Blue Flu

Never been to Finland but must be a great country for rough camping or parking a van free anywhere in the forest or around there numerous lakes. I recall the days when it was an Aussie/Kiwi rite of passage to purchase a van outside Australia House later moved elsewhere due to traffic congestion. The annoying thing with Euro driving in countries like France and Portugal is the traffic. (besides some of the driving) It takes so long to get anywhere at least to popular destinations. Easy to forget the negatives .

Not sure why. There is free camping a number of countries for starters. Norway and Scotland for example. Have camped for free in coastal and inland areas of Portugal. Same for Greece, but may not be allowed these days. There are countless road side stop overs where easy enough to get a kip without being bothered through out France and Germany. Obviously far harder to keep travel costs down to the levels of ease of forty years ago, but found it easily enough doable. There are some great camping sites as well to put up a tent in many Euro countries.

Quite correct. Being so connected with cheap flights to many parts of the world as well as easy access to EU by train, ferry or coach worth a lot as well. Especially in the age. Getting a good quality camper van and touring Europe on a longer basis , perhaps across to Morocco as well, more appealing than the Grey Nomad thing in Australia to my mind. But already done a lot of Australia by such means years ago. If I hadn't may think differently.

No idea what went on between them. A sneaky suspicion that perhaps he wasn't quite in the same boat of contentment as was his wife.( he was earning substantially less) Never breathed a word. Although did find it a litte hard in the police at the beginning, but hardly complained. She was definitely very content with her earning capacity which increased substantially over the three years, after taking on more responsibility. People often never truly reflect what's going on behind the scenes though.

That was my thought at the time. It's not a matter of not being able to get on the housing ladder that's not what they said. It was the price and period of time required to pay off a loan. I gather they didn't have a lot of capital to put down. Around $900,000 was I believe the price they quoted to get anything of their liking. They appeared to really like Australia so al were quite taken back with their sudden decision to return. I also suspect having a child greatly influenced outcomes. But as mentioned they are very happy (as well) being in Glasgow .

Not sure what is so unique about it though. It likes to consider itself to be Euro influenced, true to a degree. But surely better the real thing ? But if not possible to do that Melbourne would do nicely enough.

I suspect it isn't so much a competition, but what one does better. Australia for climate (unless disliking heat) beaches, water sports, open roads, UK for inside things around culture and history. Probable location although not too much wriggle room in that unless a Europhile , is cheaper for foods and clothes and better selection, but wages often lower outside of financial industry.

I used to spend a lot of time in Portugal and thought it as an ideal retirement spot. Work wise not great as checked that out. Not a big fan of The Algarve but so many places in the regions very affordable at the time and most Portuguese learn English, especially these days to allow plenty of time to learn the basics of the language, which is not easy to speak. Hard to compare the coastline really. Portugal has some wonderful coastal locations with lots of charm and coves and beaches. One of the best surf beaches in Europe is in Nazare I place often stayed.

You can certainly buy Scotch Eggs over here. I haven't bought one in many years, but did on a fairly regular basis back in time. Saying that while haven't been searching them out , I can't say I've noticed them over recent years. Lack of interest? Or just not noticing? No idea. I guess your teaching one of the smarter classes , being able to string a sentence together as such?.

It's too easy in my reckoning. Too many are getting into debt that they will be hard off to pay further down the line. It's more a matter a what you feel comfortable with taking into consideration using the average interest rate in the historical sense as a guideline. What most wouldn't likely want is severe stress further down the line.

Exactly so. Great for young people doing the Backpacker two years and perhaps trying to remain. If free of responsibility and somewhat carefree then still doable. Besides that most questionable. Australia has changed so much over the decades, some longer term residents seem to forget just how easy it all was. Buying a house outright. Often better salary/wages. Cheaper to eat out and a host of other things. Life here is increasingly challenging. Drugs are such an issue in Perth at any rate but Adelaide has taken over the dubious title as meth (ice) capital in Australia. Shocking what's going on in the drug front. Not a thing can be done to stop it either. So prominent in our street and area, but others tell me a problem in their suburbs as well.

Well you give you an idea I believe the nurse was on close to $130,000 by the end, and he (police) on $90,000 ) That's way over $200,000 (although was less in earlier years) so would have thought that would have been enough. I guess not having a house to sell in UK before leaving meant all income was sourced from here. (a child was born here in final year as well) Melbourne prices were more than Perth in the time frame we are talking as not long back. But I think the heart wasn't in it and the cost just amplified together with having a child, the desire to go home. Interestingly, never once did they complain about being in Australia outside of housing cost. Now back say barely think of Australia and consider done the right thing.

Sadly it won't take much of a rise to over turn the apple cart. Loans are being given out on a 5% deposit. That's going to leave many of the more vulnerable in a desperate situation. But whatever happens the bank will in reality be their landlord. This was never the supposed task of banks , but mortgages are easy pickings. Well easy until something goes wrong. Guess who pays for the mess left behind?

I rather like Melbourne as it has improved immeasurably from the eighties. While the 'roughness' has been tamed somewhat, the price was desirability stakes rising and prices as well. Although liking it, I still find it is somewhat over rated . I get the feeling when there, fine for what it is, but if a European city it would be somewhat ordinary. If I had gone anywhere in Australia over recent years, my feeling is I wouldn't have stayed.

I guess Melbourne remains in many measurements the most desirable city in Australia. But in the English context, I always found it difficult to select a city outside of London to live. Brighton came closet , but places like Norwich found very hard to break the ice. I guess similar to your Southampton experience. Since leaving England took the opportunity to stay a time in Newcastle and what a difference. I've heard same said about Sheffield as well but not yet been. They would likely be my choices if lived in England that could easily afford. What I miss is how things are close in England. Don't think I mentioned that. A day to Oxford or Canterbury or Brighton or Portsmouth. Same applies for much of Europe as well. Quite possibly we tend to feel it more living in Perth.

A shame that you didn't give it at least a try. There are ex pat enclaves and areas where just enough ex pats live to oil the Integration process without diving into the deep end unable to swim. But remember expat enclaves are made up of other nationalities other than English as well. Loads of Germans, Dutch, Norwegians and Swedish who most all speak English. My partner favours Italy as well. I'm more Portugal/parts of Spain, but Malta was one place we initially both could agree on, at least at the initial stage of research through visiting. Three trips later that does not remain a feasible option. But Europe will remain an option never the less.

Quite right Wanderer. We were in discussion with an agent a few weeks ago with regards a house in Cairns (QLD) A house that ticked all the boxes, great swimming pool, very short walk to beach, cafes, etc in one of that city's better northern beach locations (Palm Cove) could have been bought for well under $800,000. What I did find disconcerting in the apparent crime wave inflicting Cairns and FNQ. Decided to hold out and further search for options. But the point being, as you wrote, such houses in out of big city locations are indeed available. Oh, work for those seeking it could pose a problem in a place like Cairns, with very high unemployment. As for 5% deposits to purchase only required, means we are heading into 'troubled waters' come the interest rate rising. More baked beans on toast (as a treat) for many, when the economic reality becomes just that.

I guess it depends on the time of life we are talking about. When younger what I missed after a year back in Australia, was for want of another word the tribalism clearly on display in UK. Well England anyway. It wasn't as I suppose individual and easier to find 'your tribe' be that in music, sport , hobbies and so on. Just an observation on my part anyway from the eyes of an early twenties something. These days it would be more choice. Easier access. More to do. As for individual items besides some pubs with an atmosphere , especially on a summers day, not too much. Certainly the chocolate is on another level. I occasionally miss a simple greasy spoon cafe for a Full English with mugs of hot steaming tea and a copy of The Observer . The differing sound of English voices and accents. The walkability of cities like London combined with a great, though expensive public transport system, the ability to live at least in London, without a car. The wonderful opportunities to ramble long distances , rather like the English seaside , the friendliness of the people in places like Newcastle and their ability to chat readily with a stranger. Obviously the train with the ability to be in Paris in a few hours. National Express coaches for operating a wonderful net work across the British Isles/Europe at very reasonable prices. Obviously The NHS. Still up there and holding its own (just) even with countless government austerity measures. English sense of homour. It just can't be beaten once understood. Obviously there are a few things that don't miss. But that isn't the question posed.

If a case of retiring and Europe was a prime focus in returning to UK, would not moving to a country of choice within the EU (UK was still a member back then) have been more appropriate? A late middle aged couple in my street two plus years ago moved to Spain, without knowledge of language and though kept their house and rent out have not returned , even with difficult times with the virus.

Way over by a few decades. Australia is expensive. For example I know of a nurse and a policeman from UK, that returned home as even on their salary buying a house that suited requirements, was impossible to get in Melbourne. They went back after three years, her (nurse) to less money but glad to be back .

Only if all prices fell by the same amount. Not necessarily. It was not uniform. Some fell far more than others.

Very slim indeed. I wouldn't buy a house at the moment in Perth anyway. Checked out Cairns recently and contacted agent. Great place and reasonably price right on the beach at Palm Cove. Crime explosion in Cairns has put me off somewhat, even though Palm Cove is possibly the best suburb and quite far enough from town. (have a drug meth cooking crisis around me here in Leederville. way over it) But houses in my area have wildly fluctuated. Over $100,000 between pretty much identical houses over the course of several months. Now up even far more. Crazy. Will end in tears, but hey rinse and repeat. Pretty much the WA way.

Probably best Thailand then. Saying that know a Welsh bloke that married a Thai, after a few years they moved to Laos (language similar) started a business and loving it better there.

Nothing wrong with that. But never the less a common enough complaint from some outsiders. Not just The Philippines, but Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. I imagine Vietnam no different. But win/win usually on both sides. The woman gains often some financial security and man has a companion in the age. I've met both some disasters as well as some very loving couples . No different from what posses as the 'norm' in western countries.

Yes there have been changes. Former visa was readily abused with declarations of income in a bank account. I believe other aspects as well, but haven't gone into to in any depth. I seem to recall some retired expats considering the move to Cambodia. (as Thailand getting too hard They have perhaps the easiest visa system to remain in the world. Yes visa extension travel was very popular, possibly still is, for many decades. My understanding was that has been tightened up but again not been into the matter in any depth. But you are right. The Penang train (done it a few times) had its fair share of border hoppers. Many in Georgetown itself.(did they smuggle cheap Thai rice on your travel? On the border would uncover sacks of rice and throw it out of windows to be collected by relatives (Thai rice cheaper) I think many of those doing the renewal every three months done so to get around bank statement requirements of something like several hundred thousand Baht in an account. There have been one year retirement visa's on offer since I remember.