The Most Overlooked Continent for American Expats

“Ted, you gush about how much you love life in South Africa, but you don’t seem to recommend it much. Why is that?”

I’ve been hearing versions of that question a lot lately. Typically, they come from clients of my consultation service who haven’t decided where to retire abroad yet and are curious about opportunities here at the southern tip of Africa.

But I predict more people will start looking at Africa as a retirement destination without my prompting.

24 Countries Compared, Contrasted, Ranked, and Rated.
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One challenge when talking about a potential life in Africa is that the continent is a mystery to many Westerners. Whereas most know the difference between various European and Latin American nations, many people look at Africa as an undifferentiated mass.

Of course, that’s not the case. Most people know that South Africa is unique, given its long colonial history. There are about 4.5 million people of European descent living in the country, and cities like Cape Town and regions like the Western Cape are similar to Europe. But beyond that, things are a bit fuzzy for many folks.

The truth is that thousands of Western expats live in Africa. Some countries have European-descended populations left over from colonial times, principally South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Senegal, Zambia, Mauritius, and Namibia. But all the countries in this table have attracted non-African foreigners who’ve chosen to live on the continent for assorted reasons. Here are some of them:

Cost of living: In most African countries, the cost of living is between 60% to 70% lower than in North America. Savings can be had across the board, including real estate and rentals. For example, my family recently invested in three residential properties here in the Western Cape, each with three bedrooms, for less than $100,000 each.

Climate: Most of Africa is warm and sunny year-round. Some areas like South Africa’s Western Cape, Morocco’s Atlantic coast, and the Indian Ocean nation of Mauritius have “Mediterranean” climates.

Proximity: Countries in northern Africa are only a few hours away from major European capitals, making airlinks to home easy and plentiful. Although further away, Southern Africa enjoys numerous daily flights to North America and Europe.

Expat Communities: There are thousands of French expats in West Africa, British expats in East Africa, Portuguese in Mozambique, and of course hundreds of thousands in South Africa. These communities enjoy social clubs, bilingual services, and international schools following Western curricula.

Language: In most of the countries on this list, English or French are the lingua franca of the local population.

Lifestyle and culture: Africa is far more diverse than many people realize. It ranges from the Berber culture of North Africa to the ancient societies of Ethiopia, and the fusion cuisines offered in Morocco, Tunisia, and South Africa, especially Cape Town. Outdoor activities like golf, sailing, hiking, and safaris are plentiful and cheap.

Healthcare: Although public health care is usually poor, most expat destinations have excellent private health care systems. The medical care we receive here in Cape Town, for example, is absolutely world class, at a fraction of what we’d pay in the United States. We’re even starting to see some medical tourism, just like Tunisia and Morocco.

Residency pathways: Most of the countries in the list above offer retirement permits with proof of income. Some, like Namibia and Mauritius, are starting to offer golden visas.

Taxation: Many countries offer territorial tax systems which exempt foreign passive income from taxation. They include Mauritius, Namibia, Botswana, and Swaziland. Some, like South Africa, Morocco, and Tunisia, offer exemptions and tax breaks for foreign pensioners

Of course there are downsides. Some countries have safety and security concerns, although these are little different from other popular expat destinations like Mexico. Bureaucracy can be opaque and stubborn. The further south you go, the farther you are from home. In many countries, small expat communities can lead to a feeling of isolation.

But for people looking for a unique opportunity to live on one of the world’s most beautiful and diverse continents, Africa has a great deal to offer. If you’re interested, get in touch with me, and let’s talk about it!

24 Countries Compared, Contrasted, Ranked, and Rated.
You don’t have to be rich to enjoy a pampered retirement, you just need to know where to go. With our 35th Annual Global Retirement Index, our experts hand you a detailed roadmap.
Details—and a Special Offer—Here

By submitting your email address, you will receive a free subscription to IL Postcards, Overseas Dream Home, The Untourist Daily and special offers from International Living and our affiliates. You can unsubscribe at any time, and we encourage you to read more about our Privacy Policy.