Why would it not be a compliment? Many city people buy a place in the country. It’s done all the time. Why not Trump? You are inferring it was not meant well from a cynical point of view.
Yeah, they buy 'a place.'
You ever worked a farm? If you ever did, if a New York construction dude said: "I think I may come here and buy a farm".. Like buying a farm is like buying a grocery store. It's a joke to a local. More an insult.