Yeah that does sound pretty pricey - I take it all back! But presumably pay there is higher to compensate for the higher cost of living? - or not?

But if the pay is higher, of course you are better off spending in a cheaper area.....

Well. Whatever you do. Don´t move to Norway. Must be one of the most expensive countries on the planet.

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"A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open". ― Frank Zappa

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Yes Doc there are much cheaper areas in the southern states some 3000 K's from here. No the average wage does not make up the difference. I have lived in this country for 51 years and in Darwin for 45 of those. I love it here despite my grumblings, sun, bush, fish, space, wildlife, family & friends ect. When I move and it's all on the market, I would prefer to move further afield, and keep moving, a couple of weeks / months here and there, to coin a phrase, A rolling stone .......


Hellboy, Norway, beautiful country (in summer) DAMN EXPENSIVE!

Griz, Moving to the south of France, Magnifique, mon ami!

While a long way from Darwin and not having the same types of costs associated with transport I am finding in Melbourne, while earning more than I ever have, I am able to do far less with my money than in say the 80"s and 90"s and early 2000's when I went overseas frequently, ate out and went drinking out a lot and still saved money.
Housing prices here are ridiculous, power bills going through the roof, food going up BUT all the same first world problems and its still a bloody great city to live in.

I have a mate, renting in Sydney for the last 10 years with his wife, both earning a decent wage struggling to afford to buy something that is not 60-90 minutes commute from the city. They figure their best bet was to retire in France as well. Just bought a nice house in a village not far from a major city at less than 1/3 of what they would have spent on a cheapish 2 bedroom apartment in Sydney.

My point exactly. And it's not the first time France has been mentioned, stunning architecture, landscape, people and only in France does one experience dining in the true sense of the word, simply awesome food. I do love my country although retiring here is just too expensive and therefore restrictive. I figure while the prices are high, get out, reinvest here or elsewhere and see the world in detail. Who knows miss right might turn up and rearrange the whole apple cart!

Perhaps some of the former Soviet Union (FSU) countries are of interest? For example, TonyP moved to Moscow Russia. I know that when I visited there, I got a lot of bang for my buck($). I did notice that housing was expensive in the big cities, much better out in the smaller places.
FWIW, USA is a very difficult place to be poor and live here. Tony has also said (in a roundabout way) that Russia is a free-er country than UK. Whatever, different perceptions from different folks. I'd like to be in (insert country of choice) for an extended visit to see if I could manage all the little differences.

As an example, McCrankpin posted photos of deer in the snow. I have deer, elk, rabbits, partridge, pheasants, and whatnot within 2 meters of my door. Of course, I did ask one deer in for a nice warm place, er, after removing his hat and coat... I'd miss that for sure.

Unfortunately, there is no silver lined cloud for us out there...
YMMV

It's a nice thought. One I have. But knowing the Government of the day. Eith this one or the next one down the line. What's my pension going to be like if I move over sea. As next to all of the party's in power look at pension's as a golden egg to plunder when ever they can. I've always liked Spain. But I also like the NHS in this country. A couple of health problems abroad could clear me out of my saving's.

I like the weather in Spain. The open road's, and your money go's a bit further than in the UK. So think about it. A soft landing is built in me. I'm not going to make the jump unless my lotto number's come up.
John933

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To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.

Nonsense; not true at all! I've never complained about what everyone else is riding.

erm...er...

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That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing...

Depends on the bloody Gulf Stream. I love the UK but if she decides to abandon us for good, I'm getting outta here. This last winter has about wiped me out

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That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing...

I've always been something of a "lone wolf", so I don't have much need to stay in my home country (Canada) - a visit back maybe once every year or two will be plenty once I retire.

In 2021, I can start collecting a "reduced pension" of about $2000/month. Now, in Canada, that's enough to survive but not to thrive. I'd be renting a basement suite or small apartment, and be just able to afford necessities: forget owning a motorcycle or having money to travel overseas. If I stay in Canada, I realistically need to work at least 5 more years (if not more) just to have a moderate standard of living.

However...

I lived in Mexico from 2004 to 2007, and lived comfortably on just $600 or so per month. Even factoring in inflation and such, I suspect that if I retire at age 55 in Mexico I'll be able to live very well on $2000/month.

The rest of Latin America is generally (with some exceptions) cheaper than Mexico. If I find that prices start to creep up too high for my liking, I can always move further south.

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

Hi,

I jumped to spain in 1997, when I was 40, with the idea that a) I was working my ***s of in Britain for no useful gain b) I/we (that's Mrs Spanish Biker) were young enough to get established both socially and get 'into the system' by working and paying our taxes, social security. So fat so good

But if you move here to retire from any other EU country you will get free health care from the fabulous Spanish system - well until this year when the ****** government is slashing away and privatising the pants out of it, so in a year or two it will be on a par with the British NHS and then what's the difference.

Re. the climate - be very very careful before you buy - come in January and take a long look around your preferred region!

Meanwhile, Grizzly7 wrote, "Plenty of Brits have moved to Spain because of the climate and cheaper housing only to find the law gets re-interpreted and suddenly their life savings sunk into their retirement home have been taken away"

Yes, that's true, although 'enforcement' may be a more accurate term than 're-interpretation' - and a salutary lesson for everyone reading this topic wherever they're thinking of going.

Regs

Simon

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The Spanish Biker LLP: Events, Guide and Support Services

I love to travel for 7-8 months.

It's long enough to get really home sick whilst still having a huge break from my normal life, which I need often.... Not that I have a terrible home-life. It's actually very comfortable. It's just monotonous and unadventurous.

In the first few weeks, everywhere I like, I think:

"Oh man, I could totally live here". And I make little plans how to do it in my head etc.

As the weeks go by I think

"This is really nice, I'd love to 'come back' here"

Months later I'm like "This is okay. But I really want a bag of hot chips on a wet Wirral beach.

At the end of the trip, I'm torn in half. I usually love where I am. (A beach in South Africa or in the Mountains of Colombia etc.) But I'm pretty home sick too.

I miss English butter on Crusty Brown bread. I miss bacon butties whilst looking out of my kitchen window and I miss supping cold s with my mates in the garage, tinkering with bikes...

I think the real trick is to keep moving. Don't grow moss.

Whatever the rolling motion has to be.


Obviously the dream would be to spend the year travelling and half the year at home in the U.K but my lottery numbers have still not come though...

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Ignore that last post...

I want to live by the beach in Brazil..... Like now !!

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Ted you pretty much described exactly my feelings about travel.

As you said the lifestyle of perpetual travel with periods at home is beyond most save a lottery win.
Which got me interested in the Tiny House movement which started in the US in response to the Global economic crisis and people losing their homes.
Basically these tiny homes are built on trailer beds for around $20,000 US if you buy all of the materials from home depot or similar.
They are not trailer homes. While portable, they are not meant for extended travel.They can be placed in somebody's backyard, In their driveway, on a farm and only need an electrical cord for power or some are "off the grid" capable. Because they are on wheels you don't have to comply with building reg's for permanent housing.
People often exchange free rent for parking on peoples property with odd job's etc or park in a relatives yard or driveway while they travel.

So that long winded intro leads to my idea. If I build this sometime in the next 7 years when I can retire, I will then have a small but comfortable home that is free of mortgage and upkeep costs that regular houses have, I can free up capital for my travel, I can move it anywhere I want to, beach one year maybe country or mountains the next and I am not paying rent on it when I am travelling.
Some of these houses are very cool and have everything you need to live comfortably. Its not for everybody but if you can live in a small space with only the necessities it could give you that life you want on far less than you would need if you had to maintain a house/flat while you travel or the hassle of moving and storage each time you take off.
Theres lots of info on the net or google tumbleweed tiny houses.

Jimmy

well said Ted - Brazil is bloody amazing Me and the missus loved it and we only saw one state ( Natal ) . If i were single then i would be landing there the moment i got my pension - which is in three years time and yes its index linked . Before anyone moans about early retirement i pay 13.5 % of my salary and i still have to deal with the public
My other half really fancies Turkey , so if i can pin her down to this who knows , i wouldnt complain as its huge and i havent even touched the surface of it yet .
That said a very elongated visit is on the cards to India when i finally retire and we aint leaving till we get deported .
As for Bmw s i had one and it had more recalls then a Mediums road show !! Waffle over