Have namechanged.
Hi,
We've just returned from our semi-annual 'pilgrimage' to SA with DS1 and DS3. I was there for 6 weeks, DH joined me for 3 of the 6. The result is that DH is quite determined that we should go back, he is thinking of a 2 year timetable to go, possibly when eldest DS starts school. Has put his name down for a school (offers will be made from this June onwards) and has started planning this already (looked into converting mortgage to buy-to-let, recruiters, glanced at property). The kids had a whale of a time, was in the pool all day every day, we did all the stuff we used to do, met up with old friends. They all seem quite happy but are (imo) in denial about the crime etc, just live behind high walls on secure estates that cost a bomb...
As for me - I'm not so sure. Going for a holiday and living there are 2 different things. We have lived here for almost 7 years, came here as skint newlyweds with £2k and 2 suitcases and have done well I think considering, I love living here, although I can see the attraction of returning. DH has no friends here, but lots of family. He works crazy hours with a hellish commute (only recent though). We travel to London once every 2 months or so to see my friends and their DH's, otherwise are socially quite isolated where we live, though I am involved in quite a few things in our town. I think of England as 'home'.
There are just SO MANY things that worry me to no end about going back. Crime, cost of living (it has become soooooooooooo expensive), dire education system, private healthcare, etc. vs the outdoors lifestyle, being with family and esp grandparents, DH thinks he can earn more there than here, kids being exposed to our language more than just hearing it from DH and me, etc. We would live in CT.
The compromise would be to go for 10 years and then return. My worry is is that a) we'll start from scratch again, b) uprooting teenagers might not be that easy, c) our parents will then be mid-70's. Surely that is exactly the age when you don't want to leave them and move hemispheres?
Anybody else thinking of going back?
(Apologies for the essay)
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Any South Africans living in the UK thinking of going back?
20 replies
GandalfsHat · 22/01/2013 17:09
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