A mum has shared how her life has changed since she swapped the gloom of the UK for the bright sunshine of South Africa. Maria Du Toit, 39, a former associate professor at a university in Berkshire, made the bold decision to move to her husband’s native South Africa in 2024 after having her first child.

Now living in the Bay, Western Cape, with her husband and young child, Maria, who is originally from Greece, says she made the switch after paying more than £1,400 a month for childcare in the UK. “We moved as the UK was becoming not a very nice place, or as nice as it used to be, for work, and people from abroad," she said. "In Reading, it really made us start to think about how much you have to pay for things like childcare – we would have to pay £1400 each month on the low end.”

The lower day-to-day expenses and outgoings are certainly cheaper than the UK.

According to Numbeo, the cost of living in South Africa is over 49% lower than what most Brits would be used to and rent, eating out, and everyday items come in at a fraction of the cost.

As well as saving money, the weather is certainly an improvement for Maria and her family. September bringing a heat of 29°C is commonplace, and even the winter months promise clear skies.

There’s also a great community that makes moving across the world easier. Maria said: “Things in South Africa feel incredibly active.

"I’ve joined a lot of Whatsapp groups and community groups trying to meet people here, and there’s a lot of movement. People advertising local businesses are always around, and just a couple of years ago people were struggling to find a job.

"But now everybody we know is in employment. It’s a good sign of the things to come.”

Opening up on her first impressions about life in South Africa, she discussed the difference between the country and Britian. She said: “I think the main difference between life in South Africa is that here people are more direct with you.

Social media and the news makes it sound like the country is so much worse than it is – like everywhere, there are just pockets of problems.”

If you’re thinking of moving countries, you could do a lot worse than South Africa.

Simon Hood, Executive Director of relocation firm, John Mason International, said: “The cost of living is significantly lower in South Africa, and with the hoped expansion of the Digital Nomad scheme the opportunities are endless. You can live it up in the sunshine and scenery of the Cape while maintaining a UK salary.”