Jilly

Magnificent. And... a little warmer than southern Australia at present!

All look wonderful!! Would you like to let me know a little more about your areas? Would love to hear more.... If you would, please go to the 'Contact Us' page on my website and send me an email, that would be great.

Do you live near Mandurah? Goodness...hasn't that area developed over the years. That is a good point you make...some people like being around retirees, others, like you, want a more diverse age group. Looking at the age groups in an area is another aspect we look at when researching areas. This aspect is not something that many people necessarily think about.

Yes, Australian country gardens can be vast. I think the people we met were thinking that city gardens would be much bigger. They went and looked at areas on the Sunshine Coast....new developments and said gardens were small there too. I guess you can't get it all '100%'. I'm not hearing about lots of U.K. people retiring to Australia...just yet.

Ah yes...for people from overseas it can be expensive! Some retirees in Australia looking to move to an area, tend to 'house sit', use caravan parks etc. But, as you say the airfares etc are not cheap. ALSO: Some towns, however, are holiday towns and in the 'off season' there may not be a lot of people around. One area we researched had a street where everyone but a couple of houses (or was it one?) were holiday homes...vacant for weeks at a time. The permanent residents said they did not want to be a 'de-facto' security service for these homes...and they would have liked to have had more 'permanents' around. Holiday makers usually do not have the time to get to know neighbours. Quite a few U.K. people have commented to us that they find the cost of eating out, and food generally, in Australia expensive. One U.K. couple we met in the cbd..(they emailed us to meet for coffee) also commented on the (small) size of Australian 'gardens' (our 'backyards'). 'With all your space why don't you have larger gardens? Mmm....Interesting what visitors see. I think for many U.K. people the weather is a big attraction (although today is chilly in southern Australia! ).

It's good that you know what you want in a location. Listing everything you want in a location is a good idea and actually visiting several times..are people able to stay a while before making a decision? I have co-authored several editions of Where To Retire In Australia and visited over 200 locations around Australia. Some places would be great to retire to....others not so.

It is important to note that just because there is a high % of retirees living in an area, it does not necessarily mean that the area is ‘popular’ with retirees. Not is it true that people have moved to retire there. Sometimes it is, but it's important not to assume that all areas are 'popular'...just because there is a high concentration of over 65's. It’s true that various locations around Australia may attract retirees looking to get in on the action but it is also true that many locations around Australia are not attracting new comers, and younger people, to the area. People are ageing in place. ‘Ten’ Over 65 *Queenscliffe, VIC 40.3% over 65 *Victor Harbor SA 37.7% Barunga West, S.A. 32.9% Yorke Peninsula 31.3% Eurobodalla 29.4% Mid North Coast NSW 29.0% Tasman TAS 28.8% Quairading W.A. 28.6%. Population 641: (2016 Census) Yankalilla SA 27.9%. | Tumby Bay SA 27.8% *NOTE: Have been consistently high % of people over 65 over the various Census. Read Carefully And Do The Research Having visited over 200 locations around Australia, in researching for Where To Retire In Australia, there are various questions that need to be asked if you are thinking of moving, Before resisting the temptation to move to an area in your retirement it’s worthwhile doing the research. Why is there such a high % over 65? -is it because younger people are not moving to those areas? ie: they may also be moving away from these places. -is it because people are actually moving to the area in their retirement? Facilities: What are the facilities? Is there a strain on facilities? eg: medical Are there a lack of facilities? -e.g.: Police, Neighbourhood Watch Council services for older people? Transport: type?, services? What’s the communication facilities like? Real Estate: Just because the real estate may be affordable: how easy is it to sell? (are there homes that have been on the market for a long time? If so, 'why'?) is there a variety of real estate (eg: homes, units, town houses, retirement villages, nursing homes) And........ It's important to go and see places before moving Visit in all seasons Go and speak to locals What's the cost of living like? Ask if you can speak to people who have moved to the area Are there activities for you and your partner to do? Are you moving towards family / friends? What is Plan B? (if it doesn’t work out). I am a retirement writer, seminar speaker and provide content on pre and post retirement. I have co-authored several editions of Where To Retire In Australia, one of Retire Bizzi and writen 21 Ways To Retire.

I am the co-author of several editions of Where To Retire In Australia and keep researching around Australia. Australia is blessed to have many great locations. However, it's really important to actually go and do the research before moving..as this can be a costly exercise. List your needs and wants, visit all seasons (the good and the bad), check out the cost of living, what the medical facilities are like, transport, security....the list goes on . I wish you well. www.where2now.net