How much "wide open spaces" does he need? I mean, you can still by undeveloped acreage. Maybe try reminding him that y'all will not be getting younger. As you age, being near good hospitals and emergency serivces becomes a growing concern.

A few acres in a good hospital and EMS district might be better as you age. No one wants to be in bumfucked nowhere when they take a fall or feel those chest pains. Even medical alert technology cannot get the ambulance to you any faster.