A recent study has revealed that increasing numbers of pensioners are considering leaving the UK to escape the recession.

According to insurance provider RIAS’s report, one in ten Britons over the age of 50 are “seriously” considering relocating to countries such as Spain.

This is on top of the 400,000 people who have already planned to leave Britain for financial or lifestyle reasons.

Janet Connor, managing director at RIAS, said: “It can be difficult for people who have worked hard all their lives to face a financially restricted retirement here in the UK.”

She added that there are a number of attractions in Mediterranean countries, such as low-cost housing, a warmer climate and lower living costs.

The prediction of the European Commission that Spain would have a speedier economic recovery than the UK was also cited as a strong reason to expatriate, Ms Connor said.

Shelter Offshore recently noted that locals as well as holidaymakers are choosing to rent property in Spain due to the imbalance between annual earnings and property prices - news that may be of interest to overseas property investors in the Iberian nation.

Mexico will recover within two years from the economic crisis gripping the world, an expert has claimed.

According to Roberta Cabrera, a partner in charge of KPMG’s risk advisory services in Mexico, the nation will experience a one per cent growth in its gross domestic product (GDP) this year.

She noted that the country should boom by a further 1.2 per cent during 2009.

Ms Cabrera said: “It will take approximately a period of two years for Mexico to recover from the economic crisis.”

A survey conducted by KPMG found that 37 per cent of companies think the dip in the economy will provide them with investment opportunities.

As companies look to capitalise on the crisis, there could be a higher demand for rental accommodation from foreign business people - which might benefit those with property in Mexico.

In related news, the Yucutan peninsula was recently identified as a favourite holiday spot by the Los Angeles Times, which could make it an attractive region to buy a property.

Overseas property investors have been advised to use sterling to purchase homes in Spain.

According to Martin Dell, of Kyero.com, converting funds into euros could make properties more expensive due to the decline in the value of the pound, reports Homes Worldwide.

He noted that a property costing €100,000 would cost £86,000 at the moment but if purchased last week it would have been priced at £78,000.

Mr Dell said: “If you are contemplating purchasing a property in Spain worth hundreds of thousands of Euros, the extra cash you now need represents a significant hike in an already difficult market.”

He added that UK investors may find that the currency differences will work in their favour if they acquire a home in Spain using sterling rather than euros.

Shelter Offshore recently stated that investors are looking at the downturn in the country’s property market as an opportunity to make a profit.

The online portal claimed that buyers are viewing Spanish property as long-term money-making acquisitions.

A high number of new-build homes are without buyers in Spain, it has been suggested.

According to Spanish daily newspaper El Pais, there was a 20 per cent rise in new-build homes without purchasers during the first six months of 2008, reports Homes Worldwide.

With a glut of houses without buyers, overseas property investors may be able to pick up cut-price new-build homes.

The article based its claim on new research from the Ministry of Housing and the University of Navarra, which showed that there were over 500,000 homes on the market, at the end of June.

The demand for properties declining, investors could acquire a bargain in the Iberian nation.

In related news, property consultants Aguirre Newman recently claimed that prices in Spain need to fall by 23 per cent in order for them to fall in line with the average household’s income in the country, reports Kyero.com.

Investors looking for an overseas property in a popular tourist location may wish to consider the Yucatan peninsula.

The Los Angeles Times identified the region as one of the top five tourist destinations in Mexico, saying that it has a property to fit “practically every budget”.

With its “calmer environs”, the area could provide buyers with ample opportunities to earn an income from renting out homes in the region.

Purchasers can acquire high-quality luxury homes, or basic “palapa-style” bungalows if they are have more limited funds.

Reed Johnson, of the LA Times, said: “Either way, you’ll get access to the Platonic ideal of what a beach should be: miles of white sand lapped by calm, warm, turquoise waters.”

He added that the area offers opportunities to visit late Mayan ruins situated at Tulum.

In related news, Volaris and Southwest Airlines have entered a code-sharing deal which will enable tourists to purchase tickets from each carrier for the other airline’s flights, which include trips to Mexico from 2010.

Newly-elected president of the US, Barack Obama, has said he want to help support the Mexican economy when he takes over from George Bush.

According to Dan Restrepo, Obama’s main advisor on Latin American affairs, working with the Mexican government to help the country’s economy will be one of the politician’s aims, reports Mexidata.info.

Mr Restrepo said: “The US must once again be present in the region as a positive partner that wants to work together with Latin American governments.”

He noted that Mexico and the US are “tied by trade, investment, remittances and tourism”.

This is likely to prove good news for investors considering purchasing a property in the Central American country as stronger ties with the US could see more tourists in Mexico and an increased demand for rental accommodation.

Southwest Airlines recently announced that it is entering a code-share agreement with Mexican carrier Volaris, which will allow Southwest’s customers to book flights to Mexico using both airlines, reports Pacific Business News.

Experts have suggested that in order for property in Spain to become affordable again, prices must fall by almost a quarter.

According to a report by property consultants Aguirre Newman, housing costs will only line-up with the average household income in Spain by declining 23 per cent, reports Kyero.com.

The study focused mainly on primary housing, so the cost of certain favourite holiday destinations, such as coastal resorts and luxury housing, is not taken into account.

It identified over-pricing as a major problem, noting that additional pressure has been put on the sector by the credit crunch and declining consumer confidence.

With house prices continuing to fall - October was the eighth successive month in which this happened - now may be a good time for investors to purchase a property in the Mediterranean country.

October saw house prices fall by 6.5 per cent compared with the same time the year before, a bigger decline than in September when Tinsa reported that the market saw a 4.9 per cent decline.

Marbella has been chosen as the venue for a new international business conference.

The first Marbella-Costa del Sol International Economic and Business Forum will take place in the city early next year and it is anticipated the event will attract a wide range of high-ranking executives.

Organisers UHY Fay & Co, the accountancy firm, have indicated that those who attend the forum will have the chance to participate in discussion groups with leading economists, as well as listening to speeches from international business experts.

Joseph Fay, a partner and tax specialist with the firm, said that Marbella was the obvious choice to host the event.

He explained: “[Marbella] is an attractive and international city with influence to get media coverage and a very high potential to become an economic reference and knowledge hub at a national and international level.”

Among the other trade events the city is scheduled to host is International Golf Travel Market, which takes place between November 17th and 20th 2008.

Property investors from Britain are still very willing to purchase a foreign residence, a new study has found.

According to Jet-to-Let magazine, the credit crunch is not putting people off the idea of investing in bricks and mortar, particularly in other countries.

Research by the publication found that respondents unanimously believe that buying a foreign property is a better option than putting money into stocks and shares.

In addition, results showed that most investors are not buying abroad in order to collect short-term gains.

For example, 98 per cent of those surveyed said they plan to use their overseas residence as part of their pension plan.

Dominic Farrell, editor of Jet-to-Let magazine, commented: “The results clearly show that educated investors understand the long-term nature of property investment.”

According to figures from Holiday-Rentals, 31 per cent of British-owned foreign properties in Europe are located in Spain.

Real estate experts have claimed that with repossessions increasing, foreign property seekers were being presented with some excellent investment opportunities in Spain.

Reflecting on the effects of the ‘credit squeeze,’ real estate firm Propertyinspain.net claimed that repossessions were bringing a steady supply of properties back onto the market, providing bargain opportunities.

The company claimed that the growth of the Spanish economy and strong job creation in particular areas made buy-to-let purchases on re-sale properties a sound investment, with plenty of new workers in the area guaranteed to supply rental demand.

Terry Walker, spokesperson for propertyinspain.net, advised buy-to-let buying in Spain, claiming: “Some of the areas where they’re located are showing economic growth anyway. People are coming in with the new IT and logistics industries.”

Explaining the new availability of quality properties, Mr Walker added: “There are properties for about 30,000 euros but spend the same again and you’ve got a lovely family house in the middle of a village.”

He added that the Costa del Sol – already a highly desirable area for British buyers – was one of the areas presenting bargain buys after repossessions.