Micro-managing emigration
It's no secret that hoards of Brits would love to escape the economic downturn and move to pastures new, but who knew it would be quite so many? New research has found that four out of every five people living in Britain are desperate to emigrate, with the majority hoping to sun it up in Florida...
Quitting the UK for sunnier climes is nothing new, but the sheer number of people looking to do so has sky-rocketed since the credit crunch first darkened our doors.
The survey, carried out by perfectholidayhome.co.uk, found that, if no obstacles existed, 79 per cent of Brits would choose to emigrate. As usual, the top reasons for leaving the UK would be to enjoy a better lifestyle and escape the British weather.
The survey did hold one surprise, revealing Florida to be the most popular emigration destination, as opposed to the traditional hotspots of Spain and Australia. Whilst 42 per cent chose Florida, 20 per cent chose Australia and New Zealand and Spain and France received just six per cent each.
Micro-managing
However, if you are not in the market for making the life changing decision to emigrate, how about a holiday that's perfect for these credit crunched times?
New York wouldn't be the first place that springs to mind for a budget holiday, with accommodation in a central hotel costing an arm and a leg. But now, to fit in with the financial times, (not the newspaper, the climate) a New York hotel is offering rooms for less than £68 a night.
The Jane Hotel, close to Manhattan's uber trendy meatpacking district, offers luxury sheets and high tech audio system including iPod dock, flat screen TV, DVD player and free wireless internet in each of its 150 tiny single rooms - which are just 50 square feet in size.
Guests store their luggage in storage spaces above and below the bed and each room has a small window so it doesn't feel too cell-like.
Cheap rooms aren't all that's on offer at The Jane - the place is also swimming in history.
The cabin-like rooms have been in place since the building was completed in 1908, originally meant to house sailors.
Even more exciting is the thought that the building once sheltered the surviving crew of the Titanic who were held there until the American inquiry of the sinking was complete.
Today's guests have to share bathrooms with others on their floor. If this is too much for you to cope with, there are 150 slightly higher priced rooms which include private bathrooms.
The hotel is opening in stages between now and the summer and is hoping to attract the budget conscious holidaymaker and business traveler looking to get a lot of bang for their buck.
Several national hotel chains are said to be interested in bringing the micro concept to life within their own hotels so this could be the start of a whole new way of small time living.
Picture by everystock