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!

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Hi All, i have been asked via PM and on the open forum about what it would get to have a place in Zimbabwe to base up from and do some hunting and adventuring for part of the year. I gave some feedback which may have overgunned on price because there was mention of a requirement for a free standing homestead. Well friends of mine have built a number of totally equipped sub-cottages on their property that I think would fit this bill very well. PM me if you are interested and I will put you in contact with them. I am not involved in any way, just making the connection.

 

[Scott CWO]

Wellllll, that's not true. It is very close! View attachment 639644

I looked into buying a place in Spain. Figured I could keep my non-importable species there as well. Problem was that I found the prices weren’t as cheap as I had been told. Most houses also have fairly small rooms without the big open floor plans we are used to in the USA. I probably would have had to build a house to get what I wanted and that would be complicated in a foreign country. In addition, I was able to get my elephant and lion USFWS import permits so that took some of the incentive away. I’ve put the idea on hold, for now.

 

[Field28]

Mauritius sounds pretty good!

 

[Nyati]

I looked into buying a place in Spain. Figured I could keep my non-importable species there as well. Problem was that I found the prices weren’t as cheap as I had been told. Most houses also have fairly small rooms without the big open floor plans we are used to in the USA. I probably would have had to build a house to get what I wanted and that would be complicated in a foreign country. In addition, I was able to get my elephant and lion USFWS import permits so that took some of the incentive away. I’ve put the idea on hold, for now.

Too bad we won´t have you as a neighbor

Unfortunately, our housing prices are not cheap, unless you go to a small village far from a city.

 

[lhook7]

Here is my family’s experience with Africa: I was born in Libya to an American father and Scottish mother. My father owned a company in Tripoli. The Gaddafi revolution happened about two years after I was born, and they nationalized my father’s company. Dad sent my mother and me to Scotland while he and his business partner tried to negotiate some kind of settlement with the new regime. They, Gaddafi’s regime, ended up killing dad’s business partner and my father left the country penniless. As much as I love Africa, I’ll stick to traveling there every few years and invest my capital in other places.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

I've looked a little too, just around the Waterberg Mountains in SA where I have friends and spent some time on several safaris... I'm eligible to retire in 1 year and can take my pension, health and welfare package. Health care is a general concern. I've been looking for a place to have some space and land near hunting and fishing. Too many cons than pros for me in SA right now, but I'm likely to do an extended trip to include boarding countries to SA and really look things over...

 

[Neophyte]

A guy I worked for once told me, "if it floats, flies or f***s, rent it!"

That’s very good advice.
I’d rather rent a woman than have one full time. They are a pain in the you know what when you have to deal with them on a daily basis.