Retiring in Tasmania

[InnerVoice]

2 hours ago, Toots said:

What are you looking for with regard to age care?  There are nursing homes here.  I also volunteer at one of them.  I'm hoping I never need to have to go into a nursing home but if I did have to, then that one would be fine.  There is also a lot of help for  elderly people who are still in their own home.

I hadn't thought about this until now, but what happens with residential aged care in Australia if you're just living off the aged pension and have no savings, but own your own home? In the UK the council can charge care costs against your home (assuming you're the last one in it), and then it comes out of your estate when you die. Do they do something like that here too?

[Blue Flu]

5 hours ago, InnerVoice said:

Yes, youth crime and anti-social behaviour definitely more of an issue here than when we first arrived, and no longer confined to the 'M' suburbs. We've always lived on the northern beaches (Trinity Beach and Clifton Beach) and break-ins and car theft were unheard of up here, but not these days. I'm not getting into the politics, but have formed an opinion why this is the case. That said, there are still far worse places to live in Australia and Cairns has a lot going for it. Even after 10 years we can still find new things to do that don't involve expensive boat trips. It's probably the only place in Queensland outside S E Queensland I'd consider living, to be honest.

On that subject, have you considered the latter? S E Queensland has similar temperatures to Perth, but a little more humid. We considered moving to the Sunshine Coast, but the houses prices have gone mad down there over the last couple of years. We could only afford an apartment now, and we're not quite ready for 'retirement living' just yet!

Actually get info from a real estate frequently up in Cairns , detailing northern beaches. Palm Cove being prime consideration. Your right far worse places to live in Australia. Down the road from you, Townsville for example. Although I live at present in a well rated inner city Perth (Merth) suburb, we are surrounded by meth houses and drug traffic. (although disciplined and not as intrusive as previously, not something really want to live around.   (a big issue in Perth, no suburb is immune , although not confined to) I have ruled out country WA for that reason. 

Yes have looked at the SE QLD market. probably not to my liking, but we are thinking of a ten day visit to Brisbane in July and combine that with going to the England game at the women's World Cup. But as you write only apartments are available due to pricing inflation. Hoping for a decline finally of some note to readdress  the stupidity. Trouble is it is not a free market and government intervenes to prevent correction. 

Besides heading back to Europe which is a distinct possibility, Asia also provides an alternative to living well in retirement and good medical care.  

[Blue Flu]

4 hours ago, Toots said:

There are plenty of so called Bogans here but they don't bother me and I don't bother them.  Actually, through one of my voluntary jobs I meet loads of them and I get along with most of them just fine.  Sure a lot of them are on the rough side but there are reasons for that -  mainly poverty and lack of education.  There are also plenty of well educated people with good jobs and running their own businesses.  Try not to always be looking for the negatives @Blue Flu.  You come across as a proper Eeyore.

My husband and I have no complaints with hospital care.  So far so good.  I now have a very good cardiologist in Devonport for my dicky heart.  I used to have to go to Launceston for checkups until a specialist cardiology practice opened here fairly recently.  Local cancer patients are treated at Burnie Hospital.  The biggest concert is the hospital staffing shortfall and the shortage of highly trained medical specialists.  I know two people who were transferred to the Austin Hospital in Melbourne because they couldn't be treated here due to the shortage of specialists.

What are you looking for with regard to age care?  There are nursing homes here.  I also volunteer at one of them.  I'm hoping I never need to have to go into a nursing home but if I did have to, then that one would be fine.  There is also a lot of help for  elderly people who are still in their own home.

 

 

What I try to do is look a little deeper and in turn obtain the reality. Not rely on the image that the Tasmanian Tourist Commision would prefer the state to be viewed,. If that makes me an Eeyore, then will be proud to wear it. 

It's not that Bogans 'bother' me particularly. But you would be right in thinking I would prefer to surround myself with interesting and/or articulate people. Actually living in adverse circumstances does not  make one necessarily rough. Plenty of 'poor' people around the world nothing like that. A lot of that is culturally learnt and reflects the society around them. 

Obviously there are educated people in Tasmania. I would suggest though, due to poor professional employment outcomes,  there has been a long history of the most talented crossing The Tasman to seek greater opportunities on the Mainland.

As for the medical system, while glad to express contentment with your outcomes , this is not the overall verdict of critics. 

I'll remind you last year, that the AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid, when launched in Launceston the Tasmanian Chapter of the Australian Medical Association (Report Card in 2022)

He highlighted a concerning picture of Tasmania's Health System. (seems not to have improved from the report I read a number of years ago which brought to my attention the state of affairs in the Tasmanian Health System. 

It was found to be under performing in key areas.  Especially emergency department presentations and elective surgery. This was not confined to one or two hospitals but all over. In fact one of the worst in the country for elective surgery. 

Obviously, Tasmania having 21% of population over 65 ,the oldest in Australia, extra pressure will be imposed on the system. 

Now Tasmanians live shorter lives, 1 year and a quarter less than all other parts of Australia.

Tasmanians are 28% to die of a treatable potentially avoidable causes. 

Ambulances take longer to respond to call outs in Tasmania than any other state,(on average some 60% more than any other state. 

 

[Toots]

14 minutes ago, Blue Flu said:

What I try to do is look a little deeper and in turn obtain the reality. Not rely on the image that the Tasmanian Tourist Commision would prefer the state to be viewed,. If that makes me an Eeyore, then will be proud to wear it. 

It's not that Bogans 'bother' me particularly. But you would be right in thinking I would prefer to surround myself with interesting and/or articulate people. Actually living in adverse circumstances does not  make one necessarily rough. Plenty of 'poor' people around the world nothing like that. A lot of that is culturally learnt and reflects the society around them. 

Obviously there are educated people in Tasmania. I would suggest though, due to poor professional employment outcomes,  there has been a long history of the most talented crossing The Tasman to seek greater opportunities on the Mainland.

As for the medical system, while glad to express contentment with your outcomes , this is not the overall verdict of critics. 

I'll remind you last year, that the AMA President Dr Omar Khorshid, when launched in Launceston the Tasmanian Chapter of the Australian Medical Association (Report Card in 2022)

He highlighted a concerning picture of Tasmania's Health System. (seems not to have improved from the report I read a number of years ago which brought to my attention the state of affairs in the Tasmanian Health System. 

It was found to be under performing in key areas.  Especially emergency department presentations and elective surgery. This was not confined to one or two hospitals but all over. In fact one of the worst in the country for elective surgery. 

Obviously, Tasmania having 21% of population over 65 ,the oldest in Australia, extra pressure will be imposed on the system. 

Now Tasmanians live shorter lives, 1 year and a quarter less than all other parts of Australia.

Tasmanians are 28% to die of a treatable potentially avoidable causes. 

Ambulances take longer to respond to call outs in Tasmania than any other state,(on average some 60% more than any other state. 

 

All that is true but many of the poorer Tasmanians don't look after their own health and rely heavily on Medicare as a result.  Lifetime smokers, no exercise, unhealthy diet and that doesn't just apply to Tasmania.  As I said, personally I have no complaints about any part of the health service I have had to use here.  With regard to ambulance service, touch wood we have never in our lives needed an ambulance service and the ambulance station is approx 2 minutes drive away so it's to be hoped we wouldn't have a long wait if required.  

You do make me smile when you go on about surrounding yourself with articulate and interesting people.  Get off your high horse!  I mix with anybody and all sorts and it's amazing just how interesting most people are no matter their upbringing.  Can't be doing with intellectual snobbery.

After all this discussion, I wouldn't live anywhere else.  

 

[Skani]

On 15/01/2023 at 11:26, InnerVoice said:

So if anyone living (or has lived) in Tassie has any helpful suggestions about the best places to retire, then I'm all ears. I've been there once before but that was about 25 years ago and I can't remember much, so if you also have suggestions about places to visit and things to do while we're over, then that'd also be appreciated

For your trip in February here are a couple of links which may help with planning:  

https://lapoftasmania.com.au/must-see-tasmania-highlights/

https://tasmaniaexplorer.com.au/tasmania-road-trip-14-days-itinerary/

You will at least get a feel for various locations as possible retirement spots.  The east coast of Tasmania is very popular for retirees (particularly St. Helens and Bicheno) but it sounds as though you may want somewhere with a larger population.  Plenty of beautiful great outdoors and mountains everywhere in Tasmania to enjoy.

Toots mentioned Cygnet.  A poster on PIO called Russ1976  moved there from the UK a few months ago - having previously lived in Perth some years ago - and described it as a "smashing" little town.  AFAIK he is renting there and working in Hobart.

I live in Hobart and weather in Tasmania is notoriously changeable and unpredictable so you just come prepared for everything and dress in layers.  I've experienced both 40+ days and snow in Hobart but on average I find it an excellent climate for living and it's rarely too hot, cold or wet to get outdoors.   The very rare very hot days are usually a dry heat, not humid.    (I don't do heat though so I am biased towards a milder climate).  

[Skani]

On 15/01/2023 at 12:08, InnerVoice said:

What are the pros and cons between Devonport versus Launceston? - they look quite similar in terms of location.

Apart from the difference in size Launceston has more temperature extremes than Devonport.  It sits further inland in a broad valley basin and is usually hotter in summer and frostier in winter whereas Devonport, sitting right on the  coast, has more equitable temperatures.

[Skani]

8 hours ago, Blue Flu said:

Another thought. Isn't Tasmania the state rated as having the highest Bogan influence in Australia? I'll look into that a little more. 

No.  There are suburbs/areas which may be described as "bogan" but that's no different to any other state. From memory SBS had a ridiculous program several years ago running a bogan competition and I think George Town in northern Tassie put its hand up but who takes that seriously?

The suburb I live in (in Hobart) apparently has the highest number of scientists of any suburb in Australia - and the second highest suburb is just down the road - and "bogan"  it certainly isn't.  As long as you have a reasonable budget you can select an area where you feel comfortable.

[Skani]

13 minutes ago, Skani said:

Apart from the difference in size Launceston has more temperature extremes than Devonport.  It sits further inland in a broad valley basin and is usually hotter in summer and frostier in winter whereas Devonport, sitting right on the  coast, has more equitable temperatures.

Sorry, I'm just repeating what Toots already wrote:  I hadn't read her comment when I wrote the above.

[Skani]

2 hours ago, InnerVoice said:

I hadn't thought about this until now, but what happens with residential aged care in Australia if you're just living off the aged pension and have no savings, but own your own home? In the UK the council can charge care costs against your home (assuming you're the last one in it), and then it comes out of your estate when you die. Do they do something like that here too?

Fee structures are quite complex as they are means and asset tested and vary according to level of care and the type of residential home.  This link may help:  there are some typical scenarios at the bottom:  https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/aged-care-home-costs-and-fees

[Blue Flu]

58 minutes ago, Toots said:

All that is true but many of the poorer Tasmanians don't look after their own health and rely heavily on Medicare as a result.  Lifetime smokers, no exercise, unhealthy diet and that doesn't just apply to Tasmania.  As I said, personally I have no complaints about any part of the health service I have had to use here.  With regard to ambulance service, touch wood we have never in our lives needed an ambulance service and the ambulance station is approx 2 minutes drive away so it's to be hoped we wouldn't have a long wait if required.  

You do make me smile when you go on about surrounding yourself with articulate and interesting people.  Get off your high horse!  I mix with anybody and all sorts and it's amazing just how interesting most people are no matter their upbringing.  Can't be doing with intellectual snobbery.

After all this discussion, I wouldn't live anywhere else.  

 

You could do worse than look a little deeper at things. The health system fails on so many levels an important consideration , especially in the age. It is not what may appear to be , but the actual reality to which results do not appear to bare up to the rhetoric you write. It may well be too late when really need the system to work its magic. 

So preferring to have interesting and articulate people around me provokes the response to "get off my high horse'. So sad and very suggestive of a lot that is wrong living in Australia. 

[InnerVoice]

17 minutes ago, Skani said:

Fee structures are quite complex as they are means and asset tested and vary according to level of care and the type of residential home.  This link may help:  there are some typical scenarios at the bottom:  https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/aged-care-home-costs-and-fees

Thanks for that but good grief, it seems rather complicated. With the British system at least you know they'll pretty much get the lot in the end unless spend it, gift it, or hide it!

[Marisawright]

9 hours ago, Blue Flu said:

Another thought. Isn't Tasmania the state rated as having the highest Bogan influence in Australia? I'll look into that a little more. 

Yes, I'd say that's true.  If you want inner-city sophistication, you have to go to Hobart, and even then, you want to stay south of the Flannelette Curtain.

 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-22/hobart-glenorchy-moonah-claremont-plan-set-for-vote/13176732?utm_source=headtopics&utm_medium=news&utm_campaign=2021-02-21

[calNgary]

9 hours ago, InnerVoice said:

Good grief! Thanks for the heads up - we hadn't planned taking much other than shorts and T-shirts!

I had been in Brissy 14 yrs and accompanied hubby on a work trip to Tas (Hobart) a few years ago. We went in April and it was pretty cold.. Beautiful place and somewhere we will definately visit again and it did remind me a lot of the UK but just not enough sun and heat for me.

  Have  you looked inland a little from Sunny coast and Gold Coast? depending how far from the beach you want to be $600k will still get you a relatively decent house in many areas, its cooler than Cairns but warmer than Tassie that's for sure.

     Cal x

[Steve Elliott]

We have lived in Brisbane for many years and have a great block of land just 2km from Hobart CBD. It's a possibility we may build and retire there. While Hobart has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years due to some forward thinking by the likes of MONA owner, David Walsh and other movers and shakers in hospitality and tourism space, the city still lakes critical mass and small population size means the apple isle struggles to offer retail choice, sports and entertainment options. It pretty much has everything else plus more in terms of outdoor activities etc. I know of several people who now base themselves in Tassie and take frequent trips to the mainland for their retail and entertainment fixes. Yes the weather is unpredictable, but you tend to adapt. If it gets too bad, and you need some sun, Queensland is just 2.5 hours away

 

[InnerVoice]

12 hours ago, calNgary said:

I had been in Brissy 14 yrs and accompanied hubby on a work trip to Tas (Hobart) a few years ago. We went in April and it was pretty cold.. Beautiful place and somewhere we will definately visit again and it did remind me a lot of the UK but just not enough sun and heat for me.

  Have  you looked inland a little from Sunny coast and Gold Coast? depending how far from the beach you want to be $600k will still get you a relatively decent house in many areas, its cooler than Cairns but warmer than Tassie that's for sure.

     Cal x

I lived in Brissie for several years before moving to Cairns, but whenever I go back to S E Queensland now it just seems too busy. We used to go to Coolangatta every year for a week as it was always the quieter end of the Gold Coast and has nicer beaches, but last time we went (January 2020) it was hellishly busy. It'd lost all its charm, in our opinion.

I haven't been to the Sunny Coast for quite a while but I guess it'll be going the same way. I read somewhere that over 10,000 people had moved up from the southern states during the pandemic, once they found they could work remotely. The housing shortage in the region has been pushing up prices there too. I just did a quick search for property under $600k on the Sunshine Coast and yes, you can still get something, but not what I'd describe as 'relatively decent' - and we're not really up for a renno at our age. Based on my (limited) research, it seems you can still get a really nice house in Tassie for $600k, except for Hobart.

[InnerVoice]

25 minutes ago, Steve Elliott said:

It pretty much has everything else plus more in terms of outdoor activities etc. I know of several people who now base themselves in Tassie and take frequent trips to the mainland for their retail and entertainment fixes. Yes the weather is unpredictable, but you tend to adapt. If it gets too bad, and you need some sun, Queensland is just 2.5 hours away

This is along the lines of our thinking. We really like the great outdoors and have made several trips to NZ in the past for walking holidays, not to mention trips to the Alps on occasions. That's why Tassie would trump QLD as a retirement destination for us, despite the weather.

There's no denying that the weather is warmer in QLD than TAS, but Launceston has 2,500hrs/year sunshine and Hobart 2,500hrs/year, compared with 2,800hrs/year in Brisbane, so it isn't that far behind. Clearly it's much cooler than anywhere else in Australia but it has far more sunshine than anywhere in the UK, which only has 1,400hrs/year on average.

[Steve Elliott]

28 minutes ago, InnerVoice said:

This is along the lines of our thinking. We really like the great outdoors and have made several trips to NZ in the past for walking holidays, not to mention trips to the Alps on occasions. That's why Tassie would trump QLD as a retirement destination for us, despite the weather.

There's no denying that the weather is warmer in QLD than TAS, but Launceston has 2,500hrs/year sunshine and Hobart 2,500hrs/year, compared with 2,800hrs/year in Brisbane, so it isn't that far behind. Clearly it's much cooler than anywhere else in Australia but it has far more sunshine than anywhere in the UK, which only has 1,400hrs/year on average.

True, but you can still be freezing your nuts off when the sun is out!

[can1983]

23 hours ago, Nemesis said:

Even in summer, come prepared. 32 in Hobart on Saturday, by 11pm last night (Sunday) if was 13 with a feels like temp of 7.

Definitely, stunningly beautiful and still largely unspoilt. Plan ahead for the ferry though, queus can be 3 hours long com8ng back from Bruny at the end of summer weekends. 

Possibly my favourite place on the planet, its like another world. 

that info is a couple of years out of date, rarely have to wait more than 20 minutes was there last weekend and its currently peak season

[can1983]

2 hours ago, InnerVoice said:

This is along the lines of our thinking. We really like the great outdoors and have made several trips to NZ in the past for walking holidays, not to mention trips to the Alps on occasions. That's why Tassie would trump QLD as a retirement destination for us, despite the weather.

There's no denying that the weather is warmer in QLD than TAS, but Launceston has 2,500hrs/year sunshine and Hobart 2,500hrs/year, compared with 2,800hrs/year in Brisbane, so it isn't that far behind. Clearly it's much cooler than anywhere else in Australia but it has far more sunshine than anywhere in the UK, which only has 1,400hrs/year on average.

The climate in Tasmania is nothing like the UK. I've been here 5 years and the coldest its got overnight was -1ºC. In the UK it got to between -5 and -10 every winter sometimes for multiple consecutive nights. Summers are also far warmer. This spring was certainly the worst spring I've experienced here with rain every other day for 3 months but usually its glorious.

Far more sunshine/light with less darkness in the winter at the expense of 9pm darkness rather than 10pm you get in the UK. Typical winter days are sunshine and 12 degrees.

You problem is going to be finding a house for $600k budget in Hobart....

[Skani]

2 hours ago, Steve Elliott said:

True, but you can still be freezing your nuts off when the sun is out!

Not if you dress appropriately. 

[rtritudr]

On 15/01/2023 at 12:55, Toots said:

An interesting thing I learnt the other day.  Taiwan is slightly smaller than Tasmania.  It's population is 23.5 million.  Tasmania's population is just over half a million.  I definitely know where I'd rather live. 

Taiwan is just over half the area of Tasmania (36sqkm vs. 68sqkm.)

[InnerVoice]

5 hours ago, Steve Elliott said:

True, but you can still be freezing your nuts off when the sun is out!

There's something uplifting about seeing the sun, regardless of the temperature. 30C here in Cairns but cloudy, grey and raining at the moment. Depends on the year but the rainy season can last well into April some years, and gets rather depressing. We do have beautiful winters days though to make up for it.

[InnerVoice]

3 hours ago, can1983 said:

that info is a couple of years out of date, rarely have to wait more than 20 minutes was there last weekend and its currently peak season

Good to hear. How much is the ferry for a car and two passengers, and how long does it take?

[InnerVoice]

3 hours ago, can1983 said:

You problem is going to be finding a house for $600k budget in Hobart....

There seems to be plenty outside of Hobart in that price range though, and I won't have to worry about going to Hobart to get to work! 

[calNgary]

7 hours ago, InnerVoice said:

I lived in Brissie for several years before moving to Cairns, but whenever I go back to S E Queensland now it just seems too busy. We used to go to Coolangatta every year for a week as it was always the quieter end of the Gold Coast and has nicer beaches, but last time we went (January 2020) it was hellishly busy. It'd lost all its charm, in our opinion.

I haven't been to the Sunny Coast for quite a while but I guess it'll be going the same way. I read somewhere that over 10,000 people had moved up from the southern states during the pandemic, once they found they could work remotely. The housing shortage in the region has been pushing up prices there too. I just did a quick search for property under $600k on the Sunshine Coast and yes, you can still get something, but not what I'd describe as 'relatively decent' - and we're not really up for a renno at our age. Based on my (limited) research, it seems you can still get a really nice house in Tassie for $600k, except for Hobart.

Gold Coast is too touristy and busy and you are correct that since Covid and lots of interstate moves Sunny Coast is going similar in some areas.

If you look Hinterland side up from roughly Beerwah, Landsborough, up towards Cooroy there is some nice homes in the $600 range, not renno ones either, catch 22 is your then further from big amenities. If you don't mind ''estate living'' on smaller plots there is a few new land releases and packages too for brand new homes a bit closer to the coast.

    Cal x