Semigration checklist - things to think about before making the big move

Semigrating - or moving to another part of South Africa to enjoy the way of life that's offered there - is becoming increasingly popular in a world where fewer people are tied to needing to work from an office. While semigrating may be a great choice for your family, it's not a decision that should be entered into lightly. Jawitz Properties has put together a checklist of things to consider before you semigrate.

Checklist item 1: family and friends

In the age of Skype and Zoom, leaving your friends and loved ones behind to start a new life in another part of the country may be less of a factor than it was in years gone by. However, starting a new social life is always an intimidating prospect, and before you decide on your final semigration destination, it's worth spending some time online getting to know your prospective new area. Join Facebook groups relevant to the area and do some research into whether you'll be able to continue to pursue your interests and meet new people. Is there a church or other place of worship nearby that you would be comfortable attending? Is there a gym in town where you can continue your workout regimen? Is there a social sports club I can join?

Checklist item 2: career considerations

If like many others, you've started working from home in the past two years, it can be easy to think about leaving big city life behind you and relocating to an idyllic spot on South Africa's coast. It's important, however, to consider future career moves. If you were to become unhappy with your current job or want to move on to bigger and better things, would that be easy to do from your new home? It's important to consider your long-term career trajectory before making a final decision about semigration, but the great news for would-be semigrators is that opportunities for working remotely are becoming more and more prevalent in various industries.

Checklist item 3: schools in the area

Your work may be able to be done from anywhere, but unless you're planning to home school your children - or sign them up for an online school - you're going to need to make sure there are good schools close to your semigration destination. Think ahead as well - if your children are currently in primary school, there needs to be a good high school in the vicinity. Certain areas may offer more private schools than public ones or vice versa, so ensure that you've done your research and you're comfortable with the schools nearby. If your children are already in high school, then it's important to think about the tertiary education available nearby unless they will move away from home to study further.

Checklist item 4: amenities and things to do

This is a particularly important point if you are considering semigrating from a city to a small-town environment. Will you miss late-night shopping, a wide array of restaurants and going to shows and concerts? While your new home may have much to offer in terms of an outdoorsy way of life and things to do, it's important to consider what you'll be moving away from.

Many families who have semigrated recommend taking an extended holiday in the area that you're thinking of moving to so that you can start to feel like a resident of the area and get used to the ambience and amenities on offer.

If you're considering semigrating, chat to our team at Jawitz Properties. We'll put our decades of experience to work to help you sell your current home and find the home of your dreams in an idyllic corner of South Africa.