Are British Expats Still Living The Dream?
For british expats all around the world it was the lure of better weather, lower costs of living and a better quality of lifestyle which drew them to wherever they have set up home.
So with what has happened in the world over the last few years with the economic crisis, plunging house prices and the numbers game that is the exchange rate are the british expats still enjoying their dream lifestyle or has it turned a little bit sour.
For myself and my wife we are prospective expats meaning that at this time we are still in the UK but we have had a home in Cyprus for seven years and we are in the process of planning our relocation to Cyprus in 2016.
We know a lot of british expats in Cyprus and have become familiar with what problems they have encountered since 2008 with the exchange rates falling so their pensions and savings are not going as far as they once were.
I am sure that all british expats around the world have similar problems and concerns.
Other things such as the world wide economic crisis has affected other parts of their lifestyles. Shrinking job markets and unemployment rates rising have left many british expats scratching their heads as to what to do.
From my experiences in Cyprus the low wage rates and increases in living costs due to the exchange rate has made many british expats contemplate returning to the UK. They see that there is no alternative but I am here to assure you that there are for which I will come onto a little later on.
So Is That A Realistic Option For British Expats?
What they seem to not understand, especially if they have been away from UK shores for a few years is how much the cost of living has risen in the UK over the last few years.
Energy prices have gone through the roof, day to day living expenses such as the basics of food have increased way above the rate of inflation. Council tax rates are high and you can only afford to use the car as a matter of necessity.
It is true that now in 2014 the UK is in recovery but do british expats really think they can come back and that life will be better and easier than staying abroad?
I have known many people in Cyprus who have come home but very soon have realised that although the grass in very green in th UK the lifestyle is anything but greener and have returned back to Cyprus.
So if you are in the position of should I stay or should I go back what are you options?
You could go back but you know the process of relocating is very stressful. Intergrating back into society, securing jobs and schools are not straightforward. If you are retired could you really buy a property as nice as you have abroad?
Many people I know in Cyprus could never get what they have there back in the UK yet they feel in some respects trapped because their lifesavings are being dipped into more frequently. All of them want to stay and continue living the dream. So what can they do about it?
For myself and my wife it is an easy decision. I am self employed and have an entrepreneurial mindset. There is always a way to generate income.
I know that working for Cypriots is not an option. The wages are too low and the current climate out there is somewhat delicate because of what happened out there in March 2013 with the near bankruptcy of the country. It is improving but the steps are quite small albeit gaining a bit of traction.
One of my favourite sayings is ” There is always a way to make a quid “. The trick is to think of a way. In 2014 it is not hard. The opportunities are endless especially in the technological world that we now live in.
If you know how to leverage technology the big wide world suddenly becomes a smaller place. The internet has brought the world market place with the access to the billions of people who live in it down to how trade was once done in your local town maket.
I should know as I used to have my own market stall business. To find out more about my story then please click here of on the “About Me” tab.
I used to to drive miles taking my products to the people. Now I can take any product I want and offer it to anybody in the four corners of the world. All by sitting at my computer.
So much so that I can take my computer to any country and work. If I really want to I can take it to my favourite beach bar in Cyprus and work as they have WiFi!
So as I promised earlier I can offer you a different option. An option where you can still live the dream. Instead of trading your time for money you can trade with billions of people and have the time to enjoy yourself.
Even if you are retired you can potentially generate substantial income so that you don’t have to worry about your pension not being enough to live on and your savings are there for what they are supposed to be there for. To enjoy your time and have the lifestyle you have worked hard for all you life.
This is what I and my wife will be doing in Cyprus. My balcony will be my office and the ocean that I can see from my aprtment will be my playground in the afternoon. So you like me can really have all the cake and eat it!
Still not convinced? Well let me introduce you to my friend and business associate Stuart Ross who will explain more and show you the process where you can still have the dream expat lifestyle. Click on the image below to find out more.
So now I hope you can see by watching the video how british expats around the world can stop worrying about how they can afford to carry on with the dream and realise now that they could be in a position to actually live it and enjoy the time and financial freedom that comes with it.
As always I wish you well.
Pete Harris
Digital Marketer & Home Business Consultant
Six Figure Mentors Elite Member