Just curious - what is it that you like?

[JJ]

in Vietnam its expected. And pretty blatent. They are sincerely insincere...

From the frying pan... ahhh well...

[Fat Bob]

Ok, come on - who stole FB's password and posted something remotely objective about Australia, huh?

I said nice thngs about Australia. I didn't say anything nice about Australians......

[daffodil]

It's a slippery slope, mate.

[Burbage]

It's a slippery slope, mate.

No. The slippery slope is the road that goes from here to Cairns. We need one of those mat things they use in water parks rather than a car.

[Morrolan]

It's a slippery slope, mate.

No. The slippery slope is the road that goes from here to Cairns. We need one of those mat things they use in water parks rather than a car.

i hear they're renaming Far North Queensland in to Far North Inland Sea...

[daffodil]

It's a slippery slope, mate.

No. The slippery slope is the road that goes from here to Cairns. We need one of those mat things they use in water parks rather than a car.

At least you'll get some wear out of the speedos.

[Kooky]

Falalalalalala fingers in ears, mind closed to that thought.

[daffodil]

Sorry, K, I meant to say budgie smugglers.

[Kooky]

No no no no no. Mummy make it stop.

[Burbage]

It's still raining. I like the rain. Lah de dah de dah.

Dah.

[Dinosaur]

I may well take a hols there sometime in the future if the world recession does not bankrupt us in the meantime

Now.... what I find very interesting on Scummy's links to the "retirement visa" is this.

There is a perception (certainly in SE Asia at any rate) that the Thai retirement visa is, how shall I say, a little shakey. It's only a one-year visa but can be renewed very easily each year - and the only criteria, apart from being over 50 and keeping out of trouble, requires a certain amount of money placed in the bank (not a huge sum).

The Aussie retirement visa seems to me to be very shakey indeed. I'm too young for it anyway though could piggyback in with Mr PK who is older than me. You get a 4 year visa but is in no way permanent and, the bit that gets me, is that there is a medical requirement involved at each renewal. I mean.... I'm not so unhealthy (I touch bamboo as I write this) but, I'm sorry, my crystal ball just aint working - I have no idea if, in 4 years time, I will be able to get comprehensive health insurance. So... what happens 30 years down the road, manage to reach 80 years old and cannot get health insurance. Where to go at 80? Mmmmm.

[Scrummy Mummy]

I have to say I never looked into it in detail. but when I had a quick look at those links I was surprised how temporary it was.

[Kooky]

PK, there is a current thread and also a new article on the other forum about retirement in Oz. It's not happy reading.

[Scrummy Mummy]

Can you post a link (or PM me). Curious to read too.

[Kooky]

http://britishexpats.com/articles/austr ... nightmare/

[Fat Bob]

PK: if you'd got the retirement visa and were planning to stay a long time in Australia, don't you apply for Permanent Residency? And with PR....well, it's permanent! Isn't it?

[Dinosaur]

PK: if you'd got the retirement visa and were planning to stay a long time in Australia, don't you apply for Permanent Residency? And with PR....well, it's permanent! Isn't it?

According to the link that SM posted, it's a temporary visa and cannot lead to PR. BTW I'm not looking at this too seriously you understand - I've never even been to Oz, and Thailand will do for the time being But I just like to have some back-up plans you see. Philippines and Malaysia are probably no 2 and no 3 choices currently.

[Fat Bob]

Yeah, had a quick squizz through myself. Oh, well, I'll just have to go and retire elsewhere. shame, eh?

[baloo]

Don't do that FB, with the shape of your head you'd fit right into Australia

[Fat Bob]

Seee....australian's have weird shaped heads! Cos I know I have one after playing rugby and then forcing it into a hockey goalie helmet!

[Dinosaur]

PK, there is a current thread and also a new article on the other forum about retirement in Oz. It's not happy reading.

That's just horrible isn't it. Rules can always change anywhere for us 'foreigners' and good to have some Plan Bs on the backburner and a little spare money in the bank too. But to have that happen during a recession when you've little chance of selling your property, that is really bad luck. I wonder what they'll do.

[Dinosaur]

Yeah, had a quick squizz through myself. Oh, well, I'll just have to go and retire elsewhere. shame, eh?

Hey I thought you were retiring to Patong with a couple of Thai girlies in tow

[Morrolan]

PK: if you'd got the retirement visa and were planning to stay a long time in Australia, don't you apply for Permanent Residency? And with PR....well, it's permanent! Isn't it?

the number system for PR is such that once you're over 40 it's near impossible to get PR, and, as we've seen in an earlier example: as soon as they think you'll burden their healthcare system, they'll boot you out visa or not (which explains the medical test for retirement visa holders).

[Fat Bob]

Hey I thought you were retiring to Patong with a couple of Thai girlies in tow

Yeah, looks too difficult to get into Australia, Patong it'll have to be. Life's a bitch, eh?

[Dinosaur]

Looks like the medical insurance clause for retirees is causing some problems in Oz....

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/469670 ... rises.html

Just hope that Thailand doesn't cotton on to this idea of compulsory medical insurance for retirement visas - we'll be completely stuffed.