| We all have a dream and thousands of people | | | | You may not have been much of a gardener at |
| dream about retiring abroad to live the slower | | | | home but in the more pleasant climate you may |
| pace of life and in a climate that induces good | | | | find a new interest in pottering around as the |
| health. | | | | garden can play a big part in your life. |
| Sunshine and strolling around in shorts plays a big | | | | What is more delightful than sitting out with a |
| part of that dream as we crave the golden days | | | | drink in the balmy evenings or having lunch on the |
| and balmy nights. | | | | terrace and if your garden is looking good it all |
| France, Spain and Italy are the most favoured | | | | adds to the enjoyment. |
| countries for retirees and already millions of | | | | There are many aspects to retiring abroad that |
| people have followed their dream of a life of | | | | must not be ignored, health care is one of them it |
| leisure. | | | | is important to check that you will be covered by |
| Golf, tennis, strolling in the sunshine, or simply | | | | public or private means, in many countries private |
| lazing about holds a lot of appeal for the majority | | | | health care is very expensive and you need to be |
| of us, but will we be content when we achieve it. | | | | aware of all it involves. |
| Before you make any important decisions it would | | | | If you are moving from the UK your pension is |
| be advisable to take a long holiday in the country | | | | not affected and you can receive this abroad but |
| you have set your heart on, these can be quite | | | | if you are planning on moving to certain distant |
| cheap during the winter months and won't drain | | | | countries then it can be frozen and any rises or |
| your resources. | | | | extra benefits will not be payable so this is |
| Nearing the end of your holiday if you have had | | | | something else you need to check carefully. |
| no cravings for home or find you have not | | | | With air fares being so cheap if your move is not |
| missed your family and friends to any great | | | | too far flung then it is possible you will see friends |
| extent then you have proved a point and it could | | | | and relations fairly often and a trip home yourself |
| be the ideal lifestyle for you. | | | | should be well within your means, this will lead to a |
| Finance plays a big part in your plans, if you have | | | | happier time ahead as you will not have cut |
| a home to sell then due to spiralling prices in many | | | | yourself off completely. |
| countries like the UK you could find you have a | | | | Another thing to think about is, although you may |
| decent nest egg after buying a cheaper property | | | | find a quaint old foreign villa in a rural area or a |
| abroad. | | | | village is it for you? If you can speak the language |
| Countries like Spain and Italy have a lower cost of | | | | then no problems will arise but if you don't |
| living, plus the low cost of fresh fruit and | | | | understand a single word you could have a hard |
| vegetables and of course with the hot summers | | | | time, and what could be worse than no one to |
| and mild winters electricity bills are very low so | | | | converse with apart from your partner. You |
| your standard of living could rise .which adds to a | | | | enjoy each others company but now and again |
| happier retirement. | | | | friendly chat with a neighbour or passer by makes |
| In some countries where the heat can be | | | | life much more enjoyable. |
| overpowering in mid summer you may need the | | | | You are probably aware that boiling water is |
| benefit of air conditioning and this can be quite | | | | necessary in foreign countries, when on holiday |
| expensive so it must be taken into consideration. | | | | bottled water is fine but boiling your water is |
| Always think twice before diving in and buying a | | | | simple in your own home and cheaper. |
| house straight away especially if you are unsure | | | | Markets can be found everywhere as local |
| exactly where you want to settle. It is preferable | | | | farmers take their produce to be sold so it is |
| to rent a property for a while until you are sure. | | | | easy to stock up every week with cheap fruit |
| Once you have made your decision and bought | | | | and vegetables. |
| your new home your first thoughts should be | | | | Large cooked meals will become a thing of the |
| security, even if you have bought a newly built | | | | past as lighter meals are found to be preferable in |
| home change all the door locks, you never know | | | | a hot climate and this will make for even more |
| how many people could have keys to your new | | | | leisure time. |
| home. | | | | |