Emigrate

There’s some people that aren’t bogged down with sticking in one place. They’ve got an independent spirit and they aren’t constrained by the difficulties affecting the UK because they are happy to look at the situation abroad and see if they can make a go of it over there.

We all know people who have emigrated to a better life abroad. Cheap flights, a cheaper cost of living, a stronger economy in their new country and free telephone calls via the internet to keep in touch more easily than ever before with people stuck back in Britian have all made the dream of living abroad a reality.

If its something you’ve ever wondered about now then with the outlook gloomy for the UK for the next few years now is the time to explore this exciting avenue properly.

We’ve hunted down the easiest way to find out about the countries that interest you and how to get information on buying property abroad.

If you are looking for a more relaxed way of life for you and your family with better weather and better prospects, whether its for work or retirement then read on…

Cyprus

Since Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 EU nationals now have full rights to own property and work in the ‘Island of Love’. The country is predominantly Greek in its outlook but most Cypriots speak English and people in official jobs such as bank staff, government officials etc all have English as a second language making it very straightforward to get settled over there. Even the road signs are in English and to make it even easier they even drive on the same side of the road as us!

Portugal

Portugal has long been a favourite with golfers, sunseekers, retirees, people looking for a better quality of life and property investors. Its miles of golden beaches along the Algarve play host to various ex-pat communities along with over 30 golf courses, numerous restaurants serving affordable locally caught sea food and bars serving the best Port imaginable! Property prices are known for the stability and growth in line with inflation so Portugal is typically untroubled by ‘boom and bust’ economics. Popular with retirees, emigres and investors alike Portugal never fails to disappoint.

Florida

The USA has something for everyone and Florida is always one of the favourite destinations amongst holidaymakers. With the natural beauty of the Keys and the man made playgrounds to be found at Disneyland, Epcot etc there is always something to do in Florida. Property at the moment is very cheap with many American buyers having difficulty securing mortgages means buyers from other countries are in a much stronger position. Residency can be a problem without a green card making Florida more common as an area for investing in to either rent out or enjoy free holidays.

Bucharest

An emerging market, Romania is an exciting prospect for those looking to move to what was recently viewed as a very foreign land. Membership of the EU has made investing in Romania very easy and property prices have already started to reflect this with their upward trends. Bucharest provides both old world medieval architecture nestled side by side with modern facilites for its increasingly cosmopolitan inhabitants and clientele.

Bulgaria

Prosperity has enveloped Bulgaria since its membership of the EU in 2007. Formerly a communist country but now embracing capitalism it’s still possible to buy property for a snip of the price it would cost in the UK. With long hot summers on the Black Sea Coast and good skiing in the winter resorts its possible to enjoy a good quality of life in Bulgaria for next to nothing. If you’re living from a pension , no matter how small it is, then Bulgaria is the answer to making it go much further. Bulgaria is one of the few remaining places in the EU that is worth investing in even if you don’t plan to live there yourself. Don’t leave it too long though – property prices are still on the up with across the board 31% increases last year and a forecast to continue for at least the next few years as more and more tourists discover the new delights of Bulgaria.