1. How did you find the housing market in Cape Town compared to Durban? Was it easier or more challenging to find suitable accommodation, and did it impact your decision to relocate?
Finding suitable accommodation in Cape Town was more challenging than I anticipated. Property prices are significantly higher than those in Durban and navigating the disparities between different neighbourhoods was not easy. We decided to rent for a year to get settled and take our time finding a property to purchase. Living in the CBD would offer a great lifestyle but was mostly apartment living, so we opted for the northern suburbs for a bigger space. However, this meant a longer commute to work. My advice is to take your time exploring different areas to find what suits your lifestyle best.
2. What are some of the key differences you have noticed in terms of living costs (e.g., rent, utilities) between Durban and Cape Town? How has that influenced your work-life balance or lifestyle?
The cost of living in Cape Town is much higher than in Durban, including rent, utilities, groceries, and restaurants. You can expect to pay at least double for the same things you would get in Durban. We have had to make some adjustments, but overall, it is manageable, especially since it is just my husband and me. For families with children, pets, or extended family, the increased costs could be more of a challenge, especially with schooling fees adding up.
3. Have you noticed any significant differences in the work attitudes or pace between Cape Town and Durban? For instance, is there more of a “hustle” culture in Cape Town, or is the atmosphere more relaxed?
Cape Town has a more relaxed pace compared to Durban and Johannesburg. While business is thriving, people tend to work at their own pace, and there’s often little urgency in the workplace. This is especially evident in the service industry, where things take longer than I was used to. There is more of a hustle culture in Durban and Johannesburg, but Cape Town offers more flexibility, with more opportunities for remote or hybrid working.
4. In terms of leisure and social opportunities, how does Cape Town compare to Durban? Have you found it easier or harder to maintain a healthy work-life balance given the lifestyle and recreational activities available in both cities?
Cape Town offers a wide range of leisure and social activities. I love running and yoga, which has been easy to maintain, especially since we live near the beach. I have joined a local running club, and there are plenty of outdoor sports like hiking, mountain climbing, swimming, and kayaking to enjoy. It is easy to adapt to an active lifestyle here. The city also has a vibrant restaurant scene, cool cafes, and markets selling crafts, vintage items, and local produce. You just need to put yourself out there to join social groups, but there is no shortage of activities to explore.
5. Did the location of your workplace in Cape Town play a significant role in choosing where you live? How does commuting compare between the two cities in terms of time, convenience, and costs?
Commuting in Cape Town was a big change for me. The traffic can be overwhelming, with daily commutes often taking an hour or more despite the distance. When we bought our home, we considered this carefully. I now have a 20-minute drive to work, compared to the 1.5-hour commute we had when living in the northern suburbs. This has really improved our quality of life. In contrast, Durban’s commute was much easier, and getting used to the longer Cape Town commute was a bit of a shock. My advice is to live closer to work or schools, as saving time on commuting can significantly improve your quality of life.
6. Overall, looking back a year and a bit later, how did your move to Cape Town turn out?
Looking back, our move to Cape Town has been successful. Sure, there were challenges like traffic, higher living costs, and finding the right housing, but the overall quality of life has improved. We enjoyed weekends spent exploring the mountains, beaches, winelands, and local farm stalls. If you are thinking about semigrating, with some careful financial planning and a “make a plan” attitude, it can be a rewarding experience that enhances your lifestyle.
Insights on Semigration: A Personal Journey from Durban to Cape Town
1. How did you find the housing market in Cape Town compared to Durban? Was it easier or more challenging to find suitable accommodation, and did it impact your decision to relocate?
Finding suitable accommodation in Cape Town was more challenging than I anticipated. Property prices are significantly higher than those in Durban and navigating the disparities between different neighbourhoods was not easy. We decided to rent for a year to get settled and take our time finding a property to purchase. Living in the CBD would offer a great lifestyle but was mostly apartment living, so we opted for the northern suburbs for a bigger space. However, this meant a longer commute to work. My advice is to take your time exploring different areas to find what suits your lifestyle best.
2. What are some of the key differences you have noticed in terms of living costs (e.g., rent, utilities) between Durban and Cape Town? How has that influenced your work-life balance or lifestyle?
The cost of living in Cape Town is much higher than in Durban, including rent, utilities, groceries, and restaurants. You can expect to pay at least double for the same things you would get in Durban. We have had to make some adjustments, but overall, it is manageable, especially since it is just my husband and me. For families with children, pets, or extended family, the increased costs could be more of a challenge, especially with schooling fees adding up.
3. Have you noticed any significant differences in the work attitudes or pace between Cape Town and Durban? For instance, is there more of a “hustle” culture in Cape Town, or is the atmosphere more relaxed?
Cape Town has a more relaxed pace compared to Durban and Johannesburg. While business is thriving, people tend to work at their own pace, and there’s often little urgency in the workplace. This is especially evident in the service industry, where things take longer than I was used to. There is more of a hustle culture in Durban and Johannesburg, but Cape Town offers more flexibility, with more opportunities for remote or hybrid working.
4. In terms of leisure and social opportunities, how does Cape Town compare to Durban? Have you found it easier or harder to maintain a healthy work-life balance given the lifestyle and recreational activities available in both cities?
Cape Town offers a wide range of leisure and social activities. I love running and yoga, which has been easy to maintain, especially since we live near the beach. I have joined a local running club, and there are plenty of outdoor sports like hiking, mountain climbing, swimming, and kayaking to enjoy. It is easy to adapt to an active lifestyle here. The city also has a vibrant restaurant scene, cool cafes, and markets selling crafts, vintage items, and local produce. You just need to put yourself out there to join social groups, but there is no shortage of activities to explore.
5. Did the location of your workplace in Cape Town play a significant role in choosing where you live? How does commuting compare between the two cities in terms of time, convenience, and costs?
Commuting in Cape Town was a big change for me. The traffic can be overwhelming, with daily commutes often taking an hour or more despite the distance. When we bought our home, we considered this carefully. I now have a 20-minute drive to work, compared to the 1.5-hour commute we had when living in the northern suburbs. This has really improved our quality of life. In contrast, Durban’s commute was much easier, and getting used to the longer Cape Town commute was a bit of a shock. My advice is to live closer to work or schools, as saving time on commuting can significantly improve your quality of life.
6. Overall, looking back a year and a bit later, how did your move to Cape Town turn out?
Looking back, our move to Cape Town has been successful. Sure, there were challenges like traffic, higher living costs, and finding the right housing, but the overall quality of life has improved. We enjoyed weekends spent exploring the mountains, beaches, winelands, and local farm stalls. If you are thinking about semigrating, with some careful financial planning and a “make a plan” attitude, it can be a rewarding experience that enhances your lifestyle.
The Growing Trend of Semigration in South Africa and Its Impact on the Corporate World
Semigration in South Africa has been steadily increasing, with many employees seeking an improved quality of life, better work-life balance, and enhanced living conditions by relocating to different cities or regions. This shift is having a notable impact on the corporate world, presenting new opportunities for both employers and employees.
According to BusinessTech, employees relocating to more desirable locations within the country can enjoy a better work-life balance, leading to greater job satisfaction and overall well-being. Whether it involves moving to a quieter town for a more relaxed lifestyle or a city offering more career prospects, semigration enables employees to find environments that support both their personal and professional growth.
For businesses, embracing semigration as part of their talent strategy can be highly beneficial. Allowing flexibility for employees to relocate can boost retention rates, as staff are more likely to stay with a company that accommodates their personal preferences and needs. Furthermore, by broadening the talent pool to include individuals from various regions, companies can attract top-tier talent who may not have considered opportunities elsewhere.
By supporting employees in their semigration journeys, businesses can cultivate a positive, motivated workforce, enhancing their overall talent management strategy and benefiting both employees and the organisation.
Supporting Expatriates’ Mental Health and Wellbeing
Since the onset of Covid, the focus on mental health and wellbeing in the workplace has grown. It is now more important than ever for employers to create mentally healthy workplaces where people feel supported and comfortable discussing mental health.
Mentally healthy workplaces positively impact workplace culture, help manage stress and raise awareness that mental health is everyone’s personal responsibility. Everyone experiences stress, but major life stressors—such as the death of a loved one, divorce, moving, major illness or injury, and job loss—can be overwhelming. With moving being one of these key stressors, supporting expatriates’ mental health during relocations is crucial for a successful relocation experience for both the employee and the company.
Relocating is a stressful process with many moving parts. HR can help by recognising the individual’s needs, both practically and psychologically, and supporting them in embracing the unknown. One of the 5 Human Truths is that we all crave more control over our lives. HR can support expatriates’ mental health and meet this need for control in the following ways:
Cultural training also brings business benefits: It increases productivity, reduces acclimatisation time, enhances team effectiveness, and promotes cultural diversity within the company. Culture shock, which can impact personal and professional life, is a common challenge for expatriates. Feelings of isolation can be particularly difficult as they adjust to a new social and work environment.
HR plays a crucial role in supporting expatriates throughout every stage of the relocation journey, from pre-arrival to settling in. Recognising the unique needs of each individual and their family members is key. Relocations should not be “cookie-cutter” processes, but tailored ones that prioritise mental health and wellbeing.
Overcoming the Top 5 Challenges in Global Mobility for 2025 in Africa