Software developer away from a major city

[debonair]

Is there anyone here developing software from a small town or remote farming area around South Africa. What has been your experience, What do you do for internet. My work allows me to work from anywhere now, and am considering the move. I think the lifestyle is great.

please share your experience. what's to love and what do you hate?

 

[cguy]

I'm not in SA, but I am in the process of setting up my "country home" now.

So, some things I've done/considered:

• In the offer contract, I required that the seller upgrades their internet to something acceptable, and allowed me to test it. Turned out this was vital - first home I went under contract on was far enough out, they couldn't get more than 10mb/s
• I considered the post-covid world for the purchase, and decided to not buy anything I wouldn't use when the world returns to normal, so it's close enough that I don't mind one trip there, and one back per week.
• Internet reliability - I have a dual-WAN internet solution at home from two different providers (one fiber, one wireless), so I can fail-over if necessary.
• I have backup power (natural gas powered full-house generator)
• Low crime, given that you're going to be relatively isolated (new town has had 1 murder in the last 20 years.
• Access/Maintenance, etc. to new and old property (which I'm keeping for when local offices open back up). E.g., smart homes, smart door locks, etc. so I can let in deliveries, furniture, workmen, etc. when I'm not there.

Benefits are: quiet, safe, a ton of space, forest near and on property, pool, neighbours are far, far away (don't have to dodge them when trying to leave the building), etc.

 

[debonair]

I moved from my flat in Alberton to a small holding in the Vaal (about 5 hectares) at the beginning of lockdown with the intention of doing a bit of farming. The farm house is old and I have been doing few renovations to make it more liveable. Most of the work I have been doing is outside. Ploughing the fields and setting up a market garden.

The time spent here full time has been very valuable. I have managed to get a lot done and learn a lot. There have been a lot of challenges though.

• Internet. Good luck getting fibre, so I tried wireless, but there are a lot of tall gum trees here so I could not get line of sight. The 4g is also bad, but I managed to improve reception by attaching an external antenna from Poynting. I also got VSAT now and am a getting a decent 20mbps for R1299 pm
• Security is also an issue, so I need to put up an electric fence around the whole property. There is a wall that was built around the main homestead fortunately.
• Distance from work. During lock down I have been working from home, so that's been fine, since its coming to an end, I am definitely not looking forward to driving from Vereeneging to Centurion everyday sigh..
• I am busy trying to find permanent remote work so I can live here full time and not have to drive to the office.

So far its been good. Its quiet. I have space to do stuff. I am growing organic heirloom veges. I ordered a brewing kit which I can't wait to arrive and try out! Also planting lots of trees coz I feel the property is a bit bare.

Fun times ahead!