Retirement

[John]

The cultural issue is important. For instance, one of my daughters plus husband and children have recently moved from Switzerland to Australia. The problen was not money, my son in law was very well paid, but their inability to make friends with Swiss people. They could only make friends with the expatriate population who were ever changing - totally unsatisfactory. They have been in Australia now for only 9 months and have made lots friends with other parents at their children's school and also at church.

What happened? Why couldn't they make friends with the Swiss people?

John

[richard5za]

What happened? Why couldn't they make friends with the Swiss people?

As a rule the Swiss don't form personal friendships with foreigners; they can be friendly at work but it doesn't go beyond the work place; and there is a language barrier and cultural differences. Its not uncommon in Europe. In England it can take a long time for a foreigner to make friends with locals. In England foreigners tend to make friends with other foreigners. You live in a friendly part of the world - I have a sister, nephew, niece and their families in the Boston area and I know it reasonably well. Australia is a friendly place. The most friendly city I have ever lived in is Johannesburg. But still in South Africa, Cape Town on the other hand is a difficult place to make friends.

I told the story about my daughter because these issues are real considerations when it comes to retirement. Retirement on the Spanish coast might sound wonderful until your spouse gets cancer and dies. Now what? Go back to where you came from?

[gerald]

Yes, Australia is a friendly place, In the last 2 years We, my wife and I, have spent several months traveling in the cities and the outback as tourists, in rental vehicles. And have found the people to be very friendly and helpful. I think one of the underlying reasons for this is the large size of the country with its inherently hostile climate and its small population. After all, It is generally but a short distance from the center of a respectably large city to the outback,( less then half a days drive ) where if you goof up your life could be in danger and you are on your own. I think this awareness of risk makes one friendly to others, because of a potential need for assistance against a common foe -- nature -- and nature gives no quarter. We have also seen this friendliness in other sparsely populated areas of the world as well. However, I am aware this is NOT true everywhere due to underlying cultural differences. That is where another is viewed as a competitor for minimal resources and therefore a potential threat to one's own survival.

[richard5za]

My wife and I have just spent 3 weeks in Australia visiting children and grandchildren. What a fantastic country and a wonderful place to retire.
Problem is getting a visa to live there: We don't qualify for the parent visa because at least 50% of your children need to be permanent resisdents there, and the retirement visa never confers permanent residence.
I am a high energy 65 year old, at work before 8 am every day, so maybe I can get a job in Aussie and get an employment visa.
Any comments or thoughts?

[Reality Check]

My wife and I have just spent 3 weeks in Australia visiting children and grandchildren. What a fantastic country and a wonderful place to retire.
Problem is getting a visa to live there: We don't qualify for the parent visa because at least 50% of your children need to be permanent resisdents there, and the retirement visa never confers permanent residence.
I am a high energy 65 year old, at work before 8 am every day, so maybe I can get a job in Aussie and get an employment visa.
Any comments or thoughts?

I recall hearing it was historically difficult for older people to migrate to Australia, because the Australians did not want to share their social welfare system with those who had not paid into it all their lives.

[gerald]

I am not versed on the details regarding an older person immigrating to Australia or New Zealand . However my limited understanding indicates that if one has a few million for a business venture, things could be a lot easier.

[John]

Richard - Perhaps you should consider Anguilla.

John

[richard5za]

Richard - Perhaps you should consider Anguilla.

Anguilla is fantastic John, until you need medical treatment that requires you to go back home. It usually happens as you get older

I recall hearing it was historically difficult for older people to migrate to Australia, because the Australians did not want to share their social welfare system with those who had not paid into it all their lives.

Reality Check is quite right about Aussies not wanting to share their social welfare system; but if an employer will sponsor you, or if more than 50% of your children live there then they will welcome you. Problem is that although very competent old geysers don't easlily get employment and only one of my children live there; moved there from Switzerland about a year ago and hence our trip to Aussie to visit.

I don't think that I have met a friendlier place on this planet than Queensland!