Anyone thinking of retiring abroad?

[tazdevil]

Australia would be quite appealing. Not the cities, or coast, but the outback. I wouldn't mind trying my hand at a bit of gold, or opal, prospecting.

I doubt we'd stand any chance of getting in though with just savings + the proceeds of our house + state pensions due in a few years time.

Outback = flies, swarms of them

[DealorNoDeal]

Outback = flies, swarms of them

There is that. Plus 40°C summer temperatures.

[Snooky]

Nah in most countries you attempt to speak their language (badly in most cases) and if they can they will answer you in English.

I've found the exact opposite in the - supposedly horrible - Algarve.

If I talk to locals in my admittedly appalling version of Portuguese, by and large they seem to appreciate a Brit actually trying to use their language and they respond in a friendly way, although I often don't understand all of it. Or possibly they think I'm some kind of lunatic and they're just humouring me.

[DealorNoDeal]

supposedly horrible - Algarve.

Not horrible at all. It's just that, IMO, there are nicer coastal resorts in Spain, Balearics, Canaries.

Also, if you're buying a 2nd/permanent home there, then you get a heck of a lot less for your money than on the neighbouring Spanish Costas.

[PCTNN]

The Canaries would be my favourite for all year round decent weather but obviously they're not English speaking.

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Anyone else thinking of getting out of Blighty? Where to?

I've been to the Canaries a number of times and even if not an English speaking country, I've never had any issues are there are so many British immigrants that set up pubs and restaurants for tourists.

I myself am tempted to relocate there when I retire. I like Lanzarote: good weather, no rain, good food

[SueEllen]

There is that. Plus 40°C summer temperatures.

If I want 40 degree heat in summer I can stay in London.

The thing that scares me about Oz (which I didn't see when I visited) is this -

[DealorNoDeal]

I like Lanzarote: good weather, no rain, good food

+1

Around 27°C at its hottest in August/September, and 20°C in January/February. Plus very few insects; hardly any mozzies.

We were out there in early March, and it was balmy compared to here.

[PCTNN]

+1

Around 27°C at its hottest in August/September, and 20°C in January/February. Plus very few insects; hardly any mozzies.

We were out there in early March, and it was balmy compared to here.

What attracts me the most is the complete lack of rain. I like cycling and it's crap in the UK. I'd obviously like to cycle more when I'm retired and have loads of time in my hands and I can't see myself doing it in the uk where every year is worse than the one before precipitation wise.

Last time I was there I think I saw a big banner saying you could get a visa if you bought a 250k+ property.

Not that I need it as I have a EU passport but still sounds doable for britons.

[DealorNoDeal]

What attracts me the most is the complete lack of rain. I like cycling and it's crap in the UK. I'd obviously like to cycle more when I'm retired and have loads of time in my hands and I can't see myself doing it in the uk where every year is worse than the one before precipitation wise.

It's worth checking out Fuerteventura which has the same climate as Lanzarote. The roads are a lot quieter, and there are miles of off-road tracks. Property is quite a bit cheaper too.

30% of the population of Fuerte are expats, a figure which will probably continue to grow. Brits and Irish make up the biggest share, and for most other country's expats English is a second language. I wouldn't be surprised if the island becomes increasingly anglicised in the years to come.

[Paddy]

I have one villa with smallholding and a nearby vineyard in Bulgaria. There are quite a few Brits in BG but not all clustered together (unlike in Spain). English is wildly spoken. Internet better than UK. Varied countryside, mountains and skiing in winter, some flat plain and seaside. There is much freedom to roam and many places to explore. Real summer lasts about six weeks longer than the UK with temperatures in the 30s (sometimes 40c) If you are retired with a pension you will qualify for a D visa and residency. Income tax and company tax is very low (10%) Ltd Co easy to set up. (Moving to BG was a lot simpler prior to Brexit.) Strangely, more Brits are moving to BG after Brexit that before.

A liveable house will cost from 20,000e to around 100,000e +. My Council Tax for this year for three buildings and 2 acres of land was 40e. I just love being able to drive to town and park free and not bothered by lots of regulations.