Can you get the same lifestyle in Britain as you do in South Africa?

There are always several good reasons why South Africans emigrate Britain. While they may vary there are some that pop up time and again. These include the need to feel safe, good schooling, jobs, and the ability to travel.

As a South African who has moved to the UK twice (once in 2000 as a student and again in 2018) I would say that all these things ring true. You DO feel safer, the schools (depending on where go and the Ofsted rating) are good and the prospects of getting a job are better.

But what tends to trip South Africans up, time and again, is the lifestyle here in Blighty. They just cannot seem to get used to it. And if you were to really drill down on this and compare to what you have in South Africa you just can’t compare it.

Here are five things that tend to disappoint South Africans when the reality of living in Britain sinks in.

1. You will clean your own home

The average cost of a house clean, according to householdquotes.co.uk, is between £10-£20 (R207- R414.78*) per hour, depending on whether you hire an agency or independent contractor. And this is just for your basic clean which generally includes vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms, and mopping.

Things like an end of tenancy clean (when you move out of the house you’re renting) is even more costly, between £50 and £150 (R1,036 and R3,110.84) per hour according to the same website.

General household cleaning will NOT include things like ironing, window cleaning, upholstery, and oven cleaning. At this price not many of us can afford to have a cleaner at the house for hours (something we would typically be able to afford in South Africa).

While cleaning your own home may sound like a doddle, trust me this is not a chore you want to be constantly burdened with if you have a family (young kids in particular).

Solution: When you first draw up a budget with your new salary make sure you can factor in paying a cleaner to come help. Trust me when I say that even an hour or two of cleaning by a pro will help in a big way.

Get the family involved – and ideally used to cleaning the house before you move to the UK.

2. You will balk at the cost of childcare

If you move over here and you don’t have family and friends who you know intimately well that can look after your kids you’ll be forced to rely on babysitters, nurseries, childminders and nannies and the general schooling system to offer that kind of support, particularly if you work and must commute to the office.

While parents of kids of school going age don’t have to pay school fees if they opt for a state school (this tab is picked up by the taxpayer) there are other costs associated that can eat into your disposable income – these include things like breakfast club (which can help if you need to have an early drop off before work) and costs around £4 (R83) per kid per session and after school care (which can cost anything from £15 (R312) an hour upwards).

Nannies, childminders, and nurseries (the typical option for those under the age of five) are very expensive. There is no state option, however you may qualify for childcare support such as tax-free childcare.

Also (and confusingly) public schools are private schools!

Solution: Find out exactly how much it will cost to send your child to nursery, etc., if they are not yet of school going age and evaluate whether it’s still financially feasible for you to work. You may need to consider part time work or even become a stay-at-home parent as some nursery care can cost as much as your rent or mortgage a month.

3. You will have to ‘relearn’ English

If I tell my kids to “put on a Jersey” or “turn left at the robot” they look at me like I’ve lost the plot.

FYI: a jersey is a ‘jumper’ and robots are ‘traffic lights’ here. Also, if your neighbour invites you for tea, expect to be served dinner and not that hot beverage you have with your koeksisters!

Solution: I don’t think there is one – when in Rome and all that.

4. You pack your own groceries and put in your own petrol

There are no grocery packer jobs although sometimes the people at the till will help you out, but this is not the norm. Also, you fill up your own petrol and there’s no friendly face to wash your windows.

Solution: There is none really. You get used to it. But do brush up on the motoring side of things before you leave South Africa – especially those of us that are less mechanically savvy.

5. Opening a bank account and getting your credit score up is hard

To open a UK bank account, you need a proof of address and some ID. Some will even ask you for your utility bills, which can be difficult if you’re fresh off the boat.

Solution: You may find it easier to open a bank account with disruptor banks like Monzo and Starling. These banks are like TymeBank in South Africa in that they’re mainly digital and you don’t need to go into a branch.

Alternatively, see if your current bank in South Africa will offer you an offshore bank account. Standard Bank for instance offers an offshore bank account through the Isle of Man.

Alternatively, you can approach an organisation like Sable International that can help you open a UK bank account.

Building up credit record is also hard, but you must do this in stages. Be prepared apply for credit cards with higher interest rates such as the ones offered by Aqua, Marbles and Capital One.

*Currency conversion correct as of 2 February 2022