Well, it's a very subjective thing, isn't it, toasted mallow? I suppose you have to make a list of everything that you want in an ideal world, do some research and visit as many areas/countries as you can ......... and then it'll probably all go out of the window one day when you find your dream home somewhere totally unexpected!

When my husband retired we decided to invest in a property abroad in order to maximise the income and capital growth on his pension lump sum. It would probably have been wise to have bought a property in a newly developing "hot spot", but we knew heart would probably have to rule head in that we wanted to buy something that we would like to visit over the next 20 years or so. It should be lettable to the extent that income covered our running costs. It should be in an area of scenic beauty, pretty old towns and fairly close to the sea - the icing on the cake would be sea views. With management problems in mind, we decided that we didn't want somewhere too far from civilisation, it should not be a ruin, however exciting the prospect of renovating an old property might be, and with letting income in mind we thought we would probably be looking at a villa or apartment on a holiday complex. This complex would have to be a bit special and somewhere we would be happy visiting and taking our family and friends to.

We initially looked at the Costa Brava, in the beautiful area near the old town of Pals - we'd both enjoyed the landscape and beaches there many years ago and didn't know whether it had changed in the last 20 years. My husband went to have a look at about 40 properties - we'd arranged appointments with several agents over the internet - and came back saying we could, surprisingly, afford a small apartment there. It was still a nice area, and we were both going to go out there and do some more viewings in a couple of months' time.

We had a timeshare swap booked in Albufeira on the Algarve in Portugal, so we thought we would use the time popping into Spain and looking at properties in the Costa de la Luz, which was a developing area and might offer good capital growth. We saw some nice brand new 4 bedroom villas near Chiclana, but decided the area was not for us because it would be several years before the infrastructure was in (the roads were mud tracks) and the letting potential would pick up.

We hadn't previously considered the Algarve as an area to buy in. We hadn't been there and we thought it would be out of our price range, but we looked at several apartments and villas in and around Albufeira and to cut a long story short we fell in love with the area and one particular apartment and within a few months it was ours! It fitted all our "heart" criteria (we love being there, fantastic sea views, beautiful beaches, pretty architecture, very friendly people, great food) and with our fingers firmly crossed we persuaded ourselves that the rental income would cover the running costs, which sounded pretty high. The capital growth is probably not going to be the best, as properties in the Albufeira area are already quite expensive, but it's a medium term investment and we know that the area will continue to attract tourists in the future.

So what I'm trying to say is try to work out what you want and then wait to see how many of your criteria are satisfied by the property you eventually fall in love with and simply have to buy! It'll be fun searching, anyway.

Hi TM

Quite simple to answer - the Canaries have the best climate in Europe. Nice and warm in winter and not too hot in summer. And the shines every day!

The main thing, wherever you decide, is to rent for a while.perhaps one year and really get a feel for the area. Most places are totally different to live in as opposed to holidaying.
I chose turkey for affordability and future investment. the bureaucracy is stiffling but improving, economy stabilising and weather is good. but the main considerations was that my 2 teenage kids weren't exposed to drugs,crime and I wasn't being taxed to death

Hi TM

We took holidays in many various countries from Jamaica to Holland. One year we booked a holiday through someone a freind knows to Tenerife. It turned out we were staying at a timeshare resort. We had the 'chat' with the rep. and decided that we were interested, but on our terms. We told the rep we wanted the rest of our holiday to decide so we could speak to other people who owned at the resort to find out what they really thought. After speaking to many people we decided to go ahead. That was almost twenty years ago and we have returned to Tenerife twice; three times if we are lucky every year since. The reason being every time we went we saw more of it, found out more about it and fell in love with it more.We just felt totally at ease and relaxed. Our kids have grown up holidaying in Tenerife and even they when asked if we should try somewhere else always say 'no, we want to go to Tenerife.
Five years ago we decided that one day we would like to move there and after a long search for a villa (we knew pretty much what we wanted i.e. we wanted an independent villa / house not on a complex, not in a major tourist resort) whilst out there over Christmas/New Year our agent, who we have been with for two years finally came up trumps and found just what we have been looking for. So in July this year we will be moving into our newly bought villa in Gaurgacho nr Las Galletas and we can't wait. I feel more at home and relaxed in Tenerife than I have done in the U.K. for a long time and feel more relaxed regarding the children. Also as Chelseaboy says in his post our main concern was for our three children who are mid to late teens now. There is nothing for them in the U.K, I panic every time my 14 and 15 year olds go out praying that they are not going to be held up at knife point for their mobiles, or just set upon because someone decides they want a fight. The eldest one who holds down a well paid job can't afford to get a mortgage now so what chance have the younger ones got?
There are racist riots in their school which has recently been put on special measures by Ofsted. A few years ago it was one of the top performing schools in our area. Also where in the UK can you get a mortgage with an interest rate of 2.95% and your council tax cost approx £90 for the year. The answer nowhere that is why we are moving to Tenerife and I am like a kid with a new toy, I am soooooo excited.
Hope one day you find what you are looking for and will be as happy as we are.

Best Rgds
Jackie

...Being an indecisive person whcn it comes to big issues

I can't understand people who are indecisive!

..... should I post a reply? Uuum perhaps ... but there again ...

Only kidding - I know what you mean.

....how did you choose the right country/ area within the country.

For me, it was easy - I always felt 'at home' in Tenerife.

... it's a dream of mine to experience life abroad for at least a part of the year

I'm not going to get 'heavy' here - but - life isn't a rehersal for the next time round. If you want to do it, do it. You can do it in a variety of ways as a 'try out' ... how about renting somewhere for a few months and see how you like it?

I could write about this forever, but I don't want to bore you all (you've never done me any harm)

.....well, it seems that the Canaries are getting all the votes so far !.....I'm biased too, and agree fully with all the positive comments about Tenerife ; our apartment was purchased mainly because of the year round rental potential rather than a permanent address, but the economics work out very favourably in comparison with u.k, for whatever reason a property is purchased out there.

@toastedmallow:

The following assumes you want to live elsewhere, not just property-invest:

The most important criterion is whether you need to generate an income (work, or start a business) in your destination country. If so, then a holiday island would probably be a bad choice, especially if you are not fluent in its language.

If you have an independent income, then the world is your oyster. But suddenly deciding to buy a mansion in Fiji or central France or Turkey or Cape Verde may not be wise. Here are some of the criteria I used in order to choose:

1 ) Weather: Can you cope with extremes of heat and cold? Are there storms and/or intolerable humidity?
2 ) Availability: Do you need to be able to visit the UK cheaply and easily?
3 ) Language: Are you willing to learn a non-English language?
4 ) Culture: Do you need an ex-pat community around you? Are 'the locals' tolerant and friendly towards UK immigrants? Do you have some admiration for the local culture and values?
5 ) Transport: Do you need a good public transport infrastructure?
6 ) Location: Is it a good base for further travel/holidays?
7 ) Security: Is crime a problem? (it can be, where local unemployment is high, or drugs are a local issue)
9 ) Stability: Is the government stable? Could your situation as a foreign resident suddenly change for the worse?
10 ) Finance: If you invest in a property, will its sale price rise enough for you to be able to sell up and return to the UK easily?
11 ) Cost of living: Will your income afford you to enjoy your new country?
12 ) Health: Are the doctors and hospitals cheap and adequate? Would you have to return to the UK for major treatments?
13 ) Family & friends: Can they visit cheaply and easily? Stay in your new home for a bit? Would they resent your move, or support it? Will they visit you, or you visit them? Will you be able to keep in touch?
14 ) Communication: Phones, and increasingly important; Internet access?
15 ) Reversibility: Do you need to maintain a 'bolt hole' in the UK?
16 ) Affordability: Can you purchase the sort of home you need in the sort of location you want in the new country?
17 ) Environment: Do you mind living amongst tourists? Do you prefer an urban, suburban or country life?
18 ) Services: Do you require local supermarkets, and UK-style water, drains, electricity, gas and rubbish collection?
19 ) Boredom: Plenty of entertainment/restaurants etc? Still lots to explore afer the first year there?
20 ) Prospects: Is the new location expanding or in decline? Will it still be a nice place to live in 5 years time? Is there a chance that a bunch of hotels and a motorway will be built next to your new home? Could your new home become worthless if key services stop - like cheap UK flights, or a change of government, or the only local town going into decline?
21 ) Motive: Are you wanting to move toward something, or simply away from something else?
22 ) Stress: Would your new life be less stressful? Is that what you want?
23 ) Opportunity: Will this opportunity to live abroad be repeated? Would you regret not 'taking the plunge' at some future date?
24 ) Commitment: Ask yourself "would I be content to live the rest of my life in this place?" Or is it really some kind of 'long holiday' you are looking for?

Everyone's answers to these questions will vary - and you might want to apply them to your current UK location to get a sense of perspective!

I weighed my own requirements with the above, and came up with the western side of Tenerife, in a suburban setting, near to a main road and away from the coast. Most of the other residents in the smallish estate are Spanish. I am a driver, but the bus stop is nearby. The new home has 2 spare bedrooms, which relatives and friends can use. Internet access is good. Cost of living is well within my means. Plenty to do, and explore for some time to come.

Long post! HTH
:Gordon

Thanks everyone for those wonderful replies. Lots of food for thought in them.
Your checklist Gordon is especially helpful.
My husband has already taken early retirement & I'm hoping within the next 2-3 years to do the same. As we're both reasonably youthful(!) we're trying to plan ahead, and I couldn't agree more Mike..........this isn't a rehearsal.
But it is a HUGE decision. I think it's a good idea to try a long term rental , but that can't be done until I've left work.
I was just very curious how other people arrive at their decision.
Thanks for taking the time to reply everyone!

One last thing .... Work towards what you want, not for what you want to leave behind.

#21

I think that's a very important point. I'm assuming that anyone who moves abroad has got some problems/ dissatisfactions in their current life, thus hoping that moving to a different country will be a fresh start/ leave those'issues' behind. Otherwise they wouldn't consider moving?
But I totally agree that you must move with the positive view that you want to make the move for itself rather than looking on it as an escape, which is probably doomed to failure.
After all you still take yourself with you wherever you go!

toastedmallow

With regards to the comments you made in your last post about people who move abroad must have problems/issues in their current life and hope that moving abroad will leave those problems behind. I could not disagree more. I am and have been very happily married for 21 Years, we have three wonderful children; two boys aged 20 and 14 and a girl of almost 16 who make my heart burst with pride every time I look at them. My husband and I are partners in our own very successful electrical contracting company, I have in my opinion a lovely home and we are surrounded by a great family and have a very wide circle of great friends with whom we have a very good social life. We have no problems in our current life whatsoever unless you can count the way this country is being sold up the river by the people who run it. That is the reason we are moving abroad; to give our kids a better future because they sure as hell haven't got one here.

Rgds Jackie

well put jackie

... With regards to the comments you made in your last post about people who move abroad must have problems/issues in their current life and hope that moving abroad will leave those problems behind. I could not disagree more

Eeeerrrm - sorry (and all that) but I have to disagree with the disagreement.

I live in the south of Tenerife and I have to say that the majority of people that I meet are not what I would call 'normal'. Now I don't mean that unkindly, and I'm not just referring to Brits - don't forget that in this region (I would say) the majority of people are 'imports' whether it is from the UK, mainland Spain or Timbuktoo.

It often seems to me that people tend to fall into different 'groups':

Those that are running away from problems and realise that those problems have not disappeared by moving.

Those that want 'UK in the sun' and become frustrated with the reality of living in a country where things are different.

Those that have moved here and made a lot of money - usually despite themselves and not for any other reason, and feel the need to let everyone know how 'successful' they are.

This is not any sort of criticism or 'put-down' - just my observations. The point is that a good social life in Tenerife can be a difficult thing to achieve.

Mike

As I stated in my post I am not moving to Tenerife to run away from problems/issues that I have in the Uk because I have none. I am certainly not looking for UK in the sun as anyone with half a brain knows that living in a country that has different cultures/values etc. cannot and will not be the same as living at 'home', and as for the people who have made a lot money and feel the need to let everyone know how successful they are happens all over the world, in some cases that is just the nature of the beast. Perhaps people who would begrudge anyone else making a success of their life by whatever means (as long as it does not involve criminal activities) are a teany weany bit jealous of them. With regards to having a social life in Tenerife being a difficult thing to achieve I am sure that depends on what type of person you are and how quickly you make friends with people, again the same thing could happen in the UK. If someone prefers to sit at home and watch TV instead of going out and socialising then yes they are going to find it difficult.

As I don't fall into any of your groups I will stick to diagreeing with the original post from toastedmallow and also with yours.

Rgds Jackie

ps Which one of your groups do you belong to

My previous post was not meant to suggest that you did have any problems etc - it was just my observations to the 'overall' situation with 'non-natives' and I'm not suggesting that anyone should either agree or disagree.

The post was made just to point out that a 'good' social life can be difficult to achieve.

I'm not jealous of anyone and I can't actually think of anything that I would change in my life at the moment. I'm just not comfortable when I come into contact with people that, for example, drink wine in a restaurant that costs in excess of 50€ a bottle, drink far too much of it and insist that everyone around knows how much it cost.

Anyway - we're getting a bit off topic. Can I suggest that if we continue (and it is an interesting topic), that we start a new thread?

Great list Gordon

I made my decision to move because I was dissatisfied with the way my life was going in UK, and I wanted to be able to bring my children up in a more relaxed environment, where they could learn to appreciate a much simpler way of life.

Why Lanzarote? More by luck than judgement I'm afraid!!! An important consideration for me was climate, and I didn't want there to be too many other expats. Anyway Lanzarote ticked a lot of the boxes and as I didn't have the funds to go to many different places we settled here fourteen years ago now. We rented our house in UK out to uni students for three years, and rented here. We thought that if we really hadn't settled in then, we would go back to UK and try again. We're still here!!!

There are a few regrets, mainly to do with the children. Yes, it was a great place to bring them up, but they have suffered a bit with friendships. People do tend to come and go with varying degrees of frequency on these islands. My son found it difficult to integrate in the UK when he went back for college, as to him he was in a foreign country, and a very uncaring one at that!!!!!! I think both the children felt a little "displaced", and still don't have a sense of belonging anywhere particularly.

I agree to some extent with Mike, expats are not the most "normal" of people, though I wouldn't necessarily agree with his groupings!! The one thing that really annoys me is the constant questions of "oh you live here do you", "do you like it", "where do you come from" etc etc. I live here!!! This is my home!!!! Those type of questions were never asked of me when I lived in UK, and boy can they be irritating!!!!!

Mike

Glad to hear you are happy with your lot, as I am with mine. Regarding the people you described drinking the expensive wine and boasting about it, perhaps they feel they have to let people know how much they paid for that particular bottle because it is the only bottle of decent wine they will ever have in their lives

I apologise if I have come across defensive but I did feel that toastedmallows previous post was putting people who move abroad into a definate category i.e. running away from problems. As I said the only problem I have is the way the UK is being sold up the river and that is my reason for moving abroad.

Rgds
Jackie

.... The one thing that really annoys me is the constant questions of "oh you live here do you", "do you like it", "where do you come from" etc etc

Another one is .... 'How often do you go home?'

Answer - Every day.