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The heat is on for overseas investors

13th November 2008 | back to article listings BACK    print this article PRINT

For those keen on investing in overseas property, the market being served may vary. In France, for example, some will go for Alpine property to suit skiers in winter and the growing year-round tourism based on other activities like mountain biking and hiking. In the north-west, some may rent property to commuters using the Eurostar to get to work in London.

The findings of a new survey may point more to the sunny south of France as a place to invest. For those who wish to move overseas, a survey has found that weather is the most frequently-cited reason for leaving the UK.

Alliance & Leicester, which carried out the study, noted that 57 per cent said this, although the more nebulous "quality of life" was a close second on 56 per cent. While many in the survey will have bought their homes overseas, others may be keen on renting property on a long-term basis.

For this reason, those investing in such property may wish to check that the areas they invest in meet all the major criteria outlined in the survey. Anywhere in southern France will have warmer and sunnier weather than Britain and if being by the sea or near vineyards means "quality of life" than this box is also ticked. What is also notable in the survey is that factors such as higher standard of living, lower crime rates, a slower pace of life, better food and the chance to mix with locals were also prominent reasons. As far as France is concerned, many areas could fulfil all these, but not necessarily all.

While the survey was about overseas property in general, it is worth noting that the highest priorities for those moving to France were weather, quality of life, safety and low crime, plus of course the food. Thus buyers would do well to check out all these aspects when looking to invest in any area.

Locations in the Limousin region in the heart of France may well fit the bill for all of these aspects. French property specialists VEF have labelled this as one of the best parts of the country to live in, with scenery similar to parts of northern England such as the Lake District or the Yorkshire Dales, but with dissimilar weather featuring 2,000 hours of sunshine a year.

The site also mentioned that the region has a slower pace of life and a strong community spirit, not to mention a number of markets. The last two may help with the feeling of safety and the acquisition of favoured culinary delights.

Of course, Limousin may be just one of a number of parts of France that may fit the bill. But the bottom line for investors seems to be that if they are looking at renting long-term to expats, sunshine and lifestyle are top priorities.

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