Health, wealth and happiness:

An increasing number of Britons are looking abroad to find happiness in life, work or retirement, with 191,000 leaving the UK in search of better weather, more money and an exotic lifestyle in 2004. A recent survey from the Fresh Start Show at ExCel (13-15 May) found over one in ten young Brits (12.3%) are contemplating moving abroad within the next five years, but will the quality of life improve?



The Fresh Start Show has compiled a quality of life comparison to see if happiness can be found beyond our shores -

Living abroad

By the year 2020, The Centre for Future Studies predicts a staggering 6 million more Britons will be living abroad compared with today.

Britons are more likely to move abroad if they know the various foreign slang words with 83% of those thinking of moving abroad in the next 12 months knowing the majority of foreign slang words like ëdunnyí ñ Australian for toilet - and ëcotton candyí - American for candy floss. Britons happy to remain in the country for the foreseeable future could only answer on average half of the questions correctly.

Working abroad

Money and work are the top motivators for Britons leaving the UK, with over half (58.1%) of respondents to a Fresh Start Show survey admitting they would be encouraged to move abroad if offered a job transfer. Almost one in five (19.8%) would start packing if they came into a large sum of money with the lower cost of living overseas an attraction for almost one in ten (8.1%).

Investing abroad

Enticed by larger properties for less money in nicer surroundings, official figures show that 630,000 British families bought property overseas in 2003, 14% higher than the previous year.

Research from the Fresh Start Show reveals that one of the key factors encouraging Brits to make the move is climate, with almost half (47.6%) of those planning on buying property overseas doing so because they are fed up of the British weather.

Darren Good-Giles from the Australian Migration Consultants, said: ìThe majority of our clients emigrate because of the weather and outdoor lifestyle. Combine these factors with lower property prices and good employment opportunities and your looking at an overall better quality of life.î

Nick Clark, Managing Director of the Fresh Start Show says, ìPopular destinations like Australia and Canada have a lot to offer Britons. There is also the adventure element of starting a new life and beginning afresh with your family or on your own. However, those thinking of emigrating must do their homework and be certain a new life abroad is for them.î

Expert advice

The Fresh Start Show at Londonís ExCeL centre from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 May will provide expert advice and information to anyone looking to live, work or invest abroad. Over 100 exhibitors and an extensive seminar program will provide information on all aspects of emigration, including visa requirements, property and money transfers, with a special focus on Australia, New Zealand and the USA as well as other worldwide and European destinations.

For further information on Fresh Start, visit www.freshstartshow.co.uk

Those buying tickets online also have the chance to win a move abroad worth up to 15,000 courtesy of Moneycorp and their associates. The prize covers every aspect of your migration, from free money transfers and removals to migration services and flights.