libbye

Hi Tassie Devil Came across you post and read with interest. It's not often you see inquiries from 80 year olds which we will be in a few months time. At present we live in France and have been here for 13 years. Our little family live on the mainland, Melbourne and Cairns. We are originally from the uk but lived in Aus for over 50 years before leaving for europe. Now we want to come back. I'm sad to see your beloved wife suffers from dementia. A worry for you. Do you have family nearby? Did you find someone to play cards? It's a funny old world and many people are lonely. We find that in France and in the wintertime it is horrible. Everyone closes their shutters and hibernates I've recently invited a few people into our house to form a french conversation group which is proving most enjoyable and stimulating. Most important to keep the old grey matter intact! All the best

where was the photo taken? looks very inviting especially to those of us who are just entering into winter. brrrrrrrrr

thank you Toots. Where do I find her link pls?

Thanks Pura Vida I don't know if I posted an identical thread but certainly have asked many questions! lol No-one answered anyway about the cost of shipping but I thought I'd ask again as a long shot. Nothing is cast in stone but it does help to have some idea of what we're going to be up for should we eventually sell here and make the move. A bit scary but there you go nothing ventured nothing gained. Shipping to Tas will also add to the cost I guess but certainly and by no means sure goods would be unloaded in Melbourne and then on to Tassie. Am I correct in my assumption?

We live in France at the moment but feel we're better off coming back to Aus in our dotage. Has anyone moved lock stock and barrel from the uk as I doubt anyone would be coming from France and could give us recommendations for a shipping company and cost please.

Wonderful to have a variety of foods. Makes cooking so much more interesting. Do they sell Asian fresh veg too?

Hobart probably would be good but too expensive for our limited budget unless we choose to rent. Thank you for the suggestion,

As they say horses for courses then. Still it's nice to have a choice. Thanks ever so much.

Sorry for the huge photo. Didn't mean for it to take up the whole area. Just clicked on something and away it went!

It sounds great Toots. Sounds as if it would suit us pricewise too. We have never been to Tassie so have no idea which is the better end (so to peak) of the island so renting first makes sense. Which is the warmest???? Many thanks for your response which was really helpful.

sounds encouraging and sounds really nice.

I am going to try and attach a file but am none too clever with the computer. It's a photo of the house we own now and in Australian dollars $238000 so you can see what e're up against.

Lots to think about. If you have plenty of money naturally there's far more choice but heyho am sure we'll find something that will suit. Rent first and then see where life leads you. I do like the first unit you mention. Many thanks.

Thank you. Good advice. The first one looks really lovely but no garage. MOH must have a garage or reasonable shed he can escape to. Actually he' a retired artist but art continues to be a consuming passion so needs space for that. No info on additional charges for the one in Claremont and there would have to be because of the facilities. To be more independent perhaps a unit would be better suited for us as long as there was transport nearby. I'm sure something could be sorted once we actually set foot on the new land but I think it necessary to find out all I can before the big move. As I've mentioned before houses can sometimes take years to sell here but I refuse to go down that road. Positive thinking s what I go for! Whatever it's going to be we'd better get a move on.

Thank you Evandale. A very honest appraisal and I'm appreciative. Not being able to drive is a real bugbear and not ready to accept old age doesn't help. We've lived in some wayout places and right in the bush too but that was many moons ago and even now in France we're not exactly close to anywhere and neighbours are sparse on the ground. However, commonsense has to prevail and it's time we stopped fighting it! No wonder the houses are so reasonably priced and I thought one of us might take up fishing!!! We really don't fancy renting as it makes us feel insecure but to find somewhere decent for what we'll have is going to prove very difficult but I think if we do decide Tassie will see us out renting first and see where it leads us. I'm assuming we have plenty of time.lol

Have discovered Oatlands! Can anyone enlighten as to what it's like to live there please. i.e. transport, shopping, medical, friendly commune.

Thank you for your comprehensive reply which I've only just seen. Our belongings would be coming from France but I don't think the cost would be much different. My husband insists we bring as much as possible as he says if you have a container you might as well fill it! We still haven't come to a conclusion whether we return to Aus after 12 years of living in France or stay here or go to the uk. Age is not on our side so a decision as to be made soon whilst we're still standing!!! I have one daughter who lives in Cairns and another in Melbourne but I favour Tasmania simply because it's a similar climate to what we're used to (never been but have read up a lot). Not so many creepy crawlies either. A lot of expense is involved and furniture is expensive in Aus we know. Wish we had a crystal ball.

This subject may have been covered before so if it has I apologise. If anyone has emigrated from europe directly to Tasmania with all their possessions could you give me an idea of cost please.

Thank you Evandale. Very interesting and enlightening. Nice of you to take the time and post.

I had completely forgotten about bulk billing. Yes of course that's what happened with us before but do remember there being a problem in some area with finding a clinic who did bulk bill. Few and far between I think but maybe that's changed. Anyway thank you for pointing it out and I can relax now!!!

OMG I can't believe the figures quoted. 74 dollars for a visit to doctor and then only 14 minutes. Does he put an egg timer on??? Here in France it's 23 euros (34 aud) and sometimes you can be in consultation for nearly an hour sometimes less of course but no egg timer! You actually only pay 1 euro as the state picks up the tab. It doesn't do really to compare as every country is different. We manage fairly well here and on a reduced aussie state pension because of the exchange rate but then we do own our house . It's always swings and roundabouts when trying to make a decision and it if weren't for the language barrier and having no family here I think we'd say bugger it and stay! It's so scary but the clock is ticking. My husband wouldn't be able to get a driving licence on the grounds of age and health so being near to transport is important and I feel we would become isolated which is such a shame as Tasmania looks to be soooooooo beautiful it would be a shame not to be able travel around and enjoy. Maybe a bike!!! lol Life is what you make it I guess so good luck and bon courage to all those of you making the move. Who knows we may see you one day.

P.S. just had a quick look at all the links you sent for retirement. only one gave a definite price and none indicate what the fees would be. All the best units are shown, naturally, so very hard to gauge. Never mind it's something else to consider. If and when the time comes I'd even be prepared to phone and ask relevant questions. Makes for interesting reading especially if you've got a few bob to spare. Shouldn't think this type of accommodation would be affected by the upsurge in prices either although you never know. Greed knows no bounds.

Seems to be the story of our life! We once sold a house in Melbourne for $90000 only to find 6 weeks later the market went mad and it was sold again 1 year later for $500000. C'est la vie. I take your point with regard to the retirement villages and they may well remain stable but quite honestly we're beginning to feel too damned old and running out of energy to make such a move but if the decision on brexit goes against us then we'll have no choice. Not a happy situation and there are thousands of us living abroad who are experiencing roller coaster emotions. The expense of the move too is a concern as Aus is not just over the water! Anyway must look on the bright side all will be sorted and enjoy what we have here and now. It is nice though to be able to converse in our own language and learn more about a place we've never been to. Yours and others comments have been invaluable and am grateful. Have a good day and keep smiling.

Skani - have had a quick whizz around the suburbs you mention and think far too expensive for our limited budget whatever that ends up as being. An interesting exercise but at least it gives us an idea of what's available. Daresay it will have changed slightly by the time we have decided. Do people make offers below the asking price and if so what sort of percentage would you estimate? Rental may well have to be the way we go especially considering our age but we've never had to do that and are a bit wary of being asked to move on at some stage further down the line. Does a tenant have any protection. Still that's not now and I find it very interesting to look and learn about the different areas. Such beautiful countryside. You may be interested in the law here re rentals. If you'are over 70 you can never be asked to leave. They have to wait for you to die, live with relatives or god forbid be put in a home! No-one's rental is terminated during the winter months. The law is certainly not on the side of the landlord and I've heard dreadful stories when tenants don't pay their rent. Of course these are few and far between but it does happen. France is very keen for young people to build and buy new houses and offer some very interesting packages. At the moment they can purchase with less than 10% deposit and mortgage rates are as low as 1.03% for 25 years. However, banks are cautious and do not lend willy nilly like the uk. Your earning capacity is taken very seriously and they make sure you're capable of repaying the loan. The inheritance law is a curly one and very complicated for us foreigners. A gentleman older than us by 3 years has just purchased a block of land for 18,000e ($25,000) and intends to build a small house including land for around 100,000 e. He has a house to sell and the local commune has agreed to hold the land for a year to give him time to sell!

Our budget could be zero and it may mean we have to rent but we'll face that when and if it happens. Thank you for the suggestions. Most helpful.