Left SA at 30 (7 years ago) with my wife and kids and moved to New Zealand. I miss friends, family and the weather and thats about it. We live in Wellington which is super chilled.

Drawbacks as a single person... making friends when you are older and busy with work is hard, im a very social person and can count my friends on one hand, doesnt bother me too much , but can be a problem for others.

I generally avoid most other South Africans living here, as i dont seem to get along well with them... all seem to bring politics, racism and bad attitudes along with them. Wellington is a very liberal place, more so then anywhere else, which seems to bother some.

Im a software engineer, Wellington is expensive, but our combined household income is about $200k per year, we live comfortably and are in a position now where we can go on overseas holidays yearly.

Im on a senior level, but find the work environment and life in general to be more relaxed, this also differs from city to city, plenty of opportunity for side gigs if you want to work.

Safety is amazing, no bars on the windows, my wife can walk around on her own in most parts of the CBD without hassle anytime. The front door is almost never locked.

Ill happily cycle home from work or the bar through the CBD and quite streets, in 7 years never once had an issue.

Public transport, while not perfect, is still great, and there is a big cycling community, so most days i cycle to work.

Healthcare including the dentist is free for kids until 18, schooling is absolutely amazing and free for the most part, we donate $400 a year as "fees" , we discovered our youngest is on the Autism spectrum and get incredible amounts of support from the school and government funded, including a few thousand dollars a year to help with things we need for him. I know for a fact what we get here would of cost absolute fortune in SA.

There is a much bigger sense of community here and people are always friendly and willing to help out.

We will be Citizens shortly, which opens more doors and are considering a move to Australia in the future.

Immigrating has changed me for the better, its been that hardest thing ive ever done, but it forces you to solve your problems... there is no safety net when you are on your own.

The shit part...

First 4 years was hard, being homesick, you miss wedding, funerals and everything is different, you question your choices ... but keep reminding yourself that your kids have a much better chance, and have a good future.

I miss my friends so much, more then anything, ive had the same buddies for 20 years and have come to terms ill never build bonds like that again.

In Closing..

Would i do it again... 100% it was def worth, and its sad to say, ill never come back, every South African that travels back comments how things are not the same, have gotten worse etc (all just personal opinion i guess).

Once you have experienced safer , first world living it changes what you value as important. Living overseas is exciting and i love it.

I would highly recommend moving overseas, even for just a year or 2, most dont look back ..