Emigrating at 72

the rules in Spain have changed at both ends. Pension rules
Our neighbour has just gone back to his holiday home to put it on the market
he said that health care treatment is now very hit and miss for Brits
I can't comment on Austria but Spain is no longer the soft option it was

If she asks for your advice be honest, from reading your post I think you support it anyway, if she doesn't ask for advice, when they deicide tell her how happy you are, they have a great attitude to life to try new adventures

New at this
A very difficult decision for your friend to make and, as others say, it has to be her decision but it's nice that she has asked your opinion and there is nothing wrong with discussing the various options/ potential problems with her. As for me I'd up sticks like a shot to be near my daughter and family if I had to.

I agree with others not really your business to post on a public forum but it’s an interesting subject so I ll give my feelings for what I would do I m perhaps too cautious but my thoughts would be what if I get an illness (cancer, heart trouble etc etc) would I want to be in another country where I don’t speak the main language and away from familiar surroundings perhaps in a hotter climate, and my major thought about Austria would be how fair is it to impinge my elderly self with what ever problems old age brings on my son and daughter in laws lives
So from me that would be a no no
Spain maybe? if I was younger, but in my 70 s no I prefer familiarity now, warts and all

But in answer to your original query, offer nothing, she must make her own plans up

Newatthis.
I think it sounds a good idea. Would I advise you carry it out? Then this has to be a family decision who know you better than any GN's.

I would live in Austria for a full year before making any life changing decisions

I would just do long holidays to try it out. We had thought of going to Spain but age etc decided against so for many years we did winter for 2 months then another 6 weeks in Sept. But even that is not what we would do now after a cancer diagnosis. Being older and ill in a foreign country is not something I would cope with with the language issue. Long holidays for us in the dark winter months in sunny Spain ...when we can.

Something different is always a new adventure, and with the added security of her son’s help, I think she could give it ago. I must say though that Austria has a very high cost of living and it would depend on how easy your friend would be able to adapt. I’m sure your friend has asked you for your advice, hence you are posing this question, so I find that some of these answers are quite rude, as though you’re interfering.

I agree with Edith

I suggest you steer well clear of it and offer no advice at all. If it all goes pear shaped either way it will be your fault.

Lots of 'grumpy gran' replies today! Lighten up!!

A move abroad is a very hard decision and really no-one but the person concerned can decide that. On a practical level there are forums where you can ask people who have made such a move about day-to-day living, pensions, healthcare and hear of their experiences good and bad which may help with a decision. I know there is one for Spain so probably there would be something similar for Austria.

I also agree with Edith . Perhaps rent the house out and live there six months to see what she thinks before selling up ? I don’t think your invading any privacy since all the names are coded and you haven’t mentioned her name ! Just hope they enjoy whichever they decide to do !

Try it out first for a few months. I love Austria summer & winter, but I would find it difficult to live there without a good understanding of German. Also after Brexit private health cover is likely to be essential and highly expensive for over 70s.

Azalea99

Why are so many of your responses so judgemental? The OP isn’t asking for advice or suggesting that she would give advice, she is merely asking what you think of the situation.

Azalea99 ... I thought the same!

Azalea99

Why are so many of your responses so judgemental? The OP isn’t asking for advice or suggesting that she would give advice, she is merely asking what you think of the situation.

I was,just thinking the same Azalea99

For what it’s worth, and not exactly comparable, I lived in Germany for 6months in my late 20s, so a long time ago. I was working and spoke reasonable but not exceptionally good German. It wasn’t always easy to navigate social situations even at that age, and would not have liked to be ill or in difficulties there, though to be fair, all the professionals spoke excellent English to the extent that I struggled to practice my German as they wanted to practice English on me. I found it quite an isolating experience, but then, I had no family nearby. People were very friendly on the whole. But officialdom was a nightmare, very rigid and dictatorial, and of course different to what I was used to in the UK. Austria might be a bit more relaxed. But I have to say, I wouldn’t do it now. In your 20s, fools rush in, etc,etc.
In the end, only the person affected will be able to decide. But I quite appreciate why they would want to canvas opinion and experiences widely.
I always wonder, with this type of post, if “asking for a friend” masks a personal query?

So many issues to consider. Amazed a country will allow anyone to immigrate at 72 years.

Gabrielle56

Gabrielle56

Using your logic-why are you on here??

Question to germanshepherdsmum

Because she enjoys being the spectre at the feast and deliberately goes against the grain. It’s what floats her boat.

If I see her name (and one or two others) I just miss it out.

My middle brother is the same and now wonders why everyone avoids him whenever possible.

It's not something we would do Living your life dependent on children is never a good idea

Think she should go for it ! Austria is a lovely country and probably has a better health service now the UK is out of the EU ....I lived in Spain then France for many years ...loved them both BUT with Brexit living in Europe was difficult .....Austria not being in the EU would be easier to live in ....I am sure her son has checked the health insurance aspect, pension aspect , housing and everything else she would need to know if she lived there permanently. Perhaps if money allows a small flat kept in the UK or go live there for six months before deciding ! I love the snow and have been to Austria many times but too cold for me permanently (although they have sufficient heating and triple glazing !) sure the air is purer and life is longer .............good luck !

Newatthis seems to know a lot about her 'friend's' situation. I wonder......

That is for her to decide not you by telling her what people on here say....

I too would say for her and her husband to go for it - keeping a bolthole in the UK too if possible. If it means seeing her grandchildren grow up and being near her son I'd definitely do it. 72 isn't that old and she could have 20 years or more with her family.

What's biting you all today? We often have queries of this kind and discuss them politely, so why these rather odd comments to a poster who is worried about a friend?

Emigrating is a big step at any age, but presumably the people concerned in this case have thought things through before moving to Spain "to try it out".

Why assume that this lady and her husband don't already speak German?

If they want permanent residency in Austria, they will have to learn the language if they cannot already speak it, so language will not remain a problem, as the German tutition for foreigners in Austria is very good.

Emigrating at any age involves finding out about pensions and health care, surely?

Considering how often gransnetters mention the high prices of care homes in the UK, they are not likely to be higher in Austria.

What would concern me more is the fact that these people apparently have two adult children and are contemplating settling with or very near to the one of these. Bit of a slap in the face for the daughter in this case, I would think.

OP you can point out the things that concern you for your friends: pensions, health care, residency permits, language, but that is really all you can do. We can and should admre their courage.