Celebrity neighbours
Ever wanted to move abroad but don't know who
you'll end up living near to? Britain's
favourite celebrities are among the hundreds of thousands of Brits now owning
properties overseas...
Spain
Why buy? Economic downturn or not, Spain still offers sun, sea and accessibility,
making it our number one second-home and retirement destination. If you want to
buy now, and are looking for quality, then you should be able to negotiate at
least 20 per cent off last year's prices for both new and resale.
Who's here too? Former
England football manager Terry Venables, PR guru Max Clifford, chef Antony
Worrall Thompson, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, former cricketer Ian Botham,
singer Annie Lennox, actor Catherine Zeta-Jones, Olympic athlete Daley Thompson
France
Why buy? France
has plenty going for it. It has a good supply of character properties and
fantastic food and drink, plus it's easy to get to. The country's size means
there's a huge variety of properties available. You can get away from it all in
a tumbledown cottage in a beautiful rural location, or rub shoulders with the
chic while living in a pied-a-terre in Paris.
Who's here too? Brand Beckham David
and Victoria, singer Elton John, national treasure Terry Wogan, singer Toyah
Willcox, footballer Steven Gerrard, opera singer Lesley Garrett
Portugal
Why buy? Similar in size to Scotland,
Portugal is greener and more
rugged than Spain.
Only a short flight from the UK,
it boasts golf courses galore, fabulous beaches and reliably sunny weather. But
while Portugal
may be feeling the effects of the downturn, the country is unlikely to see the
large price drops that some of its neighbours are experiencing, resulting in
relative stability in the housing market.
Who's here too? Former England
goalie David Seaman, actor Clive Dunn, singer Cliff Richard, presenter Judith
Chalmers, footballers Michael Owen and Alan Shearer, ex-Liverpool forward John
Aldridge, former England defender Tony Dorigo, ex-Goodie Tim Brooke-Taylor,
presenter Chris Evans, golfer Padraig Harrington
Cyprus
Why buy? Year-round sunshine is Cyprus'
biggest asset. This complements the island's friendly people, beautiful
coastline, British legacy and favourable tax regime - little wonder a growing
number of British emigrants and retirees are buying and moving there.
Who's here too? Celeb couple Jordan
and Peter Andre, former Liverpool and Wales international footballer Ian
Rush
Turkey
Why buy? Turkey
has emerged as a popular holiday home destination thanks to being able to offer
very affordable property close to beautiful beaches.
Who's here too? Premiership
footballers Andrew Johnson and Tim Cahill, golfer Lee Westwood, actor Ricky
Tomlinson, boxers Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton, athlete Sally Gunnell, actor
Claire Sweeney, athlete Jason Gardener
Greece
Why buy? One of Europe's most popular holiday hotspots, Greece and the Greek
islands perhaps aren't quite the bargain break they used to be in the days of
the drachma, but the pretty white-washed houses, clear seas and warm climate
appeal to everyone.
Who's here too? Private Eye editor
and Have I Got News for You panelist Ian Hislop
Italy
Why buy? A destination favoured by Brits for its dolce vita lifestyle, culture
and food. Traditionally we've bought rustic gems in the hills, often for
restoring, but we're now waking up to its affordable seaside properties and
village houses.
Who's here too? Singers Sting and
Mick Hucknall, A Place
in the Sun presenter Amanda Lamb, Dame Helen Mirren
USA
Why buy? The third largest nation in the world, America
offers fast city life in New York and LA,
Casinos and bright lights in Las Vegas, and
glorious sunshine in Florida.
Evidence suggests the economic climate hasn't dampened our desire for property
in the US,
and given the state of the market, many Brits are on the lookout for a bargain.
Who's here too? Music svengali Simon
Cowell, singer Rod Stewart, singer Daniel O'Donnell, actor Catherine Zeta-Jones
Australia
Why buy? It's English-speaking, has beautiful beaches complemented by a
glorious sunny climate, isn't over-populated, has world-class healthcare and is
crying out for professionals/trades people. With the largest population of
British expats in the world (around 1.3 million), Australia
remains the UK's
number one emigration destination.
Who's here too? Singer & actor
Kylie Minogue (OK, she's not British, but she's practically one of us), actor
Cate Blanchett (well she played Elizabeth
I didn't she?)
Canada
Why buy? With a laid-back atmosphere and dramatic landscapes, it's little
wonder that Canada
is such a popular destination. Expats flock there in search of a healthy
lifestyle and breathtaking natural beauty, while for holiday homes, the buzz
phrase is ‘four season appeal': if you want skiing, hot summers, white-water
rafting, golf, salmon fishing and lakeside living - come to Canada.
Who's here too? Singer Midge Ure
From 3rd-5th April 2009, the A Place in the Sun Live exhibition at Earls Court 2 London promises an all-encompassing look at how to get onto the overseas property ladder. Visitors looking for a great investment, idyllic holiday home, retirement property, or a permanent home abroad will find thousands of great properties and advice from experts they can trust