Is it worth dreaming of resettling in South Africa?

Question

At the moment I do not have a glamourous lifestyle but is able to save about a 1000USD a month. I do not have management qualifications and if I return to SA will not nearly earn the same money I do now, but I'm tired of living in a foreign country and the hassle that goes with it. I soon have to make up my mind.

Edit:
Excellent and encouraging answers so far. Thanks people, it's a difficult crossroad in my life.

Answer 1

Im in the same shoes you are in now.
its SUCH a difficult decision to make. Im not living a glamorous life too ...but my life here in Copenhagen is FAR better than it will be in South Africa.
ALTHOUGH I AM packing my bags and heading home in December. to give it just one more shot. Give it everything Iv got. I believe our lives will be what WE make of it. If we are positive that resettling in SA will work then it WILL. but if we return with a negative attitude then nothing good will follow. How can it..when we "block" the possibilities with our negative thinking.
I do have fears. Especially with regards to earning a decent living and how much im going to lose out financially etc..and dont forget the crime. Its been amazing for me..as a young women to just travel around at night..be completely free and safe and I never had to look over my shoulders. But with all that.......I still want to be in a land I can call HOME.
good luck with whatever you choose!!

Answer 2

Yes, Darth, it is a very difficult decision in one´s life. I would say, had I been in the 30-40 yr age bracket, I would jump at an opportunity, because at that age one still has the possibility of getting oneself established in a job, a business. One also needs the energy and discipline, vasbyt to do this. There are really many business opportunities in SA. SA is still growing economically. There was a German couple who pack up and left their country to follow their dream in SA. The dream did not work out, but they wanted to stay in SA, and now have a viable business importing horse boxes to SA. I do think that it is very important to have a good amount of capital at hand to tide oneself over for the first few months, and if possible of buying property and such. There are still many niches open to entrepreneurs, it is just finding a suitable one and then one is A for away!

I have a niece who worked for a few years on a yacht, saved all her money and met her future husband. They came back to SA and bought themselves a smallholding ar Onrusriver in the cape for cash. Stayed there a few years, but are now in the UK and have rented out their property.Her husband is a fully qualified electrician, so can work anywhere in the world. The thing is to find something that everyone needs, like a car mechanic, an electrician, computer technologist etc.

Answer 3

I just moved from Berlin to Cape Town 2 months ago and it was the best thing I could do. Everybody keeps asking me how I can survive with the little money I'm earning. With my profession I would make 4 times as much in Germany (and I am very well paid for South African standards), but as many said before: the mountains, the sea, the beautiful and friendly people. It's all worth it!

Answer 4

Im a Capetown boy whos been living between Germany and Holland for the past 2 years.I have a German wife now and have the oppertunity to settle here or return to SA.Firstly I must tell you that i hate it here and cant wait to return home.My wife loves SA and is all for settling there.We are saving as much money as humanly possible before we return so that we can buy a house cash.We are thinking of opening a guest house in the Table view area of Capetown.I must admit that working in Europe has its benifits as ive travelled alot and seen many beautiful places but still nothing that ive seen in all my travels can compare to SA.There is so much potential in South Africa.There are the negatives like crime and poverty but for overall quality of life, for me SA is tops.
Living in Europe really has a way of getting a person down.Even my wife admits that she will be happier in SA.
Anyways dude, make that decision and go home to where you belong.

Answer 5

Darth, many of us are at cross-roads over the same issue, but try as we may, none of us can quite get SA out of our blood. There are millions of us spread across this world, some claiming that they could never go back for some reason or the other and they battle to make the best of a new life in an unfamiliar country. Then there are the one's like us who have tried but cannot overcome the urge to return home, despite all odds. I know that I will never earn the same salary back home nor will I have the same status in my present career but at times, I don't care, I just want to go home. Give it a try if you must, it's the only way that you are going to be able to move on. I am going home for a month in mid December.

Answer 6

yes it is. I was in london for 3 years, also earning more than what i could imagine to earn here, but have come back because of the lifestyle and because of the people, and man it's good. i am not able to nearly save as much as i could over there, but the lifestyle is much better, the mountains are close, the beach is there, the south african friendliness is there, the smell of braais in the air, the blue skies, obviously among all the sad parts, but it's still a great place to live! been back for a few months now!

Answer 7

I'm also at the cross-roads. Have 1 child in Australia and two in SA. I just miss the people and as you say, you get tired of trying to adapt and get used to another country. And people think Australia is a lot like South Africa, but it's not. Not to me. It's nice but home is home.

Answer 8

Dont make a mistake of your life. I have to assume you in the USA. You should thank your lucky stars you got a work permit .Make a life for yourself in the States get yourself a citizenship first then maybe if you still want to return to SA you have a backup. Me personaly no ways too problematic. Millions of people from all walks of life are trying to get into the USA. Next time round the chances are you will not get a visa or work permit.

Answer 9

G'day Darth Vader,

Thank you for your question.

It depends on whether you could have a better life in South Africa that you can where you are. That in turn depends on what you think life will be like in the future both in South Africa.
Perhaps you could look at getting qualifications so you can return to a better job.

Good luck.

Answer 10

Come home ! Come home now ! Money is not everything ! Even if you are penny-less upon arrival in SA ,making a living is not to difficult ! Don't listen to the complains on this site about SA . Your heart has spoken ! We'll be waiting .