Sea change or tree change? That's the question many retirees ask.
But what if the answer was both?
In the YourLifeChoices 2019 Ensuring financial security in retirement survey, we asked our 230,000 members where they would like to retire and why.
Some of the 3500 survey respondents felt the call of the coast, or the whisper of the trees, but it was one particular capital city that attracted the most interest.
And not the ones you may be thinking about.
No, it wasn't Melbourne and the pull of its café culture. It wasn't Sydney's sparkling harbour and surrounds. It wasn't even the sunny climes of Queensland.
It was Adelaide.
The Festival State was deemed by over-55s to be Australia's most liveable city for retirees.
Why?
Great facilities topped the list, closely followed by affordability and the fact that it was smaller and quieter than the major capital cities yet still offered a quality lifestyle and all the entertainment one could want in retirement.
YourLifeChoices members think South Australians are friendly, the weather is good and they would feel safe living there.
They told us:
"It's a city with an international airport, low cost of living, low crime rates and good facilities."
"It's a small city with big city facilities."
"I love Adelaide. Easy to commute and country and sea are very accessible."
"Not too big, less financial pressure than eastern states and easy to get around."
"Safe, good climate and has great amenities."
"Adelaide has all the services and facilities of a larger city, but is not part of the 'rat race'."
"It's like living in a big country town with the best features of the countryside and city, side by side."
"Small walkable city with a full range of social amenities, arts culture, education and health services."
"It is a small capital city and has many services for the aged."
Publisher Kaye Fallick says:
"Leaving your community is often the worst retirement strategy ever; most retirees are happy to age in place and those in Adelaide are the happiest of all."
