Young at heart

Are you the shy and retiring type? No? How about just retiring? Then check out New Zealand, which is fast becoming a retirement hotspot for Brits...

Retiring abroad is a common dream for countless Brits. Whilst many choose to head to the traditional overseas retirement destinations such as Spain and France, an increasing number are looking further afield - to New Zealand.

Quite why the land of the long white cloud has become such a popular retirement destination is easy to see. Whilst it is a long way away from Britain, New Zealand offers no language barrier, a good healthcare system, affordable cost of living and outdoorsy lifestyle.

In many ways it's the perfect place to retire to as all of the outdoor activities on offer are ideal for someone who wants to make the most of their new life and isn't tied to an office desk every day.

If you are of the ‘best things in life are free' school of thought, New Zealand will be your very own heaven on earth, with countless kilometers of pristine beaches that are virtually deserted, hiking trails, stunning views and friendly people. It is also a safe, uncrowded and relaxed country.

And the survey says...

A Royal Bank of Scotland survey found that eleven per cent of British pensioners said that New Zealand was the country in which they would most like to retire to, making it the top destination for retirees.

Fellow English speaking countries Australia and Canada were also popular destinations.

Research for the Department for Work and Pensions indicates that more than a million UK citizens currently receive their pensions abroad and the Institute for Public Policy Research anticipates that over 3.3 million pensioners will look to invest in the foreign property market when they retire abroad by 2050.

As Brits and Kiwis share a great deal in terms of cultural heritage, language, general aspirations and weather, expat retirees stand a good chance of settling in to a new life quickly. 

Mark O'Sullivan, Director of Dealing at Currencies Direct said, "Despite being on the other side of the world, many retirees feel that New Zealand's Cornish style sandy beaches remind them of home, furthermore English is the first language and they even drive on the right side of the road (the left)."

Making the move

Spending time in New Zealand before committing to moving there permanently is a must, as reversing your choice later on will be far from easy.

One way of trying out your new life is to house swap. There are a number of professional house swap agencies available, all of which have an internet presence - you put your property up and state that you're interested in swapping for fixed periods with New Zealand home owners and then your accommodation and even car costs are covered and all you need to buy are your flights and day to day necessities.

By house swapping you get a good feel for real life in New Zealand that you wouldn't otherwise get from staying in a hotel or following the tourist trail. 

Visas

There are many visa types that you can potentially apply for - for example, you might like to put part of your pension pot towards an investor visa. 

If you have your own business, you could take it to New Zealand prior to retirement on an entrepreneur visa or a long-term business visa. 

If you have family already living in New Zealand then they can effectively sponsor your application to retire to the country.

Whilst moving to the other side of the world may seem a drastic and expensive move, according to a recent YouGov poll by Scottish Widows, 28 per cent of respondents said that they did not feel they could afford to stay in the UK when they retire.

George Andrew, Head of Market Relations at Scottish Widows said, "Many of us are also fretting about how we will be able to afford the retirement we desire."

Picture by PhillipC