Why a UK expat found Durban to be the ideal city for family life

“I grew up in England, worked in London, and survived Dubai. But when I moved to Durban, life finally made sense.”

Eastwood Living, a content creator and father of two, shared his transformative experience upon relocating to the sunny coastal city of Durban.

Living took to the social media platform, TikTok, and shared a series of videos summarising the journey that led him back to South Africa.

Originally from South Africa but raised in the UK, Living decided to return to Durban to build a purposeful life for his family.

“I ran from the UK and burned out in Dubai, but somehow Durban rebuilt me. Life feels different when you know who you’re living it for,” he explained.

He has created a social media page dedicated to celebrating Durban, affectionately known as the Banana City.

When asked why he moved back to South Africa, his response is simple: “Durban will always be home.”

“Life’s good here. People are relaxed, and more are returning to the city,” he said.

Living added, “Sometimes coming home is the best decision you can make. After living overseas for so long, you realise that Durban has everything someone looks for in a holiday, making living here feel like a permanent vacation.”

The sentiments expressed by Living echo widely across social media, with numerous netizens responding positively to his videos.

One user, @yesitslisa, stated, “South Africa is the best! A huge number of people are moving back.”

Another, @jessprogresswest, shared, “I can’t wait to touch home soil.”

User @toto7504mr2 expressed, “When I land in South Africa, it’s as if my heart has returned. You are absolutely spot on.”

Meanwhile, @melsparks81 remarked, “I’ve lived in Durban my whole life. It’s not perfect, but I’d rather be here than anywhere else.”

Durban’s appeal isn’t just about affection; it is also supported by data. 

In 2024, Durban was ranked as the most affordable city for overseas workers, according to the Mercer Cost of Living Survey.

The survey assessed 226 cities worldwide based on the cost of over 200 items, including transportation, food, clothing, household goods, and entertainment. In this ranking, Cape Town placed 209th, Durban 219th, and Johannesburg 206th.