By Ogaga Otaotu
Before now, the craze to get out of the country appeared intense especially among jobless Nigerians. And ss the Nigerian Economy seems not to be getting better many have heightened their consideration to relocate. Everyday you hear stories of families that have relocated to either Canada or the US.

When I mentioned that I was travelling to the US for a course, some people suggested I should regularise my papers and stay back because people were leaving the country. I never considered that, anyway. Having stayed here in New York for an intensive broadcast course, I have, Interestingly, found out that many Nigerians living abroad are actually planning on relocating back. A fellow Nigerian here in New York told me yesterday of her plans to return to Nigeria before the end of the year. I was curious to know why; her response was mind blowing. She says at a time like this (recession in Nigeria) is when there are opportunities, so this is the time to take advantage of an otherwise negative situation. There also those who are no longer finding life easy and feel that it could be better at home. Different strokes, they say.

While some people are “running” out of the country in their numbers to seek greener pastures, others are looking for a way back to the country. Back home, it is no longer jobless people throng embassies in search of visas to check out. These days women are leaving their otherwise steady careers, professions and businesses to go start over in a foreign land. As tempting as this is, the question is how easy is it over there? Is it truly bread & butter as some folks in diaspora make us believe.

Today’s Woman is here in the city of New York and spoke to some Nigerians who shared their story and told us what it was like to start all over in a foreign country especially from the woman’s perspective.

Mrs. Richards, has been in the US for the past 10 years. She says she would sincerely advise any family that plans to relocate here to count the cost first before doing so. She says: “If possible, come for a feasibility check and stay for a few months. It is not advisable to live your otherwise jobs to come and do some meager jobs here. Unless you are coming as student to study it may not be worth it.

As a woman, it is not an easy transition. I was a successful fashion designer back in Lagos. Two years after our marriage my husband decided to come to do his masters degree here. We sold our landed properties, I sold my machines and everything. It was very difficult when we just moved to New York, a fast-paced city like Lagos. You have to constantly be on the move. At first we were living in Queens where I worked as a store attendant, long and sleepless nights. My husband had to go to school and work at the same time. It was pretty difficult for us. Working long hours and commuting from New Jersey to the city every day before we moved here to Brooklyn.

“As a woman, you have to brace up here. This is not like home when you have Ekaette to take care of your baby and run errands for you, or even the driver to pick up the kids. You have to kiss all that good bye. Here, you do everything yourself or you pay through your nose to employ the services of a baby sitter. Not to mention the number of miles you sometimes walk to get to your destination, not even you are using the train station. When we first arrived. I hated it. I was always angry and it took a toll on our marriage. Things are hard and stressful here. I was just fortunate; some marriages eventually do not survive it. There is a lot of comfort back home that we take for granted. Here you are virtually walking on egg shells so you don’t offend anyone, especially when you are still struggling to get your papers.”

“As for Mrs. Omaha, a nurse, who has been here for 14 years, she says one of her major challenges was the Health system here in the US. “It is so frustrating, a few days ago my doctor prescribed an ointment for me. I got to drug store with it, forgetting that my health insurance card had expired. I was asked to pay 450 dollars for a tiny ointment for rashes. That originally you can get free with your health insurance. You can imagine what people without that go through especially for pregnant women and nursing mothers who would have to pay like Ten thousand dollars and above for delivery and all that. Not easy at all. Another challenge is you get taxed for everything. As a worker, you are taxed by the federal, state and sometimes the county you live. ” Uncle Sam “does not joke. Even when you work extra hours you get taxed hugely for it.

I know that I’m making some money but where is the time to really enjoy all that money? A few years ago, I sent some money back home and they built me two big houses, one has tenants in Lagos and the other in my state. There are so many challenges here. But it appears glamorous from outside and that’s what deceives our people back home. From dealing with subtle racism to the very harsh weather conditions and the fear of being shot by a police to the discomfort of commuting to work daily (most often than not you stand on the train during rush hours) it’s absolutely hectic. You can easily grab a cab back home without breaking the bank. You pay a lot for it here. You have a chance of eating healthier but organic food here does not come cheap.

“What about your kids? You teach them something at home, they teach them something else at school? My 14 -year- old girl came back home the other day and asked what was wrong in marrying same sex. I had to sit her down and spent some time explaining what the word of God says. My teenage son who just got his driver’s license has been taught on how to respond to cops if he gets pulled over. All these because you want to live in another man’s country. ”Abeg, my sister, I don tire, the stress is too much. We are making plans on returning to Nigeria, recession or no recession.

From the single lady angle, Eniola, student of New York University(NYC), says “it’s not easy here. Every one walks around with their head phones and phone. Nobody has time to look at you or even stop to ask you, how are you? In the stations, on the streets, everywhere you go, you find people looking down at their phones. Back home a man would see you and walk up to you or even stop his car and try to reach out and maybe exchange contacts. For those of us in school, we are more likely to have dates because you meet guys in your class, same course, same school but my friends that are working find it pretty difficult, it is from work to work, no time to really have fun. Most ladies have resorted to online dating stuff. There are those who use sex toys.

Of course, everyone wants to live in a society where the system is working, constant electricity, good roads, good transportation system, a well-structured economy. All this you can enjoy living abroad but there is a price for it all.

The choice is yours. A friendly and warm life at home or a life of work, work, work and tax, tax, tax coupled with loneliness etc. You can choose to be a part of the change that would move the economy forward back home by investing your talent in this great country or you join those seeking greener pastures abroad or better still you can have the best of both worlds. Enjoy the comfort and pleasure of living and investing in your own country and also the ability to visit other countries at will.