South Africa is one of the world’s most beautiful countries and most people who move there, never want to leave.
1. Landscape
Moving to South Africa will allow you to explore the country’s extremely diverse landscape. It’s frequently described as “A World in One Country” and there is good reason for this. To begin with, it has 1,600 miles of coastline which stretches from Namibia and the Atlantic Ocean, round the tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas where it becomes the Indian Ocean, and up to the Mozambiquan border. No wonder fishing is such a big industry in the country.
In the middle of the country you have the Drakensberg, a magnificent range of mountains which soar up to nearly 11,500 feet and are often covered in snow. In contrast, you have the Kalahari Desert on the Botswanan and Namibian borders where the temperatures frequently reach well over 105°f. You have areas with rolling green hills, indigenous bush, scrubby landscape, lush farm land and much, much more.
2. Flora and Fauna
Anyone moving to South Africa will be looking forward to seeing the wildlife up close and personal. There are many games parks to see around the country, the most well-known being the Kruger National Park. Once you’ve moved to South Africa you can experience these parks, both private and government, and enjoy true South African hospitality from small basic tented camps to 5* luxury.
South Africa’s plant life is extensive and beautiful. There are 22,000 indigenous plants from 230 different families. The country boasts that is has 10% of the world’s flowering species. The Western Cape is particularly proud of its indigenous flowers and visitors flock from around the world to see the spring flowers in the province.
3. Lifestyle
If you are moving to South Africa, know that you will experience a good lifestyle. Housing is of a high standard and private education is excellent. South Africa is home to many different nationalities and is a melting pot of cultures which can be seen in its cuisine, housing styles, places of worship and its people.
South Africans love their leisure time, which they use spending time with family, eating out, exercising and generally enjoying themselves. They are a welcoming people and really embrace visitors and new residents alike and love nothing more than to invite you round for a Sunday lunch time braai (barbecue), expecting you to stay well into the evening.
4. Your Rand Goes a Long Way
People moving to South Africa find that their money goes a long way. The cost of living is generally much cheaper than other first world countries so you can enjoy a higher standard of living for much less.
5. Wining and Dining
For those lovers of fine dining and wines, South Africa is definitely the place to move. The quality of South African wines is legendary and there are many excellent restaurants, especially in the Cape and Johannesburg, which would have Michelin stars, if Michelin awarded stars in restaurants in Africa.
6. Weather
If nothing else persuades you to move to South Africa, the weather will. What an amazing climate! The sun shines during spring, summer, autumn and winter. The temperatures sometime rise to over 100°f in some parts of the country but it generally cools down at night, so sleeping is still possible. The KwaZulu Natal Midlands and the Eastern Cape experience very cold nights during winter BUT the sun will shine the following day and the temperature will rise considerably. Layering of clothing is the answer to living in South Africa during the winter.
7. Life is Slower and You’ll Learn Patience
The pace of life in South Africa depends on which city you are moving to. Johannesburg is considered the fastest, followed by Cape Town and then Durban, where the pace of life is dead slow. The famous saying, ‘This is Africa’ (TIA for short), is something you need to keep in mind while waiting patiently for a phone call to be returned. South African’s idea of ‘now’ can be tomorrow or next week, so make patience one of your virtues.
8. Friendly People
One of the most striking things people find when they move to South Africa, is the friendliness of the people. No matter what nationality or colour they are, they will welcome you with open arms and tell you about the pluses and minuses of living in South Africa. Like any country, South Africa does have some negative points such as security. You should be vigilant and aware as you would be in any country in the world.
9. Sport
Sports lovers will love living in South Africa. Most the population are obsessed with either cricket, rugby or soccer. Cycling, running and swimming come a close second. Schools spend every afternoon on sporting activities, so kids grow up in a sporting culture. People are very competitive but there isn’t the hooliganism which is often experienced in Europe. Supporters from opposite teams will watch together and go out for a beer or three after the match.
South Africa’s vast coastline is great for surfing and is a sport enjoyed by many. Tennis, squash, bowls, croquet, badminton, swimming, hockey are all played at the many sports clubs dotted around the country. There are also some world class golf courses in South Africa, where the 19th hole awaits you with a true South African welcome.
10. Private Healthcare
Private healthcare in South Africa is on a par with any of the best in Europe and the States, both the hospitals and the staff are first class. An added bonus of moving to South Africa is enjoying the cheap cosmetic surgery. People from all over the globe come for face lifts and more, and then go on safari to recover before returning home looking 10 years younger.
