Australia is fortunate to have so many great places to retire, and deciding whether to stay or move is a big decision. From the River Murray towns of Echuca, Yarrawonga, and Loxton, to the coast of Queensland, the wine regions of Western Australia, to the charm of Tasmania, there is much on offer. Moving in retirement, however, isn’t an easy decision and there’s much to consider.
We’re often asked ‘Where is the best place to retire in Australia?’ Rarely are we asked ‘Where is the worst place to retire in Australia?’ That is, until early one morning when we had a telephone call from a radio station.
Many of us have heard stories of ‘little old ladies’ who call cruise ships their home. Or read the joke that’s sent (and resent) about the ‘benefits’ of retirement living on a cruise ship. However, where and how we live in retirement isn’t a frivolous matter, and most people can only dream of cruising full time.
There’s no attempt to do the sums involved with granny flats here because each case is different. The aim is to point out the numerous financial issues surrounding Centrelink assessments. This means you need to have a formal, legally drafted agreement in place, referred to as a Granny Flat Agreement.
Considering a granny flat can raise complex issues relating to family matters, legal issues, Centrelink assessments, Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax. However, it might be worth doing.
Recently, a financial company listed retirement ‘hot spots’ for retirees. It gave the impression that retirees were moving to these places. So, should you get yourself ready and relocate? Not necessarily.
Many preparing for retirement plan to shift when they retire. For some it’s the sea change, for others it’s a tree change, or for a whole range of other reasons. This is a major decision that needs a lot of thought. This podcast looks at various issues to think through as you make this decision.
Some city dwellers choose a tree change for their retirement. For them, living in the city or on the coast has no appeal. They want wide open spaces away from the city, where life trots along at a leisurely pace.
Two years ago, at the age of 62, Sherry Goodloe decided it was time to retire and ‘to start really living’. Four years earlier she’d had breast cancer, which made her think hard about her future. To fulfil her travel dreams she says, ‘I got a world map and I started mapping out places I wanted to go.’
A recent forecast predicts that there’ll be a surge in the number of baby boomers heading for regional areas. The report went on to identify 30 likely places around Australia. Interestingly, only about half of them were by the sea. Could an inland tree-change be on the cards for many baby boomers?