How to live a life of luxury on a budget: Australian couple move to Croatia and now enjoy a modern home, daily island hopping and spectacular views for just $1,700 per MONTH
- Australian couple Tricia and Shaun Mitchell decided to retire in Europe
- The retirees are living a life of luxury in Europe on just $1,700 per month
- The pair decided to pack up their lives Down Under to relocate to overseas
- The couple are among the expats who are drawn to retirement in Europe
Living the life of luxury on a budget seems like a dream for many.
But for Australian retirees Tricia and Shawn Mitchell, they have been enjoying a luxurious lifestyle, daily island hopping and spectacular views in Europe on just $1,700 per month.
The adventurous couple are among the expats who are drawn to retirement overseas - as International Living Australia reveals the top five destinations of 2019.
The pair decided to pack up their lives Down Under to relocate to the city of Pula, on Croatia's Istrian Peninsula.
Australian retirees Tricia and Shawn Mitchell (pictured together in Santorini) have been living a life of luxury in Europe on just $1,700 per month
'Istria is more affordable, allowing Shawn and I to live comfortably for about $1,700 a month,' Tricia explained.
'It's also less densely populated than Tuscany. And it's diverse. You can spend the morning exploring islands or relaxing at the beach and your evening dining on wild asparagus risotto in a hilltop town.
'You're about 100 kilometres from Trieste and just a four-hour ferry ride from Venice across the Adriatic Sea.
'While Croatian is the official language, young Croatians often speak flawless English and are enthusiastic to practice it with visitors, renting is straightforward and you'll find good-value, long-term rentals here, plus the region's pleasant climate makes it possible to enjoy the outdoors all year.'
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The adventurous couple are among the expats who are drawn to retirement overseas (pictured in Saint-Émilion in France)
The pair decided to pack up their lives Down Under to relocate to the city of Pula, on Croatia's Istrian Peninsula (pictured in Santorini, Greece)
A member of the European Union since 2013, Croatia lies in south-eastern Europe, across the Adriatic from Italy. Indeed, the country shares many similarities with its near neighbour.
Life moves at a relaxed pace in Croatia, not only on the islands, but also on much of the mainland and it's attracting retirees in greater numbers.
Sailboats glide on the glittering Adriatic Sea and on palm tree-lined promenades, residents sip coffee as lavender and rosemary aromas fill the air.
'Istria's scenic interior - dotted with cypress trees and crimson poppies - reminds me of the alluring landscape outside Florence,' says Tricia.
'But Istria and Tuscany are pleasantly different.'
The adventurous couple have been living comfortably for about $1,700 a month in Istria
A new report from International Living Australia explored the top five European destinations in the 2019 Annual Global Retirement Rankings for Aussies to retire to.
For a relatively small continent, Europe has a lot to offer retirees in terms of healthy living, beautiful scenery and, of course, low costs. It's also home to fascinating history, captivating cultures and iconic landmarks.
'It's no wonder so many expats are drawn to the idea of retiring in Europe but can be thrown off by the high prices of its most famous destinations.
'While big cities such as Paris and Madrid may hit hard on the wallet, there are still many alternatives for those seeking the romance of Europe without the eye-watering price tag.
Italy tops the list of European havens, offering an alluring lifestyle and conjuring thoughts of balmy evenings, sipping chilled wine in moonlit palazzos. Even on a modest budget, that dream lifestyle can be achieved in the right places.
A new report from International Living Australia explored the top five European destinations in the 2019 Annual Global Retirement Rankings for Aussies to retire to
For a relatively small continent, Europe has a lot to offer retirees in terms of healthy living, beautiful scenery and, of course, low costs
Portugal, the westernmost country on mainland Europe's Iberian Peninsula, is a rising star on Europe's retirement map.
Spain has become a popular country for Europeans seeking a home overseas and now wandering Aussies are discovering the laidback yet cultured life.
With its reputation for glamour and the finer things in life, leads many people to cross France off their retirement destination list, mistakenly assuming that they could never afford to live there.
Whether you dream of a chic city pied-à-terre or a rambling farmhouse among the sunflowers or a village house wrapped in wisteria-hung memories of long ago, France is far more affordable than you might think.
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