Lucy's Relocation Journey....From a 2 year deadline to buying our forever home

I moved to Cape Town in September 2017, and I can’t believe how quickly the time has flown by! Seven years later, it still feels like we arrived just yesterday - and now we’ve just bought our forever home in the beautiful suburb of Constantia.

Yep, - we love it here! But, believe me, when we first moved, my feelings were far from what they are today. In fact, I had a strict two-year deadline for us to return to the UK!

The Start of Our Cape Town Relocation Adventure

It all began in February 2016 when my husband was offered a career-changing opportunity with Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Cape Town. It was a big deal for him, and as a supportive wife (with a little nudge from my very enthusiastic dad), I agreed to make the move - but only on the condition that we’d be back in two years!

Before relocating, our only experience of Cape Town was a quick three-day visit in March 2016, organised by AWS. I didn’t really absorb much during that trip. Everything felt so unfamiliar and overwhelming. I spent most of the time feeling nauseous; it later turned out I was pregnant with our second baby - it wasn’t just nerves!

Leaving Behind Life in the UK

Moving away from the UK wasn’t easy. I had to leave behind my family, our beautifully renovated home in Windsor, and my amazing group of mummy-friends. It felt like my whole world was shifting, and when we finally made the move, I found myself in Cape Town feeling completely lost and unsure of how to start our new life.

Everything was so different. The sight of electric fences on every home, house alarms, and private security guards on every corner was unsettling. There were people begging at traffic lights, constant conversations about crime, and even rumours of child trafficking.

On top of that, the city was facing a national drought, and I had no idea what a pre-paid metre was let alone how to use it to keep the lights on!

Settling Into a New Life…Or Trying To

While my husband was diving headfirst into his new job, loving every minute of it, I was left trying to figure out how to navigate a different world. I had a toddler in tow and a baby on the way, so my mind was racing with questions like:

• Where can I take my toddler to play?

• What do I do and who do I call in an emergency?

• Where’s the nearest hospital?

• Where are the shops, and where can I find baby supplies?

• Most importantly, where was I going to have our baby?

But the biggest, most daunting question I kept asking myself was, “How do I make friends?”

I’d always been a social person with a busy work life, so transitioning to being a stay-at-home mum in a new country left me feeling isolated. And being classified as a “spouse” on my husband’s critical skills visa didn’t help—I couldn’t work or even open a joint bank account, which made me feel frustrated and disconnected from my old (first World) life.

Finding My Feet

I’d lived abroad before—spending a few years in Malta before getting married—so I knew that it always takes time to settle into a new country. But knowing that didn’t make the first few months any easier.

It wasn’t until April 2020, during the Covid lockdown, that things started to change for me. While the pandemic was a terrible time for many, it gave me a moment to pause and reflect on our life in Cape Town.

The weather was gorgeous, we had a large garden with a pool, and our wonderful live-in nanny made life so much easier. My husband, working from home, and I finally had time to sit down and weigh the pros and cons of staying. When the borders and airports closed, we realised that leaving would mean the end of our Cape Town journey for good; and we weren’t ready to give that up.

Fast Forward to Today

Seven years later, I’m completely besotted with Cape Town. Our new home overlooks the Groot Constantia Vineyards, with views of the mountains and False Bay. Cape Town has turned out to be an incredibly family-friendly place, with top-notch schools and endless activities to keep us busy on weekends and holidays. Our kids are growing up in a beautiful environment, and we’re loving every minute of it.

I’ve embraced everything that Cape Town has to offer, from the stunning blue skies and wildlife to the incredible landscapes and, of course, the amazing wine (which I now enjoy with the wonderful group of friends I’ve been lucky enough to make along the way).

It’s a far cry from those early days of feeling lost and unsure. I just wish my Dad was still around to see it.

Share Your Relocation Story!

Moving to a new country is an emotional rollercoaster, and everyone’s expat experience is unique. Have you relocated to Cape Town or somewhere else?

We’d love to hear your story! Whether it’s been smooth sailing or filled with challenges, sharing your journey is a great way to connect with others who are in the same boat. Let’s talk about the ups, downs, and everything in between—after all, we’re all in this together!

📩 Get in touch today! Let’s make Cape Town feel like home for you & your family. 💛🏡

📧 Email: info@caperelocators.com

🌍 Visit: www.caperelocators.com

💬 WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7736 040292

#MovingToCapeTown #ExpatLife #RelocationExperts #CapeRelocators