Most people nowadays prefer retiring much earlier, even as early as in their 40s, in order to enjoy their sunset years better. And while globe-trotting and living the last quarter of your life without boundaries (the common dream for most people nowadays!) does sound quite perfect, it’s important that you have a “retirement home” planned out for you.
We believe Australia is the perfect retirement destination. This large country with its stunning sceneries and vibrant culture is a favorite among young and old people alike for a reason! And if you have any questions on why we think so, at what age can you retire in Australia or even what is the best city in Australia to retire in; we’ve got you covered. To make your transition even smoother, IMM Consult, the leading experts in immigration, are here to guide you every step of the way. Read ahead to find the answers to all your questions.
What are the key requirements that make a country a good retirement destination?
Before we jump into why we think Australia is a great retirement destination, here are a few things that you need to consider.
- Cost of living – Even if you’ve done very well with your life so far, everyone has a retirement budget. Spending a large chunk of it on living expenses will limit your fun. Thus, giving enough attention to the cost of living of your retirement destination is extremely important.
- Quality of Healthcare – Let’s face it, once you pass 40, your body needs more attention. This makes having access to quality healthcare vital when looking into retirement destinations. A country with a well-developed healthcare system and quality facilities is what you should be looking for.
- Climate – Do not suffer through an unagreeable climate in your sunset years! Choose a country that agrees with you, be it warm and sunny or cool and mild-weathered.
- Overall safety – Moving to a high crime rate country and having to watch your back and your wallet is no fun at any stage of your life; so why do it when you’re meant to rest? Instead, choose a safer country and give yourself the peace of mind you deserve.
- Accessibility and proximity to friends and family – This is a crucial consideration for retirees, especially for immigrants seeking a sense of community and connection. Being closer to friends and family who already reside in this retirement destination not only provides emotional support and reduces feelings of isolation but also ensures that retirees can maintain their cultural ties, making their retirement years more fulfilling and enjoyable.
- Cultural fit and language – Everyone has their own lifestyle and values and it’s important to find a country that matches this vibe. This will help you retire in a place where you feel comfortable and connected. Additionally, language plays a significant role in daily life, so choosing a destination where you can easily communicate or learn the language will greatly enhance your experience and help you build meaningful relationships.
- Community, lifestyle and amenities – A vibrant social life will make it easier for you to make new connections in your chosen country. Connections lead to a difference in lifestyle as well as urging you to try out all available amenities; eventually leading to a more fun and fuller life.
Why move to Australia for your sunset years?
Now that you know what you should look for in an ideal retirement destination, here’s why we think Australia is a great option for you to consider.
- High quality life – With a note-worthy healthcare system, high quality health services and excellent health facilities, Australia is ideal for those with health issues. Everyone knows that having a healthy life is the key to being happy in your retirement age, so this is one thing you would have no issues with if you moved to Australia.
- Views that capture any heart – Australia is sometimes called the land of contrasts, due to its contrasting landscapes and climates. The stunning beaches, the rainforests, the mountains, the wildlife…there’s so much that you can see and experience here!
- Ideal climate – If you’ve been cooped up within four walls (home, school, office…) for the most part of your adult life, then without a doubt, you’d like to make better use of your time now that you have retired. Since Australia is blessed with a great climate, you’ll have plenty of time and opportunities to not only explore but also to participate in a lot of outdoor activities.
- Multicultural society – Australia is known for its multicultural society, where expats and migrants from all parts of the world have found joy in living together. This diverse society also makes for a diverse culture ensuring you’ll have an enjoyable time connecting with those around you.
- Stable economy and political situation – Living in a country with an unstable economic and political situation can be very frustrating. Fortunately, Australia’s political and economic situation is very stable; something anyone would appreciate in the sunset years of their life.
- Cost of living – Though it’s not cheap, the cost of living in Australia is much more affordable than most other countries in the world. However, this will not be a problem if you budget yourself carefully.
A retirement village in Australia is a residential community designed for the elderly, offering housing alongside facilities like swimming pools, gyms, libraries, and dining areas. Services may include healthcare support, meal preparation, and housekeeping. While the average retirement age in Australia is 64, there’s no strict rule on when you can retire, making these communities suitable for those both young in body and young at heart.
07 Popular retirement destinations in Australia
Now that we’ve discussed why Australia is an ideal retirement destination, let’s explore some of the most popular regions in Australia that could offer a perfect place to enjoy your retirement.
- Port Macquarie
Known for its breathtaking beaches and equally stunning rainforests, this coastal town is also famous for its Koala hospital. With a moderately affordable cost of living (around AUD 1,688 per person including rent, meals and utilities) and excellent healthcare services (like the Port Macquarie base hospital), what makes this town particularly desirable by most expats is its attractions. Some of these attractions include the Koala Hospital, the Tracking Point lighthouse, Sea Acres rainforest, Billabong Zoo and the Coastal Walk.
- Sunshine Coast
With beautiful beaches and vibrant hinterlands, this area hosts several great coastal towns for you to choose from. With great healthcare services (like the Sunshine Coast University Hospital), and a variety of outdoor activities that will make any outdoor fanatic happy, this area has a general cost of living of around AUD 1,843 including rent. What makes this area truly special is its attractions. The Australia Zoo, Noosa national park, Sealife sunshine coast, Mooloolaba Beach and the Glass House mountains are a few of those attractions.
- Margaret River
If lush forests and beautiful coastlines don’t impress you, then you’d be happy to know that apart from this, this region is also famous for its wineries, surfing spots and limestone caves. Loved by foodies, adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, this area also offers great healthcare services (like the Margaret River Hospital). The monthly cost of living for a single person can come to around AUD 2,000, including rent. The popular attractions around this area include the Cape To Cape Track, the Limestone Caves, wineries, surf spots and Boranup Karri Forest.
- St. Helens
If you’re someone who enjoys finishing, or you would like to include fishing as part of your retirement plan, then this is the place for you. Thanks to the Georges Bay, this town is not only famous for fishing, but for boating and diving as well. With a relatively average cost of living, this town also has excellent healthcare services (like the St Helens District Hospital). Some of the attractions that generally draws people to this area include the gorgeous views, the Bay of Fires, the Binalong Bay, Georges Bay, Peron Dunes and the Serpentarium Wildlife Park.
- Albury
Located along the bays of the Murray River, this beautiful town is a heaven for those craving a blend of both urban and rural living. It is a major commercial hub. With a cost of living per month of around AUD 2,983 (including rent), this town, like almost all other towns in our list so far, has great healthcare services. The Murray River, the Albury Botanic Gardens, the Monument Hill, Lake Hume and Wonga Wetlands are some of the attractions that keep the area busy.
- Esperance
Some people just can’t get enough of wildlife. If you’re someone who feels the same, then this is the place for you! Home to some of the most beautiful beaches of Australia, this area is best known for its pink lakes and the unique Esperance Stonehenge. The average monthly cost of living is around AUD 1,653; without rent. What makes this area truly special to those visiting and living in this area are the attractions such as Cape Le Grand National Park, Lucky Bay, Twilight beach, the Great Ocean drive, and of course, the Esperance Stonehenge.
- Hunter Valley
One of Australia’s oldest wine regions, this area is dotted with fascinating villages and stunning landscapes. Though famed for its wine and hot air balloon rides, this area too does not fail when it comes to providing excellent healthcare services! The monthly cost of living for a person in this area falls in between AUD 1,900 to AUD 2,700. Along with horseback riding and the historical wineries, other attractions of this area include Hunter Valley Gardens, Hunter Valley Zoo, the Historic town as well as Hot Air ballooning of course!
We hope the information we provided makes it easier for you to choose your very own retirement destination in Australia!
