Cost of living versus quality of life
The business fraternity has further expressed concern that against the current harsh economic background, the latest data could prevent skilled candidates from relocating to Richards Bay.
TWO weeks ago, residents of Richards Bay were gobsmacked when a global survey ranked Richards Bay as the most pricey place to live in, compared against 1 997 cities in 205 countries across the globe.
The findings by database website Expatistan were based on the cost of food, housing, clothes, transportation, personal care and entertainment in each destination.
A week later, the survey’s calculations were adjusted to reflect Richards Bay as the fourth most expensive city to inhabit.
The results evoked widespread dispute as local political and business leaders alike have questioned the conclusion that Richards Bay’s cost of living is higher than larger cities like Prague, Cape Town and Durban.
The business fraternity has further expressed concern that against the current harsh economic background, the latest data could prevent skilled candidates from relocating to Richards Bay.
The survey was also a huge talking point online as local community members took to ZO digital platforms to concede that property prices in Richards Bay were excessive, with others contesting that their salaries did not match the city’s high cost of living.
Within a few hours, the story was shared over 242 times online garnering more than 25 300 page views.
Obviously a hot topic of contention but one must view the survey holistically and should not deem its findings as conclusive.
What factors place Richards Bay among the most expensive in the country?
The cost of living is certainly not the only factor to consider.
The quality of life is unquestionably higher in this coastal destination when one considers zero traffic backlogs, e-tolls and civil unrest.
Water flows every time a tap is opened and Richards Bay (touch wood) has not been at the centre of rampant service delivery protests playing out in the rest of the country.
Rates and tariffs at uMhlathuze are considerably lower when compared to similar cities nationwide.
Throw in the fact that we are a much sought after tourism pearl perfectly nestled in close proximity to the Mozambican border, the big five and world heritage sites, and one cannot argue that we do live in one of the best cities of the world.
Cost should always be related to value for money.
