Florida is one of the most popular states in the USA for South African emigrants to call home. With its tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and diverse population, Florida offers a laid-back lifestyle and vibrant cultural scene that many South Africans find appealing.
The state is also home to top-rated universities, a thriving economy with business opportunities, and world-renowned tourism attractions, making it a popular destination for South Africans looking to relocate or invest in the USA.
According to EB-5 investment experts – American Dream – while California, Texas, and other states also have their attractions, it is for the aforementioned reasons that Florida stands out as a particularly attractive option for South Africans seeking a new home in the USA.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau about 33 000 South African-born people live among a population of 33 million Americans. The Bureau records suggest the highest population of South African-born residents can be found in California, Florida, New York, Texas, and Washington.
The warm weather, diverse population, and a variety of job opportunities draw South Africans to Florida. This state offers a variety of cultural attractions, such as Disney World, Universal Studios, and the Kennedy Space Centre.
Florida is extremely popular with retirees, and personal finance platform WalletHub recently ranked Florida as the second best US state for retirement in 2023.
This ranking is based on a score across three dimensions – affordability, quality of life, and healthcare which gave a final weighted average for each state. Florida excelled in quality of life and affordability.
Florida also ranks third in the country for education and is the eighth best state in economy rankings. American Dream Director, Stuart Ferguson explains that the state’s comfortable climate and lack of personal income tax, have also contributed to it becoming a top choice for immigrants.
“In 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced there were 66 approved Regional Centres in the state of Florida alone. According to the American immigration council, one in five Florida residents are immigrants and more than half of the population are naturalised citizens.
“It stands to reason that South Africans make up a substantial portion of these with major drawcards being the state’s tropical climate, laid-back lifestyle, university and college offerings, and its booming economy and a business-friendly environment that’s ideal to start a business or invest in real estate,” states Ferguson.
According to Ferguson, in recent times places like Portugal and their Golden Visa offering were at the forefront of everyone’s lips – but this has since changed. Now with the window being almost closed by the Portugese government on their off-shore investment and residency option – it seems that savvy South Africans have been shifting their focus away from Europe and to more stable and viable opportunities abroad, like the United States.
“While there are various means of living in America, such as through employment-based options, there is a fail-safe way in which to gain Green Card status and live like an American for you and your immediate family. This is through the EB-5 Investor Programme with an investment of $800 000.
“As part of our American Dream service, we offer a streamlined and trusted route for EB-5 investors, with the advantage of a financial plan to assist clients paying in increments. Through our comprehensive knowledge and partnerships with industry experts, American Dream is able to assist you in practically every phase of your relocation to the USA, from consultation to education and advice,” shares Ferguson.
Immigrating to the USA was a transformative experience for Brandon Hiemstra, founder of well-known brand, House of Macadamias.
“Growing up in Nelspruit, a small rural town in South Africa, with a deep connection to agriculture, I set out to carve my own path, which led me to Los Angeles. During moments of homesickness, I sought to seek out my favourite macadamia snacks. Tracking them down wasn’t easy and they were uncomfortably expensive.
“I then contacted my farmer friends in South Africa, and it soon became clear that they wanted to get their macadamias into the USA but didn’t have the right contacts. This realisation planted the seeds of possibility in our minds, and we started drawing up tentative plans. A young and passionate team soon came together, with the Head of Growth and Operations based in South Africa,” said Hiemstra.
House of Macadamias, currently expands across four continents, and has celebrated a major triumph in the UK, securing a prominent spot in WH Smith’s healthier snacking fixture, resonating with health-conscious consumers nationwide.
American Dream has successfully guided their South Africn clients like Hiemstra through the EB-5 Investor Programme with a capable team of legal and financial experts, who assist investors through every aspect of their emigration journey.
To find out more about the immediate investment opportunities now available in Florida which will allow you and your family to apply for the EB-5 visa, visit: https://americandream-eb5.com/.