I recently read a news article that stated over 10% of educated working-age South Africans are considering emigration for economic and well-being opportunities. Just over 1.9 million people in the country hold degrees and are part of the workforce, which equates to roughly 200 000 people who are actively in the process of researching options for relocation as I type.
I’ve experienced a few brain drains in my short lifetime as all my immediate family members have moved overseas years ago. I understand why they had taken the decision to leave their home country, but it makes me wonder about how they decided where to uproot. I have an aunt and cousins in Canada; my uncle and his family are in the United Kingdom; my aunts and their families are in Australia; and my sister and her family are New Zealand citizens. All these countries that they had chosen are former British colonies and are therefore predominantly filled with native English speakers. This was the only common denominator I could find in these areas, and they all have strong economies, thus more affluent currencies in comparison to South Africa's. Was the deciding factor mainly that these places had no language barrier and also that they could practice their particular vocations there with ease by securing relevant employment offers for better salaries? This has made me ponder on what I would choose if ever I were to move elsewhere indefinitely.
At this crossroads, I had to dig deep within to ascertain what makes a place feel like home. Although I have travelled to several countries and am an avid explorer by nature, I have only lived in one city, Cape Town. My hometown is surrounded by oceans and mountains, which makes it ideal for me to have an optimal existence as I love nature. Safety is also a priority, and although Cape Town may not be the safest place on Earth, I have a fair understanding of how to remain secure, at most, because I have grown up here. To be honest, if I wanted economic and well-being opportunities that would be of benefit to me and my future family, I know that there are many better options other than what South Africa can offer at present.
Being in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution and the accelerated mass migration to an online space due to the pandemic's impact on the macroenvironment, traditional business models and employment structures are ceasing to exist. Contemporary skillsets allow for options that were not available in our parents’ generations. We are mobile-equipped workers who can manage a career remotely from almost anywhere on the planet thanks to the advancements in technology. This, coupled with growing options in the freelance and digital workspace that are enabled by platforms such as UpWork, Fiverr, Freelance Central, NomadNow, etc., makes living anywhere possible. One no longer needs an employment offer to apply for a visa as self-employment, remote working and freelancing have become mainstream and an acceptable means for sustainable economic freedom.
I am well versed in the benefits that native English-orientated countries have on offer, as my family is a resident of almost every English-speaking country out there; neither of which tickles my fancy quite frankly. Personally, I would never opt for the obvious, as I'm drawn to the unexpected and not overexposed, i.e., hidden treasures. I thought of the United States but wasn’t impressed. I thought of the European Union as I’ve visited almost all of the Schengen states, but other than perhaps non-English-speaking Spain and Italy, nothing else really jumped out at me. I thought of Asia and my many excursions through it, and although it is super interesting for explorative adventures, it’s not anchoring enough as a base for an extended period of time. South America is alluring on many levels for travel but by the same token, it is not ideal for permanent habitation. Through a carefully curated process of elimination, I finally found a terrain that is unassumingly unique and yet easily accessible and, at the same time, deeply appealing on various fronts within multilateral facets.
Imagine safe and secure, scenic-rich environments surrounded by lakes and seas where the cost of living is low and the mountains are high. A territory where taxes are minimal and entrepreneurship, remote or freelancing careers are supported. A region where accommodation isn’t your biggest bill and travelling through neighbouring states are an accessible thrill. A turf where english is widely spoken and almost nothing is broken. A setting where cultures are uniquely diverse and the social scene is bubbly and broadly dispersed. I know that this all sounds dreamingly poetic and as if it were a mere fantasy. Luckily, it is an attainable reality, and the southeastern European peninsula has proven to be the key.
After much deliberation and countless debates, this is the perfect space with no time difference to South Africa that ticks all the boxes like safety, affordability, natural beauty, hearty cuisines, english speaking, advanced technology, economic viability, diverse spirituality and where the most expansive mountain ranges, peaceful lakes, wide canyons, stunning seascapes and ureal waterfalls happens to be in plenty. For a great quality of life and the most amazing scenery, the Balkans win hands down for me and therefore, in this present moment, to be—is simply being freely emerged into the glorious art of beautiful Balkanology, which encompasses a progressive place that is host to lovely landscapes.
Progressive Place & Lovely Landscape by EJ for EJblogtv
an Enjoyment Journal about Everything EJ
xoxo