Building a retirement mansion abroad can often seem like a practical investment, especially when many envision a grand home waiting to be enjoyed later in life. But what happens when the actual owners hardly ever use these properties? This notion of lavish yet underutilised homes is prevalent, particularly among Africans working overseas who want to maintain a connection to their home countries. While it may seem sensible to own property back home, the reality is often far different.
Caretakers, not owners, benefit the most
The common setup is that the homeowner lives abroad, while a hired caretaker maintains the property daily. These caretakers, though not the legal owners, enjoy the property in its best condition from the moment of its completion. Meanwhile, the actual owners may only visit once a year, and even then, for a limited time. By the time they might move back, perhaps 10 or 15 years later, the house may no longer be in peak condition. The paint has faded, style has changed, and even the appeal of the place may have diminished.
For many homeowners, the property serves more as an idea – a place to retire to eventually. But during the years when it is most enjoyable, it is the caretaker, not the owner, who gets the benefit. The caretaker effectively lives in and enjoys the mansion, while the legal owner funds its maintenance from afar. This discrepancy leads to the question: is building such a house back home really worthwhile?
Excessive space for families who may never use it
In many cases, these retirement mansions are disproportionately large for the family sizes they are intended to serve. It is common for Africans abroad to construct homes with 6–12 bedrooms, even though the immediate family may only need three or four. Much of the space remains empty, and its only occupants are occasionally family members who visit or, more often, the caretaker who lives there.
Take, for example, someone with a family of three. Constructing a nine-bedroom house would mean leaving most of it unoccupied and unused for years. It’s like buying ten doughnuts only to eat three and throw away the rest, simply because one can afford to. The unutilised space and the ongoing maintenance expenses become an unnecessary drain on resources, especially as the owner isn’t present to enjoy the property.
A distant dream of luxury living
Another example is a man who has been building a 12-bedroom mansion in his village over the past nine years. Living in a small rented room in the US, he dreams of one day moving back to enjoy this property. Yet, as he continues to pay for its construction from afar, the design and materials are already becoming outdated. It’s a dream that may remain distant for many more years.
This example isn’t unique. In 2018, a 43-year-old man passed away in the US after years of labouring abroad to build a home back in Africa. Living in a small rented space, he worked tirelessly, intending to move to his nine-bedroom house once it was finished. Sadly, he didn’t live to fulfil that dream. After his death, the house was sold by his family, who realised it would be too big and costly for them to maintain.
A culture of “showing off” and deferred dreams
For some, building a mansion back home is driven less by practical need and more by a desire to show success or create a particular image. Many Africans feel an unspoken pressure to return to their villages and impress neighbours or relatives with the grandness of their homes. The allure of appearing prosperous often drives people to pour money into these projects, even if they won’t be there to enjoy them.
But as one reaches retirement age, this desire to impress tends to fade. By the time they are ready to retire, they may find that they lack the energy, health, or need to maintain such a large property. At 65 or 70, the task of climbing stairs in a 12-bedroom mansion can be daunting. In contrast, many Western retirees prefer to downsize, selling their large family homes in favour of smaller, more manageable properties. This shift reflects a growing recognition of the practical benefits of simplicity as one grows older.
Planning wisely for a balanced life
Living in the present doesn’t mean neglecting the future. It’s essential to save and plan for retirement, but this can be done without pouring one’s entire savings into a property that may never be used to its full potential. Building smaller, more practical homes or investing in different forms of wealth can often provide more satisfaction and security in the long run.
Those living abroad would benefit from considering the actual utility of building a mansion in their home country. Will it truly bring the enjoyment and status it promises? Or will it become a costly, underused project that benefits others more than themselves?
Amahle Nkosi is a freelance writer and cultural commentator with a focus on the African diaspora experience.
