# Where should we retire? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 11, 2023, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-we-retire/986915 "2023-07-11T22:23:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-we-retire/986915/21 "2023-07-13T21:42:08Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > you could consider Australia Is Australia quite that sanguine about immigration? [Visa options for permanent residents](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/permanent-resident/visa-options) ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-we-retire/986915/22 "2023-07-13T21:47:17Z")
Exactly. You can’t just decide to move there. That’s why I am so amused by the people threatening to move to Canada when they get a President that they don’t like. Like, they don’t want you. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-we-retire/986915/23 "2023-07-13T21:55:36Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Is Australia quite that sanguine about immigration? [Visa options for permanent residents](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/permanent-resident/visa-options) It seems to largely depend on whether you’re able to show a sufficiently large amount of assets. > [@](#): > > If you are looking for a longer-term retirement visa you may choose to apply for a permanent retirement visa. In order to qualify for this, you will need to adhere to stricter rules and regulations. Permanent Australian visas are viewed as investment visas and for this reason, you will be required to demonstrate that you possess assets of a pre-determined value. This value will vary according to which area of Australia you wish to retire. However, a general rule of thumb is as follows: > > - High Growth Region: $750,000 worth of assets and an additional $500,000 for any dependent (spouse). > - Low Growth Region: $500,0000 worth of assets and an additional $250,000 for any dependent (spouse). They certainly seem to have the visa options available for retirees. I don’t know what the acceptance rate is, but I’d presume that it’s pretty smooth sailing if you can show the money. > **[Expat Planning Retirement in Australia | Expat Info Desk](https://www.expatinfodesk.com/expat-guide/retiring-abroad/best-places/australia-as-a-retirement-destination/)** > > A guide for expats and digital nomads planning for retirement in Australia. Everything you need to know about retiring to Australia. > **[Immigration and citizenship Website](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/permanent-resident/visa-options/retirement-visa-pathway)** > > Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship. ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-we-retire/986915/24 "2023-07-13T22:31:01Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > > [@bobkitty](#): > > > > More importantly, should I rethink my aversion to New Hampshire? > > What’s the basis for your aversion? The joke-that-isn’t-quite-a-joke growing up was NH is the South of the North, and I think I still carry that belief deep down. It does look like it’s getting more purple, but I’m concerned about the medical situation- social services tend to be underfunded due to the tax situation, and I’ve heard not-great things about being able to access even routine primary care. ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-we-retire/986915/25 "2023-07-13T22:33:08Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > > [@bobkitty](#): > > > > New England, preferably Vermont or Maine but will consider New York or western Massachusetts. I feel like the closer I get to the Canadian border the happier I’ll be. > > Assuming that this is for weather rather than family connections, you could consider Australia. 😮 _starts adding up assets_ ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2023, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-we-retire/986915/26 "2023-07-13T22:52:21Z")
> [@Ulfreida](#): > > The Five Colleges area checks every box you named. This is my recommendation. > [@bobkitty](#): > > More importantly, should I rethink my aversion to New Hampshire? Yes. It’s right-leaning, but mostly in a libertarian way. They’ll leave you alone to do what you want. > [@bobkitty](#): > > but I’m concerned about the medical situation- social services tend to be underfunded due to the tax situation, and I’ve heard not-great things about being able to access even routine primary care. I can’t speak to that. Parts of NH are within a reasonable drive to Boston, though. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2023, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-we-retire/986915/27 "2023-07-14T00:02:27Z")
I have no personal experience of Australia, I should say. I just noted @Jackmannii 's point that “not city” and “progressive” are at diametric odds in the USA, in current times, and looked to see if the VA had any deals with other English speaking locations. If you’re interested, you should open a thread with “Australia” in the title to see if it would actually fit your interests, according to locals, or invite some into this thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-should-we-retire/986915.md?page=1)