VERYSTORMY Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 I hope we will leave Australia at retirement and head back to Leicester. My wife is a Freeman of the city - has the keys to the city. The big plus of this is that there is an amazing retirement village just for Freemen. Gorgeous little houses on the edge of the city next to great countryside, a great old fashioned country pub next door. Each house gets a allotment garden in one end of the complex. They do constant things like days out to see a west end show or other things - we used to go when we lived in the UK. Best of all. It is free. Rent is free for life. No council tax and highly subsidised household bills. I know a number of people living there and they are having a fantastic retirement. The fact they have almost no household bills means they are away on holiday 3-4 times a year and out doing fun stuff all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Folk on aged pensions here though are likely to be unable to afford too many pub outings in Australia. Probably adds fuel to the fire on relocating to places like Thailand. Around $2-$3 instead of $8 paid on East Coast.... Try a trip down the casino any day flag and it's full of retirees. They put on a pretty good deal for them. I'm not a fan of the casino but me and the wife stayed there on a freebie about a year ago and bumped into our old next door neighbour. She's long retired, moved into one of those retirement villages other side of Wanneroo and her husband died. She was having a ball though, the casino put a bus on the fetch them and numerous others from retirement villages, put on a good lunch for them cheap, give them $20 or so to gamble with and they all seemed to be having a laugh and a good time. She spent a while trying to teach us how to play the pokies but we were devastated when we had lost our $20 and went back to spending it on drinks. Last of the big gamblers me and the missus, casino would be broke if it was left to people like us.:laugh: I know they are probably making a bit of money out of the retirees and it's not a good look for the casino to look like they are fleecing the old folk. It's their money though and they looked like they were all enjoying it and having a good time with mates. They having got that long to spend what they have, may as well try and have a good time instead of sitting in some nursing home being grumpy.:cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Unlikely to be limited to a sole place in early years. Looking at another possible purchase in Europe at the moment. I like change myself. More than likely spend time in Asia as well. Will still maintain a base in Australia though at least in early stages. If one of us alone, unlikely the other would remain though. I didn't realise you were rich! ANOTHER purchase in Europe?! I don't know if it's because my bills have dropped off or I'm spending less, but I seem to be living within my budget. I like having things and people close to hand. I used to worry about being a stick in the mud but now I'm happy to stick. Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Retirement is the time to do all those things you always said you wanted to but never had time to do them. My Brother in Law and his wife are retired (here in Adelaide) and always seem to be busier than us. They are involved with running a community garden, do volunteer charity work, play bridge, travel and goodness knows what else. My Sister in Law and her husband are also retired and seem to spend most of there time on the road with a caravan. When they are in Adelaide they are always out at friends or entertaining at theirs. My elderly mother in law plays bowls, goes to probus and spends time with her sister and kids when she can. My mother in the UK is also retired and spends a fair bit of time on volunteer charity work and going off to lunches and things. My retired dad spends a fair bit of time in his workshop making stuff. Life is what you make it, whatever country you live in. Everywhere will have opportunities to do different activities, the trick is finding the activities that you enjoy in the place that makes you happy. Sounds great but I'm glad we crammed loads of stuff in when we were young and didn't get married till I was 33 and had the first kid a couple of years later. Spent lots of money on fast cars, faster women, holidays and booze when I was young. Don't regret it for one second, in fact I reckon I should have held on single for another few years.:wink: I couldn't imagine anything worse than being a grey nomad, trying to catch up on all those things I think I've missed out on with failing health, eyesight, hearing, living in a caravan. I'm glad I did most of the stuff when I was young and fit and felt like I was indestructible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicF Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Sounds great but I'm glad we crammed loads of stuff in when we were young and didn't get married till I was 33 and had the first kid a couple of years later. Spent lots of money on fast cars, faster women, holidays and booze when I was young. Don't regret it for one second, in fact I reckon I should have held on single for another few years.:wink: I couldn't imagine anything worse than being a grey nomad, trying to catch up on all those things I think I've missed out on with failing health, eyesight, hearing, living in a caravan. I'm glad I did most of the stuff when I was young and fit and felt like I was indestructible. My sister in law isn't catching up on lost time - they have always been travellers but retirement means they can go for three months at a time instead of three weeks. And the Brother in Law's wife's idea of travelling is to take a luxury cruise. Probably worth noting my OH's siblings are in there late 50s and early 60s and still fit enough to enjoy life. No reason why you can't cram loads in at all times of life and when you don't have to spend your days at work you have so much more time to cram things in (says me who doesn't work Friday's and has spent most of today sat on the sofa surfing the net). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight7 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 We rarely go in pubs, I think they are boring and I thought the same in the UK except briefly when I was in my late teens. Prefer to go out with a group of friends to different places and different cuisines. Like tonight we are off to a Persian restaurant just nearby. Once a month we go with another group and the last place was Italian, next one is Chinese. We have been to Japanese, Malaysian, Indian, Vietnamese, and Mexican recently. Don't stay out too late these days, usually 11pm will do or even earlier. Where we eat it is usually only $25-$50 per head and we are all fussy so it is good food. If we want wine we BYO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHeart Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) Try a trip down the casino any day flag and it's full of retirees. They put on a pretty good deal for them. I'm not a fan of the casino but me and the wife stayed there on a freebie about a year ago and bumped into our old next door neighbour. She's long retired, moved into one of those retirement villages other side of Wanneroo and her husband died. She was having a ball though, the casino put a bus on the fetch them and numerous others from retirement villages, put on a good lunch for them cheap, give them $20 or so to gamble with and they all seemed to be having a laugh and a good time. She spent a while trying to teach us how to play the pokies but we were devastated when we had lost our $20 and went back to spending it on drinks. Last of the big gamblers me and the missus, casino would be broke if it was left to people like us.:laugh: I know they are probably making a bit of money out of the retirees and it's not a good look for the casino to look like they are fleecing the old folk. It's their money though and they looked like they were all enjoying it and having a good time with mates. They having got that long to spend what they have, may as well try and have a good time instead of sitting in some nursing home being grumpy.:cool: An awful lot of my patients over the years have raved about their casino days out. An active social life for seniors here, community centre clubs, day centres, all sorts of volunteer work....I haven't met many who never get out and about. They seem to be enjoying life mostly unless too disabled to get out much...oh and crusing...everyone seems to head off on cruises.... Edited November 27, 2015 by HappyHeart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Try a trip down the casino any day flag and it's full of retirees. They put on a pretty good deal for them. I'm not a fan of the casino but me and the wife stayed there on a freebie about a year ago and bumped into our old next door neighbour. She's long retired, moved into one of those retirement villages other side of Wanneroo and her husband died. She was having a ball though, the casino put a bus on the fetch them and numerous others from retirement villages, put on a good lunch for them cheap, give them $20 or so to gamble with and they all seemed to be having a laugh and a good time. She spent a while trying to teach us how to play the pokies but we were devastated when we had lost our $20 and went back to spending it on drinks. Last of the big gamblers me and the missus, casino would be broke if it was left to people like us.:laugh: I know they are probably making a bit of money out of the retirees and it's not a good look for the casino to look like they are fleecing the old folk. It's their money though and they looked like they were all enjoying it and having a good time with mates. They having got that long to spend what they have, may as well try and have a good time instead of sitting in some nursing home being grumpy.:cool: It's pretty good value for $10, which includes transport and lunch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunbury61 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 What happens if you need to go into a nursing home? How do you fund that? Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk You don't ...you get your house set up ,so that yourself and your partner owns 50% each ....so that if one of you goes into care ,neither of you actually own the house ,so the powers that be cannot use your house as collateral ,when they throw you into a home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bunbury61 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Sounds great but I'm glad we crammed loads of stuff in when we were young and didn't get married till I was 33 and had the first kid a couple of years later. Spent lots of money on fast cars, faster women, holidays and booze when I was young. Don't regret it for one second, in fact I reckon I should have held on single for another few years.:wink: I couldn't imagine anything worse than being a grey nomad, trying to catch up on all those things I think I've missed out on with failing health, eyesight, hearing, living in a caravan. I'm glad I did most of the stuff when I was young and fit and felt like I was indestructible. Best post for a while on here ...spot on ....weve crammed it all in at the front end .....i don't want to playing catch up doddering around Las Vegas or Paris with a stick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Best post for a while on here ...spot on ....weve crammed it all in at the front end .....i don't want to playing catch up doddering around Las Vegas or Paris with a stick You might not be doddering around on a stick though, at least not until your 80s,and it's not a matter of playing catch up, ticking things off your bucket list and you lose if it's not complete before you die. And neither have you "lost" if you didn't get to do things in your 20's, any more than you've "lost " if you die before you are able to draw a cent of yr pension. I'm 61 and in my first year of a degree with the OU. I don't think "If only I'd done this at 21 when I could appreciate it more. If anything I'll probably appreciate it more now (as proven by the attitude towards study by most mature age students) Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Sounds great but I'm glad we crammed loads of stuff in when we were young and didn't get married till I was 33 and had the first kid a couple of years later. Spent lots of money on fast cars, faster women, holidays and booze when I was young. Don't regret it for one second, in fact I reckon I should have held on single for another few years.:wink: I couldn't imagine anything worse than being a grey nomad, trying to catch up on all those things I think I've missed out on with failing health, eyesight, hearing, living in a caravan. I'm glad I did most of the stuff when I was young and fit and felt like I was indestructible. Similar attude here. I did most of what I wanted to do when I was young, although I would have liked to see more countries. At the time, I thought that there was so much to do and see in the British Isles. TBH, I can't be doing with travelling nowadays and I don't even think that I'll ever go back to the UK again. I can't stand the flight. Nowadays, I'm happy to potter around the garden, take long walks with the camera (when I'm fully fit again), observing nature, and perhaps a long weekend away now and again. All the camping and fishing gear has gone and a few photographic items this last few weeks, and there's now another 5k in the boys' account. Jake said he'll pull some out next yr and take me on a cruise, but we haven't fully decided yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Try a trip down the casino any day flag and it's full of retirees. They put on a pretty good deal for them. I'm not a fan of the casino but me and the wife stayed there on a freebie about a year ago and bumped into our old next door neighbour. She's long retired, moved into one of those retirement villages other side of Wanneroo and her husband died. She was having a ball though, the casino put a bus on the fetch them and numerous others from retirement villages, put on a good lunch for them cheap, give them $20 or so to gamble with and they all seemed to be having a laugh and a good time. She spent a while trying to teach us how to play the pokies but we were devastated when we had lost our $20 and went back to spending it on drinks. Last of the big gamblers me and the missus, casino would be broke if it was left to people like us.:laugh: I know they are probably making a bit of money out of the retirees and it's not a good look for the casino to look like they are fleecing the old folk. It's their money though and they looked like they were all enjoying it and having a good time with mates. They having got that long to spend what they have, may as well try and have a good time instead of sitting in some nursing home being grumpy.:cool: Yes I have been five or so times. Not bad lunch deals for pensioners but I personally would hate to think that was my lot in life with age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 I didn't realise you were rich! ANOTHER purchase in Europe?! I don't know if it's because my bills have dropped off or I'm spending less, but I seem to be living within my budget. I like having things and people close to hand. I used to worry about being a stick in the mud but now I'm happy to stick. Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk Well was there for quite sometime so nothing clever about it. Hardly rich but don't waste money. I would have easily been a self funded retiree if interest rates hadn't gone southwards. I don't intend to subsidise my own retirement anymore so will look at ways will still be able to get a part Australian pension as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) Sounds great but I'm glad we crammed loads of stuff in when we were young and didn't get married till I was 33 and had the first kid a couple of years later. Spent lots of money on fast cars, faster women, holidays and booze when I was young. Don't regret it for one second, in fact I reckon I should have held on single for another few years.:wink: I couldn't imagine anything worse than being a grey nomad, trying to catch up on all those things I think I've missed out on with failing health, eyesight, hearing, living in a caravan. I'm glad I did most of the stuff when I was young and fit and felt like I was indestructible. Yep. Don't wait in life. Get on out there and live it. Most things are best experienced in the glow of youth or in the fittest years at any rate. Grey nomads? Certainly thought about it, but honestly have already done a lot of Australia by camper van. I've not sure it's that overly exciting to drive forever with the age. Segments ok. So much else to do than follow the herd. We've done several cruises as well, in the early days often close to the youngest, with the result of almost knocking it on the head. Persisted and have now been to some great ports and countries would never have seen likely. Done the back packing thing as well through Asia. Flash packing in Europe and Africa. Off to South America in 2017. No regrets at all. Do everything in life when the option presents. Don't wait. Edited November 27, 2015 by flag of convenience Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 As I can't get Centrelink I'm pleased to be getting my "dole" via the OU. 3rd unit finished today at Murdoch, then on Monday move across Perth to Curtin four "Internet Communications. Is Curtin as nice a burb as Murdoch!!? Then my next unit in March I think will be Approaches to English Literature here in Sydney at Macquarie. The Murdoch unit is a perquisite for the English unit. Study seems to be an excellent way to spend my time. I was depressed before. Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyHeart Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 As I can't get Centrelink I'm pleased to be getting my "dole" via the OU. 3rd unit finished today at Murdoch, then on Monday move across Perth to Curtin four "Internet Communications. Is Curtin as nice a burb as Murdoch!!? Then my next unit in March I think will be Approaches to English Literature here in Sydney at Macquarie. The Murdoch unit is a perquisite for the English unit. Study seems to be an excellent way to spend my time. I was depressed before. Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk Curtin isn't a burb? Are you coming to Perth? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Curtin isn't a burb? Are you coming to Perth? Only in cyberspace. Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 As I can't get Centrelink I'm pleased to be getting my "dole" via the OU. 3rd unit finished today at Murdoch, then on Monday move across Perth to Curtin four "Internet Communications. Is Curtin as nice a burb as Murdoch!!? Then my next unit in March I think will be Approaches to English Literature here in Sydney at Macquarie. The Murdoch unit is a perquisite for the English unit. Study seems to be an excellent way to spend my time. I was depressed before. Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk No I wouldn't say Curtain in Bentley is nicer than Murdoch. Though wouldn't live in either. Prefer Uni of WA. And have lived there in Nedlands. Good that it occupies your time. Being alone is no mean feat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 You don't ...you get your house set up ,so that yourself and your partner owns 50% each ....so that if one of you goes into care ,neither of you actually own the house ,so the powers that be cannot use your house as collateral ,when they throw you into a home. It's pretty hard to do as when one of you dies presumably there's a will that makes the house move over to the last remaining partner. Not much point it being "owned" by somebody dead. My parents tried to protect the time when one of them died by signing the house over to my Sister. When my Dad died last year there's a time limit on how long it has to be signed over, something like 5 years (could be more) and she hadn't had it for that long. Fortunately we managed (or my Sister did) to get my Mum into a nice retirement home, very close to where my Sister and nieces live. My Sister rented the house out and that just about pays for my Mum the rest comes from what they had in the bank but it's slowly being eaten away. Pretty hard to avoid paying and TBH the care she gets is well worth it. Might not be anything much left for me and my Sis when she dies but we never really thought about that. If she ends up with more than me she's spent a lot more time looking after them while I've been here so I'm not going to fall out about it. Not to say that will happen as we have a pretty good relationship and I know she will just give me 50% of whatever is left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1Perth Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Yes I have been five or so times. Not bad lunch deals for pensioners but I personally would hate to think that was my lot in life with age. It's not flag, it's just an option for a cheap day out. The rest of the time you can do whatever takes your fancy. There's a bunch of retirees meets every day at the beach near us, go for a swim, sit around over coffee having a chat for a couple of hours watching the world go by after. They might even go to the pub for lunch sometimes. Can't wait till I'm retired TBH. If it wasn't for work I could spend even more time enjoying the place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flag of convenience Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 It's not flag, it's just an option for a cheap day out. The rest of the time you can do whatever takes your fancy. There's a bunch of retirees meets every day at the beach near us, go for a swim, sit around over coffee having a chat for a couple of hours watching the world go by after. They might even go to the pub for lunch sometimes. Can't wait till I'm retired TBH. If it wasn't for work I could spend even more time enjoying the place. Sooner you than me then. I've seen all too many. I can't speak for your little corner obviously, but on a grander scale. I used to think the Italians had cracked it to a degree. There meet up's in town, parks, piazza's etc to talk. Rapidly passing as age intervenes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Well i have grown old in Australia i'm now 78 young.The older you get the worse it gets.It's one foot in the grave.Compared to life in the UK. After you retire,when you are working 12 hours a day like i was.You don't think about getting old.But the years roll by.I went back in 2013 for one year.Now i'm back,in the heat it's getting to both of us now,it's just too hot to go outside and work, in the garden.Back in the Uk ,like you we went out for a meal ,to pubs out in the country at weekends.or visited castles etc, we went down to the Working Mans Club,on a Wednesday and a Saturday night , to have a dance,or see some a Comedian,or singers in the entertainment room.It was great really.The weather was lousy most of the time.But now the sun, day in day out is worse.The humidity is a killer.There's just nothing to do here,And we live on the sunshine coast.The Beach has lost it's Attraction.But then it really depends on the individual some on here think it's paradise.If i had my life over.we would never have left the UK.It may seem strange to some,but you give up far too much up leaving the UK to come here.It's where your roots are.You will never belong here.A Old pom said to me when i arrived here, all them years ago.There's a line.Poms on one side.Aussie on the other side.Most Aussies are good, But there is that devide.They always say.Home is where your heart is.We have 4 grown up kids,Three live in New Zealand. we have one daughter here.You have to Live Your own life,as your kids can just Marry and leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest241083 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 ..........so sorry to read this...... ..........I suppose never having lived in one country for a long time..... ..........I cannot ....feel.....what you do.... ..........but to have felt you made the wrong choice......is sad.... ..........sometimes life isn't what we want..... ..........but to me it's about maki g the best if it..... ...........finding something to replace what we miss...... ...........life's a gift.......never regret it..... ...........take good care...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARYROSE02 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 It's pretty hard to do as when one of you dies presumably there's a will that makes the house move over to the last remaining partner. Not much point it being "owned" by somebody dead. My parents tried to protect the time when one of them died by signing the house over to my Sister. When my Dad died last year there's a time limit on how long it has to be signed over, something like 5 years (could be more) and she hadn't had it for that long. Fortunately we managed (or my Sister did) to get my Mum into a nice retirement home, very close to where my Sister and nieces live. My Sister rented the house out and that just about pays for my Mum the rest comes from what they had in the bank but it's slowly being eaten away. Pretty hard to avoid paying and TBH the care she gets is well worth it. Might not be anything much left for me and my Sis when she dies but we never really thought about that. If she ends up with more than me she's spent a lot more time looking after them while I've been here so I'm not going to fall out about it. Not to say that will happen as we have a pretty good relationship and I know she will just give me 50% of whatever is left. I was thinking that it's hard to fix it. You give it to yr family thinking they would never dupe you then..... Or something else happens. I know why we have to pay? Because the Govt can't afford to do so. But then why can they afford to spend money on foreign aid or a hundred other things? And if they can't afford to pay for the nursing home care then maybe there will be time when they can't afford to pay for the NHS? Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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