Retiring in SW Western Australia

[InnerVoice]

Just over a year ago my wife and I enjoyed a very nice holiday in Tasmania, which was also a bit of a reccie for somewhere to spend our golden years. We really liked Launceston, although overall we weren't sure whether Tassie was a place that we could settle in retirement. We're thinking of taking another trip there during winter time and seeing what that's like.

During the last year, two of my friends have moved from the East Coast to the Perth area for different reasons. One has retired near Mandurah while the other is working in Rockingham, and both are loving it. The most common reasons cited being affordability, proximity to the beach, lack of humidity, and that generally it's just a more laid back lifestyle over there. All this sounds very appealing, and for someone who really enjoys travelling it's also much closer to the rest of the world than the East Coast is. We want our next move to be mortgage-free and have a budget of $650,000 to play with, and looking on RealEstate that seems to get you a lot more house than you'd be able to buy anywhere (desirable) on the East Coast.

I've only ever made two trips to the West Coast. The first was a 4-day city break in Perth 25 years ago, and the second was a two week road trip (Perth - Kalgoorlie - Esperance - Albany - Margaret River - Perth). The latter was 17 years ago so my experience of WA is far from up-to-date. I know Perth is a lot drier than QLD and I can live with that, but I really don't like anywhere that's completely flat and featureless, and for that reason Margaret River appeals. I remember it being quite hilly and a greener there. All of the affordable places between Perth and Margaret River would also be of interest, although I don't think we could afford to live close to Perth itself.

I'd love to hear opinions (both positive and negative) and advice from those currently living in WA, or anyone who lived there fairly recently.

Many thanks in advance!

[BendigoBoy]

17 minutes ago, InnerVoice said:

I'd love to hear opinions (both positive and negative)...

You'll forgive me popping the ellipses in.  I honestly thought you were in your mid 40s, @InnerVoice.  So either you're young at heart, or really planning ahead! 

[InnerVoice]

21 minutes ago, BendigoBoy said:

I honestly thought you were in your mid 40s, @InnerVoice.  So either you're young at heart, or really planning ahead! 

I'll take that as a compliment. I'd love to be in my mid 40s again, even though that would mean I'd be working for another 15 years.

I'm old enough to remember the men landing on the moon, and I know it was real because you couldn't see the strings like you could on Thunderbirds and Stingray.

[Bobj]

G’day mate, having never been to Tassie, I cannot comment on the pros and cons of of the state and it was well. over 50 years ago when I lived there in the SW.

My concern would be you and your good lady  having a good  circle of friends and activities..Hope, your retirement will  be long and happy.

Cheers, Bobj.

[benj1980]

I live south Mandurah and feel very lucky to do so. Yes, there are some rougher areas of Mandurah but that's every city. If I were to move, I would go further south towards maybe Dunsborough, Busselton or Margeret River but you won't get anything in that price range. Instead, we like to pop down for long weekends and it is only a couple of hours away. My area has a community feel, many of us know each other but we are 20 minutes away from the train that takes you to Perth as well. I feel we have a good balance.

[Blue Manna]

It is paradise down there. Obviously the coast is an attraction, but you don't have to go coastal. Donnybrook is a nice little town. Good community feel. Bridgetown also. Plus you can go further south.

Big thing is hospitals, especially as you get older. Busselton does have a hospital, but they often defer to Bunbury. You might just scrape a small three bed in Busselton at that price. 

You can go below MR. But then you have hospitals and transport. You can get a coach from Busselton to Perth, but I don't think the train goes past Bunbury.

Busselton is actually pretty flat. Annoyingly flat actually. 

Lifestyle is second to none. Everything you want for the older person. Lots of arty stuff down there too. Bit cooler than Perth. Can get cold in winter, especially if you go inland. Still doesn't rain much in summer.

It does get very busy over the Xmas holidays. Tourists can be annoying.

If all goes well I'll be spending half my retirement there and half in the UK.

Edited March 4 by Blue Manna

[ramot]

My comments are based on our 2 weeks holiday in the south west region which we thoroughly enjoyed and I stress not in any way a real example of living there, only observations.
I wasn’t used to such different temperatures almost it felt day to day, 42’ one day, very very hot and dry, still 38’ at 5pm, the next day 22’ at 5pm. Most days anything from 22’-28’?, found the evenings chilly, but I come from QLD! 
My overall impression was how empty it felt, at times we it seemed we had hardly passed a car on the road, driving around, even though plenty of tourists visiting  from lots of different countries.. Again very different to the Sunshine Coast also a tourist destination.  More foreign workers in hospitality than here.
Everyone we came across was very friendly, plenty of  ‘older generation volunteers’ at tourist attractions. 
Lots of March flies and very irritating small flies around. 
I through my own fault, had a health panic, phoned Margaret River Hospital at 3am and had good advice from a nurse, but didn’t speak to a Dr, was connected to the excellent statewide poisons hot line. Since coming home, even though my husband and I think we are fairly healthy for our age? We both have  health specialists appointments this week, so access to medical facilities is an important consideration when retiring. 

Our friends of a similar age live in Mandurah and love it, and as suggested above, spend a few days  further south occasionally, but have also gone to the Cairns area for several months in winter, for years.
We took a big chance when we retired and moved to Australia, and have never regretted it, but had visited Brisbane and area many times, so had a fairly good idea of climate etc.

Edited March 4 by ramot

[Blue Manna]

4 hours ago, ramot said:

My comments are based on our 2 weeks holiday in the south west region which we thoroughly enjoyed and I stress not in any way a real example of living there, only observations.
I wasn’t used to such different temperatures almost it felt day to day, 42’ one day, very very hot and dry, still 38’ at 5pm, the next day 22’ at 5pm. Most days anything from 22’-28’?, found the evenings chilly, but I come from QLD! 
My overall impression was how empty it felt, at times we it seemed we had hardly passed a car on the road, driving around, even though plenty of tourists visiting  from lots of different countries.. Again very different to the Sunshine Coast also a tourist destination.  More foreign workers in hospitality than here.
Everyone we came across was very friendly, plenty of  ‘older generation volunteers’ at tourist attractions. 
Lots of March flies and very irritating small flies around. 
I through my own fault, had a health panic, phoned Margaret River Hospital at 3am and had good advice from a nurse, but didn’t speak to a Dr, was connected to the excellent statewide poisons hot line. Since coming home, even though my husband and I think we are fairly healthy for our age? We both have  health specialists appointments this week, so access to medical facilities is an important consideration when retiring. 

Our friends of a similar age live in Mandurah and love it, and as suggested above, spend a few days  further south occasionally, but have also gone to the Cairns area for several months in winter, for years.
We took a big chance when we retired and moved to Australia, and have never regretted it, but had visited Brisbane and area many times, so had a fairly good idea of climate etc.

They did have a bad fly year this year and the end of last. Made the papers. Something about it not raining early enough for the dung beetles.

[Toots]

1 hour ago, Blue Manna said:

They did have a bad fly year this year and the end of last. Made the papers. Something about it not raining early enough for the dung beetles.

That is one thing I didn't get used to when we lived in Perth.  The bluddy flies.  Persistent and so very annoying.

[Blue Manna]

2 hours ago, Toots said:

That is one thing I didn't get used to when we lived in Perth.  The bluddy flies.  Persistent and so very annoying.

Fly nets. Just like they wear in Scotland.

[BendigoBoy]

17 minutes ago, Blue Manna said:

Fly nets. Just like they wear in Scotland.

Aye... But I'm pretty sure they could get through the holes, still... 

[Toots]

30 minutes ago, Blue Manna said:

Fly nets. Just like they wear in Scotland.

I used fine fly nets over the pram when my sons were babies  ...................  in WA not Scotland.  

Edited March 5 by Toots

[Blue Manna]

5 hours ago, Toots said:

I used fine fly nets over the pram when my sons were babies  ...................  in WA not Scotland.  

For midgets I believe.

[BendigoBoy]

7 hours ago, Blue Manna said:

For midgets I believe.

I think you mean midges.

Small people don't need nets.

[Blue Manna]

44 minutes ago, BendigoBoy said:

I think you mean midges.

Small people don't need nets.

Keep the leprechauns away, but that's Ireland isn't it?

[BendigoBoy]

18 minutes ago, Blue Manna said:

Keep the leprechauns away, but that's Ireland isn't it?

Indeed.

And I hear proper spirits (read "whisky") work just as well at keeping those creatures at bay, as anything else.  Apparently they like Bushmills, which says it all about their bad taste...

Edited March 5 by BendigoBoy

[Johnny Kash]

On 05/03/2024 at 03:49, Blue Manna said:

It is paradise down there. Obviously the coast is an attraction, but you don't have to go coastal. Donnybrook is a nice little town. Good community feel. Bridgetown also. Plus you can go further south.

Big thing is hospitals, especially as you get older. Busselton does have a hospital, but they often defer to Bunbury. You might just scrape a small three bed in Busselton at that price. 

You can go below MR. But then you have hospitals and transport. You can get a coach from Busselton to Perth, but I don't think the train goes past Bunbury.

Busselton is actually pretty flat. Annoyingly flat actually. 

Lifestyle is second to none. Everything you want for the older person. Lots of arty stuff down there too. Bit cooler than Perth. Can get cold in winter, especially if you go inland. Still doesn't rain much in summer.

It does get very busy over the Xmas holidays. Tourists can be annoying.

If all goes well I'll be spending half my retirement there and half in the UK.

Just about the half and half thing.    That would be my dream lifestyle, but just doesnt seem to be practical.

Would  you have a property in each country?   Where do you keep all your possessions?    Car or cars to get around split over two hemispheres?  Would you have to fill in two tax returns?

Look if it can be done then great, I want to know and  Im all over it like a cheap suit! 

[benj1980]

On 05/03/2024 at 12:22, Blue Manna said:

They did have a bad fly year this year and the end of last. Made the papers. Something about it not raining early enough for the dung beetles.

Normally two weeks in November they're really bad and calms down again a bit...

[Blue Manna]

20 hours ago, Johnny Kash said:

Just about the half and half thing.    That would be my dream lifestyle, but just doesnt seem to be practical.

Would  you have a property in each country?   Where do you keep all your possessions?    Car or cars to get around split over two hemispheres?  Would you have to fill in two tax returns?

Look if it can be done then great, I want to know and  Im all over it like a cheap suit! 

It will help having family in both countries, but we haven't sorted out the fine details yet. Probably a small property in each country. Preferably something we can lock up and leave. Would probably decide to be resident in Australia, and would do tax return there.

[Blue Manna]

On 05/03/2024 at 22:05, BendigoBoy said:

Indeed.

And I hear proper spirits (read "whisky") work just as well at keeping those creatures at bay, as anything else.  Apparently they like Bushmills, which says it all about their bad taste...

Actually I'm quite partial to Irish whiskey. I also tried monkeys shoulder quite recently and really enjoyed that. I'm not really into that peaty stuff.

[InnerVoice]

20 hours ago, Johnny Kash said:

Just about the half and half thing.    That would be my dream lifestyle, but just doesnt seem to be practical.

Would  you have a property in each country?   Where do you keep all your possessions?    Car or cars to get around split over two hemispheres?  Would you have to fill in two tax returns?

Look if it can be done then great, I want to know and  Im all over it like a cheap suit! 

Anything can be done of course, but you've already identified some of the major challenges - not to mention the transient nature of the lifestyle, which you might find unfulfilling after a while. Probably okay for singles and younger couples, but as soon as kids arrive then you've got the challenges associated with childcare and schooling too.

If you're able to get on the property ladder in both countries, you could AirBnB'd them for the 6 months you were overseas. That might be a more practical solution than trying to find a new tenant every 6 months for a 6-month let, and then you could also leave both properties fully-furnished. Vehicles would probably be best left with family or friends, unless you can securely garage them at either property. Tax could be a real can of worms as both countries are likely to consider you resident for tax purposes. You'd really need to take specialist advice.

This is why a lot of people talk about doing the half and half thing but few actually do it, apart from the very well off who can afford to waste money maintaining vacant properties for several months a year. 

[InnerVoice]

23 minutes ago, Blue Manna said:

Actually I'm quite partial to Irish whiskey. I also tried monkeys shoulder quite recently and really enjoyed that. I'm not really into that peaty stuff.

I like Monkey Shoulder too, but also not into the peaty stuff - takes like antiseptic to me!

[BendigoBoy]

42 minutes ago, Blue Manna said:

Actually I'm quite partial to Irish whiskey. I also tried monkeys shoulder quite recently and really enjoyed that. I'm not really into that peaty stuff.

I was referring to keeping leprechauns away, not midges.

Edited to add: Can't stand whisky or whiskey.  Give me a good armagnac any day.

Edited March 7 by BendigoBoy

[ramot]

48 minutes ago, Blue Manna said:

It will help having family in both countries, but we haven't sorted out the fine details yet. Probably a small property in each country. Preferably something we can lock up and leave. Would probably decide to be resident in Australia, and would do tax return there.

Originally we had seriously considered living 6 months in each country when my husband retired, 21 years ago, but as some posters know, I had spent 10 years living partially in Brunei with husband due to his job, and in UK supporting our 3 children aged 13-21 who stayed there for their education.  
When the time came to retire I realised I needed to call somewhere ‘Home’, I had spent 10 years constantly readjusting to life in each place as I travelled between the 2 places fairly frequently. 
We also analysed the reality of the cost involved in having a place in each country, this wasn’t a problem when working as expatriates we had accommodation provided, and kept a UK home to go back to.   
We certainly didn’t want the cost and insurance problems of keeping a house empty for 6 months in 2 different countries, furnishing 2 properties, or the hassle of renting out for only 6 months at a time, constantly giving notice and re renting.  
We kept a property in London that is permanently rented out, we were only on a long term temporary visa here then, and bought a house that we love here, and until COVID went to UK for just under 3 months a year, as we have a son and grandsons there.  
It’s not a cheap option,  if you include either buying 2 properties, or renting somewhere to live, renting a car?, air fares, possible trips to the continent? 
 

We made the right decision for us, we went back for only 6 weeks last visit, and I don’t think we want to make the journey back again unless there is a very pressing reason, as Australia is home, and now at our age, really don’t enjoy the journey.

 

Edited March 7 by ramot

[Marisawright]

3 hours ago, Blue Manna said:

It will help having family in both countries, but we haven't sorted out the fine details yet. Probably a small property in each country. Preferably something we can lock up and leave. Would probably decide to be resident in Australia, and would do tax return there.

But as has been clarified recently on another thread, you don't get to decide where you're resident.   The respective tax authorities in the UK and Australia will look at your circumstances and they'll decide. If you split your time evenly between the two  countries, it's quite possible both will decide you are a tax resident.  Especially if you keep a permanent home in both countries.