Immigrating to the UK

Another thing I noticed. Every so often while you plodding the streets or driving around, you get a strong whiff of skunk.

It's really a lot more common than I expected
Skunks aren't indigenous to the UK so I'm assuming you mean something else by "skunk"?

The wife and kid got their first whiff of skunk spray this summer in the US - it's something they won't soon forget. :ROFL:
 
Skunks aren't indigenous to the UK so I'm assuming you mean something else by "skunk"?

The wife and kid got their first whiff of skunk spray this summer in the US - it's something they won't soon forget. :ROFL:

Err not sure if...but just in case...pretty sure he's referring to:

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Although can't say I've come across any myself...
 
Plenty of the late night dog walks are adrift with the smells of a spliff here, lol. It's quite funny to see everyone walking slow or chilling on a bench, cherry in the dark
 
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I would go into the office more if it didn't cost me £20 to do so. The aircons there are just sublime.

Ironically I think with this heat I might just sublimate!
I am going to be putting in an aircon when my GF and I rent a place together. The landlord can keep it when I leave, my gift to the next tenants. But I will happily pay for the equipment and installation just so I can keep cool during summer.
It would be interesting to see how energy efficient an aircon is at heating during winter.
 
I would go into the office more if it didn't cost me £20 to do so. The aircons there are just sublime.

Ironically I think with this heat I might just sublimate!
I am going to be putting in an aircon when my GF and I rent a place together. The landlord can keep it when I leave, my gift to the next tenants. But I will happily pay for the equipment and installation just so I can keep cool during summer.
It would be interesting to see how energy efficient an aircon is at heating during winter.
300-400% for a good one
 
- I don't mind starting over
I am not sure why this is a such an issue. Wife and I were concerned about it. To be honest we are pretty much to back to owning all we had again. Only difference is the "things" we have now are new.

People equate it to starting as a student. We don't earn as students anymore. It's a lot easier to get the necessities with a solid adult income.
 
I am not sure why this is a such an issue. Wife and I were concerned about it. To be honest we are pretty much to back to owning all we had again. Only difference is the "things" we have now are new.

People equate it to starting as a student. We don't earn as students anymore. It's a lot easier to get the necessities with a solid adult income.
I think the "new things" is why my wife is a bit worried about starting over.
We moved in to a newly built house designed ourselves, bought all new appliances, custom designed furniture, etc. all just a year ago.
That was before I knew it as possible to move over with an AV.
 
I think the "new things" is why my wife is a bit worried about starting over.
We moved in to a newly built house designed ourselves, bought all new appliances, custom designed furniture, etc. all just a year ago.
That was before I knew it as possible to move over with an AV.
I know the feels. Literally finished renovating the entire house and built an office at the bottom of the property months before I got the call. When I say renovate, I mean from replacing the floors to the roof. Made over each and every room except the kitchen which was done by previous owner and the wife liked.

Sucks, but we are looking for a new place to do some reno. This time with lessons learnt.

Edit: forgot to mention the same agency reached out to me in 2019 and said I could not be considered as they are looking for candidates with master degree's only. Would have made my life a lot simpler if they dropped that requirement back then already.
 
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For folks with properties in SA when they left, did you end up selling? Can't decide between keeping the house in CT and renting out or just selling the place. I sort of like the idea of owning a house there and here, but not sure if it's worth the hassle.
 
I am not sure why this is a such an issue. Wife and I were concerned about it. To be honest we are pretty much to back to owning all we had again. Only difference is the "things" we have now are new.

People equate it to starting as a student. We don't earn as students anymore. It's a lot easier to get the necessities with a solid adult income.

The main concern I've heard with regards to "starting over" is starting a new pension fund at an older age, trying to buy a house in an expensive currency and ultimately dividing your assets by 20 to get going in EU or similar.
 
For folks with properties in SA when they left, did you end up selling? Can't decide between keeping the house in CT and renting out or just selling the place. I sort of like the idea of owning a house there and here, but not sure if it's worth the hassle.

I'm in the exact same boat.

Undecided if I should keep the house and rent it out - or just sell it. wife wants to keep it for sentimental reasons and like you, likes the idea of having property out here when we leave next year

The money we may get from it will help - we owe around R500k less than what we would sell it for. But after fees and what have you - I am not sure how much of that will be left.

On the other hand; if we don't sell it - how much of s PITA is it with SARS, rental agents - keeping it maintained, etc, etc.
 
For folks with properties in SA when they left, did you end up selling? Can't decide between keeping the house in CT and renting out or just selling the place. I sort of like the idea of owning a house there and here, but not sure if it's worth the hassle.
I ended up selling. Thought about renting out but then with all the horror stories I heard it's not workth the effort. You will need to find a decent rental agency and then if things so south it's difficult to manage from overseas.

Just sell and move on. The extra pounds will always be useful.

My 2c. If you keep it you will always have that one foot in SA and think if it doesn't work out we can easily go back to SA as we have a house. With selling it you are more commited to moving and making it work.
 
I ended up selling. Thought about renting out but then with all the horror stories I heard it's not workth the effort. You will need to find a decent rental agency and then if things so south it's difficult to manage from overseas.

Just sell and move on. The extra pounds will always be useful.

My 2c. If you keep it you will always have that one foot in SA and think if it doesn't work out we can easily go back to SA as we have a house. With selling it you are more commited to moving and making it work.

Yeah that's what I am trying to work out; if it's worth it. Also, if we don't have tenants, for a period of time, that comes out of UK budget. So, can be bit of a mission.

And I'd have to still pay SARS tax on the income...
 
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