Is retiring to Africa a wise decision?

[Doubleplay]

Unfortunately, not currently very stable but certainly more stable then anywhere in Africa. At least, currently, you don’t have to worry about the government taking it away and giving to it others. Excellent Medical in San Antonio, very good Medical in Corpus and Laredo.

The owner of Kalahari Rangers in RSA has been trying to sell for several years. If you want the risk of land ownership.

Land in SA is dirt cheap right now and there's a reason for it.
Most people trying to cash out before they're forced to.

 

[TERMINATOR]

Land in SA is dirt cheap right now and there's a reason for it.
Most people trying to cash out before they're forced to.

Honestly I am concerned for the hunting industry in RSA.

I am taking a group back in 2024 but wonder if that will be my last hunt in RSA. It used to be the safest and most prosperous place in all of sub-Saharan Africa (if not all of Africa). Now I am concerned for the white population in general and particularly the white farm owners.

I HOPE my concerns are unfounded.

 

[rdog]

Sadly, the "not robbed/carjacked in the streets" is declining, fast. Living in Crimesville, er Townsville, Queensland is becoming like a warzone; juvenile crims running amok. Another stolen car dumped outside my home last Saturday morning; the blue-heeler cross is a great deterrent, along with the neighbour's Lab/Rhodesian Ridgeback. My philosophy is that if they cross the fence and get past the dogs then their asses are mine. Police on the beat endorse my attitude. I'm praying and working for a change of (state) government next year. This grumpy old bloke has had enough.

Yes Geoff i see it on the news every night our premier " MISS PIGGEY " IS A LEFT W ING WOKE FOOL, fortunately THE YOUTH CRIME problem its limited to certain locations with large indigenous populations. I fear the Voice ,if it gets a yes vote, they will be out of controll i think there there will be a lot of corruption in the voting process. it makes my so angry to see the Fag from Qantas pushing the yes Vote.

 

[ftrovato]

All sounds very romantic. My wife is ill right now with cancer and we are very fortunate to live within a 2 hour drive from NYC. Our life now takes us in and out of the city on a weekly bases and actually are renting an appt for a month at this time while she gets daily treatment. God willing, as the doctors are communicating thanks to the level of care she is receiving at Memorial Sloan Kettering life may go back to normal within a year of diagnosis. I don't believe that this would be the case if we were not located within easy reach of world class health care. I guess my point is, I'll fly for pleasure but have learned it is very valuable to drive for world class care when the crap hits the fan.

 

[Rare Breed]

We gave this great thought when we lived in Alaska. Alaska is tempting for retirement, but in our analysis, did not have what we needed. In summary:

Climate: are there seasonal weather extremes that would impede your ability to enjoy the outdoors?

Outdoors: do you have reasonable access to the activities you love?

Medical: this is a big one. We all face health issues as we age. Will you have access to the required care?

Senior Services: fairly self explanatory. They either exist or they don’t. In Alaska they don’t.

People: are the culture and the people ones that you will enjoy? We are from Canada. Alaskan and Southern culture suit is fine. The eastern seaboard and California would be no go zone for us.

We ended up on a farm in Alabama. We traded inhospitable winter weather for inhospitable summer weather.

My financial advisor has a client who lives very well in Romania on modest means. We have friends who are considering Majorca. There are many answers, you are asking the right question.

Wisdom!!! Although I absolutely love Marks question and dream!!!

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I wouldn’t recommend retiring to Africa 100%. Keep your other citizenship and travel home as and when you want to. South Africa was my recommendation because it makes that easy. The country isn’t going south any time soon, if ever, there are problems to be worked through, but the doom merchants should take a side seat and watch the rest of us enjoy life so long.
But why come? You have to get your priorities sorted out:
1. It is warm (unless you move to the Eastern Cape or the Freestate. So stick to northern Limpopo, Hordspruit, Nelspruit area.)
2. You can hunt more often.
3. Also travel to some very nice attractions in South Africa, and also regionally.
4. You can eat out forever. It is rearonable.
5. They have great wine.
6. You can travel to the UK or Europe over night.
7. You can play golf or any sport you like as much as you like.
8. The fishing is good and varied, especially if you add in the Zambezi.

 

[Frederik]

In Pretoria there is retirement villages you could buy one in a classy estate from R2 mil and more if you wish about $120K perfect for lock up and leave for trips.
Most of them also have frailcare facilities.

Spend 9 months here and go home to visit family June July and August for nothern Summer.
Your property will be looked after even garden services. Hunt the rest of the year if you wish many golf course around and in the city various sports plenty of restaurants.

Proper medical care all around in the city.

Quick 2 hour flight to Cape Town or Vic Falls.

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

Honestly I am concerned for the hunting industry in RSA.

I am taking a group back in 2024 but wonder if that will be my last hunt in RSA. It used to be the safest and most prosperous place in all of sub-Saharan Africa (if not all of Africa). Now I am concerned for the white population in general and particularly the white farm owners.

I HOPE my concerns are unfounded.

Switch your news off. Boring news doesn't sell.

We'll be fine.

 

[Foxi]

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?

I am really surprised.
A man with your education and life experience believes in the legal security of an African state.

A good friend bought a farm (short for Corona,actually a current event ) in Namibia.
Several thousand hectares.
The hectare at 150-200 USD, together with a local, there is no other way (already a weak point, of many).
He knows as much about the legal security in this, probably most stable country in Africa, as all of us here in the forum who know the conditions to some extent.
But he can afford to throw his investment out the window if he has to.
Unfortunately I am not in a position to do so.
Have a look at Farmers Weekly and study the market on offer there.
Many are just waiting for people like you who have these dreams.
The providers have already dreamed out.
Foxi

p.s.
There are a few people in AH who have dream farms in Africa, maybe one or the other will come out and share their experiences.
But that is also a category that is economically at a high level.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I read articles and watch a lot of YouTube videos on retiring. There is a lot of information about retiring to Central America, Spain, and other places where a couple could live very well on their savings.
Why not sub-Saharan Africa?

Medical care is a big one. Hmmm, a couple months ago my wife's mother had to go to the ER in Lusaka. The "public" hospital option was a non-starter. We sent her to a private hospital where she was put in intensive care for a few days, had a CAT scan, and other tests. Mother in law is doing pretty good now. The total hospital bill was around $1000.

Medical evacuation insurance is probably a good idea in case needed medical care isn't available. If one is 80 years old, will a company still offer evac insurance?

Depending on all the variables by (US) state...
Yes and No. There are some states that are pro insurance companies
... However, some / most states are pro insured. You'll need to look at the fine print of your policy/ policies. As long as you continue to pay your premiums, and your insurance company continues to accept premiums in good faith,
your coverage remains the same regardless of age. However, certain states and insurance companies will/can limit your amount of coverage to the amount of (number of months/annual) premiums you have paid. Not plugging any particular insurance çompany, but Global insurance maybe something to look into as a supplemental insurance to Medicare/ Medicaid, and/ or any other health/ DD insurance you may have.

 

[Desperatezulu]

As Frederik touched on - why not look at a (retirement) home in a lifestyle estate? Plenty of them springing up all over, some are even game farms. Basically create a lock up & go. When you're staying there, you can go and hunt wherever you like - either at places you already know and like or try out new places. Or both.

Lifestyle estates have the benefit of security while you're back home, maintenance of the greater property, security of lights and water. And relatively saleable if/when you wish to sell - especially so when compared to a game farm.
Mama will likely be happier in a modern home versus a rustic lodge with constant maintenance issues.

Places like Hoedspruit, as Kevin said, Marloth Park near Komatipoort, Mabalingwe, Zebula etc will all check the boxes of bushveld living on an estate without close beighbours (mostly) yet with the afore-mentioned benefits.
To travel from there to hunting destinations close and far is straight-forward.

Owning your own game farm has its own appeal for sure but do not under-estimate the ownership obligations and challenges that come with it. As an ageing foreigner, how well equipped are you to deal with labour issues, local tradersmen and service providers mostly in local languages? How much DIY are you capable of etc..

 

[VertigoBE]

As Frederik touched on - why not look at a (retirement) home in a lifestyle estate? Plenty of them springing up all over, some are even game farms. Basically create a lock up & go. When you're staying there, you can go and hunt wherever you like - either at places you already know and like or try out new places. Or both.

Lifestyle estates have the benefit of security while you're back home, maintenance of the greater property, security of lights and water. And relatively saleable if/when you wish to sell - especially so when compared to a game farm.
Mama will likely be happier in a modern home versus a rustic lodge with constant maintenance issues.

Places like Hoedspruit, as Kevin said, Marloth Park near Komatipoort, Mabalingwe, Zebula etc will all check the boxes of bushveld living on an estate without close beighbours (mostly) yet with the afore-mentioned benefits.
To travel from there to hunting destinations close and far is straight-forward.

Owning your own game farm has its own appeal for sure but do not under-estimate the ownership obligations and challenges that come with it. As an ageing foreigner, how well equipped are you to deal with labour issues, local tradersmen and service providers mostly in local languages? How much DIY are you capable of etc..

I think this is it.
Owning a house, with a garden, of a size that allows you to invite friends and family, inside a gated community or protected area. This within car driving distance from hospitals, shops and airports.
I cannot see much wrong with this.

 

[Mopani]

I‘m a resident of South Afriica for 40 years. Lots of people are leaving the country, amongst them very well-known persons. Often I hear, mainly from Afrikaners, Lucky you, you have a foreign passport. You can leave whenever you want, we can‘t.

South Africa will become a second Zimbabwe, no doubt about that. Russians and Chinese are taking over the country. Do not settle here, rather come every year for a couple of weeks or months.

As a tourist guide I‘m often in Kruger National Park. One day I noticed a lonely car. I went there and met a friendly gent from Florida. He told me he absolutely loves Kruger, every year he is visiting Kruger four times for 10 days, after that he returnes to the States. In other words he comes to South Africa 4 times a year just to see Kruger, only Kruger, no other parts of the country. Wow! I had asked him why not moving to South Africa? He smilled and answered 'I love Florida more but I can‘t be without Kruger'. What a nice man, I liked him instantly.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

I am really surprised.
A man with your education and life experience believes in the legal security of an African state.

A man of my experience "gathers intelligence locally". Thanks for your input. Did you notice that Zimbabwe was not in my list of countries? Hmmm, why would that be? Thanks again!

Owning your own game farm has its own appeal for sure but do not under-estimate the ownership obligations and challenges that come with it.

Thanks, but I did not mention owning a game farm. Being a shareholder means investor with hopefully some privileges. Let someone who know what they are doing run the farm!

In Pretoria there is retirement villages you could buy one in a classy estate from R2 mil and more if you wish about $120K perfect for lock up and leave for trips.
Most of them also have frailcare facilities.

This is something I had in mind when I mentioned like a golf community.

But as @Foxi , and @Mopani point out, South Africa may not be a wise move for an American.

South Africa will become a second Zimbabwe, no doubt about that. Russians and Chinese are taking over the country. Do not settle here, rather come every year for a couple of weeks or months.

The Chinese and Russians are a threat to any type of democratic government.

My thoughts were and are to possibly live in a low cost country most of the year and return home the USA for one to three months every year. Per the below post, for medical appointments, taking care of property, visiting family and so on.

One solution is to find a place where you can live part time and spend 5-6 months there when the weather is better and then come back to your permanent residence.
As an example if you live in the South where Summers are becoming unbearable spend Summers in South hemisphere like Namibia, Botswana, Argentina etc.. and Winter back home.

For the months of May- Sept living, working, helping at a hunting lodge lodge in Africa, be it Namibia, SA, Zambia… Still undecided

For the months of Oct- April have a place in the warmer part of the states. Be it Florida, Arizona, Texas, who knows….

Regardless, we would still be spending enough time in the States for family through the holidays, maintaining citizenship, medical care, and the US hunting seasons…
And spending Africa hunting season in…Africa.

Great plan!

I’m currently eligible to retire and would love to spend part of the year in Southern Africa. I thought about building a chalet to keep my trophies (save on getting them sent to the US and a place to put the ones that can’t be imported to the US). I have talked with some outfitters about building and they can use the chalet when I’m not around and in return someone would look after it for me.

This is something like I had in mind. I did not however think of a local trophy room. Great idea!

For what it is worth, I know a few people who have bought in to various hunting enterprises, mainly in UK or Europe. Some have just been basic timeshare type fishing syndicates, some have been shares in a company owning and operating hunting areas or forestry managed for stalking and hunting.

Some work well but many don’t, particularly when additional capital is required. Personally, I really like the idea of having some ownership and more of a connection but I would be very careful about getting involved in a business where you do not know the other parties very well.

I have been involved in some major disagreements in my professional career and it seems to me that unless you have a very well written up agreement at the start then even the best friendships can breakdown when money is involved, particularly if you are not on site for most of the time.

Sadly, the majority of non-family shared enterprises I have seen ended in disagreement, other than well managed timeshare agreements.

Thanks! Great advice.

I wouldn’t recommend retiring to Africa 100%. Keep your other citizenship and travel home as and when you want to. South Africa was my recommendation because it makes that easy. The country isn’t going south any time soon, if ever, there are problems to be worked through, but the doom merchants should take a side seat and watch the rest of us enjoy life so...

As always @Kevin Peacocke your advice is held in high regard.

Thanks to all for your facts, comments, and opinions. Please, keep them coming!

 

[Philip Glass]

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?

It is being done but I would not likely put money into Africa. If I were to live or invest in Africa it would certainly be Namibia.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

It is being done but I would not likely put money into Africa. If I were to live or invest in Africa it would certainly be Namibia.

@Philip Glass please tell us more about the success stories from Namibia!

 

[Philip Glass]

@Philip Glass please tell us more about the success stories from Namibia!

It is Africa but it seems to be more stable than other countries at the moment. The land prices are going up due to foreign investment so there must be quite a few who are not bothered by the risks. The population is the second smallest per square mile in the world and the cost of living is very low. You could buy a place of considerable size there but remember it is a desert and you would have to have large acreage to hunt.

 

[TERMINATOR]

Switch your news off. Boring news doesn't sell.

We'll be fine.

Good to hear!

 

[Whit]

It is Africa but it seems to be more stable than other countries at the moment. The land prices are going up due to foreign investment so there must be quite a few who are not bothered by the risks. The population is the second smallest per square mile in the world and the cost of living is very low. You could buy a place of considerable size there but remember it is a desert and you would have to have large acreage to hunt.

Politically, the USG views Botswana as the most stable/secure in Africa. Could be an option - I defer to the local experts.

 

[HankBuck]

I don't know if you have ever received medical care in anywhere outside US in your life for what you call "Stupid" like infection, virus or broken bone?
I did in many countries in private institutions and trust me the care was at least par and some cases was better than here for 1/5th of the price and this is coming from someone who's daughter in law is board certified internal medicine physician here in US. US basic heath care is very overrated and not as good as people think because of various reasons...

I used the word “stupid” to describe how I would feel “if” i had to succumb to a simple medical condition due to unavailable care - Not to comment on any particular Country. And “yes” I have had health care in other Countries - lived with my Wife & 2 kids in Canada/Ontario for 3 years near Toronto. The quality & skill of care provided seemed equal to U.S. — “if” IF you could get in to be seen by a Specialist type Doctor in reasonable amount of time...The expression used by our Canadian friends was “Canada’s heathcare system is Free and worth every penny” and another Neighbor said “Great for a cold, bad if you have cancer”. We paid our Pediatrician “cash” just so that we could get immediate access if we needed to - or get a returned pone call at night (kid wakes with ear ache or croop etc..) otherwise there was rarely a timely response. I have also had very limited experience with medical treatment in Mexico - it was fortunately for minor issues but still not impressive, however the attending was kind & companionate (similar to what I’ve encountered in the ER in the U.S.). This is not to imply that either country is not capable of excellent care & treatment - however, it can be more difficult to locate that “excellent care and treatment”. During an extended stay in British Columbia, the resident I stayed with regularly traveled to U.S. (Vancouver) for any serious medical issues as the “wait” to see an Orthopedic Surgeon in BC was months and they preferred to pay out-of-pocket vs the long wait. These are just my very limited experiences with medical treatment and I do not claim or imply it is representative of that entire country all of the time. Also, I’ve gotten very poor treatment here in the U.S. a few times. The quality of medical care may be very similar between the US and many other countries - but the “access” to that health care is equally important. Many areas or Countries conducive to good hunting and living in a rural area limit close/fast access to top medical care and that goes for the US as well (few travel to Wyoming for the specialized medical care). I think the average level of medical care in the U.S. has deteriorated over the past 40 years as cost & insurance companies determine/influence the level of care more then Doctors. But, we still have some of the best medical care in the World, regardless of cost....i don’t know who’s “the best”