Which Country Would You Go to Escape The Cost of Living?

BluebirdV on 11/06/2023 - 10:54

If you were to pick a country to live in and still maintain a high standard of living, which one would it be?

Countries like Türkiye or Argentina come to mind. Inflation has eroded both currencies.

India and Nepal are supposed to have a low cost of living. How about the lifestyle? Mountain climbing appeals there as it would in the other countries mentioned.

Also, how about visa considerations?

I guess being a digital nomad one could keep having an income.

Interested to hear different perspectives.

Travel

Comments

  • Adredocto on 11/06/2023 - 11:36
    +29

    Geographic arbitrage is a powerful thing.
    Understand though your lifestyle will need to change. Even if you've got the finances to live the high life and access all the services, there a huge cultural component to adjust to.

    Nonsensical beauracracy, social norms, foreigners can often never truly integrate, find taking longer, e.g Argentina why do i need to go through 5ppl to pay and bag my groceries?

    Sure Australia had its issues but sometimes it's not until you leave that you really appreciate what we have and the lottery we won simply being born/ living here.

      • miwahni on 11/06/2023 - 23:41
        +16

        Argentina inflation rate year-on-year to April 2023 108% - not exactly helpful if OP is looking to escape the higher cost of living.

        • BluebirdV on 12/06/2023 - 11:12
          +1

          I thought in Argentina you just change money in small amounts as you need it. Then it doesn't erode sitting in a local bank account or under the mattress. The reason it's so cheap for foreigners is because of inflation.

          • surg3on on 13/06/2023 - 09:09

            @BluebirdV: Technically those black market FX places are illegal and the government could put you away (low odds but you are a foreigner and a good scapegoat). The official USD exchange rate isn't great.

      • slipperypete on 12/06/2023 - 13:06
        +6

        As I and others have said, please leave then. We aren't holding you hostage.

      • us3rnam3tak3n on 13/06/2023 - 14:07
        +1

        instead of btching and moaning?

        the irony

  • Ziggy28 on 11/06/2023 - 12:03
    +15

    Malaysia

    • BluebirdV on 11/06/2023 - 14:05
      +1

      What are the reasons you would pick Malaysia? Any particular places there which stand out? It's definitely convenient to return to Australia from there if need be.

        • dukeGR4 on 13/06/2023 - 20:38

          but if Indonesia is so great why did you move out in the first place?

          the internal hatred and racism is so strong with this one i cannot even comprehend.

        • drprox on 14/06/2023 - 12:04

          You are ridiculous

      • schwinn on 12/06/2023 - 17:00
        +2

        Low cost of living, stable democracy, delicious food, great hub for regional travel, strong exchange rate.

        Only downside is the hot and humid weather.

        • MtLs199 on 12/06/2023 - 18:28
          +4

          and they speak english too!

        • Youi2018 on 12/06/2023 - 19:00

          And the hot weather is not even a downside ! Never need to pay for heating , going out at night is great you can just wear a top and pants no need for the 10 layers we need to go out at night in melb .
          You don't need to live in your kathmandu jacket for 6 months. You can throw away all your jacket “s !

        • MakkhiChoos on 13/06/2023 - 13:33
          +1

          You will forever be a non- bhumiputra and second class citizen

          • dukeGR4 on 13/06/2023 - 20:38

            @MakkhiChoos: non-bumiputra and second class citizens only apply if you are Malaysian Chinese or Indians. This does not apply or affect you if you're a foreigner.

            This distinction is necessary in Malaysia because it will decide who gets positive discrimination and receive affirmative action. As a foreigner moving there, why does it bother you?

      • Ziggy28 on 13/06/2023 - 12:00
        +3

        If you pick a state in Malaysia lilke Kuala Lumpur or Penang, and if you're paid in Australian Dollars, it's like what schwinn said. Excellent choice of food, low cost of living, safe environment, rent can be cheap, and not a million miles away from Australia. If you live in Johor Bahru, it's next to Singapore where you can simply cross the border if you wish to visit. But Johor Bahru is not as safe as KL or Penang. But yea, the hot and humid weather :) And most Malaysians are bilingual and can speak English, and Malay or Mandarin. A good and friendly environment if you ask me. I would have also suggested Singapore but the cost of living is crazy high.

    • zombie hunter on 13/06/2023 - 12:41

      It also has second home program so can live there

    • MessyG on 14/06/2023 - 09:38

      My first thought too. Vulnerable to climate change though due to proximity to the equator.

    • drprox on 14/06/2023 - 12:05

      Yep I could live there, diverse, great food, decent transport and cheap surgery :D

    • XxBargainHuntaxX on 14/06/2023 - 22:07
      +1

      My mate moved to Malaysia, does remote programming work. For some reason, he rescinded his Australian citizenship (I didn’t even know that’s a thing you can do) and knocked up his missus, who was there on a study visa. Apparently she failed all her subjects, but they can’t send her back to Sudan pregnant or with a baby for obvious reasons. But because he isn’t an Australian citizen anymore, he’s got no leeway bringing her here either. Odd situation to say the least.

    • FujiFruit on 21/09/2023 - 14:12

      I would love to, but can i just pack up and go and stay for 6 month? or what do i need to do?

  • OMGJL on 11/06/2023 - 12:03

    what about your jobs? will you end up with a job that have similar wages? or will you end up with a job that have less wages but way cheaper cost of living?

    Wages aside, I have a Chinese background and am currently travelling in China for a short period, I find myself loving Australia way more than China at this stage, as I haven't visit China for the past 5+ years and am not used to how everything works here.

    Here is a list of things that you might want to consider:
    1. which side do they drive? I find myself keep checking wrong side when I want to cross the road.
    2. how strictly does people follow traffic rules? Although there are dumb drivers in Australia, but it certainly isn't nearly as bad with less drivers in general.
    3. how crowded is it? does people line up and stuff? (younger people here in China have pretty decent education level so wasn't too bad here except it's kinda messy with more people in the lines)
    4. water quality varies, where I am staying rn have hard waters, we can't drink raw water here, and boiled water taste crap.
    5. how's their education level?
    6. how likely will you get robbed? (at least with surveillance camera literally all over the place, it makes China way safer than most other place including Australia)
    7. Languages?

    • UnternamenBernhard on 11/06/2023 - 16:40

      I would argue Asians are less prone to anti-social behaviour and have far more respect for their elders.

      • [Deactivated] on 12/06/2023 - 13:38
        +13

        That respect doesn't extend to foreigners though. Expect passive aggressive service and unapologetic racism.

        • NickNN22 on 13/06/2023 - 10:06
          +10

          That sounds like how foreigners are often treated in Australia. In my experience, foreigners in Asia on the other hand get treated very well, pedastalled even.

  • orangetrain on 11/06/2023 - 12:18
    +5

    I heard that Australians are going to Germany and Vietnam. I can't find top emigration locations though. Does the gov publish it?

    • UnternamenBernhard on 11/06/2023 - 16:44
      +5

      Vietnam very popular, cheap and very orderly- like Indonesia was under Suharto. Good place to go- government is very hungry to develop.

      • BluebirdV on 12/06/2023 - 11:13

        I have thought about Vietnam but isn't the visa situation difficult?

        • spacemannn on 13/06/2023 - 05:33
          +16

          I'm on vacation in Vietnam right now typing this from my hotel room. It's a beautiful country, the food is amazing, things are affordable with an Aussie salary, people are nice, not Thailand nice, but still nice. Everytime I go for a walk though, it feels like I'm gambling with my life. There is no rhyme or reason to traffic, the locals are born into it and they "get" it. There is no "order" as we're used to, police force is almost non existent which is probably a good thing, I suspect bribes are rampant. Highly recommend going on a vacation here. However, everytime I travel it makes me appreciate how absolutely amazing Australia is. Unless you're rich and can live like the 1% in a foreign country, I don't understand why anyone would leave our amazing country. Every person who knows I'm visiting from Australia wishes they could live there. Then again, I'm an immigrant who's family moved to Australia as a young child, so my appreciation, even during this difficult time in Australia, could be blinded by experiencing what it's like not living in Australia. Besides the housing crisis, I don't see any other country coming close to it multiculturaly, lifestyle wise as well as the diverse scenery from the main cities concrete jungles, to sprawling forests, beautiful coastal area, amazing islands if you have a boat or want to vacation locally, or even the barren deserts if long drives living in a camper is your thing. I even love saying Australia. Australia, Australia, Australia. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

          • ChatCPT on 13/06/2023 - 23:09

            @spacemannn: Amen brother

          • LayG on 14/06/2023 - 00:44

            @spacemannn: Lol I am sure you are joking about lifestyle in Australia. Now there is no one perfect country but considering Australia for lifestyle might be just overboard. You do not need to be mega rich as the 1% to enjoy a foreign country.

    • MakkhiChoos on 13/06/2023 - 13:35

      Germany sounds good. One of the villages.

      China will make Vietnam a hell in coming years.

      • yamahamoto on 13/06/2023 - 19:21

        Why????

        • MakkhiChoos on 16/06/2023 - 12:11
          +1

          Something to do with the sea, dams upstream to their bloodline rivers.

      • ntt on 14/06/2023 - 12:50

        excuse me, sir, you're wrong. China is making Vietnam "a hell" in thousand years, and more to come, so what is your point?

  • Derrick Crane on 11/06/2023 - 12:48
    +2

    Erewhon

  • Top G on 11/06/2023 - 12:49
    +10

    Romania FTW

    • dukeGR4 on 11/06/2023 - 12:50
      +4

      yeah Bugatti is cheaper there too!

    • bewade on 13/06/2023 - 21:33

      I'm currently in Romania for a 3 week holiday as my wife was born here, we're here every summer for a few weeks, since covid most prices have sky-rocketed here and the wages being lower than Australia definitely not Romania for cost of living, I just paid $2.20 a litre for diesel on our way back to bucharest from the countryside, back home in Brisbane diesel is currently $1.90? Clothing brand names are much more expensive like most department stores, clothing markets are the only cheaper option for clothing, a proper caffe coffe is on par with Aus at about $3.90 for a flat white, eating out at a restaurant is not much different in price compared to home in Bricbane City and tips are expected here. The only things i have noticed that are cheaper here are alcohol, public transport, european made vehicles. I love this place and most people under 40 years of age speak English so theres no real language barrier but there's no place like Australia, maybe retirement in Romania is the better option.

    • nobro25 on 14/06/2023 - 10:38
      -1

      Isn't that where the Top G is living?

  • dukeGR4 on 11/06/2023 - 12:49
    +11

    Malaysia, english is widely spoken especially in PJ and KL.

    if you don't earn a local salary you can REALLY live like a king there. Stay around Mont Kiara/Bandar Utama/TTDI, these suburbs are bloody lit… night market, hipster cafes, bars with live music etc.

    see if you are eligible for Malaysia My Second Home program

    • dcep on 11/06/2023 - 14:40
      -1

      You can stay at Genting Amber Court to escape the hot humid weather, whilst enjoying fresh air.

      • skillet on 12/06/2023 - 10:36
        +1

        And enjoy the constant landslide?

      • dukeGR4 on 11/06/2023 - 16:57
        +42

        sir this is Wendys

      • ntt on 14/06/2023 - 12:47

        I am offended on behalf of Malaysian, even though I'm not Malaysian lol

        I'm never been to Malaysia, but in my opinion, besides Singapore, Malaysia has nice street food, good doctors, a lot of things to do there and people can speak English better than most of the other Asean countries,

  • EightImmortals on 11/06/2023 - 12:57
    +1

    The cost of living crisis in Australia explained.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_ABMxDSukE

    10 minutes

    • UnternamenBernhard on 11/06/2023 - 17:06
      -5

      I'd rather not hear ocker-speak for ten minutes especially from some know-all infant vanity afflicted threading surgery addicted shthead.
      I've been around the homeless camps in USA where tertiary educated former house-owners are screwed right over. And not in the bullsht humanties degrees the government uses to hide real unemployment and job-seeker statistics.

      This is where Australia is headed:
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV4wcZDQOP8
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOHJv9w6MkE
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjE5mBXDKIU
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5XIljwl5hI
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXigmmgo1kA
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDGSK-YSem0

      Sinking ship. Woke idiots. Imbecilic science ignoring ecological nutters. Bankers=politicians=bankers. Not good. Serious change required.

      • Thinkscape on 12/06/2023 - 07:58
        +5

        Oh, so it turned from politics criticism to climate denial? You sir should go back to your mum’s Facebook or somewhere.

        • mlburnian on 12/06/2023 - 21:01
          +2

          How’s al gores predictions going? Heard he has some very expensive waterfront properties.

      • MementoMori on 12/06/2023 - 19:58
        +4

        This guy is right. Australia has long been subverted and is slowly being demolished.

        You know all those things conspiracy theorists got right over the last 3 years? They're onto something with this too.

        Those who are doing this instruct you to attack anyone who talks about it.

        • ArjaytheGuy on 12/06/2023 - 20:31
          +4

          What are the things that you thing conspiracy theorists got right over the last 3 years?

          • MementoMori on 12/06/2023 - 21:00

            @ArjaytheGuy: I think they got a lot right about Covid, 15 minute cities, central bank digital currencies, the push to eat bugs, the never ending/increasing immigration, more things

          • tomtom88 on 13/06/2023 - 05:10
            +7

            @ArjaytheGuy:

            • The Wuhan Institute of Virology as the source of the virus. This was racist conspiratard nonsense of a long time. Now, it's what the US government thinks is the source.
            • Vaccines: We were told to get vaccinated in order to protect the vulnerable but the vaccines didn't prevent transmission or infection. The vulnerable are still just as vulnerable as they were before the vaccine rollout.
            • Masks: Considering that the vaccines didn't work as promised, why aren't we still wearing masks? Granny killing is acceptable now for some reason.

            We lost our minds during covid. I for one lost a lot of respect for this country and the people who live here.

            • buckster on 13/06/2023 - 08:18
              +1

              @tomtom88: Don't worry, the loss of respect for the 'out of the closet' tinfoil hatters was mutual

              • tomtom88 on 13/06/2023 - 10:49
                +2

                @buckster: What did I say that made me a tinfoil hatter? I'm just glad that I'm not a plastic liberal who shills for government and big pharma lol.

            • whatgift on 13/06/2023 - 11:13
              +2

              @tomtom88: So there is credible data backing up all those assertions? For instance, is there any data to assert that more people wouldn’t have gotten infected or died without the vaccines?

              Edit: the Covid source wasn’t really a conspiracy theory, it has just never been verified (and still hasn’t). Edit 2: from my research only one of the 18 US agencies in the Intelligence community believes with “moderate confidence” that the virus came from a lab in Wuhan.

              • tomtom88 on 13/06/2023 - 12:30
                +2

                @whatgift: My data is that I'm double jabbed yet I still caught covid from my wife who is triple jabbed. All that "protect the immunocompromised" crap turned out to be nothing but wishful thinking. Getting vaccinated didn't protect anyone but myself and the vulnerable are even more at risk now because very few people are bothering to wear masks.

                is there any data to assert that more people wouldn’t have gotten infected or died without the vaccines

                Where did I claim that the vaccines didn't save lives? lol. Maybe you could address what I actually said? I know that bashing straw men is easier but it makes you look a bit silly.

                the Covid source wasn’t really a conspiracy theory, it has just never been verified (and still hasn’t).

                So a theory about the CCP conspiring to hide the true origins of the virus isn't a conspiracy theory? lmao

                Edit 2: from my research only one of the 18 US agencies in the Intelligence community believes with “moderate confidence” that the virus came from a lab in Wuhan.

                Biden signed a bill that would allow the release of declassified documents related to the origins of the virus. We're still waiting for said documents to be released but here's a quote from Biden when he signed the bill:

                “My Administration will continue to review all classified information relating to COVID–19’s origins, including potential links to the Wuhan Institute of Virology,” he said. “In implementing this legislation, my Administration will declassify and share as much of that information as possible, consistent with my constitutional authority to protect against the disclosure of information that would harm national security.”

                • whatgift on 13/06/2023 - 14:19

                  @tomtom88: Quote: "The vulnerable are still just as vulnerable as they were before the vaccine rollout." - there's not many variations in the interpretation there. Edit: I concede you were mainly referring to vulnerable people not the wider population - it is still a massive generalisation with no conclusive data to support it.

                  That bill you mention does not in any way implicate the Wuhan Institute of Virology, just that it is a potential link. That is in no way definitive, considering the current declassified material does not confirm that link…at all: https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/Unclass….

                  There's a lot of conspiracy posturing going around - choosing specific factual information and anecdotal observation, while excluding key context which completely changes the narrative being presented.

                  • tomtom88 on 13/06/2023 - 16:35
                    +2

                    @whatgift:

                    it is still a massive generalisation with no conclusive data to support it

                    I don't need data to support it, logic is enough. We were told that we needed to get vaccinated in order to stop the spread because being unvaccinated was putting vulnerable people in danger. After we learned that the vaccines didn't stop transmission then logically we can deuce that vulnerable people are still in danger. Yet we all stopped wearing masks and started acting like covid never happened. It's really pretty simple, I'm not sure why you're struggling with this.

                    That bill you mention does not in any way implicate the Wuhan Institute of Virology, just that it is a potential link. That is in no way definitive

                    How could we ever get definitive evidence? Do you expect a CCP confession? And what, is that Biden quote just clickbait?

                    choosing specific factual information and anecdotal observation

                    Anecdotal observation lol. Did the vaccines stop people from transmitting the virus to others? Yes or no.

                    excluding key context which completely changes the narrative being presented

                    Sounds like a mantra. Care to show me where I did that? Look, fear is one hell of a drug. But the majority of Aussies cheered while the police brutalised our brothers and sisters for the heinous crimes of not wearing a mask in public and protesting vaccine mandates. The majority of Aussies were so scared of being infected that they cheered as nurses and teachers were fired for being unvaccinated. In the end, none of it mattered because the vaccines didn't live up to their promise of stopping transmission. I get it, you were scared of losing your loved ones. But that doesn't make your behavior any less shameful.

                    • MementoMori on 14/06/2023 - 01:58
                      +2

                      @tomtom88: Well said tomtom88. To answer your question, even Pfizer came out and said the vaccines don't stop transmission.

                      As you say, the whole premise everyone was (more or less) force jabbed was false from the start.

                      And I agree - all those who cheered this on should be shamed.

              • serpserpserp on 13/06/2023 - 12:30
                +1

                @whatgift: "research"

                • whatgift on 13/06/2023 - 14:20
                  -1

                  @serpserpserp: See my reply above with a link to the only official document I found that was relevant to the OP's assertions.

            • thesilverstarman on 15/06/2023 - 10:02
              +1

              @tomtom88: Source of virus - The source of the virus has not been confirmed, only speculated. The majority of scientists still say that it is not a man-made virus.
              Vaccines - Vaccines do not prevent transmission or infection. They never have, because that's not how they work. They essentially "prime" the immune system so that if you are exposed to the virus, your immune system is ready to fight it, meaning that you are less likely to get a severe infection, less likely to have the virus mutate and less likely to spread it. Vaccines protect society by making it harder for the virus to get a hold, mutate and spread. Those vulnerable are still vulnerable, but the more people that are vaccinated, the less likely the vulnerable are to getting infected, and the less likely new variants are. The only people who thought that vaccines prevented transmission or infection were those who didn't know how vaccines work.
              Masks - masks work. Plenty of research shows that they prevent viruses when worn. That's why they are still worn in hospitals. Go into a cancer centre where people have low or no immunity and observe that everyone wears them.
              Digital currency - For decades, everyone has known that central banks will move towards digital currencies. This isn't new. It will save governments a fortune, make trade easier, and will combat crime. Yes, there are issues, but it's clear that this is the future. So it's not a conspiracy.
              15-minute cities - You may not have noticed, but the world has changed. We are now affected by and deal with things globally. Retail has changed, with online sales now being the norm, and working from home now viable. The majority of people don't need to leave their suburb for most things. Inner city living is spreading to regional areas to combat the loss of retail and offices. If we combat climate change, better public transport is a must, and the idea of 15-minute cities is real.
              The push to eat bugs -this is not a thing. Yes, bugs are more protein and nutrient-dense than equivalent meat products, but the real move is to plant-based food. Bugs may end up being used as an alternative protein source but are unlikely to be in the form of bugs but as processed protein in the form of sausages, nuggets etc. It isn't a push but is just an alternative that can be used to feed people cheaper.
              Never-ending immigration - The world has reached or will soon reach peak population, then will drop, according to official estimates. A Third of the world's population lives in the regions of China and India. It makes sense that these numbers are spread out, and most Western nations are already seeing a decline in birth rates. In order to maintain living standards, we need to keep and even expand our population. If we don't we will see taxation levels decline, which will lead to cuts to services. This is just economics. Once again, we live in a global society, not a national one.

              We didn't lose our minds during covid. Look at the rest of the world and at the number of lives lost. This was a massive disaster. Then look at the number of lives lost here. Our governments saved lives. Hindsight is also great because we know that they didn't need to do some of the things that they did, but at the time, we didn't know this. Information was changing literally daily. All of our governments relied on advice from experts, which was sensible. We have also taken what we have learned and applied it to plans in the event of future outbreaks or disasters. One of these is better integration with other nations and better integration between states. Were our governments heavy-handed? Yes. But they don't govern for individuals. They govern for everyone, and to do that, the rights of the many outweigh individual rights. This gets us back to vaccines. Vaccines work for the society and community. When individuals take it upon themselves to refuse to be a part of this, then they don't get to be a part of that society and community when it puts others at risk. I lost respect for those who thought that their opinions were equal to those of the experts, and who thought that their opinions should be held as being equal to facts. When you don't even understand how vaccines work, then you don't get to have your opinions heard on them. The only good thing was that we got to see who the idiots were, and hopefully, there is a database with all of their details recorded so that in the event of a major issue, they can be rounded up and locked away for both their own benefit and for the rest of societies.

              • whatgift on 15/06/2023 - 17:21

                @thesilverstarman: Wow, awesome well-thought-out and logical response, pretty much bang on with my thoughts - I wish I could express them as well as that!

              • tomtom88 on 16/06/2023 - 13:25
                -1

                @thesilverstarman:

                The source of the virus has not been confirmed, only speculated. The majority of scientists still say that it is not a man-made virus.

                So that Biden quote I gave was just clickbait? Does Biden have former BuzzFeed staff writing his speeches?

                Vaccines - Vaccines do not prevent transmission or infection. They never have, because that's not how they work.

                So why all of the talk of stopping the spread? Why were we encouraged to get vaccinated for the benefit of others? Or are you denying that that happened?

                Those vulnerable are still vulnerable, but the more people that are vaccinated, the less likely the vulnerable are to getting infected

                How does that work when we remove attendance limits on gatherings? When we're allowing thousands of people to attend mask-free music festivals? Are the vulnerable still less likely to be infected? How does that work, exactly? Are one thousand maskless but vaccinated people who are attending a large gathering more dangerous or less dangerous than a single unvaccinated person? How about 100? How is the risk in those scenarios measured, oh man of science? If it's not zero then what is the justification for letting people die today?

                The only people who thought that vaccines prevented transmission or infection were those who didn't know how vaccines work.

                Nice! This is what the kids are calling "retconning" now, isn't it? Do I really have to dig up two year old articles to have you admit that this is how the vaccines were sold to us? Really?

                Masks - masks work. Plenty of research shows that they prevent viruses when worn.

                I didn't say that they didn't. But why aren't they still being worn today? It wasn't an huge inconvenience so why aren't people still saving lives?

                Digital currency - For decades, everyone has known that central banks will move towards digital currencies.

                I love crypto. Not sure what it has to do with this.

                15-minute cities

                Huh?

                The push to eat bugs -this is not a thing.

                Cool. Not sure what this has to do with my comment either.

                Never-ending immigration

                Cool story, bro. I didn't say anything about immigration.

                We didn't lose our minds during covid.

                lmao

                Look at the rest of the world and at the number of lives lost. This was a massive disaster. Then look at the number of lives lost here. Our governments saved lives.

                I didn't say that it didn't. But why did we stop? Did we save all of the lives that were worth saving?

                When individuals take it upon themselves to refuse to be a part of this, then they don't get to be a part of that society and community when it puts others at risk.

                When did "we" decide that? Is that in our constitution? Was this a survey that I missed, like the gay marriage one?

                I lost respect for those who thought that their opinions were equal to those of the experts, and who thought that their opinions should be held as being equal to facts. When you don't even understand how vaccines work, then you don't get to have your opinions heard on them.

                Who are these experts you speak of? TV paediatricians who haven't worked in medicine for decades? Are these the "experts" who have you hanging on their every word?

                hopefully, there is a database with all of their details recorded so that in the event of a major issue, they can be rounded up and locked away for both their own benefit and for the rest of societies.

                That sounds like some sick and twisted sexual fantasy. Yes, you definitely lost your mind during covid and that line there is the proof clear as day. Imagine saying that about any group of people at any other point in history. You have completely lost the plot. I suspect that you will grow out of this phase long before any wrong-thinkers are rounded up.

              • whatgift on 17/06/2023 - 07:28

                @thesilverstarman: The response to your post is exactly why I stopped responding - sometimes it’s just not worth it.

      • ChatCPT on 13/06/2023 - 23:12
        -3

        Who is this loser?
        Sick of seeing his name and comments and negs! Ruining my reading flow

  • WreckTangle on 11/06/2023 - 13:40
    -1

    Fiji

  • 2jzzzz on 11/06/2023 - 13:57
    +13

    Regional Australia. Get out of capital cities and live life

    • UnternamenBernhard on 11/06/2023 - 17:08
      +17

      Where? Places like Rosedale trying to sell their country house for $800,000? Wagga median house price 3 bedrooms= 640,000?
      Australia sucks now. Anything else is merely pandering and apologist.

    • ForkSnorter on 12/06/2023 - 07:02
      +15

      I moved out of a capital city. It’s changed my life massively. Don’t think I’ve ever experienced real happiness before. There was always this nagging anxiety and dissatisfaction with my surroundings. Can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner.

      Houses are much cheaper but lifestyle is better. I can walk to the beach in 3 mins. In the morning I don’t hear cars, I hear birds chirping. I can park right outside the supermarket. Don’t need to remember where I parked and walk for ages through a concrete shopping centre just to buy groceries. Neighbours are nicer. More things to do. No queues. No traffic jams. More nature. Feels like an actual community.

      • Thinkscape on 12/06/2023 - 07:58

        Any recommendations?

      • The tiger on 12/06/2023 - 08:09
        +2

        Where is that heavenly/Eden garden place you are now ? How is the cost of living there?

        • ForkSnorter on 12/06/2023 - 09:10
          +1

          I wouldn't call it heavenly. I'm just comparing it to where I used to live. There are other places on the coast I would prefer to live, but can't afford. If I was super-rich, I'd probably buy a mansion on the beach just outside Sydney, Melbourne or on the Gold Coast. But not going to happen in this lifetime.

        • cadwalader on 13/06/2023 - 12:19
          +3

          There is always a trade of to fewer work-in-office opportunities. I made such a move, large regional city-town something like Ballarat or Toowomba, loving it but I have accepted that my career will not go as far as my peers in the bigger cities, I will also make a bit less. In some industries, expect to make a lot less. There is a lot less pressure to perform and a lot less competition though.

          Cost of living is about 10 to 15% lower because I bought a house that was more than half as cheap. Everything else is largely similar, FnB maybe a tad higher because there are no international students to exploit. Less petrol because I'm less than 10 minutes from my office. More free outdoor activities, fewer cultural stuff like theatres and music festivals. The time-cost-of-living is much lower too. No queues, no traffic, I wake up at 830 and back before 5.

          Not referring to you here but its always funny watching high income Sydneysiders/Melbournites complain about how Australia is such a 3rd world shithole with a high cost of living, immediately jump to leaving the country but refuse to consider moving anywhere else in Australia.

      • MementoMori on 14/06/2023 - 18:32
        +1

        So in other words, if Melbourne and Sydney wasn't flooded with massive third world migration (with these numbers set to accelerate), it would still be great?

        • ForkSnorter on 15/06/2023 - 07:11
          +1

          They are already great. But I can’t afford to live in the nice areas.

          • MementoMori on 15/06/2023 - 19:12
            +1

            @ForkSnorter: My personal view is Melbourne has or is in the process of being ruined. 45 minutes to drive or PT from Southside to Northside. House prices are crazy. Traffic is crazy.

      • UnternamenBernhard on 15/06/2023 - 07:22

        Care to quote some actual sources rather than anecdote and hearsay? Show me the housing price list medians for these tree-change sea change paradises.
        "Don’t need to remember where I parked and walk for ages through a concrete shopping centre just to buy groceries. Neighbours are nicer. More things to do. No queues. No traffic jams. More nature. Feels like an actual community'"
        Sounds like quite the emotionally appealing commune. Good for you, hope you have fire insurance for the bushfires because they don't backburn or bulldoze firebreaks anymore.

        • ForkSnorter on 15/06/2023 - 07:42

          Care to quote some actual sources rather than anecdote and hearsay? Show me the housing price list medians for these tree-change sea change paradises.
          "Don’t need to remember where I parked and walk for ages through a concrete shopping centre just to buy groceries. Neighbours are nicer. More things to do. No queues. No traffic jams. More nature. Feels like an actual community'"

          I'm describing my experiences here so don't need sources. In regard to prices, look at houses that are 3 mins walk to the beach in Sydney and Melbourne, then you'll see what I mean.

          Hope you have fire insurance for the bushfires because they don't backburn or bulldoze firebreaks anymore.

          No forests near here. It's not like I'm in the mountains or something. I'd call it a very large town.

    • Ultimate Gattai on 12/06/2023 - 15:21
      +5

      I'd caution people to do their due diligence here, I live in what was once a quiet regional town, the population has almost doubled in size during the past 6 months, even the real estate agents are surprised (House prices have shot up massively too, I can't believe we has so many 1/2 a million houses or close to it). Now it's always busy and crowded between 9am and 6.30/7pm, we really could have done with another shopping center, plus the council reduced the number of parking spaces when they gave the town a face lift (it was a bad idea initially, worse idea now). We also lost a doctor and their practice, so there's alot of patients without a doctor atm, I don't even know where people are getting doctors and jobs now.

      I'm not saying don't move out into a regional town, just pick carefully where your going to live, especially if you want a cheaper/quieter lifestyle.

    • christopher8827 on 13/06/2023 - 11:14
      +1

      Which regional town? Checked out Albury and there was so many downsides like a lack of fast connections to capital cities - unless you like spending heaps on infrequent flights. There's no social / night life, jobs are mostly retail or hospo, having a car is mandatory, and its mostly retired folks living there.

      • serpserpserp on 13/06/2023 - 16:23
        +1

        having a car is mandatory,

        This is for every town smaller than a capital city. Even then, in places like Darwin, Adelaide and Canberra you are probably going to want to have a car.

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