A British couple who left Northamptonshire for Harare say they have found a better quality of life in Zimbabwe and have no plans to return to the UK.
Natalie Furk, 35, and her husband, James, 37, moved in March 2024 with their two children, Isabella, nine, and Harvey, seven. They sold their home in Ringstead for £500,000 and relocated to James’ childhood house in Zimbabwe, shipping their belongings 5,000 miles.
Natalie, originally from Leicester, had been running a bakery business that left her working 18-hour days, while James held a full-time job in the automotive industry. “All we were doing was surviving,” she said. “I knew if we moved, everything would change.”
The family say the move has eased financial pressures. Their children now attend private school at £8,750 per year, they employ staff for cleaning and gardening, and utility bills are a fraction of what they paid in Britain. With solar power and no mortgage, monthly costs have dropped significantly. Healthcare, at around £450 a month, is more expensive, but Natalie says treatment is faster than in the UK.
Adjusting was not easy. Natalie admits the first year was “difficult” and that her children initially struggled to fit in. But after 18 months, the family feel settled. “Over here, children can just be children without the same social media pressures,” she said. “Coming back from a trip to the UK, it hit me — this is home now.”
The Furks believe their move reflects a wider shift as more Europeans look to Africa for a slower pace of life, lower living costs and new opportunities.
