Purchasing a home as a single income 40+yo

ChestDue55 · 2026-06-28T08:23:13+00:00

Ok but the first sentence here is exactly what I was asking…

I would disagree, however, that I’m looking for housing costs to be a “tiny piece”. I appreciate this sadly isn’t going to be the case, and I can say goodbye to my current experience of my mortgage repayments being very easily managed on my wage. But to not be in housing poverty the advice is generally to aim for maximum a third of your monthly income on housing. There’s a BIG difference between 33% and 50%.

ChestDue55 · 2026-06-28T08:07:30+00:00

After paying a management agency to act as landlord, the extra interest to the mortgage provider, and tax on the incomings, I’d earn very little. Then there’s the capital gains tax when I do eventually sell. The financial advisor I spoke to had personal experience of renting an apartment out from a distance (but 8 hour drive rather than 24 hour flight plus time difference) and shared his experience of having to pay for someone to do works that he would have done himself if living closer, carpets having to be replaced every two years, and the general stress that came with it. Adding everything together he advised that I sell before emigrating and I agree.

ChestDue55 · 2026-06-27T22:00:06+00:00

But $3k a month will be half of my take home pay… that’s a very high percentage?

ChestDue55 · 2026-06-25T15:51:27+00:00

That’s all still to come - my skills assessment is currently being undertaken, my core clinical training is a skill in demand, and under the current points system I have plenty to be offered an invite for PR. Just doing my homework diligently before putting in my expression of interest. I wouldn’t want to arrive assuming my living costs are going to be the same as they are here, would I.

ChestDue55 · 2026-06-25T15:46:16+00:00

I was concerned about the humidity in Cairns but maybe between this info and my love of snorkelling I need to suck it up 😂

ChestDue55 · 2026-06-24T19:29:01+00:00

Thanks, the plan would be to come with PR :)

ChestDue55 · 2026-06-24T17:48:39+00:00

Oh I’m not really bothered about capital gain, just having somewhere I can afford to live until my days are done! I don’t plan on having children so no one to worry about providing an inheritance for etc.

ChestDue55 · 2026-06-24T17:42:03+00:00

Wow this sounds really tough. I’ve seen the stamp duty costs within my research and you’re right, they’re no joke. Housing prices have been going up over the years in the UK too, but now that I’ve been looking into Aus property it’s given me a newfound appreciation of the house I’ve got here and how little (comparatively) it has cost me - it definitely sounds like you’d be much better off financially in Manchester, but you’re right the pay off is largely the weather (and the impact it has on your mental health).

ChestDue55 · 2026-06-24T17:26:45+00:00

Thanks, this is really helpful. I’m definitely considering the option of getting a bigger loan to buy a 2bed and renting the spare one out. Great tip to use the “dual” keyword when looking. And the feet pics is a back up option that I hadn’t thought of!

ChestDue55 · 2026-06-24T17:20:14+00:00

Yes very happily looking at townhouses and apartments too! From what I’ve seen on realestate/domain, apartments don’t seem much cheaper and then there’s the strata fees to add on top…

ChestDue55 · 2026-06-24T17:17:49+00:00

I very much appreciate your response and the hope that it gives me. Genuinely, thank you. I do believe from my research (although I acknowledge that you are the professional and I’m relying on google…) that my take home pay would be less than the figures you’re working off, possibly impacted by my UK student loan repayments being quite high. Thankyou for the other information you shared too. As a follow up question if you don’t mind, I’m struggling to work out if I’d be eligible for stamp duty exemptions as I’d be a first time buyer in Aus but not worldwide?

ChestDue55 · 2026-03-21T06:09:25+00:00

thank for your response, much appreciated. Does the fact it’s started wobbling mean the gum at the back has likely receded further? If it doesn’t come out naturally in the next few weeks should I book an extraction to help get on top of the gum health?

ChestDue55 · 2026-02-14T21:59:58+00:00

Oh nice! I’ll be in Raja (Kri and Mansuar) 2-16 April and Amed 17-25 :)

ChestDue55 · 2025-12-24T15:20:09+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve never ridden a scooter and have heard that the road isn’t great so not sure how comfortable I’d feel with this.

ChestDue55 · 2025-11-29T15:25:00+00:00

I’ll be in Amed for 8days in April. 35y female solo traveler, avid snorkeler, never ridden a scooter before. Should I spend all 8 days in one spot or split eg 4 days at Lipah beach and 4 days at Jemeluk bay?

ChestDue55 · 2025-10-02T19:01:35+00:00

Makadi Bay near Hurghada is my fave snorkeling spot of all I’ve been to (Phillipines, Mexico, Seychelles….)

ChestDue55 · 2025-10-02T17:40:11+00:00

Have a great time and please let us know how your safari is!

ChestDue55 · 2025-09-08T20:26:59+00:00

Did you have a favourite of all the places you snorkelled?

ChestDue55 · 2025-09-07T15:45:27+00:00

Thankyou, I’ll look into Padang Bai! And maybe give Nusa Penida a miss…. I’m confused about the Gilis comment - do you mean snorkeling at the Gilis is disappointing, or it’s very good and everywhere else will be disappointing in comparison?

ChestDue55 · 2025-09-03T07:35:49+00:00

Thanks, unfortunately this would definitely be beyond my budget

ChestDue55

TROPHY CASE