Money.co.uk has released a list of destinations people want to retire to. Australia is in the top ten places. Journalist Salman Haqqi writes: ‘France tops the list for being the most popular destination people want to retire to, with 20 countries searching about retiring here more than anywhere else’. France’s usually pleasant weather, laidback lifestyle and wine and food regions are a big drawcard for those wanting to escape their country in retirement.
Australia came in fifth (in a tie with Thailand)
Top Places To Retire To: The List
- France
- Canada
- Portugal
- Australia (tied with Thailand)
- Thailand (tied with Australia)
- Spain
- Costa Rica (tied with Germany)
- Germany (tied with Costa Rica)
- New Zealand
- Turkey
- Belgium (tied with Malaysia)
- Malaysia (tied with Belgium)
money.co.uk list: ‘Where the world wants to retire’
A Worldwide Guide To Retirement Desinations
We contributed to the Australian chapter of Louise and Simon Hudson’s 310 page book, A Worldwide Guide To Retirement Destinations
They spoke to people who had moved to different countries for their perspectives. For example, Louise and Simon spoke with a couple with backgrounds in advertising and fashion had moved to the French Alps. C’est magnifique!

Climate
Haqqi writes that Australia’s quality of life is a drawcard for retirees, plus the ‘typically sunny weather’. Mmm! Australia is a large country and the climate differs between states.
For example Far North Queensland’s climate is very different to Tasmania’s. The climate in Orange (New South Wales) is different to Margaret River (Western Australia).

We’ve met with people from the U.K. who had moved to Spain to retire. For various reasons they wanted to leave Spain and Australia was on their ‘radar’. One of their observations was that ‘Australians tend to have small gardens’. They were under the impression that because Australia was a large country, residents would have large gardens. Some people do, but you may find this to be more the case in rural areas.
The Sunshine Coast Of Australia
Others from the U.K. like Jenny and Geoff fell in love with Queensland’s Sunshine Coast
They love the ‘Outdoor living with (in our case) lots of warm water leisure opportunities; friendly easy going people; cheaper cost of living than the UK; excellent cuisine and wine’.
