An Expat Talks about Retiring in Nagykanizsa, Hungary

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Nagykanizsa

Why did you choose to retire abroad?

Difficulty being able to live on the Australian Old Age Pension.

Why did you choose the country you retired to?

My husband qualifies for citizenship.

Are you retired abroad all year or part of the year?

All year.

Did you ever live abroad before you retired abroad?

Yes.

How long have you lived abroad since you retired abroad?

2.5 years.

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How many countries (other than your home country) have you lived in as a retiree?

None

What have been the most challenging aspects of being retired abroad?

Language/communication, cultural expectations.

What have been the most rewarding aspects of being retired abroad?

Financial security; interesting lifestyle and culturally rewarding.

What would you do differently if you were just starting the retire abroad process?

Prepared more fully. We made the decision and began the process very quickly. We could have been more thoughtful and done more research. But no regrets about all that really.

What is life like for a retiree in your city and its surroundings? (Is there an active expat community? Cultural Attractions? Recreation? Nightlife?)

Life here is lovely - the weather is kind too. Our demands are low so far as recreation and nightlife go and there is no active expat community close by.

What residency documents or visas did you need to obtain to retire in your host country? How difficult was this process? (Please describe)

The rules changed about my citizenship rights while we were en route. We expected to have no problems with that because we'd been married a very long time but now I have to be a resident for 5 years and pass a test before citizenship is granted. The documentation was not an easy road and would not have been possible if my husband was not fluent in Hungarian. We had some challenges getting his Hungarian passport too but we were all set within the first year.

Did you buy a home or apartment, or rent one? Is this a difficult process? (Please describe)

We rented initially - we were lucky with our landlord but the process was easy. We have now purchased an apartment in a complex of 8 - the professionals were very helpful and it was not difficult at all.

Financially, has living abroad in your host country met your expectations? Exceeded them?

Our expectations were met. We now feel financially independent.

What are the most important financial considerations for retiring to your host country?

We were not very savvy with bringing our nest egg here and were fleeced royally by the Australian bank - my advice would be to transfer your funds in your own currency to be held in your new accounts in your target country and insist that you do not require conversion to local currency.

How much can a retiree live on comfortably in your host country?

The Australian pension allows us to live comfortably here.

Do you have access to quality medical care? (Please describe - is it close? Expensive?)

There is not much in the way of quality local medical care in Hungary - medicine practiced here is fairly old-fashioned compared with Australia. The public system is fairly good but specialists there require under-the-table payment. The private practitioners are fairly expensive. The standards of specialists is on a par with Australia's standards.

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Is there a lot of crime where you live? (Please describe)

There is very little crime here - the general feeling is friendly, neighbourly and helpful.

Describe available transportation where you live. Do you need a car? Is there access to safe public transportation?

Public transportation is plentiful and cheap - free for retirees. We are connected via a toll freeway, direct bus routes and train routes to anywhere we might want to go. We have a car luckily and can afford to run one here.

Is there high-speed internet access where you live?

Internet access and speed is good here.

Do you have any other thoughts you would like to share about retiring abroad?

Keep an open mind ... cultural differences are always a challenge.