Australians who went, and how it turned out
Where they went, what it cost, what they did with the house, and what they would do differently. Including the ones who came home.
Each story is summarised in our own words from published news reporting, with a link to the original. The people in them are not affiliated with Retirees Abroad. How we write stories.
Annette, 55: in Bali, the visa, the rent and the insurance all come first- Where
- Bali, Indonesia
- How
- Full move
- Outcome
- About a year in, settled in Bali and finding life easier
Reported by Mamamia (written by Annette herself), 30 September 2025
Lisa, 65: Penang on a visa granted years before she moved- Where
- Penang, Malaysia
- How
- Full move
- Outcome
- Settled in Penang and plans to stay as long as she can renew her visa
Reported by Business Insider (republished on Yahoo), 25 November 2025
Mary-Lou, 65: no home base, and a trip home each year to renew cover- Where
- On the move: France, Morocco, Sarawak, Uruguay, the Isle of Man, Vietnam and Thailand
- How
- Full move
- Outcome
- Still travelling after four years
Reported by South Coast Register (ACM), 9 October 2026
Peter: rent down from $1,120 to $400 a month, with health cover the catch- Where
- Phuket, Thailand
- How
- Full move
- Outcome
- Staying, and says he is happy there
Reported by ABC News, 17 June 2026
Humphrey, 74: came home after a decade, now heading back- Where
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia; now planning a move to Kampot
- How
- Came home
- Outcome
- Came home after about ten years, then decided to go back rather than move into aged care
Reported by The Senior (ACM), 26 August 2026
Dave, 75: a holiday in Thailand that turned into a move- Where
- Rayong, Thailand
- How
- Full move
- Outcome
- Staying, and calls it paradise
Reported by Yahoo Lifestyle Australia, 19 July 2026
Lyrella's parents, 80: sold the farm and moved to Bali, where care at home is affordable- Where
- North Bali, Indonesia
- How
- Full move
- Outcome
- Settled in north Bali, keeping up the same activities on a smaller scale
Reported by ABC News (written by their daughter, Lyrella), 24 June 2024
Gerald: a whole month in Thailand for what rent alone costs here- Where
- Thailand (town not stated)
- How
- Full move
- Outcome
- Settled in Thailand since 2017, as reported in 2024
Reported by The Senior (ACM), 28 July 2024
John, 73: a modest pension in Chiang Mai, with about 40% saved- Where
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- How
- Full move
- Outcome
- Living in Chiang Mai, and considering Majorca as his next move
Reported by Business Insider (republished on Yahoo Finance), 15 August 2024
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