Retirement brought 2.45 million yuan to the countryside for "low-cost retirement". The 68-year-old couple moved only half a year ago and exposed the heavy price

For the elderly, retirement migration should not only focus on whether the scenery is beautiful and the environment is quiet, but shopping, medical treatment and transportation conditions must also be evaluated in advance. (Diagram, Reuters)

[Financial Channel/Comprehensive Report] It is the dream of many people to move to the countryside and buy a house after retirement, stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a low-cost life. A 68-year-old couple in Japan received a monthly annuity of 240,000 yen (approximately NT$49,000) and used their retirement money to buy a Totsuten house in the countryside. They thought they could finally live a leisurely life. However, half a year after moving in, they were disrupted by problems with purchasing, medical treatment and house maintenance. They even began to worry about whether they could continue to live in the house in the future.

Japanese media reported that 68-year-old Takao (pseudonym) and his 67-year-old wife Noriko (pseudonym) used to live in a two-bedroom apartment in Tokyo, with a monthly rent of 130,000 yen (approximately NT$27,000) and a yearly expenditure of 1.56 million yen (approximately NT$320,000). When Takao retired at the age of 65, he received a pension of 16 million yen (approximately NT$3.27 million). The couple's annuity income totaled about 240,000 yen per month. Considering that they would still have to pay rent for a long time after retirement, the two decided to buy a medieval single-family house about an hour and a half by train from the city for 14.8 million yen (approximately NT$3.03 million).

After paying for the house purchase, related handling fees and moving expenses, he still retains approximately 12 million yen (approximately NT$2.45 million) in financial assets. When they first moved into their new home, the couple was quite satisfied. Flowers were blooming in the courtyard, and they could hear birds chirping when they opened the windows. Living away from the sound of urban traffic made them feel that their decision was the right one.

However, half a year after moving in, the inconveniences in life gradually emerged. Although there are small shops near my home, I still have to drive about 15 minutes to the supermarket to buy daily ingredients. Even if I just forget to buy a bottle of milk, I still have to drive out. Medical treatment is also inconvenient. The medical specialties provided by nearby clinics are limited. If you want to see the specialists who regularly treat you, you must transfer to trams or buses. Although Takao is used to driving, his wife has not driven for many years, and she begins to worry that if her husband is unable to drive in the future, it will be difficult for the two of them to maintain their daily lives.

The courtyard life that I originally looked forward to has gradually become a burden. Planting vegetables in spring can be fun, but in summer, weeds grow rapidly, and it sometimes takes half a day just to weed. They also have to deal with pest problems. In autumn, the couple even hires a business owner to prune the trees in the courtyard, paying an extra 40,000 yen (approximately NT$8,176).

For the Takao couple, although they no longer have to pay rent after buying a house, fixed asset taxes, house repair costs and car maintenance costs still exist. Takao said frankly that he originally thought life would be much easier if he no longer had to pay rent, but after taking into account the costs of car replacement and house repairs, he realized that things were not as simple as imagined.

At present, the couple has no plans to sell the house, but is adjusting their lifestyle first, including rearranging the yard, reducing the maintenance burden, and switching to home delivery services for daily purchases. In addition, they have also begun to investigate local bus routes and taxi usage methods to prepare for the situation where they may not be able to drive in the future. Takao said that the couple really likes the quiet living environment now, but whether they can continue to live here for 10 or 20 years still needs to be carefully considered.

The report pointed out that when you move to the countryside to buy a house after retirement, in addition to the purchase price, you must also consider whether there are supermarkets, medical institutions and public transportation nearby, and whether you can maintain daily life when you are unable to drive in the future. House repairs, yard maintenance and car expenses are also costs that must be included in planning before retirement. Otherwise, the leisurely retirement life you originally expected may become a new burden.