Around one in four people live into their 90s in the developed world, and that proportion is expected to rise over the coming decades. Longevity has all sorts of implications, not least that we will spend longer in retirement than any previous generation. Deciding how and where to spend these years is a more important decision when it applies to 20-30 years of a person’s life.
Australia checks a lot of boxes for a lot of people, for reasons we will explore in just a moment. Australia has stopped issuing 410 retirement visas now, but that doesn’t mean having to abandon the dream. If you already have family in Australia or if you have significant savings set aside that you are willing to invest in an Australian business or government project, then obtaining a visa, and ultimately permanent residency, need not be a problem.
But before you head off to the bank to withdraw your life savings, let’s have a look at some of the factors that make Australia such a popular destination for retirees.
The perfect climate all year round
Australia is famous for being warm and sunny all year round. Now that’s something of an over-simplification. This is a large continent, and the climate varies in different parts. Darwin, on the north coast, has a tropical climate with wet and dry seasons, for example.
But the area loosely described as the East Coast, from Brisbane to Sydney to Melbourne, which is where the majority of people live, enjoys hot summers and warm winters, and plenty of sunny days throughout the year.
Livable cities for retirees
Livability isn’t just an abstract idea, it is a metric calculated on the basis of infrastructure, healthcare, security, amenities, culture and other factors. The Economist Intelligence Unit publishes an annual Livability index that looks at more than 170 cities around the world. In the most recent report, Melbourne was ranked the most livable city in Australia and was in the top ten worldwide, and Sydney and Adelaide also scored well.
These cities have excellent public transport, world class healthcare and, perhaps most important of all, purpose-built communities that are tailored to retirees. These include retirement villages with amenities specifically for older people and professional care facilities for those who need help with day-to-day activities. At the same time, there is no obligation for retirees to all group together. Healthcare, public transport and other essentials of living are accessible throughout the cities and their suburbs.
Night life for mature tastes from casinos to clubs
Retirement is a time to kick back and enjoy yourself. A great climate and miles of golden beaches is a fantastic start – but there is more. Nightlife in Sydney and Melbourne isn’t just about clubs full of 20-year-olds and pumping out trance music. There are plenty of opportunities for those with more mature tastes to be entertained till the small hours.
For example, the Australian fondness for gambling is well known, and the big cities have some amazing casinos for the ultimate sophisticated night out. The Crown in Melbourne is the largest casino in Australia, while the Treasury in Brisbane is super-luxurious and makes you feel like an extra in a Bond movie. In this tech age, mobile casinos are very popular in Australia these days. It’s definitely worth visiting one before trying the real thing, just to familiarize yourself with the different games.
If gambling is not your thing, there are plenty of other choices for nights out. Melbourne, in particular, has an amazing live music scene. If your idea of heaven is sitting in an intimate back street bar enjoying a drink or two and listening to some live jazz, Melbourne is the place to be. For example, Bird's Basement on Singer’s Lane is a sister jazz club to New York’s famous Birdland, which was inspired by Charlie Parker. Meanwhile, old rockers are welcome at The Tote Hotel, which has been hosting local and international acts since 1980.