06/08/2026
Can we have an uncomfortable conversation?
Why is it that so many people spend decades dreaming of retiring “back home”…
yet some of the saddest stories we hear happen after they finally get there?
A few weeks ago, we heard of a mother who had raised her children alone. They succeeded in life, some abroad, others in the cities.
Out of love and gratitude, they built her a beautiful bungalow in the village.
She didn’t get to enjoy it for long.
She was killed inside the very house that was meant to be her reward.
It’s not the only story.
From time to time, we also hear of people returning from the diaspora or the city to retire in their rural homes, only for their retirement to end in tragedy.
So here’s my question…
Is “going back home” always the best retirement plan or is it simply the plan we’ve inherited without questioning it?
I’m not saying don’t build at home.
I’m saying don’t let sentiment override security.
Your retirement home should be where you feel safest, not where people expect you to build.
Before you invest millions, ask yourself….
“Will I be secure here?”
“Will I have neighbours I can rely on?”
“Will I have quick access to healthcare and emergency services?”
Sometimes the answer is yes.
Sometimes it isn’t.
If you don’t feel safe living in a particular place, don’t let guilt pressure you into settling there.
There is nothing wrong with buying land and building in a secure, diverse neighbourhood where you can enjoy your retirement with peace of mind.
People may ask why you didn’t build “back home.”
Let them ask.
At the end of the day, a house is meant to protect your life, not become the place where you lose it.
What do you think?
Should retirement be built around tradition or around security and quality of life.
KCI Properties Limited
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