Retiring in Spain: An Aussie's inspiring & affordable story

Key moments in this video | Chapters

0:30 Inside Norah’s Spanish retirement home
1:10 Why Norah left Perth, Australia when she retired
2:00 The cost of retired life in Spain
2:28 Why Norah chose to retire in Spain
3:00 The cost of buying a house in Spain
3:15 How to access the pension when retiring overseas
3:40 The downsides of retiring overseas
4:30 The medical care benefits for retirees
5:00 Overcoming language barriers
5:40 Why older people and retirees are revered in Spain and Europe

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[norahohrt]

Thank you for all the comments, some I have replied to, some made me laugh, a few got up my nose...all good! I am still here five years after this was first made and I am still happy and healthy. This is a great place to live, but a whole lot better if you speak the language and have integrated. I still have no regrets! Norah Ohrt

[ElMomentodeLacer]

Omg I am Spanish!! I feel so proud to welcome this lovely human being❤❤🤗🤗😍

[CameronFussner]

Retirement becomes truly fulfilling when you possess two essential elements: ample financial resources and a meaningful purpose in life. Make prudent investment choices to secure good returns and ensure a comfortable retirement.

[lolalola]

Most people commenting over here don’t get it. Spanish people are far more friendly, generous, sociable than Australian. Your neighbours become friends quickly, the produce, especially vegetables, is so much tastier, our healthcare is not doing that well lately but it is easier to navigate and free, not like in Australia. Housing is cheaper, travelling is cheaper… I love Oz but yes Spain is my future when I retire
By the way, I am originally from Spain but I have lived in Oz (and in other countries) for most of my life. Oz is great for nature, freedom, money…but it is definitely not paradise for non rich retirees or for people with a deep sense of community who have no children

[claudiaturroortega]

Fantastic story and act of bravery. I am from Catalonia, a northern region of Spain, and I can tell that life there can be heart fulfilling. I have been living in Sydney for 8 years and I still miss the vibrant energy from there and how easy it is to talk to anyone ❤

[kevindesira]

Kids respecting old people ! Imagine that happening here. Sounds like paradise.

[LearnSpanishWorld]

I've been to Spain...Loved it...My wife is Australian. She fell in love with Chile and its people and now her and my daughter wantus to move there . I love Australia, but the cost of living and housing is off the roof. Chile is like Spain. So much more affordable and people are extremely friendly, there s a sense of community and you feel part of a community. Australia is such a great place, an amazing country. I love it. I don't want to move, but my wife reckons it's so expensive ...It s like deciding who do you prefer the most, your dad or mum? 🥲

[terryevp]

God Bless this wonderful lady and she is living the great life. Spain is awesome. Take Care

[christopherlaw]

It’s great that she has found her place of peace and happiness ❤

[ommanipadmehung]

We need more of these kinds of stories channel 7!

[Answersonapostcard]

Lots of people don't have the bottle to even do some solo travel, let alone move to a different country. Andalucia is an amazing part of Spain. If you take too much notice of the opinions of others, you'll stay where you are forever and never grow as a person. Most people are held back by the fear of the unknown. Please don't wait until retirement - do it now. If you never try, you'll never know.

[anklebOOtz]

Her pantry looked like enough for me to move there! Wishing Norah continued good health

[AdamSahr-cjkf]

The fact that an elderly Australian with no connections in Spain did not hesitate to leave for good, says a lot about what society and the cost of living have come to in Oz. Median house prices around 1M is not exactly a success story...

[louaceveu]

A Spaniard living in Orange County CA, it seems to me that in Australia the big corporations and financial institutions are tapping into the resources of the elderly like in California. Nursing homes starting from $5, 000 to $6000 a month and assisted living from $8, 000 to $12, 000 month. I predict no thousands but millions of people moving to Spain and Southern Europe because it seems to me that retirees don't provide any more value to this predator Capitalistic system. I am going back to my country for good next year because I know for a fact that the cost of living, health care and nursing homes will be a lot more affordable and I will be treated with a much better dignity.

[AI_admin]

It makes you want to cry, when you see how broken Australia is, and Spain doing the things that matter, well. Insurance of any type should not be a luxury, some people just want a simple life, a good life.

[Bright]

I have loved my decision to retire to Spain from Washington DC, so I understand the rich quality of life Nora is enjoying.

[beltrangarrote]

Spaniard here. Spain is getting lots of love lately which I’m grateful for. Many well-off immigrants setting up camp and bringing their money, however it’s a contributing factor in the Real Estate price rising and house shortages. Just this week our government announced it’s putting an end to the Golden Visa (just like Portugal did a few months). But anyway, I think housing prices is a problem all over the World.

[danielbaldi]

I've been living in Spain half my life (Madrid 24 years) and go back to Australia every year. It's definitely more affordable, you have everything you need, the medical system is amazing, probably best public transport system in the world (yes I've travelled way too much), amazingly fast internet (leaves Australia in the dark ages) the food is fabulous and the social life a total buzz for all ages! I love Australia, but it's true now I call Spain my home 😃. Also the account mentions the exchange rate etc. during the past 24 years it's been pretty constant between Euro and AUD, but what has changed is affordability. Spain is so much more affordable for living, housing and most things 💃

[Manuel]

Beautiful testimony. As Cuban- Spanish I agree the quality of live in Spain is unbelievable. When she will be older there are all facilities for elderly people. Best regards.

[a_bode]

I can sympathize with this lady's story. I am heading towards retirement and, sadly, there's is NO WAY I can retire in Australia after 35years, two careers and PhD.