Top Ten Sunshine Destinations

The Sunshine Ten

BuyAssociation.co.uk Property Editor Paul Collins seeks out the property destinations for those in search of guaranteed sunshine.

Introduction

It says something for the Great British summer when the past two years have been marked by flooding and torrential rain in August. In the past couple of weeks there have been incidents of a whole month of rain falling in one day, roads being closed, trains derailed by landslides – all of which would be bad enough in the winter or spring, but in the middle of our supposed summer it becomes a bit depressing.

Searching for a better climate in which to live is one of the biggest driving factors in people moving overseas, and when talking to people who have made the move to another country permanent, the good weather is one of the first things they mention.

So, as the rest of the country struggles to dry out and get a few days of sunshine before the winter sets in again, we take a look at some destinations where the good weather is virtually guaranteed for most of the year.

Dubai

For those looking for hot, sunny weather, it is difficult to do much better than life on the edge of a desert on the Arabian Gulf. Dubai is a crazy, beguiling and awe-inspiring city where everything is being achieved on an unprecedented scale, and a place in which optimism reigns. As the rest of the world looks towards economic slowdown, prices of property in Dubai are rising, and more businesses are relocating there every day. Add to this a thriving global expatriate community and a rich cultural and historical heritage, and Dubai becomes a great place to relocate. For some, the height of summer is likely to prove too hot to be outside for long, but with average winter temperatures of 26 degrees C, you won’t be needing the extra-thick socks. SPF (Sunshine Property Factor) 9

Australia

Australia is the favourite destination of Brits who are emigrating permanently from these shores, and although some parts of the country have a climate that is similar to the UK; other regions are hot, dry and sunny for the majority of the year. In fact, some parts of Australia have seen little or no rain for up to four years, and the popular cities and coastal resorts can offer the kind of weather that many of us can only dream of. Prices of property in Australia have grown significantly in the past decade, and while there has been something of a correction in the market in the cities in recent months, the popularity of making a new life Down Under is unlikely to wane. With favourable immigration rights for UK nationals, provided you fulfill the requirements of the authorities, and a culture and lifestyle that is easy to adapt to, it is little wonder so many of us want to make the trip to the other side of the planet permanently. SPF 8

Morocco

One of the biggest success stories in the overseas property market in recent years, property in Morocco is still less expensive than in many other comparable destinations. While it is true that you can no longer pick up a riad in downtown Marrakech for a pittance, property in the newly-developed resorts on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts represent great value and are only a short flight from the UK. The government of Morocco is dedicated to attracting more visitors to the country than ever over the next few years and is supplying the infrastructure to back this up; while there are more than 20 low-cost airline routes into Moroccan airports. And then there is the weather. Hot and sunny through the summer months, but with cooling breezes on the coasts; warm and pleasant in the winter, Morocco is the perfect place for those who don’t like the cold. Even if you do fancy getting wrapped up in winter, it is possible to ski in the high Atlas Mountains, so there is something for everyone! SPF 8

Florida

Just like elsewhere in the US, property in Florida is suffering the effects of the economic slowdown caused by the over-extension of easy credit across the country. This situation, unhappy as it is for the local residents and those who can no longer afford their mortgage repayments, allows overseas buyers to get deals on new and resale property that cannot be matched anywhere else in the world at the moment. Combined with the weakness of the Dollar in the international currency markets, buying in Florida has become much more affordable. Florida also has some of the best weather conditions in the US, and continues to attract ‘snowbirds’, or retirees from the rest of the country at a rate of over 1,000 people per day. Even if you are not keen on moving to the US permanently, the opportunities for rental are great if you are near the theme parks or the coast – even if people are less able to buy in the Sunshine State, the reasons for visiting on holiday remain unchanged, and there are few better family destinations in the world. SPF 7

Spain

With the profusion of new and emerging markets in which British buyers are now offered overseas property, it is easy to overlook some of the original destinations for overseas property, and the reasons why they were seen as the perfect place to set up home overseas. Buying a property in Spain was and still is one of the best ways to get the ideal situation – the UK but a with lot warmer weather. Spain has the advantage for many buyers and émigrés that it allows people to get as involved as they feel comfortable with in the local culture and community. Some people prefer to have easy access to their home comforts and like to be surrounded by other expats to enjoy the food, drink, TV channels and conversation they might have in the UK. Others choose to immerse themselves completely in the culture, history and lifestyle of the local area, while the majority of people are able to pick and choose the elements from both cultures that suit them individually. Weather on most of the Costas is great for the summer months, but varies more in the winter; while for the best of the climate throughout the year, it is best to look towards the southern Costas of Spain, or consider the islands. SPF 8

Brazil

Buying property in Brazil is an idea that would not have held much water just a couple of years ago, but in a testament to the speed of the property market’s development in recent times, it is now seen as a perfectly acceptable investment destination. For most, the attraction of the north-east coast of the country is the weather and undisturbed beaches of the province of Natal. The property developments under construction in the area are exciting and have the advantage of being the first on the ground. However, it is not just the good weather and average winter temperatures of 24 degrees C that attracts people – the air quality in Natal has been rated by NASA as the second cleanest in the world after Antarctica. With property in Brazil still being offered at prices less than a luxury family car, it is easy to see why investors are being tempted. The potential for growth is also huge, as Brazil only introduced a ministry of Tourism in 2005 to open up the country as a destination – the effects of which are just beginning to be seen now. If you want your place on the beach for the best of South America’s climate, you will have to move quickly! SPF 7

Malaysia

South East Asia’s transport and commercial hub, Malaysia is beginning to register for overseas property buyers both as an investment destination and a place to have a property in one of the most exciting and diverse countries in the region. Malaysia is also located near the Tropics, and benefits from a hot, if humid, climate for the majority of the year. The diversity of the country, along with the strong ties it has retained to its British Empire roots, combine to make an exciting and vibrant culture which draws upon the influences of a diverse cross-section of influences from across the world. Though it may lack the punch of Dubai as an investment opportunity, buying property in Malaysia should be a good investment as the government and economy are both strong and stable. With the connections it has to other cities in the region and across the world, and the fact that it is actively encouraging foreigners to move there permanently, Malaysia could be an ideal new base for business people and retirees alike. SPF 7

India

Along with Morocco and the Greek Islands, India is enjoying a resurgence in tourism and property investment from people who may have travelled there in their youth and are now returning with families in tow. Since the original hippies made their way to live on the beaches in Goa, the rules regarding buying property in India and visas have changed significantly, and it is now much more difficult to get through the bureaucracy to make a purchase. In fact, unless buyers are Non-Resident Indians (NRI) or Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) it is near-impossible to buy in India. More NRIs and PIOs than ever are now able to buy property overseas, and many are returning to invest either in the cities with their growing services sector, or to buy a dream property along the coast of the Indian Ocean. While the coasts offer some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, the hot summers and temperate winters of this part of the country are the ideal location for those bored of rain in August. SPF 6

France

Again, while the northern part of the country has much the same climate as we ‘enjoy’ here in the UK, parts of France have exactly the kind of warm, but not too hot, weather that would be far more pleasant than the English summer. In the interior of the country, around Limousin and Clermont-Ferrand, the norm is for stiflingly-hot and dry summer weather. At the same time, Paris bakes in hot and sticky summer temperatures in July and August, when the majority of residents head south to the Cote d’Azur to soak up the sun. Here they are joined by every other nationality for the best of the French climate on the famous beaches and promenades. While the whole coast is blessed with good summers and mild winters, one town in particular is known as having the most sunshine in France. The quiet, picturesque town of Menton is said to have its own micro-climate, and attracts retirees from across Europe to its warm beaches and Mediterranean waters. Something about the weather in this part of the world also lends itself perfectly to the laid-back southern lifestyle of the region, where aperitifs and dinner are taken late on the pavements and terraces. Property in France is still as popular as it has ever been, and with summer weather to make almost any other country jealous, it is easy to see why. SPF 6

Egypt

No longer do British tourists and overseas property buyers need to head on long-haul flights to the Indian Ocean or into the southern hemisphere in search of winter sunshine. Egypt has become increasingly popular for year-round holidays due to the climate staying hot enough to sunbathe at any time. For those looking to buy property in Egypt, the government is investing heavily in airport infrastructure across the regions favoured by tourists, and is encouraging ‘residential tourism’ on an ever-larger scale. Prices in some of Egypt’s best resorts, such as Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, are still very low, and with new areas such as Sahl Hasheesh opening up, the opportunities continue for investors. Tourists from across the world are attracted to Egypt’s history, culture and the world-class diving to be found in the Red Sea, and despite some stories to the contrary, security in Egypt’s resorts is very good. SPF 8

After sun

While finding a better climate is one of the most significant reasons that many people decide to make the move overseas in the first place, it is advisable to think carefully about exactly how hot you want your new environment to be. Many of us dream about being able to go to the beach every day, but if it is so hot that you are unable to stay outside for more than a few minutes a day, it soon becomes less enjoyable than you may have imagined. There have also been incidences of people moving back to the UK from overseas because they missed the rain. To live in a place where there is no rain at all for large parts of the year is a strange experience, and is harder to get used to than you might imagine!

Related Articles

• Buying a Property in Dubai
• Buying a Property in Australia
• Buying a Property in Morocco
• Buying a Property in Florida
• Buying a Property in Spain
• Buying a Property in Brazil
• Buying a Property in Malaysia
• Buying a Property in India
• Buying a Property in France
• Buying a Property in Egypt