Retire Abroad

Retiring to Turkey

Retiring to TurkeyTurkey is rapidly becoming the latest in affordable sunny hotspots attracting the attentions of would be British, European and indeed international retirees.  The essential factors that draw many people to Turkey on holiday annually are now luring pre-retirees into considering the nation as the perfect location in which to relax, put their feet up and enjoy retirement.

Basically these essential factors include the fact that the cost of living in Turkey is so low, the standard of living relative to the cost is incredibly high, the climate is almost perfect particularly in Southern Turkey, there’s a wealth of things to keep you entertained in Turkey and what’s more the people are so welcoming and friendly that retiring to Turkey is becoming ever more popular.



Retiring to New Zealand

Retiring to New ZealandBank of Scotland International have just released the findings of their research into where British pensioners would most like to retire to and it seems that most UK based retirees who have considered retiring abroad dream of retiring to New Zealand.

The survey discovered that out of all those questioned in what was a countrywide questionnaire covering a broad demographic mix of people, more than one in ten British retirees and pre-retirees see New Zealand as offering them the very best in terms of lifestyle, affordability in terms of cost of living, healthcare and opportunity to enjoy retirement.  If like the survey respondents you’re thinking of retiring to New Zealand here’s our guide to getting to know the nation before you commit.



Are You Planning Carefully For Your Retirement?

Expatriate Retirement Planning Is that time approaching when you finally have the time to do what you want? Do you yearn to retire to the sun or that favourite holiday resort where you’ve spent many a happy hour?

Take care, take your time and essentially ensure it is what you and your family want.

More people than ever are deciding to retire abroad, and careful planning is essential.  Which country do you choose? Obviously some are ideal for retirement but others less so, you are spoilt for choice, so do your research, property magazines, specialist exhibitions, the internet and legal and professional experts can all assist.



Retiring Abroad - Weighing up the Pros and Cons

Retiring Abroad - Weighing up the Pros and ConsWell in excess of a million Britons have already retired overseas and according to the results of recent surveys, up to 75% of Brits have a dream of one day living a life in the sun.  But the dream of retiring abroad and the practical reality of turning the dream into a manageable and enjoyable life are very different.

In this article we’ll be considering retiring abroad and weighing up the pros and the cons so that no matter where you are in your planning and preparation or just dreaming stages, you can begin to see whether moving to live overseas in retirement is an option that you would enjoy, that would benefit you and one that would give you in reality that which you are currently dreaming of.



Offshore Pensions and Saving for Retirement

Offshore Pensions and Saving for RetirementOffshore pensions are a fantastic retirement saving solution simply because the vast majority of them are so flexible offering an expatriate or an international citizen the chance to save when and how much they like and also draw down the benefits prior to retirement.

For expatriates who are living abroad on a high paying work assignment currently, an offshore pension provides a means to save hard and to save lump sums today so that worrying about affording retirement can be all but forgotten about tomorrow!  In this article we’ll look at offshore pensions and saving for retirement in general when you’re living or working abroad.



Retirement in Portugal

Retirement in PortugalThere was recently a very interesting programme on TV about a couple who were retiring abroad to Portugal – the programme was actually focused on them downsizing and selling off their personal effects and the money they could raise through so doing – but what was most interesting was the fact that the couple made the decision to retire abroad to avoid getting bored!

They made the plan ten years prior to retirement to give themselves time to find land, build a property, plan and save – and by the time the programme was made about them, they had achieved their dream.  Well, if your dream is one day enjoying your retirement in Portugal, it’s clearly never too soon to start planning.



Retirement in Italy

Retirement in ItalyImagine retiring to the stunning Italian countryside, having cities such as Florence, Venice or Rome within an easy drive, of waking up to views across the stunning Adriatic, Ionian, Tyrrhenian or Mediterranean Seas each day?  The cost of living in Italy is low, the standard of living is exceptionally high and what’s more, Italy is a welcoming nation where international retirees quickly feel at home.

So if you’re considering retirement in Italy we don’t blame you!  In this article we’ll look at some of the practicalities you need to get in order to facilitate your move to Italy and your eventual settling down into retirement in one of the most stunning nations in Europe.



Retirement in Canada

Retirement in CanadaA recent comprehensive survey into the reasons why people move abroad and also the nations they favour as well as those that offer expatriates the best quality of life has Canada coming out in the top spot of overseas destinations favoured by Britons moving abroad.

The survey was conducted by NatWest in associate with the Centre for Future Studies to try and determine what it is that makes Brits especially keen on going to live abroad in retirement.  Surprisingly, the survey which rated destinations chosen by Brits, had Canada outranking the likes of Spain in terms of the quality of life it affords those who emigrate.  So, if you’re looking for an overseas location for your retirement years, retirement in Canada could be right for you.



Ten Reasons to Retire to France

Ten Reasons to Retire to FranceFrance is the most visited nation in the world and one of the most popular countries with would-be British retirees as well.  The reasons for France’s appeal lie in the beauty of the country, the history, climate and culture and therefore there are a million reasons to consider living there.  In this article we’ll cover ten of the most popular reasons to retire to France.

If you’re coming up for retirement or you’re thinking ahead and maybe planning where to buy a home overseas to enjoy now and then live in when you retire, why not consider France a little more closely?  After all, with our top ten reasons to retire to live in France you’ll be hard pushed to come up with an argument not to at least consider it!



Surviving Culture Shock When Retiring to France

Surviving Culture Shock When Retiring to FranceNow that the President of France Nicolas Sarkozy has thanked Great Britain for helping his nation when it was on its knees during the Second World War and received a very favourable reception in the UK as a result, it seems that French and British relations are on an excellent footing and that there’s never been a better time to retire to France!

Reasons to retire across the Channel include the fact that the standard of living in France is high, the cost of living can be more affordable than the UK, the French real estate market is generally more affordable as well, and the way of life in France is so conducive to a relaxed retirement.  But there are some key differences between France and Britain that any would-be expat should bear in mind if they want to make the transition abroad a smooth and successful one.  In this article we’ll look at surviving culture shock when retiring to France!



Preparing to Retire to Italy

Preparing to Retire to ItalySo you want to retire to Italy?  Are you sure?  I mean, you may have spent many week’s holiday enjoying the Italian countryside or coast and beaches, but how do you know what it will really be like to live in Italy day in day out once you come to retire?  After all, the practicalities of residing in a country can be very different to simply holidaying there because you get bogged down in everything from bureaucracy to language when you’re a full time resident, and you can find it’s actually harder settling in than you thought.

So, if you really do have your heart set on living in Italy when you retire, there are practical steps that you need to take so that you are fully prepared to move to live abroad.  In this article we’ll discuss how you can prepare to retire in Italy and make the transition overseas as smooth as possible.



Cut Tax Ties Properly When You Retire Abroad

Cut Tax Ties Properly When You Retire AbroadThere’s more than one difference between expatriating to live and work abroad and moving overseas to retire.  Clearly the first alternative requires you to work each day whilst the second will allow you to enjoy a more relaxed life of luxury!  But beyond these obvious differences there are some very important ones relating to your taxation treatment in the UK.

If you move abroad to work it is far simpler to prove residence in another nation almost straight away to the Great British taxman, however, you have to ensure you cut tax ties properly when you retire abroad otherwise you could end up in all sorts of trouble!



Reasons to Retire to Cyprus

Reasons to Retire to CyprusWith the cost of living in the UK going up, the rate of interest available on savings income going down and the weather sadly not improving, there are more reasons than ever for those approaching retirement to consider moving abroad to live.  If you’re currently contemplating retiring to the sun and are wondering about which country is likely to suit your lifestyle requirements and your pocket, have you considered Cyprus?

There are many reasons to retire to Cyprus – either the North or the South of the island, and in this article we will explore all the points in favour of living in Cyprus in retirement so that you can determine whether it is the right country for you.