Retiring Brits head overseas for sunshine and warm weather

One of the main reasons, if not THE main reason, for Brits moving overseas is the notorious British weather.

Winter in the UK for the vast majority of the population means huge heating bills, dull, miserable mornings and early evening gloom, and when it isn’t cold it’s usually raining. During the so-called British summer, hot, sunny days are a rarity and are normally followed by torrential rain. It’s no surprise that the majority of Brit expats head south to year-round warmth and sunshine. Whether you believe in global warming or not, the British weather nowadays is even more unpredictable than in the past, and retirees in particular have had enough!

Many British retirees buy holiday homes somewhere in the Mediterranean countries and spend up to six months a year in the sunshine, and others take the plunge and go for permanent emigration as a solution to the UK’s deteriorating weather patterns. For the foreseeable future, emigrating to an EU member state may well be tricky due to Brexit, but there’s a good choice of other global destinations that offer warmth and endless sunshine as well.

For those determined to stay in Europe if at all possible, Portugal’s Algarve region has long been a favourite with Britons yearning for year-long sunshine. Even during the rainy season between May and October, the sun shines for at least two-thirds of each day, with only December seeing daily rains which soon stop and allow the sun to shine through. Combined with delicious fresh seafood, strikingly varied scenery and inexpensive property, it’s a solution that’s almost on the UK’s doorstep.

For adventurous expats looking for entertainment, an established expat community, good, affordable medical care and a coastal location, Mexico’s Puerto Vallata is well worth a visit. The beachside town is now a world-class hub for retirees, and the temperature rarely drops below the mid-60s Fahrenheit. Tamarindo in Puerta Rica is set on the Pacific coastline and is perfect for expats looking for the outdoor life. December is the best month, with no rain, lush green surroundings and deliciously warm days. The beauty of the 21st century is that anyone at any age can go anywhere for whatever reason and create their own dream lifestyle.