UK PROFESSIONALS CHOOSE FREEDOM AND FLEXIBILITY WITH A NEW LIFESTYLE

Recent research carried out by ICM showed that 59% of British people would leave the UK in search of a better life abroad. 33% voted Spain and the Balearics as their ideal destination. This is reflected in the increasing numbers of people in the UK looking to buy a property in Palma de Mallorca who, disenchanted with elements of British life, now want to combine their careers with a life in a Mediterranean climate and culture.

People are looking to achieve a change in lifestyle that allows them to enjoy a better quality of life, yet still continue to have a fulfilling and active career.

People who have their own business or who don’t have 9 - 5 jobs and can determine their own schedules, who are fed up with the UK in many respects but do not want to live 100% abroad, who want great weather and restaurants, beaches, culture and so on right on their doorstep, easy and cheap access by sea and air to anywhere in Europe, spending long weekends and extended breaks in Mallorca whilst maintaining a career and working life in the UK. Shortcuts are currently helping several clients search for the type of property that will allow this relaxed and interesting lifestyle right in the old town of Palma. There is a wide variety of property to choose from; apartments in reformed old palaces in the very heart of the Jewish quarter, penthouses in the beautiful shopping area just metres from the port, studios with large roof terraces between the cathedral and the sea, or you can still find a wreck and contract an architect to transform and design your own piece of paradise.

Clients Shortcuts are currently attracting looking for this change in lifestyle work in the media sector, web designers, musicians, financial services, management consultants – who can either negotiate flexible working hours /days or have their own business, or who can work remotely.

One of these clients is Julie, a director of Custom Images, which produces large-scale wall art for homes and businesses across Europe. She intends to work from her base in Mallorca and return to the UK for client meetings and so on as required. “I work hard and I want to enjoy a good quality of life when I am not working. Having a place in Palma will allow me to do just that. My business can be run equally efficiently from Palma – as long as I have my laptop and a phone there is no problem at all. I can be anywhere in Europe within two hours flying time whenever I need to be – Palma is just ten minutes from the airport. I plan on spending an average of four days per week in Palma. ”

Another client runs his web design company from the city – even though all his clients are currently in the UK. He has actually found that his clients are very happy to suggest they visit Palma for a meeting, rather than him go to them!

One new owner in Palma is a financial advisor with clients all over Europe. For her it is perfect – she can fly to anywhere in Europe within two hours and as Palma airport is the third busiest airport in Spain – she can be there at short notice, as well as attending her regular conferences in London.

The cost of living tends to be lower, the pace of life more relaxed and the weather certainly better – time off can be spent on the beach, walking in the mountains and hills nearby, exploring or eating in the many restaurants – from traditional Mallorquin and tapas to sushi and fantastic seafood.

Prices have risen significantly over the last five years, and growth is expected to continue. One agent said: “We have seen growth of around ten per cent in the city each year since 2003, with prices continuing to rise this year as more and more people are attracted to areas which previously appealed principally to local inhabitants.”

There is significant investment going on in the city too. Recently two new boutique hotels have opened in La Llonja, one of the most interesting areas to watch. They have converted old and dilapidated palaces and transformed them into sophisticated oases yet at the very heart of the old town. Each attracts a young, cosmopolitan clientele from all over Europe and beyond to their bars and restaurants as well as the hotel itself.

Further along the main paseo past the cathedral walls and overlooking the sea, the government plans more investment. A conference centre with capacity for 2500 people has recently been announced, with a new five star hotel alongside. This will inevitably kick start further investment and ultimately property price increases in this area.

It isn’t just government and tourism industries investing in the capital. Fashion designers can sense the increasing buzz about the city and several have opened or are planning to open shops here. Loewe, Burberry, Cartier and Mont Blanc have long been established but these labels have now been joined by Marc Cain, Escada, Carolina Herrera and several more in stand-alone boutiques. You can buy all the Prada, YSL, Yohji Yamamoto, Paul Smith and Pucci you want at the exclusive and stylish shops close to the beautiful tree lined shopping paradise of the Borne.

Another new addition to the city is Es Baluard museum of contemporary art, which is housed in a stunning conversion of a fort in the old city walls overlooking the marina.

Jan Pratt from Shortcuts said: “We have started to receive more and more enquiries from professional people looking for this change in lifestyle or who are looking at Palma from an investment point of view. We have also had clients who will be buying an investment property through their company, with a view to using it for clients, high level meetings, brainstorming sessions and staff incentives. And as they are busy people, our service is perfect for them. We do all their legwork and present them with a portfolio of options. They then visit the island and we accompany them when they view the short listed properties, offering our independent advice and feedback. We also can introduce clients to English speaking lawyers, tax advisors, builders and architects to ensure a smooth transition to ownership here, ultimately saving clients a huge amount of time and expense.”

One recent client said after Shortcuts found him the perfect property for his new lifestyle: “I use an accountant even though I know I am capable of doing my own tax return, and I use Shortcuts in the same way – I could do it myself but they know the area and the market, they are on the ground and know the right people and properties. I would have been mad to do it all myself when it didn’t cost me any more in the end and it saved me so much time – that I really don’t have.”

Tel: 0034 651984163

Source: www.articlesphere.com