news.assetz.co.uk

It's no big secret that Brits like to get away, with many virtually depending on annual holidays to sunnier climes to get through the year in one piece. When it comes to actually investing in a more permanent foreign getaway however, motivations tend to be slightly less whimsical.

Or do they? A new survey has revealed that as well as new jobs, family commitments, retirement and long term investment plans such as sub-letting, many Brits are actually considering buying properties abroad simply to get away from the weather. Research from the Fresh Start Show, which takes place at ExCeL London in May, revealed that over 47 per cent of Brits looking to move overseas are doing so because of the bad weather at home. Subsequently, nearby destinations in continental Europe are becoming increasingly popular among weather-weary property buyers, as opposed to further afield holiday hotspots such as the Caribbean, for example.

The wider picture is that many people look abroad for a better quality of life, not simply with regard to climate, but also in terms of living costs, pace of living and professional opportunities. For instance, the average number of public holidays per year in the continent is 11 days, three more than in the UK. However, though many want to move abroad on a permanent basis the temptation is to not stray too far from home, hence why Countries such as Spain, Cyprus and of course France are rising in popularity.

Official figures reveal that 630,000 British families bought property overseas in 2003, 14 per cent higher than the previous year and further research from Fresh Start 2005 has found that almost three-quarters of young professionals are planning to live overseas at some point in their future.

"A key factor for many people buying a holiday home or permanent residence overseas is the improvement in their quality of life," explained the managing director of Fresh Start, Nick Clark. "It is clear that with better weather and more public holidays, destinations such as Spain, France and Florida have a lot to offer British property buyers."

In the long-term, rising demand for second homes abroad for strictly leisure purposes could have some impact on the buy-to-let market if more people begin investing in homes abroad for personal, full-time use. Nonetheless, it is likely that only older, wealthier investors will be able to afford to do so, leaving the buy to let market open to younger buyers.