Is retiring to Africa a wise decision?

[Muskox]

I have lived in 5 European countries, a few Asian ones, Djibouti and Australia as well as the all over the USA and Canada.

Here are my thoughts. Not an expert.

1. Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
a. We tried to stay in Australia at the end of my military career, we couldn't afford it without working and my wife was in her motherhood phase not her I am going to make money phase, so we came home.
b. Politics are a huge issue everywhere. Doesn't matter who you vote for there will be things you don't like. The Western Australia state government hit gun owners with the most draconian firearms policies of any 1st wold country a couple of months ago.

2. No matter where you move, there will be tons of tiny things that annoy you, and huge things you don't even know about that are hugely impactful.
a. Medical care will be a challenge.
b. A family death, and a lack of empathy in some places will shock you.

3. The gateway to entry for firearms ownership and use is going to be 100000% more complicated than you think it will be as a resident.
a. In Australia I owned rifles, but didn't own rifles legally. Because I was a diplomat, so they couldn't live at my house. But I have a firearms license.
b. In Spain, it took months to get anything approved.
c. In Germany, now that I have passed a hunting course I can have pretty much whatever I want. But the timeline for registration and being able to leave the house with my rifles is seasons not weeks or days.

4. You will always be an outsider
a. I think in Southern Africa if you could learn good Afrikaans and get yourself tucked into an English or Afrikaner community you would do fine. But it would take you a lifetime of being there to understand the place.
b. You will have to spend a lifetime learning the history to understand the place. English is the lingua franca of Australia, we would go to museums and watch movies and speak to people and read books. 3 years later, if felt like I got a crash course on Australia. A country we share a language and some history with. But, I never felt like figured it out. Like I needed a spot in my brain to download the entirety of Australian history and culture to understand it. Even with a shared language I regularly screwed up every part of things in Australia by not getting Australians.
4. Europe is kind of the same, we share some history, I am not good at any languages even though I practice regularly and study. I sound like a toddler in German. My American and British friends that are in their 70's and 80's and have been here for 40 plus years, say that they kind of live a fringe life by not fully understanding Germany. So don't think this sentiment is alone.

 

[Hogpatrol]

^^^^THIS^^^^^ Move from the northeast to a southern state and see if you fit in. There's an old adage about moving. Rent for a year, live through birthdays, holidays and sans family and friends, then decide if it's going to be permanent.

 

[dogcat1]

I have lived mostly in the US, part-time in Calgary and Aberdeen, full time in Kazakhstan and Cairo. All have plusses and minuses.

I thought I would like to like in New Zealand until I heard the locals tell me that I am nuts as they were trying to get to the US or Canada. Problem - work laws, taxes and distance to go anywhere.

Western Canada is nice. However, the winter is long and cold and I am not really a hockey fan.

I looked at Ireland and Scotland. Do-able, but there are the odd things that are just not compatible for us.

So, I stayed in the USA. Texas has been the best place so far, but am looking for somewhere cooler in July and August. Am thinking a month AirBNB in Namibia or Upper Peninsula or Alaska....

 

[Doubleplay]

I spent months in South Africa traveling all over the place driving a car in the last two years because my son was the Marine attaché based in Pretoria. Safety and crime is a big issue and being a white person with money automatically makes you a target. I wouldn’t suggest anyone retiring there unless you want to live isolated in a guarded community 24/7 and only go out during day time.

 

[Muskox]

I spent months in South Africa traveling all over the place driving a car in the last two years because my son was the Marine attaché based in Pretoria. Safety and crime is a big issue and being a white person with money automatically makes you a target. I wouldn’t suggest anyone retiring there unless you want to live isolated in a guarded community 24/7 and only go out during day time.

I was in the Attache corps in Australia. South Africa would have been a hell of a lore more interesting. Don't get me wrong, I had a hell of a time. But the hunting situation wasn't very good.

I was supposed to go to Malta, when I turned it down I got lucky and the Australia job had opened up. Was an amazing twilight tour.

 

[Rosch]

As I near retirement I am considering a lot of options. None of them are to grow old in a climate such as that which makes every joint in my body ache with every approaching storm. Let’s face it, winters in Michigan or any northern state are painful for most who are over 60! I am now paying for my youthful athletic indiscretions...

Aside from buying a game farm in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, or other “stable” sun-Saharan African country, are there any options to invest as a shareholder into a ranch, game farm, or other safe animal land where one could live most of the year and at times hunt a few animals?

Dear Sir,
You see me enlighted with Your idea and I can only press You to go ahead with Your dreams!
I did this for some years in Southafrica! I rented an old empty farmhouse fully furnished for small money, cause the farmer was happy the house was inhabitated and well looked after! Checking water pumps and water holes, fences and cattle was also duty, so he didnt have to do that timetaking things by himself. Winwin all the way!
I had my own crew on my expense, an old farmcar from the farmer for also some bucks (maintenance and repairs on my expense) and I did the meatgetting for the employes of both farms! Often the neighbours asked me to hunt for them too, some of them dont like to hunt!
The only big problems You will meet are first the danger You live in as a farmer and the visa restrictions, in my case 90 days validation! The really bad part is, only 90 days per year!
Never think about buying yourself a farm! sharing maybe but careful with sharks!
I hope You let us know whats the run of Your plans! I would like to know how far You‘ve come!!
Good luck !!

 

[Rare Breed]

I enjoy this thread! After all my research so much provided by AH members I have found I would not invest in buying a home in any African country. However my plan will be to rent in one of the countries like SA probably in Hoedspruit for three months per year as my base of operations during the prime months. For example, my favorite do far is Raptors Wildlife area in Hoedspruit. This was where I was looking for a house…I found all the ones I like are all for sale and all for rent from $1,000 to $2,500 per month with the higher end being some incredible secure areas. This way I get all the pleasure with none of the risk. I will not do this for three more years when I plan to retire. Just thought I would share my updated thoughts

 

[Rosch]

Welldone Companiero, no risk, just fun! Enjoy Your time in the land of open spaces, wild coasts, hot sun and hunters dreams!

 

[Altitude sickness]

Rare breed did you research Botswana? Is it feasible for a U.S. citizen to buy or rent in Botswana

 

[Field28]

Rare breed did you research Botswana? Is it feasible for a U.S. citizen to buy or rent in Botswana

I looked into that in the past. I believe that one of the stipulations is that you can only buy if you are within a certain proximity of a city. I don't believe that you are allowed yo purchase acreage out in the bush.

I did read read something a couple of months back where Botswana was looking to become more friendly with America on land, dual citizenship etc.

 

[Rare Breed]

Rare breed did you research Botswana? Is it feasible for a U.S. citizen to buy or rent in Botswana

I did. What I found was there were not the higher end homes available and the lower quality were at higher costs. Last the rental system was not as easy or abundant as SA

 

[Chad Arnette]

Remember the good old days when we worried about how corrupt African nations were. Compared to the U.S.

 

[Whit]

I spent months in South Africa traveling all over the place driving a car in the last two years because my son was the Marine attaché based in Pretoria. Safety and crime is a big issue and being a white person with money automatically makes you a target. I wouldn’t suggest anyone retiring there unless you want to live isolated in a guarded community 24/7 and only go out during day time.

By chance, is your son still the Marine attaché? I may actually know him...

 

[Bandera]

After our first trip to South Africa we thought the Stellenbosch / Franschhoek area might would be a nice area to move to.
Looked at property online, found a vineyard for sale, $800,000
Then looked at visa requirements to become a resident. From there the desire to move there went downhill fast.
Did not even investigate the purchase requirements after looking at the VISA requirements.
Easier to stay for 90 days at a time.

 

[Tanks]

I might have mentioned this before but too many pages to check. As we all get older, speedy access to quality medical facilities becomes important. Unfortunately, Southern Africa is not it.

 

[grand veneur]

I might have mentioned this before but too many pages to check. As we all get older, speedy access to quality medical facilities becomes important. Unfortunately, Southern Africa is not it.

All of Africa, but I let people keep dreaming. Anyone who experiences a serious dental or in particular a serious medical problem, will quickly realize how far they are from home and this applies especially to older people. This is true for all of us who live in highly industrialized countries and are no longer fully aware of how we can get help from our countries in emergencies situations, especially the Western Europeans who receive a top assistance in various medical situations, in many cases regardless of their financial situation. Hardly anyone in many countries around the world has this, and certainly nobody in Africa.

 

[Tanks]

All of Africa, but I let people keep dreaming.

Actually, UAE and Saudi Arabia do have decent medical facilities, but I mentioned only Southern Africa as I doubt anyone would want to move to the desert for retirement.

 

[grand veneur]

I am thinking mainly of Africa, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are not located there. Asia is quite different and the medical standards are in many countries comparable to those in the Western world. However, accessibility for everyone is not the same.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I’ve also been considering where I will retire to. Other countries that I’ve visited over the years were in consideration. It’s easy to fall in love with elements of other countries, but the reality of everything that has been mentioned sets in. Safety, culture, healthcare, age, being away from aging parents, kids, or grandchildren are all a factor.

I’ll likely arrange for extended stays in places I really like (African countries I’ve yet to hunt, NZ, Australia, Alaska and Canada, Europe, as well as hunt and fish more of the states, and make the best of those opportunities. 3 months at a time seems like a reasonable start.

I’ll base out of Reno/Sparks area of Nevada for now. Income tax friendly. Great airport. Pretty clean living. I’m still looking for a ranch property that has a trophy room or space to build one…

It’s all a process.

 

[Tanks]

One thing that is a consideration also are the gun laws of the particular country one is interested in. Some countries have draconian gun laws and are not that gun friendly at all. Not to mention customs duties etc. even if one is allowed.

My future retirement plans are to have a home base as mentioned by @NIGHTHAWK and then spend time at whatever places I wish to go. I am not retired yet but still spend 3-4 weeks each quarter traveling overseas.