Buying property abroad to save money

Millions of Britons are looking to buy property abroad to try to escape the high cost of living in the UK.

Research carried out by the Fresh Start Show found that when compared with the top destinations for emigrants from the UK, Britain proved most expensive in all the categories of living costs examined.

Britons pay more for basic items such as fuel, bread, milk and beer than residents of France, America, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and South Africa.

And with this in mind, the Fresh Start Show revealed that almost ten per cent of young Britons cited cheaper living costs abroad as the main reason why they would emigrate.

"It's not surprising so many people want to move abroad considering how expensive everything is in Britain. There has been a definite increase in the number of people interested in migrating . . . cheaper living costs and a better overall quality of life are enticing Brits by the planeload," said Nick Clark, managing director of Homebuyer Events.

Research for the Fresh Start Show found that for every item examined, UK prices were higher than those in any other country tested.

In Britain, a Big Mac costs £1.99, more than in France (£1.77); Spain, New Zealand and Australia (£1.40); the US (£1.30); or South Africa (£1.20).

Food and drink were more expensive in the UK in general, with basic groceries including bread and milk, and alcoholic drinks like beer and wine, costing Britons significantly more than anyone else.

The costs of running a car are also higher in the UK, with vehicles more expensive to buy and petrol prices more than double those in some other countries. In Australia petrol costs an average of 0.36 pence per litre - with the UK average price at 85 pence.

Apart from the cost of living, people cited crime, long commutes, traffic and escaping the rat race as the top reasons for quitting the country.