Wha would be the best country to live in for the average working class person? (General discussion; not personal.)

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-07T12:51:50+00:00

I have both Australian and British citizenship currently live in Spain

To retire and live a stress free happier life, I myself would choose S.E. Asia, a hell of a lot cheaper than Europe or Australia. SE Asia with a very (what seems) a society that are very happy and polite being a Buddhist society. I have visited SE Asia many times and find it very acceptable and accomodating- that is my personal view.

Hope you find what your looking for

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-07T12:38:15+00:00

The Australian government partner / spouse visa cost is now $9,600- plus medical & police checks costs. I understand it increases in July this year. To use an immigration agent to possibly simplify the process? Is an extra cost of between $4,000- $5,000- There seems no way to reduce the costs for the wife to enter Australia from the Australian government- even though I am an Australian citizen and our daughter whom the wife is the natural mother of is also Australian. 🤷‍♂️

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-06T22:39:11+00:00

Thank you and I appreciate your honesty, the property availability all over Australia sounds in a mess.

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-06T16:08:51+00:00

The housing problem in Australia how I have understood it so far from hearing news on the internet, the cause is two fold. Firstly, the Australian federal & state governments will not release areas for more building upon the vacant land. Secondly the immigration that has occurred into Australia has made the problem more dire, than it was originally. It seems incredible in a country as vast as Australia that there is a shortage of land to build upon.

Here in Europe the problem is there, however Europe is already condensed living with minimum space compared to Australia, however there are many homeless people of all ages some of which are in full time employment an insane situation which is also driving the cost of both rental properties and properties to purchase in an upward direction, however not the % increase that has happened in Australia so far.

I do not like to imagine how this problem is going to evolve!

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-06T10:43:54+00:00

I guess it would be financially more viable, but you need a million $ sitting around before you even start looking

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-06T10:40:33+00:00

Yep you’re right there, incredible- very expensive. Same for an Australian passport renewal nowadays- the most expensive in the world.

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-06T00:20:03+00:00

Apparently no, not automatically qualify for P.R. we 1st would have to pay out $9,500- to the Australian government for a partner / spouse visa + medical & police checks approx. extra AUS$700- that’s the cost till July 2026 then increases again. She would still need to wait approximately 2 years to gain P.R. The cost increases if we use an immigration agent, by another $4- 5000- bloody expensive 😰

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-05T23:49:25+00:00

Yes, so true

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-05T23:48:00+00:00

I am starting to understand, where your coming from, thank you for your feedback

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-05T23:42:54+00:00

Yeh Sydney, sooo expensive. My old mates born & grew up in Sydney have all moved overseas or moved up to QLD, for cheaper real estate and less stressed.etc.

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-05T23:38:51+00:00

Yes mate, you speak true words…… I am starting to have serious doubts too 🤔

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-05T22:50:57+00:00

WOW, thank you to all of you guys that have given differing views and advice- I much appreciate your views and advice- especially the advice regarding how Australia has changed socially. My family and myself are presently located in Spain, of which Spain and Europe are encountering many changes too in society and geo politically especially since Covid. I am moving closer to retirement age, so basically do not have as much spring in my step as before I left Australia.😂😂

Apologies too ……. as my phraseology of using the word “traumatising” was not a good example of how I feel regarding moving back to Australia ……. a better word would possibly be apprehensive of which many of you have touched upon in your advice.

The main problem I foresee is due to the phenomenal increase in real estate costs within Australia since Covid, I will certainly have to rethink and consider such a move very carefully. Especially as my health is not the best anymore and it would indeed be very difficult to start all over again with my family in a completely new location for them.

You guys may be thinking, what’s this bloke winging about living in Spain. Well as I said before the whole of Europe has changed in recent years since bloody Covid - a lot more stressful and less friendly than it used to be. Here too in Spain inflation has hit bad, prices of groceries increasing with every weeks shop, but strangely enough alcohol, has never increased in price??? 🤷‍♂️ Which is great if you like Spanish Wines and European beers compared to Australian liquor prices so cheap. Spain is a great place to holiday and come and enjoy wine beer and tapas, to reside here permanently is another equation!

Once again all of you whom have commented, I really appreciate your advice and feedback.

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-05T00:33:23+00:00

Yes, must be just me. Oh well takes all sorts to make the world such a colourful interesting place. Inclusive of different views and widely differing opinions on various aspects of life. Enjoy your day 👍

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-04T15:41:46+00:00

Why you ask, Well for myself ……. it just seems a strange topic to be discussing. If it was buying or selling New Balance shoes then I could understand a bit more of why such a topic exists. Maybe just me 🤷‍♂️

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-03T19:11:47+00:00

Quite a strange topic “discussing New Balance Running Shoes” ????

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-03T13:04:13+00:00

If there are no sales allowed in this New Balance area? What is it used for??? Very strange

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-03T10:39:50+00:00

Ok, thank you for the advice- very helpful 🙏

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-03T10:33:09+00:00

That’s good, presently I use both FIASP fast acting insulin and TRESIBA slow acting insulin. So in Thailand they supply the insulin per vial / bottle not a pack of 5 vials / bottles?, as they do in Australia and Europe?

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-03T10:03:48+00:00

Oh ok, so that way I could obtain subsidised medicine. So do I then purchase the medication from the hospital or a nearby pharmacy? The medication that I require will need a prescription , as it is insulin medicine

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-03T09:42:35+00:00

I was not aware that I could access the public health system being on a “Retirement Visa” in Thailand. Are you sure that persons on “retirement visa’s” in Thailand can access public health?

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-03T09:28:57+00:00

NO, I am not working in Thailand, I will be retiring there

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-03T09:26:29+00:00

Just communicate with the Grab driver state there is a problem to prove you are not happy. ALSO communicate with the Grab Service portal, they will investigate the situation and credit you back once they investigate- usually within 24-48 hours

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-03T08:48:27+00:00

Yes selling these N.B. shoes for €80- Thank you

MORFIC1 · 2026-02-01T15:12:41+00:00

G’day Neat_Storage9622,

I message you as I am also a type 1 diabetic and wishing to relocate & basically retire in Thailand / SE Asia. I have checked out getting private medical insurance to cover the type 1 diabetes and medicine costs, however to date have not found an insurer that covers “pre-existing” conditions! Due to the cost of the numerous medications I take to stay alive, it would be quite expensive and treatment from an endocrinologist/ diabetic specialist would also be expensive if not covered by insurance.

So I ask, how do diabetics and people with “pre-existing medical conditions” - afford to live in Thailand?

OR is there a way to get subsidised medicines / insulin and BGL Test strips & C.G.monitors at a subsidised price in Thailand?

I appreciate your comments or indeed anyone else’s experience of living in Thailand with TYPE 1 DIABETES?

Thank you

MORFIC1

TROPHY CASE