Is retiring to Africa a wise decision?

[bowfishoholic]

My concern in South Africa would be : can a non resident or dual resident have a firearm? We were offered a nice chunk of land in the Free State that we could have come up to buy with cash. Also as a retired US citizen, I think you have to return to the US every so often to keep your retirement. I knew a guy that retired to Guatemala, he had to fly back several times a year, but he lived like a king down there. He invested in a jade market and brought back jewelry on each trip.

 

[spike.t]

To be honest...I think this is a pipe dream for 99.9999999999% of people......

 

[Rare Breed]

In many parts this is true in my research this really is in the cities…I am finding real opportunities outside them. I am seeing long term rentals as the best option with several great opportunities

 

[Rare Breed]

For example in Raptor wild life estates in safe Hodspruit SA you can get a 5 BR 4 BR for $2500 for 30 days rental. In Zim, brand new 5 Cottages $1500 per month all very safe and secure.

 

[ActionBob]

For example in Raptor wild life estates in safe Hodspruit SA you can get a 5 BR 4 BR for $2500 for 30 days rental. In Zim, brand new 5 Cottages $1500 per month all very safe and secure.

It looks like you can buy one of those in Hodspruit I'm sure in other areas as well.

Maybe renting would be the way to go through... a month in Hodspruit, a month in Capetown, a month at Vic Falls. A couple weeks in a hunting camp in between each, maybe before and after Back home for half the year?

 

[steve white]

Is there a corollary with investment strategies? That being that the nearer you get to retirement the safer you play investments to avoid loss you don't have a lifetime to recoup? A loss of assets in Africa for a young man, well, you played the game and lost. While for a senior, maybe devastating?
Rental has a back door, at least.

bowfishaholic--are you saying that if a US citizen doesn't return home they lose their social security income? Wasn't aware that was limited in portability.

 

[ActionBob]

Is there a corollary with investment strategies? That being that the nearer you get to retirement the safer you play investments to avoid loss you don't have a lifetime to recoup? A loss of assets in Africa for a young man, well, you played the game and lost. While for a senior, maybe devastating?
Rental has a back door, at least.

bowfishaholic--are you saying that if a US citizen doesn't return home they lose their social security income? Wasn't aware that was limited in portability.

True Steve, or keep the risk investment at a level that can be tolerated

 

[spike.t]

Aa I have said before you need to remember that in most countries the max days in 12 months you can stay is 90 .....this isn't Jan to Dec it's 12 months from when you were there.....a friend from where I come from with his wife used to go to SA over the southern summer period..ie winter in northern hemisphere..and one year got out of sync.....got pulled by immigration and were informed about this...end result they couldn't go back for either 2 or 3 years as a punishment.....

 

[bones]

This thread made me think.
We have a house in a wild-life/fly-in estate in Mooinooi, South Africa.
We visited there often, but as the kids got busier over weekends, we use it seldom.
We never considered short-term renting out because of the hassles. If someone is interested in renting it for a month or more, this could be an option for me.
Big house, sleeps 10 comfortably.
There are quite a few species plain game, although it is not a hunting farm. The house has a lovely lookout on an area where they always roam.
There is an old hilux in the garage, not a long drive car but for short distances and farm driving perfect.
Distance to OR Tambo 145km about 1hr 30min drive. 8km gravel road.
If someone is interested, they are welcome to pm me.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

@bones This is an outstanding idea! Thanks for posting.