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Money matters make millions consider emigration
Published on: Sun, 07 Aug 2005 12:00:00 GMT
More and more Britons are considering moving overseas, with Australia the top choice. Money is all that is stopping the vast majority of young Britons jumping ship and moving overseas, according to new research. Overall 72 per cent of the nation's youth are considering moving overseas at some point, with one person in five saying that if they came into a large sum of money they would pack their bags.
But jobs are an even bigger draw, 58 per cent of young professionals said if they were offered a job transfer they would be encouraged to move overseas.
And even without a job waiting or a chunk of money behind them, one Briton in 12 wants to escape to another country to avoid the high cost of living in the UK.
But while financial concerns seem to have people queuing up at the airport, the cost of moving and the fear of potentially higher living costs are holding many back.
"These statistics show the extent to which other countries are becoming more accessible with increasing numbers of people seriously considering moving abroad," said Nick Clark, managing director of Homebuyer events, which is running the Fresh Start Show in London.
"More and more people are realising that their dream of life on sunnier shores is not only achievable, but a viable option in terms of living costs, property prices and quality of life," he added.
Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that emigration reached its highest ever level in 2003, with 190,900 UK residents leaving Britain to live abroad.
The Fresh Start Show survey found that the top choice of destination was Australia, picked by almost a third of young professionals. After this Brits next most wanted to move to France, America, and New Zealand.
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