Jacko's right about everything.
...But a lot depends on your age!
For me I came here as soon as I could retire... 55! Though I got here a few months before that birthday.
I sold up when the house price was at it's zenith, luckily!
Burnt all bridges. Still, don't really need to touch my capital. Pension and even reduced interest do me OK.
I catered for Health,Gym,Cable TV,Car insurance & Car Tax and flights..........They are my only large bills.
I get flights from London to Brisbane where my son lives,with stop-overs here for as long as I want (on the way to Oz and stops on the way back)....... Works out cheapest.
My 'Kit'....included: 1. A 1 bed condo. Paid cash with the £ @69 to the bhat
2. A Car ditto
3. Golf clubs,Squash,tennis, and Racket-Ball rackets.
4. Good camera,and Sound system.
5. My Martin guitar
6. I also brought from UK all my CDs without cases as back-up to my ipods and
selected photos. About 20 books that I couldn't throw away.
I was very lucky with exchange rates and selling up before the crash.
I live on 4000 bt a day and that pays everything,including all bills except flights. I STAY single.
Only you know your financial situation,if that's ok your gonna be fine and have a great life....... A lot better than UK or OZ.
I don't miss my house of 25 yrs,or anything that was in it. Throwing all that stuff away and being glad to be free of it is liberating.