Hiya, kid....

Please understand that there is a depth of genuine affection by Aussies for Americans. You'd be very welcome here. This is probably one of our better aspects.....

The Japanese have us summed up perfectly:

"In Japan we have too much office and not enough beach. In Australia, you have too much beach and not enough office."

I agree. Overall, this is a fun place to live. But you already know that.....

Although I live in a place called "Australia's Northern Rivers Area"...retiring Americans are settling in many places. A five acre block...with no frost...great soils...fresh water...close to the ocean...and a metro area...are what are selling like the proverbial hotcakes.

People will put up a small...but modern...home. There is also a "swap arrangement" with both nations' Social Security benefits, etcetera. We have a GREAT socialised medicine scheme...that (for the life of me) I just could NOT understand why the US just didn't copy it. Eh, not my concern, I guess. However, getting a work visa is quite difficult. But if you are over 55 and want to retire...that's fine. But you can't "work". You can, however, put enough farm infrastructure on the five acre block to carry the cost of your outgoings.

I don't want to tie up too much of this "retirement thread" with an Australian view on it. But do have a browse through Mr Google and look at the prices and property descriptions from where I am. Bear in mind that $1.00 USA is $1.14 Aussie...

http://www.domain.com.au/search/buy/...rthern-rivers/

Scroll past the billionaire section!!! Ha!!! Enjoy the diversion, at any rate.....

Here's a more plebian listing:

http://www.domain.com.au/search/buy/...2c+nsw%2c+2469