5 Reasons British Retire in Australia

Recent years has witnessed something of an explosion in the numbers of British retirees migrating to Australia to enjoy the retirement years they have worked hard toward, but why? There are a good number of sun-kissed countries where one could retire and with a cheaper standard of living to boot, but that cost element does not appear to be the main driver behind the ex-pat contingent "down under", and here are 5 reasons why that is the case.

1. Language – Australians speak and write in the English language, perhaps with some local colloquialisms thrown in for good measure, but as this is also quite normal for the UK, it is not of consequence. There is no doubt that the use of English is a huge plus point, as you can find out all you want to know with nothing lost in translation, as can happen in non-English speaking countries (Thailand for example).
2. Climate – The climate is one of the more important factors in ex-pats choosing to retire in Australia. Unlike southern Asia, the south-east and south-west areas of Australia is not always uncomfortably hot, and unlike England, Scotland and Wales, it is not too cold for long periods, although the climate in temperate as it is the UK. People that suffer with arthritis certainly benefit from the milder climate in their dotage. The north of the country is tropical, if that is your preferred climate and of course if you choose to retire in the north and find the climate does not really suit the best, you can simply head south without thinking about moving to another country to find a more "ideal" climate.
3. Medical Care – When approaching retirement age, there is always a question of future health conditions as the body ages and deteriorates to one extent or another. Australia has excellent medical facilities, and provides superb medical care. The system adopted in the UK is similar to the NHS in the UK, with Medicare being Australia's health system cornerstone. Limited Medicare coverage is available to UK ex-pats, although it is prudent to obtain private health care insurance.
4. Australian People – Despite the stereotypes that appear on televisions shows and movies etc. Australians in general are most welcoming and hospitable to the British. There is of course the old age sporting rivalries, especially in cricket and the Ashes series, but beyond the realms of sport, the local population are little different to the average British person, just a bit more relaxed in their attitude perhaps.
5. Location – A quick glance at a map of Australia points out the obvious habituated areas of the country, with the vast majority of urban areas spread along the coast, one of the reasons that even in the north, the climate is bearable with the sea breeze playing its part in lowering temperatures. The demographics of the country are such that you are not likely to be very far away from one of the prized beaches that are on offer, along with water based activities, if you wish to partake. For example the fishing can be magnificent and there are many new species (for the ex-pat) to catch see and enjoy.

If you are thinking of travelling to Australia, for retirement or even just a holiday to assess the potential of a retirement location remember to make enquiries about senior travel insurance to find out what saving you can make while taking out this important item. Any insurance policy should safeguard you from theft, loss, damage etc of course and special deals are available for senior citizens travel insurance and further deals for travel insurance for over 70's.