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Debbie
Ward has spent more than 15 years
as a journalist, several as Features
Editor of Travel Trade Gazette.
She now works freelance.
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Relocation
and retirement
Daltons Weekly
A permanent move abroad is many people's dream but choosing
your new home is a much bigger step than choosing your next
holiday. Below we suggest some points to bear in mind.
Local Culture or ex-pat enclave?
Better weather and cheaper living are the top reasons for many
moving abroad, others fall in love with the local food, architecture
and culture.
Do you want to immerse yourself in your new country, learn the
language, live that Year in Provence lifestyle, or would you
break into a cold sweat if you were unable to find PG Tips in
your corner shop? If you fall into the latter category then
you will probably want somewhere with a strong ex-pat community.
If you have children you'll also need to consider the schools
and if any teach in English. Speaking to ex pats will help you
weigh up the pros and cons of any location.
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Good for local culture
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France, Costa de la Luz in Spain, Turkey |
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Big ex-pat communities |
Spain's Costa Brava, Costa Blanca, Costa Dorada and
Costa del sol; the Algarve, Portugal, Dordogne, France.
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English widely spoken |
Cyprus, Malta, Gibraltar and, of course, Florida |
What's it like out of season?
That lively resort with the buzzing bars and all day English
breakfasts may be very familiar from your holidays but have
you been there out of season? Some tourist hot spots shut down
entirely at the end of the summer becoming relative ghost towns.
Do you know enough of the language to make friends locally?
How would you feel when there's no holiday atmosphere? Make
sure you make an off-season visit part of your research or,
better still, rent for a while. If you are planning to set up
a tourism-related business this is even more important - could
locals' custom sustain you through the winter? You may also
need to consider how you'll cope with very hot weather, particularly
if you have health issues.
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Year-round sun destinations |
The Canaries, Cyprus, Florida
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Other year-round tourism |
Northern Italy, Provence, Nice and the Alps in France,
Granada, in Spain |
How will you spend your leisure time?
While everyone looks forward to giving up work forever, it can
be difficult to adjust to the removal of routine and purpose
in retirement. This can be even harder in an unfamiliar place.
Taking up or resurrecting a hobby can help. Do you love hill
walking? Have you always planned to take up golf in retirement,
or learn how to sail? If you've a good idea how you want to
spend your increased leisure time then you can look for a home
near the right environment and facilities.
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Good for activities |
The Algarve, Portugal, Spain, France, Florida and Izmir,
Turkey for golf; Croatia for sailing and walking |
Is it retirement friendly?
If your home abroad is the last home you intend to buy then
use the same checklist you would when looking for a retirement
home in the UK. Does the property have easy access both inside
and out in case you become less mobile? Bungalows or flats with
lifts may be a good bet. Also consider how easy it would be
to maintain and how near it is to local amenities like shops,
doctor and dentist. Is there good public transport if you give
up driving in later years? Are you isolated or do you have the
security of friendly neighbours?
Are you well
connected?
If you want to make regular trips back to the UK and have your
friends and family visit you for holidays, you need to take
the transport connections into account. Airlines have different
schedules for summer and winter and some ferry services between
the Greek islands shut down entirely out of season. No-frills
airlines have certainly made visiting mainland Europe and beyond
cheaper and easier but bear in mind services could be pulled
at short notice if a route becomes unprofitable. If good UK
links are important to you it's best to look for regions with
well established flights with a variety of airlines.
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Well connected locations |
Malaga, Alicante, The Algarve, Palma (Majorca), Pisa |
Further information
The UK based foreign embassies will be able to advise you on
residency, tax and healthcare issues for their countries.
British embassies abroad can give you lists of English speaking
lawyers, interpreters and ex-pat organisations.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office produces leaflets on moving
overseas. Follow the 'Our Publications' link on the Travel Advice
page at www.fco.gov.uk
www.thepensionservice.gov.uk
has information on being paid your pension overseas.
See www.britishexpats.com
for useful blogs and discussion forums.
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