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Where To Retire In Australia: Tips

The following article was originally written and published by Jill Weeks– an experienced educator and author.  She is the author of 21 Ways To Retire, which gives insights into how 21 Australians from different backgrounds adjusted to retirement. She is also the co-author of several editions of Where To Retire In Australia and one of Retire Bizzi.  Her website: www.where2now.net

 

Australia has many great lifestyle locations. Finding the ideal place to retire can be difficult given the abundance of fantastic areas. There are, however, important factors to consider about where to retire. A move to a seaside area where you can indulge in a passion for surfing, fishing, or beach strolling may be high on the list.  Or maybe moving to an inland region is your preference.

Some years ago, we came across various people who had moved to areas to retire. They were not happy about their moves. We then started to research locations for the first edition of ‘Where to Retire in Australia’. Since then, we have visited over 200 locations around Australia.

 

Checklist

 We don’t urge people to move. In fact, some people have commented that by using a checklist, they have decided to remain where they are or not move as far as they had originally intended.

Write a checklist of your needs and wants. Rank the checklist from the most important to the least important. If you have a partner, do the list separately and compare.

 

Medical

Arguably, at the top of everyone’s list should be ‘medical facilities’. Access to medical professionals is important. Questions to ask include: how many GPs, specialists and how other medical people live and practice in the area. Is there a problem attracting and retaining medical people? Is there a hospital?, do you have a choice in who you visit?. On one research trip we came across a town that had a motto: ‘if you’ve got a pain get on a plane’: meaning there were few facilities in the area.

 

Security

Another element we look at concerns the security of an area. Questions we ask include: is there a 24 hour police station?, how many police are stationed in the area?, are there any particular problems? and are there any particular programs that assist seniors?  On Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula, for example, a police station has a service that is run by volunteers that can look at the security of seniors’ homes. It’s my understanding that this program is to be adopted by other areas in Australia.

 

Climate

The climate of an area is also very important when deciding where to retire.

Having a look at the Bureau meteorology website will give you an indication of average temperatures, rainfall, frost days and more.

Visiting an area in the ‘worst’ season is a good idea.

It’s not, however, only humans that need to adapt to different climates. A veterinarian I interviewed said that he wished more people would consider how their pets may adapt to a different climate.

 

Will You Fit In?

We met a couple who had retired from Melbourne to Port Douglas because they had ‘good holidays’ there. After 18 months they said it was too hot and humid. They moved down the coast to northern New South Wales. Mr had a great time with friends. He fished, golfed, socialised at a club and enjoyed numerous social activities. His partner found it very difficult to ‘fit in’.  They moved again.  This time the move was to the NSW south coast. The couple really enjoyed this town. However, as time went on, they found the pull of family and friends back in Melbourne very strong – but another move would be too expensive.

Look at the options for recreation and culture.  Is the area concerned mainly with sport? Is it an place that has lots of festivals and community activities? Does it have options for learning new skills and hobbies?

Retirees who live in an area with a high number of holiday homes have often commented that getting to know your neighbours can be difficult. Visitors are there to relax and not necessarily to become involved in the community.

 

200 klm Rule

We have found that many individuals who have successfully adapted to a new environment have relocated a maximum of 200 kilometres, or two hours, from their previous residence.  This allows people to return to family, friends, medical and other professionals.

There are exceptions.  For example, some people have been used to living in different areas during their careers. Other people move in retirement to be closer to family.

 

Beware Of ‘Hotspots’

Because an area is a so-called ‘retirement hotspot’ it doesn’t necessarily mean it may be a great place to move to. Are people really moving to the area?, are younger people moving away?

The Australian Bureau of Statistics is a good place to start if you want to look at the population and age breakdown of an area.

For example in the 2021 Census Margaret River’s median age was 38 years, Merimbula had a median age of 56 years, whilst Burleigh Heads had an median age of 44 years.

Better still, go and spend time in an area.

 

Cost Of Living

The cost of living is also important to look at. Do prices rise in these areas?  This can be particularly true if it is a tourist location. Some areas, we’ve noticed, give a local discount.

 

What To Do?

With many people not wanting to retire in the traditional sense it’s important to look at what opportunities exist. Could you have a profitable hobby, a small business or obtain full or part time work in your new location?

Ask about the types of voluntary work available. It can also be a great way to meet people.

We interviewed 101 ‘retirees’ around Australia doing amazing things and wrote about them. Chambers of Commerce, business networking groups and community centres are a great place to start asking questions about activities.

 

Although moving is a major decision, it can also be quite rewarding when done well. Just keep in mind that once you’ve settled, you can have the time of your life.

 

 

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