Survey finds Spain is where British expats are happiest

January 24, 2012 – 10:25 pm

Brits happiest in Tenerife and Spain says survey

British expats are happiest in Spain, followed by Canada and Germany, according to new research which also examined their cost of living and financial well being.

The survey by Lloyds TSB International also found that overall British expats are far happier in their adopted countries than in the UK.

Overall, 68% of those asked said that they felt happier where they were than in the UK, although for certain countries this figure was much higher. Spain ranked number one for expat happiness, with over three quarters, 75.9%, of Brits living there saying they are happier than back at home. Germany also rates highly on the happiness scale with 71% saying they are happier than in the UK.

Source: ExpatForum.com

By Angela | Posted in Economy, General, Health, Holiday, Property, Tenerife, Things to Do, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

No place like home?

December 21, 2009 – 4:30 pm
The strong euro has changes plans for those living and wishing to live in Tenerife and Spain

The strong euro has changes plans for those living and wishing to live in Tenerife and Spain

It seems there really is no place like home. New research has discovered that UK expats are returning home in their droves as the weak pound has sent the cost of living in the Eurozone soaring.Over the last year, there has been a huge rise in the number of expats living in Europe looking to return home to the UK.

Research  for home-movers, has seen an uplift in demand for removal quotes from those expats wanting to relocate back to the UK – a big turnaround from the exodus of Brits in recent years to enjoy warmer climes and cheaper property prices elsewhere. The number of people requesting quotes to move to the UK has increased by 37 per cent, while there has been an 18 per cent decline in the number of people moving from the UK to the continent in the space of a year

Spain has  seen an exodus in the past year, with a 39 per cent increase in the number of quotes to move to the UK. Traditionally the most popular haven for British expats seeking to retire in the sun, Spain has suffered from a devastating property crash, leaving many owners with depleted equity and high living costs due to UK pensions being paid in pounds not euros.

Many expats have had their dreams shattered by the current economic crisis and are finally realising that they can no longer afford to live in Europe with the weak pound. For those who kept their options open by retaining a property in the UK the situation is not so desperate but for many who sold up completely and are now unable to sell their European home, their only option is to rent back in the UK.

We have seen a sharp decline in the number of people moving out to the continent in the past twelve months as a result of the weakening pound and stretched finances in the UK. This has resulted in many would-be expats putting their aspirations of retirement in the sun on hold until the markets recover.

By Angela | Posted in Economy, General, Holiday, Inspirational, Miscellaneous Articles, Property, Tenerife, Things to Do, Uncategorized, Weather | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)

British Expats gain better quality of life and are financially better off

July 26, 2009 – 1:09 pm
British Expats enjoy a better quality of life in Tenerife

British Expats enjoy a better quality of life in Tenerife

British expats who have moved abroad are gaining a better quality of life and becoming financially better off.

That’s the view found by the latest NatWest International Personal Banking Quality of Life Index, carried out in conjunction with the Centre for Future Studies.

They surveyed British expatriates from across the world and discovered that, despite the global economic downturn, 98 per cent said they had made a good decision when they chose to move abroad.

For 62 per cent of people, the move abroad was triggered by a feeling of dissatisfaction at home. Life abroad is better than expected for 86 per cent, and 92 per cent claim to be happier living abroad than they were back home in the UK. Encouraging news for anyone thinking about doing the same.

It’s good news on the financial front too, as 87 per cent of expats said they believed they were better off now, despite the recession. Sixty three per cent of people had left the UK with less than £5,000 in savings, but working abroad doesn’t seem to have posed too much of a problem – seven out of 10 people now earn between £50,000 and £85,000 per year.

The research also looked at the countries offering the best quality of life. The number one spot was taken by New Zealand, which was rated top-notch for its low cost of living, low property prices and favourable tax regime.

Spain and Tenerife in particular are still very popular because of the great climate, particularly Tenerife and the quantity, price  and ease of flights from and to the UK

By Angela | Posted in General, Health, Holiday, Inspirational, Miscellaneous Articles, Property, Tenerife, Things to Do, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (1)