THE FACT THAT THOUSANDS OF BRITONS LEAVE THE UK EVERY YEAR TO MAKE A FRESH START OR RETIRE IN SPAIN IS NOT NEWS – AFTER ALL, THAT'S WHAT MANY OF US, OR OUR FAMILIES, HAVE DONE – BUT THE INCREASING NUMBER OF HIGHLY-TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE MOVING TO THE COSTAS IS SEEN AS MANY AS A CLEAR SIGNAL THAT QUALITY OF LIFE IS BETTER IN THE SUN.

Figures show that in 2006 more than 100,000 Britons emigrated in search of a better life abroad, increasing to a staggering 400,000 in 2007, but the main concern for British authorities is that these emigration figures included many skilled professionals of which there is a shortage in the UK. Not just teachers, doctors and care workers, but also craftsmen, builders and electricians, and Spain is still the preferred destination. Critics says increasing crime rates, immigration, poor health services, soaring taxes and a derelict education system is driving thousands of top professionals and skilled workers out of the UK. Let's take a closer look at what is luring UK professionals to Spain.

QUALITY OF LIFE

One British teacher who moved to the Costa del Sol from Hull says she has absolutely no regrets about leaving the UK. “We'd had enough of it”, she says and adds: “We had no standard of living, it was the best decision we ever made. There's no comparison, life out here is so relaxed, the cost of living is cheaper and the quality of life far better.” Another example is that of a family from Ryle in Wales who sold their £97,000 home and moved to the Costa del Sol last year. They are now living in a renovated town house without a mortgage and run a local bar. The went from paying £900 council tax in Wales to an IBI property bill of around 60 euros. But costs apart, what is luring top professionals over from the UK is the quality of life, a sense of safety that is almost forgotten in Britain and the chance to raise a family with traditional values meaning elderly are able to live comfortably, children can still play safe in the streets, schools and healthcare are better, and crime is treated seriously. Considering all these factors, it is not surprising that almost 1,000,000 Britons own property in Spain – more than half the total of those who own property abroad – and that figure is expected to soar over the next few years.

CHEAPER TRAVEL

Another reason that has led thousands of highly-qualified professionals to move to Spain is the availability of low cost flights and the opening or improvement of smaller airports both in the UK and on the Costa’s. Some professionals have moved with their families to Spain and take advantage of low air fares to travel back to the UK to do business regularly. Some work in Britain throughout the week and come to their home and family in Spain at the weekend, while others simply make the most of technology by working at their Spanish homes with internet contact with their UK firms – which they visit once a month. There's no shortage of low cost airlines – Easyjet, bmibaby, MyTravelite, Thomsonfly.com, buzz, etc. - or airports. Those who cannot fly out of the main Alicante, Malaga and Barcelona airport can choose to land at Almería, San Javier, Valencia or Reus and will shortly be able to use new airports in Murcia and Castellón.

GOING SOUTH

The quietness and tranquility that is still available near the Costa’s is one of the main reasons for professionals to move to Spain. On the Costa Blanca, the largest expansion area is south of Alicante city. Torrevieja and its surrounding area has been the epicentre of the construction boom in the province for several years and development continues to expand both inland and towards the south. Following the unparalleled success of the Costa Blanca, developers are now casting their eyes on Murcia’s Costa Calida and inland villages such as Caravaca d la Cruz, Calasparra, Jumilla and Pinoso to name just a few. Already many Brits. have found their hearts delight in such peaceful locations, and all the signs are that this trend will continue.

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