A new study reveals that three in ten of us have looked into – or even started to arrange – a move to a different country after falling in love with it while on holiday. And 44% of Brits have also looked into, or ended up, buying a holiday home so they can relive their holiday feeling over and over again.
The research by Holiday Lettings suggests that around one in ten has made the leap and moved somewhere, or have definite plans in place to do so in the near future, after enjoying a holiday so much.
A spokesperson for Holiday Lettings said: “Most people have thought about how nice it would be to avoid returning home at the end of a holiday.
“But it seems for some, those thoughts are turned into actions when they get home and they seriously look into the possibility of moving their lives abroad for good.”
The study of 2,000 Brits revealed that after a holiday, 47% have used the internet to research living in another country, while 36% have looked into the property in their desired area.
Almost a quarter have gone on to search immigration procedures, and 36% have looked into the jobs on offer in the area.
One in 10 has even gone to view property, and one in 20 has applied for jobs in their dream location.
And for some, thoughts can even turn to moving abroad while they are still on holiday – two thirds of Brits browse properties for sale in local estate agent windows.
Spain is the most popular country for a permanent move, followed by France, the US, Australia and Italy. Canada, the Canary Islands and Ireland are also among the list.
But while three quarters of Brits say the lifestyle is the thing that attracts them most to a move abroad, 68% admit the weather plays a major part. Less than half (42%) say it’s the local culture. Four in 10 claim to like everything about their potential new home.
The cost of living, property and job opportunities are other reasons for considering a move to their favourite holiday destination.
It’s not just foreign holidays that lead to thoughts of a big move; 39% of respondents have considered, or gone through with, a move to another part of the UK after a staycation.
Cornwall was the most popular area for relocation, followed by Devon, Wales, Scotland and the Lake District.
Three in ten Brits also admitted that they have often spent an entire holiday dreaming of moving there permanently.
Instead of a permanent move, 44% have considered buying a holiday home, with six in ten of those liking the idea of being able to visit time and time again, without giving up their “UK” lives.
Top 10 countries to move to
1. Spain
2. France
3. USA
4. Australia
5. Italy
6. Greece
7. Portugal
8. Canada
9. Canary Islands
10. Ireland
Top 10 reasons for moving abroad
1. The lifestyle
2. The weather
3. The culture
4. We just liked everything about the area/country
5. The cost of living
6. The property/homes
7. We had friends/family living there already
8. Job opportunities
9. Investment opportunity
10. The nightlife
(Featured image: nouregef)
