Brits Move Abroad for Better Weather

Bad weather is the top reason Brits want to emigrate from the UK and Australia is their preferred destination, according to new research from savings bank Alliance and Leicester International (ALI).

It found that 60% of retired British expats rate good weather as the factor which sets their new country of residence apart from the UK, while a higher standard of living and better quality of life were ranked second and third place (48% and 44%) respectively.

Expats who have moved abroad to run a business, as well as those who emigrated for family reasons, also rated weather as their number one drawcard for living abroad (70% and 60% respectively). Half (50%) of those who moved overseas for business purposes rated standard of living and safety as joint second favourites, and 45% placed the slower pace of life in their new country at third.

After weather, people who emigrated for family reasons felt that the better quality of life and feeling safer in their new country were important - rating them in second and third place (45% and 40%) respectively.

Australia and Spain came out top as the countries which are home to the most satisfied expats. The overwhelming majority (86%) of those living Down Under voted weather as the best thing about the country, with 80% saying the standard of living and 73% quality of life were what they liked best about the country.

However, a massive 87% said that the worst factor about living in Australia was that they were so far away from their family. Spain also fared extremely well, with 92% putting weather at the top of the list, while 85% appreciated the slower pace of living as well as feeling safer in Spain than in the UK.

New Zealand also scored highly in the poll due to its favourable costs and high quality of life. Nearly two thirds (62%) said standard of living and quality of life were the best things about living abroad as opposed to the UK. In recent research by ALI, New Zealand topped the poll for both of these, as a result of its low costs for food, drink and fuel as well as a favourable tax regime.

“The survey findings show that many Brits have moved abroad in an attempt to escape the UK’s dismal weather,” said Simon Ripton, joint Mmanaging director of Alliance & Leicester International. “Other factors that have emerged as being important to expats are improved quality of life and a better standard of living. However, although countries like Australia can offer good weather in abundance, the poll revealed that many Brits claim the worst thing about living abroad is missing friends and family – which just goes to show that there are some home comforts that can’t be found abroad.”

Top ten reasons expats rate their new country over the UK

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