Bulgaria is cementing its lead as an investment property hotspot for skiers and snowboarders looking to own a slice of the slopes. The country’s recent accession in the EU, together with the low prices and plentiful property facilitated by the building boom, are leading many British skiers and snowboarders to leapfrog their traditional favourite ski spots in France, Switzerland and Austria, in favour of Bulgaria’s more modestly priced mountains.

The boom in property development in Bulgaria’s best resorts have meant that brand new ski apartments can be  snapped up  for less than 30K. These low prices, combined with the preventive costs of getting on to the British property ladder, means that many young buyers are choosing Bulgaria for either investment property, a holiday home or a way of generating some extra income through rental returns.

As Bulgaria’s premier ski resort, with the best snow record and longest ski season (mid December to mid may), Bansko has become the most popular location for British property investors to purchase. Previously perceived by some as being a budget ski destination, the $40 million investment in Bansko mean that in terms of size and facilities, the resort is now competing with other more established favourites in Western Europe.

However, it’s not just Bansko that’s big with the Brits; other prominent ski areas such as Borovetz and Pamporovo are also attracting interest. Borovets is Bulgaria’s oldest ski resort which dates back to 1896 and offers pistes up to 2600m above sea level. Pamporovo’s claim to fame comes in the form of its weather, and it’s said to be the sunniest ski resort in Bulgaria.

There are also around a dozen other less well known ski areas in the country, such as Vitosha, Semkovo and Uzana, which are currently more geared towards local weekend skiers rather than the international snow sports market, but these are likely to grow in size in the coming years. The new development around Razlog is getting property investors excited as it will be combining a ski area with an 18 hole PGA golf course just 4km from Bansko, and is likely to attract a lot of interest from British buyers.

Though other European nationals have showed interest in buying property in Bulgaria, the British are leading the charge with an estimated 40,000 Britons now owning property in the country. And it’s not just snow seekers who are looking to buy; the Black Sea beach resorts are also attracting adventurous Brits searching for a Bulgarian property investment with a healthy dose of sun and sea; the most popular places to buy are around the Varna area, in towns such as Kavarna and Albena Beach.

As Bulgaria’s economy and infrastructure continues to develop, it’s likely that it will grow even more popular with the property buying Brits – after all, when you can buy a plush ski apartment, town penthouse or beach villa in Bulgaria for the same price as a conservatory in Britain, it’s not surprising that many are heading to the country in search of eastern property promise.

Elisha Burberry is an online, freelance journalist and keen traveller and watersports enthusiast. Originally from Scotland, she now resides in London.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elisha_Burberry

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Each year more and more British people are moving abroad. Currently there are approximately 5.5 million people living abroad according to a 2006 survey. Besides this there are many many more Brits planning to make the move for good. The most common destinations being: Spain, Australia, Canada, USA, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, France, Cyprus and Germany.

Of course everyone has their own reasons for  moving abroad  amongst the most common are:

Rising costs – With London now being the second most expensive city in the world to live in, not too far behind Tokyo, many people yearn to see their money provide them with a better standard of living elsewhere. Out of this group are of course retirees who wish to make their pension stretch that bit further. However one further growing group of people are in the 18-25 year old age group. This group has been forced to suffer silently with little help from the government whom seem satisfied to see them struggle in their own country. Student loans, no grants, high house prices, high tax levels all contribute to pushing them away. This combined with the fact that the new generation are much better traveled and understand the potential for living abroad better than previous generations mean the group is likely to continue to grow.

Increasing crime rate – This is probably the most worrying of factors. People are becoming afraid of living in their own country. Walking around alone at night with groups of drunken youths about is no the most enjoyable experience (27% of British youths are regularly drunk), unrelenting drug issues and binge drinking all impact on how much people are enjoying their lives.

Further common reasons are: better weather, excitement, adventure, disapproval of government policies (taxation, Immigration etcetera…).

So with people looking to move abroad one of the most important things to think about is how to manage your finances or even transfer money overseas. Here are a few guidelines to consider regarding this situation:

There are three main options to consider:

1) Keep your UK bank account. If you choose to keep your account look for a bank that does not charge commission on ATM transactions overseas also make sure they are quite clear as regards to what commission they are taking from you and most importantly make sure you are getting a fair exchange rate! Check it against the daily papers.

2) Switch your bank account to one that is specifically geared towards ex-pats. These type of bank accounts are offered by the major high street banks and are often based in locations such as Jersey that benefit from different taxation laws. They usually provide multiple currency services whereby they can provide both euros and sterling for you to use. This would easily allow you to live in Europe and have a euro checkbook and cash but still pay bills at home in sterling. As ever though there are certain terms and conditions for benefiting from one of these types of accounts such as minimum balances and annual fees.

3) Try working through the host countries administrative process and open an account with them. This may or may not be possible depending on their requirements of your new country. Some countries require work permits and so on and the process can be made doubly difficult if you’re having difficulty with the local language. Of course if you plan on working abroad then the chances are your employer will be able to have one opened for you to allow payments. If you do gain a local bank account you are then faced with having to transfer money from the UK to this bank account. Depending on what bank it is you may be able to arrange a wire transfer from your UK account. Another simple way would be to use an online transfer service. These money transfer companies can transfer money directly from your UK account to you wherever you are in the world. They are very fast and efficient but again different companies require different fees.

The best advice would be to take a step back and look at your overall situation. Consider what is going to be the cheapest and most sustainable way for you to manage your finances abroad. Remember a 1% saving on several thousand pounds saves you a considerable amount of money. With the above tips in mind take your time, shop around and you will soon be able to start living in your new country worry free.

by http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Ryan

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5 Discount Travel Secrets Orbitz, Travelocity, And Expedia Don’t Want You To Know

Don’t make any travel plans until you read this!

Especially when we’re experiencing one of the worst global recessions that we’ve seen in decades, every dollar counts. And because travel is so expensive, many of us turn to well-known discount travel Web sites like Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia.

When you book on these sites you think you’re getting the  lowest prices available , right?

Wrong!

Why You Might Not Get the Best Deal When Booking Your Trip with Most Discount Travel Websites

In reality, you may actually be getting higher priced offers from airlines and hotels that are affiliated with the discount travel website you use to book your trip. Additionally, you’re doing all the work to research flights and hotels, yet the travel sites are still earning their full agency commissions.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Here Are 5 Travel Secrets Orbitz, Travelocity & Expedia Don’t Want You to Know

1. They charge service fees on every booking. Sometimes that fee is disclosed in the "final price" listed online. Sometimes it’s buried in the Terms & Conditions. Need to change your plans? Be prepared to pay service fees of up to $30 on every phone call for a change or re-issue. This does NOT count the $75 – $150 airline penalty. These travel websites actually hope for bad weather, because bad weather means altered plans, which means extra revenue for them.

2. The rate you see may not be the lowest rate available. That’s because large travel websites deal in bulk volume. As a result they concentrate on "national" and "public" rates. They don’t publish "private" fares, consolidator fares, or below-market fares because it’s not in their interest to do so. You can only get those fares from an experienced travel professional, who knows the system and where to find them.

3. Their definition of lowest price may not match yours. Have you ever entered the exact same search on 3 different travel websites and gotten wide-ranging results? That’s because travel websites have special arrangements with certain "partners" and may give these partners preferential treatment or placement bias. That’s how they make money. Consumers, however, are catching on. According to Travel Weekly, bookings on the "Big 3" have fallen over 10% this year. People are turning to airline and hotel websites directly because that’s where they’re finding the lowest fares.

4. A confused customer is their best customer. In the last 12 months we’ve seen a spate of new surcharges assessed by airlines to offset rising costsfrom $5 for some aisle seats to $15 for the first piece of checked luggage. Unfortunately, these costs are not reflected in the search results of most airfare comparison sites. Consumers are left to do the research and the math on their own. As a result, they’re confused. What looks to be the lowest price may not actually be the lowest "total" price when all applicable fees are factored in.

5. Once you hit that SEND button, you’re on your own. What happens when you book online and your flight is delayed or cancelled, or if you miss a connection? Ever tried to get a human being on the phone? You may be on hold for a long, long time. Or when you do finally get someone on the line, you find out he’s in Bangalore (and English isn’t his first language). Meanwhile, the last seat on the last flight out has just taken off. Travel has become more unpredictable than ever. Sadly, it’s not a question of if something will go wrong, but when. And when it does, do you want your fate to rest in the hands of the guy whose job it is to get you off the phone as fast as possible?

This article may seem harsh. But Travelocity, Orbitz and Expedia are keeping these secrets from you. And, you have to know these dirty little travel secrets if you want to  hold onto more of your cash .

By: Don Buynack

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Discount Travel Expert Don Buynack has seen the industry evolve toward tricking travelers into thinking that they’re saving money instead of actually giving them the best travel deals.That’s why he started his new online travel agency, which guarantees you the lowest online fares PLUS gives you $200, $300, $500 or more in spending money. To learn how, get his free newsletter Best Travel Bargains at: www.freespendingmoney.com

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The Top 10 Reasons to Retire in San Miguel De Allende

San Miguel de Allende is a popular retirement spot for Americans and people from the rest of the world as well. There are many reasons why this  jewel in Mexico  is the perfect retirement location, no matter where you are from. Listed below are ten reasons why many people retire here, instead of somewhere else.

1. Cost of living – The cost of living in San Miguel is much lower than the cost of living in the U.S. It costs around one fifth of the price to rent or own a home in Mexico, compared to America, and living expenses are around one fourth of the cost in comparison.

2. Weather – The weather in this Mexican region is nice almost every day of the year. With blue skies and plenty of warm sunny days, this is the perfect location for people who want to get away from the cold.

3. Domestic Help – In Mexico, retirees can afford good domestic help, such as a maid and cook, and still live cheaper than in the United States. Instead of spending time cooking and cleaning, a small price will take care of this for you, and there are always plenty of domestic workers available at a great low price.

4. Population – The population of San Miguel de Allende is friendly, warm, and helpful. Many speak the English language, as well as Spanish, so communication is normally not a problem for retirees here, and there are plenty of new friends to be made.

5. Activities – San Miguel offers a lot of activities for retirees, whether they are active nature lovers or interested in things to do that are less active physically. There are shops and historic places to visit, horses to ride, and many beautiful and exciting things to see and do.

6. Scenery – San Miguel is located in some of the most beautiful surroundings in the world. From the mountains in the background to the antique villas, buildings, and architecture, the scenery is this quaint Mexican town is exquisite.

7. Location – San Miguel is a popular location with retirees, and visitors, because it is located close to many other attractions, but retains the Old World quality and culture. The border between Mexico and the U.S. is not far away, and there are many others towns and cities, as well as natural scenery and historic sights, to see in the surrounding areas.

8. Modern Conveniences – San Miguel offers modern conveniences, such as wireless capabilities, phone service, running water, and electricity.

9. Safety – San Miguel de Allende is a very safe place to live, whether you are from  Mexico or the United States . The crime rate is very low, and there are many retirees who already live here because it is one of the safest places to live in the entire world.

10. Festivals and Culture – San Miguel has more festivals through the year than almost any other city in Mexico. This location contains a lot of culture and history still, and many retirees and visitors enjoy the cultural displays and traditions.

If you would like to know more about how to retire in San Miguel de Allende, please do visit our site.

The author is a Professional Internet Marketer with PowerHunters helping firms get their site noticed online.

By remy na Published: 8/27/2008

 
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A fundamental consideration when you are thinking about accepting a teaching job abroad is the ratio of salary to living costs. Here are some important tips to help you make a reasoned, well-informed decision…

There are a number of factors to be considered when you are looking at taking a job at an international school, on the financial side there is:

* salary
* medical insurance
* housing allowance
* annual flights

On the conditions side there is:

* class size
* facilities
* contact hours
* teaching days in a school year

Most of these factors can be taken at face value. However, if you like to travel and want your work to pay well as I do, you may be turning down lucrative positions if you take a salary offer at face value and don’t take the cost of living into account.

For example, when I moved to Poland in the late 90s I accepted a job that only paid 900USD a month. It doesn’t sound like much, does it? I can tell you, I lived well on my money. During that year I explored Poland, spent Easter in the Czech Republic, went skiing in Austria for two weeks, started a Masters through distance learning and saved a little as well.

How did I do this? Well, the cost of living was quite low in Poland compared to other countries in Europe. I regularly had two thirds of my salary left after I’d paid all my expenses for the month. As I said, it’s the cost of living that makes all the difference.

Some countries have a high cost of living and some don’t. I know that’s a clumsy statement, but consider this… If you were to rent an apartment in Tokyo it would cost you 673USD a month for around 20 m2. That’s small! In Bangkok you can rent a 44 m2 furnished apartment for 337USD a month. I hope you can see that this kind of information is as valuable to your decision-making process when accepting a job as the actual salary figure itself.

When you are evaluating whether a package is worthy of accepting you will be looking at several issues. You will probably want to avoid taking a pay cut, and here are some tips to help you with your decision making:

* Make a list of the financial commitments you will need to meet while you are overseas. When you have shortlisted positions, check with the recruiter that the salary offered will enable you to meet them. Ensure you know the USD equivalent of the amount you need.

* Go online and check the price of rental properties in the area you will be living in. You will be able to assess whether the accommodation allowance will need supplementing from your salary.

* Check the "Big Mac" Index. The "Big Mac" Index is a surprisingly accurate comparison of cost of living which works on the principal that a McDonalds Big Mac should cost the same in every country. It is an excellent way to get a feel for the comparative cost of living in the country you are looking in which you are looking to work. You can access the Index here:

Big Mac Index

* If you are looking to travel while you are teaching abroad make a travel plan of the countries you want to explore and when you want to visit them. You can investigate how much this will cost and sort out a budget by using the internet.

There is much information to consider when you are making life-changing decisions such as signing a contract to teach overseas. Don’t sign anything until you are sure you have all the facts. I have included a list of questions to ask the recruiter at the interview in my book.

Get the insider secrets to securing a teaching job abroad today!

By Kelly Blackwell Published: 5/10/2007

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