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Reasons to Move Abroad in 2018
Could 2018 be the year when you take the plunge and decide to move abroad?
Hamiltons Removals provides high-quality, professional international removals to Canada, America and New Zealand, and many other worldwide destinations. Here we look at some of the reasons why you might be moving abroad in 2018, and the countries which are likely to prove the most popular places to move to.
A Better Work-Life Balance
Concerns about the amount of time you spend at work as well as the time you spend getting there could prompt you into making a move in 2018. Scandinavian countries such as Denmark have a much better work-life balance than the UK and the average commute is only 39 minutes. People working in London typically spend two hours a day travelling.
A New Work Challenge
You might be looking for a fresh challenge abroad. The growth of internet technology means that employment opportunities are much easier to find in the age of what is known as the ‘digital nomad’. Many European cities have a number of start-up companies which will be looking for young, technologically-aware employees. Countries with strong economies which are also likely to prove popular places to move to for skilled workers in 2018 include Canada, New Zealand and Dubai.
Searching for Sunshine
You could be tempted to move abroad in 2018 by the lure of warmer temperatures, which seem more attractive than ever during the British winter. The average temperature in Australian states is at least 6 degrees Celsius higher than it is in the UK. Parts of America, particularly those known as the Sunshine States such as Florida, are also popular with Brits for the same reason.
A Lower Cost of Living
You may be looking to move to countries where your money, savings and pension go that much further. Countries such as India, Thailand, Costa Rica and Mexico all benefit from low housing and utility costs. In many cases their climates are much more attractive than the UK too.
More Space
A move abroad in 2018 could be to escape the pressures of modern life, particularly if you live or work in a UK city. Countries such as Iceland and Greenland could be attractive destinations as they have a much lower population density compared with the UK. New Zealand is also an extremely picturesque, spacious country and has the added benefit of being an English-speaking culture too.
Experiencing a New Culture
Many people move overseas because they want to do something completely different with their lives, meet new people, visit unusual places and learn a new language. Distant countries such as Colombia and Costa Rica are particularly attractive places to move to because the locals are renowned for their friendliness towards foreignerss.
If you want a high-quality, friendly international removals service to Canada, the USA or New Zealand, or many other worldwide destinations, contact Hamiltons Removals. We also organise commercial and domestic moves to many European countries, including Denmark, Sweden, Germany and France. Click on the link above to get in touch.
Popular Destinations for Retiring Abroad
Retiring abroad is a popular choice for thousands of people from the UK. Many go overseas to be close to family or friends, or to a town or city where there is already a thriving British expat community. Others may be looking for somewhere warmer or cheaper to live.
Hamiltons Removals is expert in organising UK overseas removals. Here we look at some of the most popular destinations for people to retire to, and why they have been attracting such large numbers of people from the UK.
Australia and New Zealand
Official statistics say there are just over a million UK expats in Australia, of which at least a quarter of a million are believed to be of pensionable age, while New Zealand is home to around 250,000 people from the UK.
Both countries attract such large numbers of UK residents because of their warm climates, their attractive coastal communities, and the fact that both are English-speaking countries.
Those people retiring to New Zealand, which has now brought in special retirement visas, will be able to enjoy an excellent quality of life, with a low crime rate. Australia, and particularly the cities of Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne, enjoys a comparatively low cost of living.
USA and Canada
The USA is behind only Australia as the most popular international retirement destination for UK residents. More than 800,000 people originally from the UK live in the States, and 140,000 of these are retired. The USA is a vast country and with such a cosmopolitan culture you should be able to find a type of retirement community that suits you.
Canada has more than 600,000 UK expats, and around a quarter of these are retired. People are attracted by the lower living costs and lower property prices, spectacular scenery and quality healthcare, although the visa requirements are becoming more stringent. As with Australia and the US, many people move here to be closer to friends or family. Others, known as ‘part-time expats’, live here for part of the year to avoid the cold winters.
South Africa
This country is home to more than 200,000 British expats, and around 40,000 of these draw a pension here. Cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg are the most popular places to retire to, but countryside destinations which enjoy spectacular scenery are proving attractive too. The day-to-day cost of living is quite low compared to the UK, and English is widely spoken.
European Destinations
Many countries in Europe are popular places to move to, even if English is not the main language. Spain is the most popular destination on the continent to retire to, with many Britons attracted by the warm climate and thriving expat communities. Neighbouring Portugal is also noted for its cuisine and friendly locals, and has plenty of golf courses and beaches to enjoy.
France has upwards of 250,000 UK expats, and around one in five of these are pensioners. Low house prices make having a second home abroad, and living there for part of the year, a very attractive and affordable option for many.
Other destinations are growing in popularity. Malta, for example, enjoys more than 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, and English is the most widely spoken language. Asian destinations like Malaysia and Thailand are now home to increasing numbers of Britons looking for somewhere off the beaten track and they have a comparatively low cost of living.
Suffolk removal company Hamiltons Removals can organise UK overseas removals to a wide variety of destinations in Europe and across the globe. Our European section offers a weekly service to most EU destinations, including France and Portugal.
Our international department organises UK overseas removals to a range of worldwide destinations, including South Africa, Canada, the USA, Australia and New Zealand. These can be shipped as full container loads, grouped together with other loads, while smaller items can be sent airfreight. Whatever your needs, we will tailor our service to fit your individual requirements. Follow the link if you would like to receive an online quote.