Embracing Change and Choosing Sky over Limits
Growing up in South Africa, I never envisioned myself becoming a statistic among those who chose to relocate for a fresh start abroad. The entire concept of relocating to destinations like England or other popular choices among South Africans such as New Zealand, Australia, and Amsterdam was never on my radar. I passionately embraced the sentiment behind #IChooseToStay, a hashtag that ignited a flame, emphasizing the patriotic spirit of South Africans who opted to remain. A sentiment that resonated strongly after the 1994 election when the future of South Africa was uncertain.
Navigating Crossroads
Since 1994, there has been a discernible surge in South Africans relocating abroad—a trend that has consistently gained momentum for reasons presumably understood by those making the move. Personally, I always regarded London, Singapore, and the likes of New York as tourist destinations rather than places for relocation. I used to ponder what could possibly prompt me to leave my beautiful country, having crafted my own contented reality.
Fast forward to 2021, my husband, employed as a contractor by the time, found himself at a crossroads as his contract was concluding. In the midst of the post-COVID uncertainties, he stumbled upon an overseas job opportunity that initially allowed remote work—a fitting arrangement for the times. However, the plot thickened when he discovered that he might need to work in London or any other country with the nearest offices. He laid this news on the table, we had an honest conversation about it, prayed to God to direct our steps as we began evaluating the situation. We initiated our planning process after We made a decision to go with London, the other destinations in the cards were Australia and Poland.
#IChooseToStay morphed to #ExploringBeyond
I am the inaugural generation in my family to embark on an international venture. I vividly recall presenting the idea to my parents, mentally preparing for what I feared might be an unsupportive reaction. To my astonishment, my father’s response was unexpectedly positive, and my mother echoed the same sentiment. In essence, my parents were delighted, despite recently started a family, emphasizing that we are still in the prime of our lives, echoing the sentiment that “the sky’s your only limit.” I comprehended their perspective, reflecting on a juncture in their lives when they grappled with a similar decision. To this day, I remain uncertain whether they harbor regrets or have come to terms with their choice.
Suburban Life to Strategic Planning: Navigating the Details
Residing in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg, I commuted to corporate offices in Sandton. The potential relocation news is arriving after recently purchasing a larger family car to accommodate our growing family. My son attended nursery within a 5KM radius from home, and the setup was convenient for my husband, who was working from home at the time. With the prospect of relocation looming, meticulous planning became our norm. I crafted a relocation plan, maintained a spreadsheet, and regularly shared research findings. Notifying my employer and the nursery, engaging in discussions with the doctor, and seeking advice from expats in London (including one of my husband’s former colleagues) filled our days.
Behind the Scenes: Downsizing and Emotional Farewells
Simultaneously, we grappled with the realization that our furniture was too large for London living. Selling our furniture became a necessity, and finding a buyer for the car, just weeks before the move, marked a somewhat somber day for my husband. I could sense his nostalgia, likely reminiscing about the leisurely highway trips to Limpopo, Venda. Our son, too, couldn’t help but express his feelings—our departure was now symbolized by the absence of our car.
Mind preparation began early, once the move was certain. The final announcement at church added a touch of sadness, as we bid farewell to a community that had been incredibly supportive. Despite the sadness, our departure from the Church of Christ at Littlefalls became a necessary part of our journey as we embarked on this new chapter overseas.
Downscaling prompted profound reflection on minimalist living, revealing the excess of unused space and possessions seldom integrated into our daily lives.
Essentials for Our Journey Abroad: Navigating Visas and Virgin Atlantic
We navigated the intricate visa application process, holding our breath until the day the vignettes arrived – our moment of truth. Opting for an Airbnb just outside London proved to be a cost-effective choice for temporary accommodation. Meticulously researching airlines, we settled on Virgin Atlantic for our direct flight to Heathrow airport, with layover flights ruled out due to traveling with minors. Airport transfers were also prearranged. Slowly but surely, we ticked off items from our checklist, leaving only the essentials to be procured from AMAZON and IKEA upon arrival. Notably, a dedicated 23KG luggage held a supply of baby formula, with a backup plan using DHL courier in case our preferred brand was unavailable.
Challenges and Realities: House Hunting on Rightmove
Some other challenges presented themselves when looking for permanent residence on a UK property app called Rightmove while still in South Africa, communicating with agencies under the impression that we will find a house while in South Africa, and only go and view of the properties that we liked, looking back this was never gonna be possible. It takes time to find the right property; you definitely need to be in the country so that you can go and view the property and have a look and feel; you can’t make a decision based on what you are seeing on the listing. It is a process, similar to looking for a good ofsted rating school, applying and getting shortlisted.
Flight of Discovery: The Day Our Adventure Began
Fast forward to July 15, 2022; our extended family accompanied us to OR Tambo International Airport. Still in disbelief, my son was ecstatic, playing with his lion-print hand luggage. I remained surprisingly calm, perhaps owing to the chamomile tea I had before leaving. The reality set in after takeoff. Questions flooded my mind, but my focus shifted to my 7-month-old baby. What if she struggles to sleep or cries all night? What if the pressure during takeoff affects her ears? What if the formula isn’t enough, and she refuses to eat solid food? I was stressed, hardly able to sleep.
As the plane soared through the clouds, the excitement mingled with nervousness. Every bump and jolt felt magnified, each minute ticking by seemed to stretch into an eternity. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, there was an undeniable sense of adventure. We were embarking on a journey into the unknown, leaving behind the familiar comforts of home for the promise of new experiences.
Arrival in London: Jet Lag and Uncertainty
We arrived in London on a beautiful early morning of July 16, 2022. Jet-lagged and laden with luggage, we stepped off the plane into a world that was both thrilling and intimidating. The hustle and bustle of Heathrow Airport were a stark contrast to the tranquility of the South African landscape we had left behind. Yet, as we navigated our way through the terminal, a sense of anticipation began to replace our initial apprehension.
Still, anxieties lingered. Would our transport show up? Was our temporary accommodation as promised? The weight of uncertainty hung heavy in the air as we made our way to the arrivals lounge. But then, like a beacon of hope, our transport guy appeared, ready to whisk us away to our temporary home in Dartford. Relief washed over me as we settled into the comfort of the car, the first leg of our journey finally behind us.
Unpacking Our Journey: Life in the UK
And so, our adventure in the UK began. Over the coming days and weeks, we would navigate the complexities of settling into a new country, from finding permanent accommodation to enrolling our son in school. Each day would bring its own challenges and triumphs, but through it all, we would embrace the opportunity to start anew in a land of endless possibilities.
On this site, I will be unpacking and sharing our relocation journey and life in the UK. Thank you for joining me, and feel free to comment and share your experience with us.