Moving a young family

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   My husbands entire family have returned to Edinburgh and while they have the odd gripe they are mostly happy.  I have always loved living in SA and dug my heels in at the thought of leaving but things are becoming unbearable - my husbands business is failing in the recession but he can't get a decent job because of BEE, crime is escalating, I have to read about Eskom and Malema every day, my children can't ride their bikes around the neighbourhood for fear of being hit by a taxi etc.  So we are now seriously considering the move, my husband is a highly qualifed Financial and Investment advisor and my in laws say that Edinburgh is the place to be.

My dilemma however is that I have a 5 and 7 year old who love their family here, their nanny who has raised them, their swimming pool, friends and animals.  I don't want to uproot them unless I know for sure this is right for them.  How do you know you're doing the right thing?

All I want is for them to be safe, well educated and happy.

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Talon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Quote Reply Topic: Moving a young family Posted: 27 Oct 2009 at 6:36pm
	My husbands entire family have returned to Edinburgh and while they have the odd gripe they are mostly happy. I have always loved living in SA and dug my heels in at the thought of leaving but things are becoming unbearable - my husbands business is failing in the recession but he can't get a decent job because of BEE, crime is escalating, I have to read about Eskom and Malema every day, my children can't ride their bikes around the neighbourhood for fear of being hit by a taxi etc. So we are now seriously considering the move, my husband is a highly qualifed Financial and Investment advisor and my in laws say that Edinburgh is the place to be. My dilemma however is that I have a 5 and 7 year old who love their family here, their nanny who has raised them, their swimming pool, friends and animals. I don't want to uproot them unless I know for sure this is right for them. How do you know you're doing the right thing? All I want is for them to be safe, well educated and happy.


fisheres Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 14 May 2008 Location: Cape Town Posts: 49	Quote Reply Posted: 30 Oct 2009 at 8:30am
	Hi Talon I also consider the same question every time I think about moving to the UK. I think of it this way: The younger they are, the quicker they adapt, the easier it is for them to make new friends. Also, you make mention of things that bother you here in SA and things that you would like your children to be able to do. So you need to consider how important those things are to you? If you go, your children will be able to do these things and obtain a good education abroad aswell. One thing in your favour is, even though you are leaving family, friends and fimiliar things behind, you do have family already there. This is a great support structure, which many families dont have the benefit of. It is a very difficult decision, especially for mothers, but if you do go, be positive and try every day to think of the benefits to your family. Good luck Esther

Nuts Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 01 Nov 2009 Posts: 3	Quote Reply Posted: 03 Nov 2009 at 8:49pm
	Edinburgh is a fantastic city.Mega stuff for kids. Very cultural city. In fact Scotland is a beautiful country. We brought our kids up in the Highlands.(10 years) after moving from SA.My daughter went to school which was on the banks of Loch Ness. The daily drive to school and back was an absolute pleasure.There are plenty of things to do and places to go with kids. The West coast is the most beautiful place we have been to.Not far to drive from Edinburgh if you want to get out of the City for jaw dropping scenery.The weather is normally crappy in winter and sometimes summer, but it does not spoil the place. I would take Scotland over any other place in the UK. The Scots are a friendly, normally well travelled bunch as well. Our kids have become totally independant since living there. We would do it all again. There is life after SA. Edited by Nuts - 03 Nov 2009 at 9:31pm

Talon Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 27 Oct 2009 Posts: 2	Quote Reply Posted: 08 Nov 2009 at 4:03pm
	Thanks so much for all the input...we have made up our minds to go in April 2010 and I am getting really excited now! I know that there will be challenges but my children have an opportunity to get out and I'm going to make sure they get it!