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 !!