Relocating abroad is often portrayed as the ultimate solution—a bold step toward safety, opportunity, and a better life.
For thousands of South Africans, emigration offers an escape from challenges like economic instability, high crime rates, and political uncertainty.
But as many returnees are beginning to share, the journey back home reveals a truth few talk about: relocation carries a silent cost that extends far beyond airfare and shipping boxes.
In 2025, with global movement on the rise and remote work enabling more flexibility, a growing number of South Africans are returning after years abroad.
Some come home by choice; others due to visa issues, rising living costs overseas, or longing for family. But most are united by one thing—they return changed, and to a country that has changed too.
This is what many wish they had known.
1. “Coming home” is not always comforting
The emotional impact of returning is often underestimated. Home, once a source of familiarity and belonging, can feel foreign after years away.
“I expected to feel like I was back where I belonged,” says Noma, who returned to Johannesburg after 8 years in Canada. “But everything had moved on—people, the culture, even the rhythm of life.”
This emotional mismatch is called reverse culture shock—a disorientation that occurs when returning to one’s home country after adapting to another culture. You may no longer feel fully “at home” abroad or in South Africa, leading to a sense of in-betweenness and identity loss.
2. Financial realities can be jarring
Moving abroad is expensive, but returning often is too—both emotionally and economically. Many returnees discover that the cost of reintegrating into South Africa’s economy can be steep.
Some of the financial challenges include:
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A lower earning potential compared to international salaries
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Limited access to financial products (e.g. no local credit history)
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Unexpected expenses tied to healthcare, school fees, or housing
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Losses from converting currency back to rands, especially if timing is poor
Others speak of a “downgrade in lifestyle”: what was once affordable abroad—like private schooling, safe neighborhoods, or reliable healthcare—now comes with a high price tag in South Africa.
3. Professional re-entry is harder than expected
In South Africa, who you know still matters—a lot. Many returnees find that time spent abroad weakens their professional networks at home.
“My international experience was respected, but it didn’t open the doors I thought it would,” says Kabelo, a marketing executive who returned from the UK. “People had moved on. I had to start almost from scratch.”
Reintegrating into the job market or local industries can be slow and frustrating. Degrees may not be recognized, and cultural expectations at work may differ. Despite a strong CV, returnees can feel like outsiders in their own fields.
4. South Africa has changed—and so have you
While away, your values, habits, and worldview may have shifted. Perhaps you became used to efficient systems, public safety, or progressive social norms. Returning to load shedding, corruption scandals, or slow service delivery can be a jarring reality check.
But it’s not just about what’s “worse.” South Africa also evolves in positive ways—culturally, politically, and economically. However, returning with outdated assumptions about the country can make reintegration harder.
5. Rebuilding your identity takes time
Relocation transforms you. Living abroad often expands your sense of self—but returning requires redefining your identity once again.
You may no longer identify fully as “South African” in the same way. This can lead to discomfort among peers who expect you to “pick up where you left off.” Your accent may have changed, your parenting style may differ, and your views may challenge local norms.
This internal reshaping often goes unspoken but runs deep. It’s a quiet cost that lingers long after the boxes are unpacked.
Lessons for future returnees
If you’re a South African living abroad and considering moving back, here are a few takeaways from returnees who’ve walked the path:
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Plan long-term, not just emotionally. Visit before committing to the move.
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Rebuild your networks early—reconnect with former colleagues and communities.
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Be honest with yourself about your reasons for returning. Nostalgia can distort reality.
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Prepare financially—account for lower income, reintegration costs, and inflation.
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Seek support—from therapists, mentors, or expat groups who understand the transition.
Final Thoughts
The decision to relocate is deeply personal—and so is the choice to return. For many South Africans, coming home can be healing, purposeful, and full of joy. But it is rarely without cost.
The silent challenges of returning—emotional dislocation, financial pressure, identity shifts—are rarely talked about openly. But sharing these stories matters. Not to discourage relocation, but to paint a more honest picture of what lies ahead, so that returnees can prepare with clarity, strength, and resilience.
South Africa may not be the same as you left it. But then again—neither are you.
