The best exotic marigold hotel 2: life imitates art?

France is the third most popular country in the world with property buyers Photo credit: Sharon.Schneider

A recent Prudential survey shows that the high cost of living in the UK and declining pension pots mean that some 17 per cent of those planning to retire this year will have debts outstanding. These findings are leading more and more UK pensioners to take a leaf out of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel 2's books, argues Danny Silver, Founding Manager of The Villages Group - Rainbow, France's first gay active living village for the over-50s.

Indeed, Oscar-nominated Judi Dench was unable to attend last night's ceremony in Los Angeles because she is currently filming the sequel to the 2011 British comedy-drama in India. The movie Sees a group of pensioners (played by Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy and Richard Gere) move to an affordable retirement hotel to escape the crippling cost of old age, where they grow to appreciate adventure in their golden years.

Throughout the movie, the guests address society's assumptions of old age and tackle elderly stereotypes, making decisions that help them learn more about life as a retired individual whilst also finding ways to live their lives to the full.

Silver comments: "The British over 50's LGBT market is booming and it is important that their specific needs for housing are not only recognised but met. With isolation and loneliness real challenges for older LGBT people, we at The Villages Group - Rainbow believe that community living villages are the way forward. We provide one level eco homes with on-site services and amenities that encourage an active, happy and healthy lifestyle with like-minded individuals."

Indeed, with increasing numbers of people looking to move abroad for their golden years in search of lower living costs and a better quality of life, France remains an extremely popular destination, rising two places in TheMoveChannel.com's chart last month to reclaim its position as the third most popular country on the site.