Wondered what lockdown would be like as an expat somewhere sunny? For a snapshot of what thousands of Brits are going through in Spain, retirees John and Diana Greenaway (main picture) share their experiences of being holed up in the Costa del Sol! John and Diana pre-lockdown in Puerto Banús Do you think [...]
Lockdown has made us appreciate every inch of our homes, making even the smallest outside area a blessing. Here are some ideas on how to make best use of limited outdoor space in a sunny climate, plus some examples of properties that do just that… Two-bed semi in the French Riviera Pleasure from [...]
Even the purist urbanites appreciate being close to a bit of leafy green space - in fact right now it’s nothing less than a godsend! We pick five of our favourite city parks across Europe and for each find a tempting pad nearby Apartment overlooking Turia Gardens, Valencia Turia Gardens, Valencia city A [...]
Coronavirus may have forced house-hunters to postpone their overseas viewing trips but that’s no reason to ditch your buying plans completely. Instead, use your time at home to do research and make some important contacts, so you’re ready to snap up a property once normality has resumed. Here are some useful pointers Sparkling new [...]
As the nation hunkers down to ride out the devastating Coronavirus crisis, have you thought about what your ideal self-isolating sanctuary would be like? Here are four overseas properties where cocooning yourself away shouldn’t be too painful an experience and thankfully bills shouldn’t be too high due to being off-grid…. Hideaway in rural Murcia [...]
Cranes are a common sight on the busiest Spanish Costas at the moment, thanks to a surge in new developments. Here are some key considerations when buying an off-plan or key-ready property, with some dazzling examples in the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol! New apartment complex in Orihuela Costa, Costa Blanca You [...]
Serious skiers and lovers of après-ski will always flock to the large, pumping resorts in the Alps. But if gentler slopes and a cosy, local feel is more your scene, try one of the smaller, off-the-beaten destinations spread across Europe, where mountain homes are often more affordable. Here is a taste of what's out there… [...]
Sterling has strengthened compared to this time last year, when Theresa May was still prime minister and no-one really knew what would happen with Brexit! Here’s a reminder of how the exchange rate fluctuates and how it can affect your buying power abroad A lot has changed since February 2019, when the UK government was [...]
An Italian region has been crowned the second-best destination to visit in 2020 by Lonely Planet, and it’s not Tuscany or the Italian Lakes! Described as ‘all of Italy in one region’ and with 20 blue flag beaches and eight ski resorts, here’s why Italophiles on the hunt for their own slice of 'la dolce [...]
Three-and-a-half years after the UK voted to quit the EU, Brexit finally happened on 31st January. We outline what this landmark date means for Brits planning to live or buy a second home in Europe, and explain why in the immediate months after the event it remains very much business as usual! This villa [...]