Is retiring to Africa a wise decision?

[coreydb]

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?

Mark- I thought of the same thing and spent time after my May hunt this year with my PH who is a friend of mine. Real estate prices are very cheap and I looked at a farm on the SA/Botswana border for sale for about $600,000 USD. I could buy it but I couldn't maintain it. Housing is very cheap, but theft is extremely prevalent. The country is so poor and with a socialist government giving stipends to its citizens, there just isn't enough money to go around. Corruption is rampant and don't forget the whites are the minority with discrimination. We got stopped last year in the Northwest Provence by a RSA policeman, who threatened us unless we paid him...yep. That said, I'm still looking, I just understand home security is paramount and the justice system isn't strict with perpetrators.

 

[ActionBob]

A bit far from Africa...

Wellllll, that's not true. It is very close!

 

[RichieG]

Mark- I thought of the same thing and spent time after my May hunt this year with my PH who is a friend of mine. Real estate prices are very cheap and I looked at a farm on the SA/Botswana border for sale for about $600,000 USD. I could buy it but I couldn't maintain it. Housing is very cheap, but theft is extremely prevalent. The country is so poor and with a socialist government giving stipends to its citizens, there just isn't enough money to go around. Corruption is rampant and don't forget the whites are the minority with discrimination. We got stopped last year in the Northwest Provence by a RSA policeman, who threatened us unless we paid him...yep. That said, I'm still looking, I just understand home security is paramount and the justice system isn't strict with perpetrators.

It’s all a matter of perspective. I’d buy in an estate (some have 10acre+ plots). You can live in a spectacular house, get excellent help at home for $500 a month max and be close to very good medical treatment and hunting areas.

Hoedspruit would be a great place. If it’s too hairy for you then there probably is no place in Africa that you’d be comfortable in. I’ve been to most sub-Saharan African countries for context.

Go for it. Generally we regret the things we don’t do. And while everyone has a perspective on the politics and discrimination, it’s a matter of whether you let it affect you. I’m a “white” South African and think it’s the best country on the planet. Sure there are issues but a lot of people live there by choice because of the unreal quality of life, especially if you like the outdoors. Good luck with the decision making!