Spain
Spain is a popular choice for British retirees because the warm climate is ideal and there are plenty of local English speakers. In addition, healthcare is inexpensive and the property market remains attractive. If you want to live in Spain as a retiree, you should factor in the cost of living and buy your home within your means. As an investment, buying in Spain does not always make sense due to relatively low rental yields, but if you plan on retiring there, it could be a great deal. You can find some properties under 200,000 [pounds sterling], but expect to pay more than that if you have your heart set on living in Barcelona or Madrid.
France
If you’re looking for a place with a high quality of life, France could be the perfect retirement destination for you. The country has a great climate and excellent healthcare – and as it’s only around a two-hour flight from the U.K., you won’t need to worry about missing your friends and family too much! There’s also plenty of choice when it comes to where to retire: if you prefer the hustle and bustle of city life, Paris is just one hour from London by train; but on the other hand, if you prefer something calmer, why not settle in one of the smaller towns or villages scattered across this beautiful country?
Portugal
As an expat retirement spot, Portugal ticks a lot of boxes. The climate is relatively mild, the paperwork is straightforward and property is affordable (especially by European standards). Other key benefits include:
- A low cost of living
- Low crime rate
- Good infrastructure
- Excellent transport links to the UK and rest of Europe
- High standard of education for children.
If you’re looking for somewhere to retire that has plenty to see and do, Portugal has you covered too. The country offers everything from great beaches to world-class golf courses, from vibrant cities such as Lisbon and Porto – both UNESCO World Heritage sites – to quaint villages high in the mountains or in the foothills near the coast. With so much on offer it’s not surprising that demand for properties in Portugal continues to rise among Brits.
Italy
With an ancient history that dates back to the Roman Empire, Italy is a country with many different regions and cultures. From north to south, there’s always something new to see and experience. The climate is temperate, the food is some of the best in the world, and life has a high quality from one region to another.
Italy offers a lot of beauty for your money: you can buy nice property for a good price here. It also has 48 UNESCO World Heritage Sites—more than any other country in the world. If you’re looking for culture and leisure, it’s hard to beat Italy for retirement property investments. There are over 300 golf courses throughout the country, along with beautiful countryside and more importantly (to some) an almost bottomless supply of wine from Tuscany!
Costa Rica
If you’re looking for an active lifestyle and friendly locals, look no further than Costa Rica. It’s no wonder 4% of Brits choose to retire here, as the weather is always good and the people are friendly. Add in a low cost of living, beautiful beaches, great food, amazing scenery and rich culture and it’s easy to see why people love houses for sale in Costa Rica.
It’s also home to over half a million different species (British wildlife doesn’t even come close), making it one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Couple that with its spectacular scenery – encompassing both Pacific coastlines and Caribbean seashores – and it becomes clear that there’s something for everyone in Costa Rica.
Many older Britons have moved abroad to retire.
If you’re a Brit planning to retire overseas, you won’t be alone. A recent survey of more than 2000 people who had moved abroad found that the average age of expat retirees was 57, and that most were buying their new homes as permanent residences (75 per cent) rather than holiday homes (25 per cent).
The survey gathered information from people who had retired in 29 countries, including Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Egypt, France and Thailand. It revealed that the top reasons for retiring abroad were to enjoy a better quality of life (40 per cent), experience new cultures (30 per cent), live where the cost of living is lower (28 per cent) or be closer to family members.