The number of Brits moving abroad has gone up by 50% in just one decade and the reasons for this are all too clear. An Englishman’s home was once his castle but this no longer seems to apply, unless, of course, you mean in terms of fortification!
Soaring prices, spiraling debt, rising interest rates and a seemingly ineffective government are all contributory factors for this mass exodus with expats seeking a better quality of life, a lower cost of living and more reliable weather. With large numbers of immigrants continually arriving in Britain, there is increasing concern that public services and systems will be unable to cope with the number of people needing them.
In 2005, the difference between the number of people emigrating abroad and those arriving in the UK was 185,000 (globalvisas.com);
Escalating crime and yobbish behaviour is inescapable in towns and cities nationwide. The saying - ‘safe as houses’ - seems less relevant than ever before. But surely, when the sun comes out, the place looks a little rosier? Well, in 2007, the great British summer has been short to say the least. Large parts of the country were deluged with torrential rains and when the sun did put his hat on it (albeit briefly), public services seemed to pack up, strike or generally fall into disarray. If it is not crime or the weather that Brits are worrying about, there’s HIPS, housing shortages and credit card debt which are doing little to boost the nation’s morale. And, with great white sharks reportedly lurking off the Cornish coasts, now has to be the time to take the plunge into calmer waters!
The figures regarding relocation successes speak for themselves, as droves follow in their footsteps. Another Brit leaves the UK every three minutes according to the Institute for Public Policy Research. Globalvisas.com, a visa consultancy firm, is reporting a 400% increase in enquiries for visas to destinations including Australia and Canada this year. In fact, more Brits now live abroad than the combined total of foreign nationals living in the UK!
Adrian Duggan, Managing Director of Eden Properties Cyprus, has no regrets about leaving the UK: “To truly live life, you need to appreciate all that it offers in a stress free environment;
Costa del Sol resident for 25 years, Paula Falvey, reminisces: “For me, moving abroad meant a quality of life that I could never have in England. I was able to bring my children up in a less violent country where children are welcome everywhere. Put all the facilities together with a wonderful climate and we are all living a privileged lifestyle. Also, my children have a higher respect for other cultures as they have grown up mixing with children from all over the world.”
Still not convinced? Well, here’s some facts and figures for you.
* The Brits are much more likely to be victims of serious crime than the citizens of any of the industrialised nations. (The Times)
* The highest levels of assaults in Europe take place in the UK and there is a greater risk of street robbery there than in the United States. (The Times)
* Politicians battle to convince us that crime levels are dropping but overall crime has risen under this government, and violence has soared. (The Times)
* UNICEF awarded the UK bottom place in a league table for child well-being across 21 industrialised countries. (The Times)
* The number of Brits who own a home abroad has increased by 45% between 2004 and 2006, according to market research company Mintel. (The Times)
The time is right to take the plunge and purchase property overseas. Whether Spain suits with its glorious sunshine, France with its fabulous food or America with its world class amusements, Propertymartoverseas.com is the perfect search tool. With around 80,000 properties displayed from a range of over 700 agents in over 70 countries, you’ll not only be spoilt for choice but will find your property overseas with ease.
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Gary Heginbottom, Group CEO of Propertymartoverseas.com, said: “Propertymartoverseas.com is the ideal place for your overseas property search. Our website offers a comprehensive guide to the process of buying abroad and country information with properties listed in 74 countries and 80,000 properties just waiting to be viewed. Based on the sunny Costa del Sol, we are, as a business and as expats, passionate about living overseas. Along with an estimated 750,000 Brits throughout Spain and 5.5million worldwide, we have no regrets and in all aspects have embraced the country we now live in and all of its wonderful qualities.”
Notes to Editors:
For more information on Propertymartoverseas.com, for interviews or other press purposes, please contact:
Ian Clover - Web Editor (00 34) 952 880 437 iclover@propertymartoverseas.com
Alex George – New Business Development Director (00 34) 952 880 437
Gary Heginbottom – Group CEO (00 34) 952 880 437