Popular destinations for British expats
While moving abroad is not an easy decision to make, a rising number of us are willing to take the plunge and embrace a new lifestyle, especially with the bonus of a warmer climate. With approximately 5.5 million Brits living abroad on a permanent basis, here at Santa Fe Relocation, we’re taking a closer look at the most popular destinations abroad for British expats.
Spain
With its close proximity to the UK, excellent climate and fantastic cuisine, it’s unsurprising that Spain tops the list for the most popular destination for British expats. In fact, a report run by the Office of National Statistics suggests that Spain is home to the largest number of British expats in the EU, with 308,805 British expats in total in the country. Interestingly, Spain appears to be the ultimate retirement destination for British expats, with a third of this number being aged 65 or over.
Portugal
While the number of tourists visiting Portugal increased by 12% in 2017, the number of British expats moving here was also on the rise. With so many people jetting off to Portugal, you may be questioning why. Not only does Portugal boast the perfect combination of beaches, sun and amazing cuisine, but the country is seen as one of the best places to escape a ‘rut’ and is highly attractive to those looking to live the life they want to live, rather one that they have to live. Home to several friendly communities with open arms welcoming foreigners from across the globe, including Brits, it’s easy to see why so many of us want to experience the way of life in Portugal.
Japan
When it comes to moving abroad, few of us consider moving to Japan. Interestingly, however, a rising number of Brits are exploring outside of their comfort zone and heading to one of the quirkiest countries around. If you are looking for somewhere relatively affordable yet located near the heart of the action, the likes of Tabata, Sugamo and Komagome could be perfect for you. For those seeking a more laidback lifestyle, however, Hiroshima is perfect. Boasting an average temperature of 16.2 degrees Celsius, Hiroshima city is renowned as an ‘International City of Peace and Culture’ and even though the area attracted over 1,000,000 visitors in 2015, life remains peaceful in the mountains.
Dubai
As one of the fastest growing cities in the world, it’s no surprise that an increasing number of British expats are choosing to embark on the seven-hour flight to Dubai. Here, you get the best of both worlds. Renowned as one of the most luxurious places to visit, you can enjoy the tax-free lifestyle that attracts millions of people from across the globe each year – not to mention that when you work here, you will take home more cash than you would at home! It’s also perfect for those who want to travel on a frequent basis, as the country is conveniently situated between Europe and Asia, making travelling both continents extremely straightforward. While Dubai has always been a key expat destination, with over 90% of the population being expats, a number of other countries in the United Arab Emirates are also becoming popular with those looking for high quality of life and low tax lifestyles, meaning we could see the likes of Abu Dhabi and Sarjah starting to make the list over the coming years.
Singapore
For those seeking a better way of life abroad, Singapore could be the ideal solution. For many British expats looking to make a move, Singapore’s high quality of life is just one factor that stands out among the hospitable expatriate culture that this exceptional country boasts. Better known as “the welcoming nation”, when you live in Singapore as an expat, you will never be at a loose end. The people here are incredibly friendly, but don’t just take it from us – Singapore has been ranked the most welcoming city in the world by people like you.
At Santa Fe Relocation, we strive to make moving abroad as easy as possible. With the help of our experts, you can be confident that you will have a seamless moving experience when you choose Santa Fe Relocation. Contact us to find out how we can assist you with your move, today.
