UK family finds 'better standard of living' in Zimbabwe

Published: 12 hours ago

A Northamptonshire family has traded the UK rat race for a more relaxed lifestyle in Harare, Zimbabwe, reporting a significantly improved standard of living since their move in March 2024.

Natalie Furk, 35, and her husband James, 37, sold their four-bedroom home in Ringstead, Northamptonshire for £500,000 in December 2023 and shipped their belongings in a 40ft container for £8,000. The couple, who have two children - Isabella, nine, and Harvey, seven - moved into James' childhood home, where they built an annex adjoining the property.

Natalie, originally from Leicester, said the move was motivated by work-life balance. "With James' job and my business it was just so busy and we had no time with the kids. All we were doing was surviving," she said. "In the UK, it was just a rat race. I knew if we moved to Zimbabwe, everything would change."

James continues his job remotely, traveling to the UK only four times a year. The family enjoys significantly lower utility costs, paying just USD $27.11 (£20) for water and running electricity entirely on solar panels, bringing total utilities to £90 per month - compared to £70 for water alone in the UK. Their healthcare costs amount to USD $620 (£457) per month for the entire family, which Natalie says provides faster access to treatment than in the UK.

The children attend a private school at £8,750 per year, with a school day running from 7am to 1pm, including compulsory after-school sports. Natalie praised the schooling environment, noting that children are less influenced by social media pressures compared to the UK.

Household management has also improved. "We have maids who clean the house every day and cook most of our meals. Everything is organic, fresh, and chemical-free," Natalie said. She added that her main maid received a cooking course and a salary increase, reflecting the family's commitment to staff development.

Despite the benefits, Natalie admitted that the first year was challenging. "When we first moved, it felt like a holiday, but as the months went on and I realised I wasn't near my family anymore, I panicked and thought, 'what have we done?' It's hard to make friends," she said. However, after visiting the UK and returning, she felt fully settled, saying, "It hit me that this is home now. I realised I had made the right decision."

The Furks' move highlights the appeal of Zimbabwe's lower living costs, abundant fresh food, and family-oriented lifestyle, offering a stark contrast to the pressures of life in the UK.

Costs/lifestyle in UK vs Zimbabwe

UK

Mortgage and bills (council tax, water and electricity) combined - £3,000

Education - Free

Food - £600 per month (minimum)

Zimbabwe

Mortgage - $0 (£0)

Bills (water, council tax and electricity) - $338.92

Education - private school - $17,500 for the year

Food - $1,000 (maximum)

Hired help - maid to cook meals, gardener etc.
- Northampton Chronicle

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