuff in our big South African houses.

 

[Voicy]

Good luck my man, and remember the most important rule: Your host country doesn't owe you ANYTHING. With that mindset, you'll get far on your own 2 feet.

As for the container - ditch all your belongings here. What you can't sell, give away. I ended up giving my car to my brother.

I left with 1 suitcase and a backpack (the suitcase didn't show up for another 2 weeks, so I LITERALLY got here with nothing but the shirt on my back.)

My company didn't pay any moving costs and I bought my own plane ticket. None of that matters because your new salary will have you covered in no time.

Find a place, then buy stuff locally that suits your new pad.

All the best!

 

[Hamster]

.... and pets I hope.

How can you not take 'em?

 

[Steamy Tom]

How can you not take 'em?

View attachment 882546

i thought you were a man?

 

[S1ght]

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?

If you're going over with a company then this is fully up to them. If you're going on your own then it's up to you

I left as a young bachelor so I sold everything I had and am currently just renting a furnished apartment. It comes down to what kind of furniture you have. Does it cost more to ship it or replace it. Do the math and decide from there what's best for you

Just Remember Ireland is really expensive, dublin is one most expensive cities in the EU. But considering your a doctor your salary should be fine

I went there for a weekend once. I wouldn't say it was really expensive

 

[Hamster]

i thought you were a man?

I'm a married man.

 

[Steamy Tom]

I'm a married man.

ah nice, how is your beard doing?

 

[Hamster]

ah nice, how is your beard doing?

shurrup

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

Hell, we even went as far as getting a new mutt with our new furniture

 

[Brenden_E]

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?

It's not possible to give an indication since every company is different. In our experience, the company gave quite a sizeable sum to relocate, but we pocketed that money and left our old stuff in SA for friends and family. In my opinion, it's not worth it to lug old furniture halfway across the world. Think about what you can get for R100K instead of paying it just to move stuff. You could also sell your old furniture to help fund new stuff on that side.

 

[RVQ]

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

There is a lot less sun especially Ireland but you can comfortably go for a hike in the middle of the day in the heart of summer and not die of a heat stroke. There some amazing hikes and you can head out solo not having to worry if you going to get robbed or murdered not to mention the quick and cheap flights opens up the rest of Europe for wide variety of options

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).

Already mentioned but leave the furniture behind, trying to find a place to fit your furniture is not worth the cost and effort, stay in an AirBnB for the first month you arrive and look for a furnished apartment for you first year.

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?

Depends on the company, usually relocation costs is paid when you skills are needed elsewhere, if you requesting the move then costs are on you while some companies provide minimum interest loans

 

[The Voice]

Do not pay 100k for furniture, that's beyond silly. Get a movecube for stuff that is important (12-20k) and just get new furniture here. It's cheap and readily available from plenty places. Can't help you on the relocation costs thing, we moved over on our own. Good luck and most of all, enjoy the experience without looking back

Four letters: I-K-E-A

 

[powermzii]

All the best with the move OP... Enjoy the green green grass of Ireland

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

All the best with the move OP... Enjoy the green green grass of Ireland

And the Leprechauns
And the Guinness

 

[John Tempus]

.......

How exactly are you planning to escape SA while international and local borders remain closed possibly for many more months if not longer ?

 

[Gozado]

OP, if your new employer will pay for it, a Relocation Agent could be a blessing. Someone to show you around, teach you the way things work, administratively, in terms of shopping, medical treatment (for you, outside of your work situation), transport, sports, how to find accommodation, etc., for some single days once you arrive, plus phone access for some hours over the first few months.
Once you start work, you'll be busy. It can save you a lot of time if you can make a quick call to someone whose job it is to organise those first steps for you, or at least tell you what you need to do, or answer your questions.

 

[cguy]

OP, if your new employer will pay for it, a Relocation Agent could be a blessing. Someone to show you around, teach you the way things work, administratively, in terms of shopping, medical treatment (for you, outside of your work situation), transport, sports, how to find accommodation, etc., for some single days once you arrive, plus phone access for some hours over the first few months.
Once you start work, you'll be busy. It can save you a lot of time if you can make a quick call to someone whose job it is to organise those first steps for you, or at least tell you what you need to do, or answer your questions.

We had someone for this when we moved. Really helpful - he organized rental tour appointments, and took us around to various properties and we chose the one we liked.

He also showed us where the hospitals were (this was pre-smart phone), and recommended hospitals, banks, etc.

Really took a lot of pressure off since driving around on the right side of the road wasn’t exactly comfortable for us yet.

 

[krycor]

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.

Many people are idiots. True story.


Look my realistic assessment of the situation is that SA is not the place to be if you are under 40 especially if you have graduated anytime from 2008/9 to present because you now sit with a double whammy of 2+ global recessions (US continually bailing itself at the expense of global systems is a recession for non-US centric people, yah I know.. people on this forum won’t get it) and inability to retire comfortably unless you got “lucky”.

So yah.. only idiots see this as a sell out tbh. I actually spoke to spouse last night again about our situation as we moved to Cpt as a pit stop prior to leaving SA when things are more certain abroad (known-knowns vs unknowns and risk assessment). So yah.. just on a financial & future planning, SA is not a place to be unless u can assure self of income independent of country. In IT this is possible tho.

Wrt people & becoming racist.. I dunno. What I have seen recently is that conservative community is pushing hard anti gov (as they do) but it’s going wrong and more than in the past even the non-brain cell dead people are losing rationality. Spouse isn’t use to seeing this with her family.. so again, we giving up on SA.. (ironic ain’t it, so scales tipping more in fav of gov come voting time.. why I keep saying the DA are being f****g dumb as rational people see the stupidity).

Anyway.. my point was this, plenty of skilled professionals I know are all siting watching the chaos (particularly if they have kids) and just deciding when to jump, not if. If you single, no kids you likely at the very far end of line of people exiting your group as most have left.

 

[Matt91]

How exactly are you planning to escape SA while international and local borders remain closed possibly for many more months if not longer ?

My uncle flew out two weeks ago - he was able to do that because he's a citizen and they booked him a "repatriation flight" If you're not a citizen methinks it will very very tricky and costly. The repatriation flight was 25K as it is.