I Pay $1,000 Rent in South Africa… and Live a Better Life Than in America

I Pay $1,000 Rent in South Africa… and Live a Better Life Than in America

“I think people are leaving America because America isn’t the end-all-be-all of this planet. We have 194 countries—that’s just one.”

For Cornelius Rosenbomb, a filmmaker and photographer, realizing that there was an entire globe to explore was the catalyst for a massive life change. After spending seven years in the US—and doing previous stints in Greece and Amsterdam—he was looking for his next chapter. A simple alignment of timing and curiosity brought him to Hout Bay, a coastal suburb near Cape Town, South Africa.

By trading the intense hustle of the United States for the breathtaking landscapes of the African continent, he completely transformed his creative output and his quality of life. Here is how he made the move, what it actually costs, and why he believes leaving your comfort zone is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Looking Beyond America: Finding the Next Chapter

Before moving to South Africa, Cornelius had just closed a chapter of his life running a production studio in the US. Dealing with the trials and tribulations of keeping a business open left him asking: What’s next?

Having only visited Egypt 15 years prior, he decided to see what the rest of the continent had to offer. He packed up his life, brought his hustle, and established “House of Bomb South Africa”—a creative production hub right out of his new home. Because he operates as an entrepreneur, his income streams haven’t changed; he simply works remotely and networks locally to build a global client base from a much more scenic home office.

Inside the Expat Budget: Rent, Transport, and Food in South Africa

One of the most appealing aspects of moving abroad is the shift in the cost of living. Cornelius breaks down his average monthly expenses living just outside of Cape Town:

• Rent: About $1,000 a month for a beautiful, spacious home with a patio, a library space, and room for his production office.
• Transportation: Around $400 to $500 a month. Because Hout Bay is about 20 minutes outside of the city center, taking Ubers back and forth can add up.
• Food: $400 to $500 a month. As a self-proclaimed chef who loves Mediterranean and Trinidadian flavors, Cornelius doesn’t cut corners on food. He shops for high-quality, fresh ingredients at local markets, Woolworths, and Checkers.

While the numbers are lower than many major US cities, the biggest difference isn’t just the price—it’s the quality. The food has fewer preservatives, the seafood is coastal-fresh, and the lifestyle feels infinitely richer.

A Slower Pace: “Living to Create Instead of Creating to Live”

The biggest transformation Cornelius experienced wasn’t financial; it was mental.

“I do feel like a different person since I’ve moved here,” he explains. “My pace of life has slowed down a bit. I’m allowed to live to create instead of creating to live.”

A typical day starts between 6:00 and 7:00 AM on his patio, soaking in the sun and grounding himself before hitting the gym for a workout, sauna, and cold plunge. Surrounded by mountains, sand dunes, and the ocean, the calmer energy of the environment has molded him into a better, more present version of himself.

Overcoming the Challenges: Sacrifices and Building a New Community

Moving across the world isn’t without its hurdles. The hardest part? Being far away from his parents and his established friend groups in the States.

To combat the isolation of a new country, Cornelius leaned into his natural curiosity. He told everyone he met what he was doing and what he was looking for. Simply by speaking up at local events, coffee shops, and supermarkets, locals began connecting him with resources and inviting him to group chats. For creatives, he notes, tapping into local events and knowing where your “tribe” hangs out is the fastest way to build a supportive community from scratch.

Advice for Aspiring Expats: The World is Waiting for You

When asked if he sees himself staying in Africa, Cornelius’s answer is a resounding yes. With 54 countries on the continent, he hopes to eventually buy real estate in South Africa while continuing to explore the rest of the region.

If you are reading this and feeling the itch to pack your bags, his advice is simple: Do it.

“The world is waiting for you,” he says. “Everything that you’re currently doing now, you can do anywhere else in the world. Somebody needs your talents, somebody needs your vision, somebody needs your perspective. Let’s bring it out.”