People who are thinking of relocating to Spain have been encouraged to start learning the language.

According to Property Showrooms, people in the European country are generally very hospitable to foreign expatriates.

However, the firm said they could build stronger relations with Spanish nationals if they know a few key words and phrases.

Cary Johnston, spokesperson for Property Showrooms, commented: “The Spanish will warm to you even more if you make an effort to speak a few words in the local language.”

He added that Spain offers a quality of life which is “second to none”, partly because it has attractions such as year-round sunshine.

This, combined with the better air quality, means that people can feel healthier both physically and mentally.

According to the Association of International Property Professionals, Spain is currently the most popular location for British buyers.

Figures showed that the country accounted for more than a quarter of all overseas purchases last year.

The number of British people who are choosing to move abroad is rising, according to an expert.

Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migrationwatch UK, told the Daily Mail that a number of different issues are prompting Britons to relocate to a new home.

Speaking to the newspaper, he said emigration has doubled in the last couple of years, partly because people are attracted by potential lifestyle improvements overseas.

“People find the UK is getting more and more crowded and they see crime rates going up,” Sir Andrew commented.

He added that the recent economic slowdown in Britain has also contributed to a surge in the amount of outward migration.

According to the Spanish Property Owners Guild, many people from the UK are choosing to start a new life in Spain because they are dissatisfied with life at home.

The organisation highlighted a number of reasons for this trend, such as concerns over taxation, crime levels and the rising cost of living in Britain.

Spain has been flagged up as a popular destination for retired expats by Propertyfinder.com.

According to the website, the European country has attracted thousands of foreign retirees during the last ten years.

This was partially attributed to the fact that it offers many lifestyle attractions to people from overseas, such as a warm climate and improved quality of life.

Propertyfinder.com added that financial considerations have also played a part, as retirees want to enjoy low living costs and make the most of their existing wealth.

Nicholas Leeming, director of the online portal, commented: “The average over-60-year-old homeowning couple has £265,000 of housing equity to unlock from their home.

“This kind of money can go a long way.”

He added that since house prices in Spain are currently falling, expats could possibly snap up a bargain property in the country.

According to the Institute of Public Policy Research, more than 3.3 million British pensioners are likely to be living abroad by 2050.

A British expatriate has spoken to the BBC about his move from the UK to Spain’s Costa Blanca region.

Eric and Viola Summers relocated to Torrevieja back in 1999 and believe their lives have improved considerably as a result.

Speaking to BBC News, Mr Summers said the Costa Blanca offers a much better quality of life, partly because it has excellent weather.

He added that the region also has many cultural attractions, such as concerts and shows, as well as good public services.

In particular, the local hospitals were described as “tremendous”.

Mr Summers also believes he is financially better off in Spain than in the UK, even though both countries have been affected by issues such as rising fuel prices.

He commented: “We’re still much better off than we would be in England.

“If we were living there we’d have to be on benefits.”

This comes after Saga Travel Money suggested that expats save money by purchasing locally-sourced goods rather than imported items from home.

Countries which attract holidaymakers all year round could be good places for overseas property investors to consider.

According to Holiday-Rentals, Spain is currently one of the most popular destinations among its clients.

This was said to be because the European country is consistently popular with tourists for 12 months of the year, which means it has strong rental potential.

Sarah Chambers, spokesperson for Holiday-Rentals, commented: “60 per cent of our clients own one or two foreign homes.

“They almost always rent them out for the whole year.”

Speaking to the Telegraph, she added that investors need to make clear that there are year-round attractions near their property when advertising it to potential tenants.

This comes after Holiday-Rentals revealed that 31 per cent of British-owned foreign properties in Europe are located in Spain.

The organisation said this is partially due to the number of cheap flights servicing areas such as the Costas.

One in five Scots would consider moving abroad to escape the credit crisis in the UK, a new YouGov poll has revealed.

Commissioned by Legal & General, the survey shows that 19 per cent of Scots would consider moving abroad to escape rising living costs, reports the Scotsman.

Earlier this week it was reported that consumer prices were running at three per cent, well above the government’s target of two per cent.

Tim Warren, wealth communications director at L&G, told the paper: “In the current financial climate it’s prudent for people to tighten their belts.

“But it is still startling that so many Scots would be prepared to leave the country.”

It is possible that many Scots would consider moving to Spain, which already has a strong expatriate community.

According to the Office for National Statistics, the price of food, electricity and gas is responsible for pushing up inflation.

The fundamental factors which support a foreign property investment can be found in Spain, experts have stated.

According to ShelterOffshore.com, overseas property investors need their chosen market to meet certain criteria, such as being accessible and offering a modern infrastructure.

The online portal said this can easily be found in Spain, along with attractions such as the Mediterranean coastline and its good climate.

ShelterOffshore.com said; “There are genuine, fundamental, undeniable and unshakeable reasons why people want to holiday in Spain.”

The website added that the country is also a very familiar and established destination for people in the UK.

This could be an important issue for prospective buyers, as ShelterOffshore.com said they should consider whether a resort has the longevity to make it a sustainable investment.

According to figures from Holiday-Rentals, about one in three British-owned holiday homes in Europe are located in Spain.

Interest in the top end of the Costa del Sol’s housing market is still very high, according to an expert.

Barbara Wood from The Property Finders said that affluent property buyers are still keen to snap up a residence in the region.

Speaking to the Times, she revealed that houses that are valued at about £624,000 or above are in high demand because they are in short supply.

This means that the slump which has hit many cheaper houses in the Costa del Sol is not affecting the market as a whole.

Ms Wood commented: “Every client I’ve had this year has had little need for finance.

“They have been watching the market and they are deciding it’s time to start looking in earnest.”

She added that while investors will not get “vast sums” knocked off the asking price of a property, they will not have to compromise on any other requirements.

This, she said, would be “crucial” for top-end buyers.

The Telegraph recently described the Costa del Sol as a “hugely popular location” for British property buyers.

Expatriates in the UK are not moving to countries such as Spain just to enjoy its sunshine, new research has revealed.

According to Robinsons International, a number of factors have left Britons extremely disenchanted with life at home, so much so that a record number are now moving overseas.

The study showed that issues such as the growing population of the UK, loutish behaviour and the high cost of living have prompted many to look at living abroad.

Figures also revealed that some Britons intend to leave because they are unhappy with current government policies.

Commenting on the findings, Anthony Robinson of Robinsons International said: “It’s perhaps not surprising that so many people are looking for the better standard of living offered by other countries.”

This comes after ShelterOffshore.com revealed that Spain is still one of the most popular foreign locations for British retirees.

The website partly attributed this to its good climate, as it offers much warmer and sunnier conditions than the UK.

Older people from the UK are increasingly choosing to relocate to Spain, experts have stated.

According to ShelterOffshore.com, the European country is still one of the most popular foreign locations for British retirees.

The website partly attributed this to its good climate, as it offers much warmer and sunnier conditions than the UK.

However, Spain was also praised for offering a relaxed lifestyle that is highly conducive to enjoying a leisurely retirement.

ShelterOffshore.com added that all this can be achieved at an affordable price, as the cost of living is much lower than in the UK.

The website commented: “It’s famed for its laidback lifestyle and relatively low cost of living, and what’s more, the weather truly is glorious for the majority of the year.”

This comes soon after the appeal of the country highlighted by the Association of International Property Professionals.

According to the body, Spanish towns and cities were the chosen destinations of more than a quarter of British property buyers last year.