Essential Guides & Advice Tips: Australia, Liguria, Romania

Date Published:

21/05/2008

Could I Live In Australia?

If you have a big family in the UK and have never lived anywhere else, the answer is possibly 'no.' We're talking about moving to the other side of the world, don't forget, and the flight is long and expensive.

If you are considering relocating you should put aside enough money for at least one flight back home a year, in the beginning anyway.

Do you know the country well enough? You should have made at least two three-week visits and, if you know people who have already gone through the relocation process, make sure you tap them for information.

The Northern end of The Gold Coast is a very easy place for a Brit abroad to settle. The climate is perfect - cool at night and between 19C and 22C in the day in the winter, peaking at around 40C in the summer. It's a relaxed place where everyone has an equal chance of success in business and the standard of living is high.

20 years ago the journey from the UK to Australia was so much longer. Phone calls were very expensive and there was no internet - so no email! However the world is a smaller place now, which means leaving England for Australia is far less painful.

Useful Contacts:

Your Move Realty
Andrew Winter's website

Buying In Western Liguria

Crammed in right at the top of Italy's boot and achingly close to the French border, Western Liguria is a real gem of a place and a dream location for a second home. Apart from the gorgeous surroundings, right on the Italian Riviera with a beautiful coastline as well as lush mountains, Western Liguria has fantastic transports links - Nice and Genoa airports are less than an hour's drive away.

It is tricky to get your hands on dirt-cheap properties here, unless they're in need of serious renovation, but there are plenty at fairly reasonable prices that would make great investments. The town of San Remo is pretty, posh with its yacht-lined harbour, and popular with European nobility. Yet you can pick up a three-bedroom apartment in the old town for just 165,000 Euros. Further inland, in the town of Pigna and the villages all around, there are some super period homes, such a small house with a sea view in medieval Poggi, on the outskirts of Imperia for just 195,000 Euros. Get hunting!

Useful Contacts

The Move Channel (Italy)
Liguria Estates
Living In Italy
Casa Travella

Buying In Romania

Romania may still be best known for the bloodthirsty Vlad the Impaler (Count Dracula, to us), but there's nothing spooky about its house prices. Now is the perfect time to buy in Romania because you can still get some great bargains, especially in Vlad’s old stomping ground Transylvania, such as a gorgeous three-bedroom town house (in need of renovation) in medieval Sighisoara for £137,000, via the Romanian real-estate agency Levidia.

If you're looking to tap into the tourist trade, Brasov, also in Transylvania, is a good choice. Bucharest is the safest and most obvious place to buy, particularly if you're new to investing abroad, but prices here tend to be a bit higher because it's a prime location. However since Romania joined the EU, potential buyers are now able to get a mortgage in the country.

Useful Contacts:

Romanian Homes
Investment Romania
Transylvania Ventures

Buying In Pau

After the introduction of cheap flights and improved transport links Pau is becoming increasingly popular for many looking to purchase property abroad. House prices have long been reasonable but are steadily climbing due to people taking more of an interest in the area

Useful Contacts:

French Property Links
Here you'll find quaint country homes half an hour from Pau and in need of some renovation from as little as £82,000.
Focus France
Showcases a good selection of properties in and around the town.

Why not see how far your money might go if you buy abroad? Search for your dream overseas property on aplaceinthesun.com

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