07 Feb 2013 11:25 AM:
Thailand - its going to get much more expensive with the pound falling. My brother lives there and he feels it isn't the paradise it seems on first visit. Pattaya, no chance, corrupt police and foreigners are targeted for violence. Northern Thailand and islands better but driving anywhere is a 50/50 life or death exercise, and good luck with the monsoon season (often overlooked) and fitting ANY electrical appliance. Hospitals 'are terrifying' apparently.
Spain - if you like being around expats and a basic lifestyle, great place but if you seek culture, you'll need to speak Spanish and live near Alicante or another city with some kind of multiculturalism. A bleak place when the sun goes in I find. Economy at least has hit bottom and will improving in next few years. Bureaucracy will reduce as Spain wakes up to on-line/electronic payment systems, the siestas will be removed. Its easy now to set up a business, and taxes etc vis a vis rest of Europe will continue to be low. Canaries are popular but many there talk of 'island fever' which means if you cant afford visits back home, you go a little crazy..
Australia is falling into recession, and about 3 years behind Europe in this regard so beware if youre of working age. The currency has fallen badly in the last 5 years so if youre selling up, prepared to be shocked at how expensive houses are in Melb/Syd/Perth. Adelaide your best bet or Gold Coast. And youre unable to buy property for the first few years anyway. Same with Thailand. Long term? Terrific though if you have the cash and better than NZ.
Greece/Cyprus - living costs are astronomical, and your property wont rise in value for a generation. Too much economic turmoil to retire to, and you have the Turks seeking land grabs across the islands, so beware re Rhodes etc.
Southern France - you'll need to speak French, and indicators are that France is heading for an almighty crash - it's pension time bomb has yet to go off and the system is creaking at the seams. Expect demos and riots in Paris but also in immigration-heavy southern towns and cities (Marseilles, Montpellier). Winters aren't warm..
Don't know about Portugal
Forum thread:
Is Spain still the best option for retirement abroad?
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