Most will head to the sunny climes of Southern France or Spain. This means they're never too far away from family that they can't hop on a plane and be back on UK soil within a few hours but there is a big, wide world out there. The incidents of people buying foreign property in places as far afield as New Zealand, Australia and Canada are becoming more frequent but there is no need to venture so far for a complete change of life pace.



Sweden is the next big place to buy foreign property. In the past, investors have been put off due to reports about the high cost of living and indeed, at one point, this was the case. However, now Britain has caught up in the living expenses stakes what is there to stay for? Sweden has properties and land galore at prices that are relatively dwarfed by UK standards.

Buy a foreign property in Sweden and you will have glorious summer days off set by the sparkling, pristine whiteness of virtually guaranteed snow in winter. Indeed, Swedish weather is pretty predictable and this makes it a brilliant place to live if you love the outdoors. From leisurely sun bathing to invigorating skiing or snow-boarding, all can be experienced if you have foreign property here.

Sweden is home to 100,000 lakes and 24,000 islands so if it's a waterfront foreign property you're looking for, you'll certainly be spoilt for choice. An efficient transport system is in place in Sweden and the whole culture is set up to put the family at the centre. Swedes like to live fairly simple lifestyles as they put more thought into outdoor activities but if you really want the more luxurious foreign property you can find an excellent apartment for the same price as a beach hut in the UK.

Now is the time to buy foreign property in Sweden. They actively encourage outside buyers and certain areas are currently undergoing multi million pound regeneration which will see them at the top of the skiing holiday destination in the next eight years.

In fact, Sweden has all the beauty of the open countryside, a choice of rustic or modern homes with plenty of land, sparkling lakes of clean water and a family atmosphere that are all very reminiscent of Canada. The overall advantage is that it is only a two hour flight from the UK.

There are many reasons that people invest in foreign property. Couples that go through a divorce often find themselves with a lump sum of money that is not quite enough for a UK property and this is easily dwindled away. If I had known about Swedish properties when I came through my divorce, I certainly would have made the move!

Sometimes people choose to buy a foreign property simply as a holiday home and then rent it out the rest of the year guaranteeing a good income and a retirement home for later on. Sweden makes the ideal place for this type of investment. As an increasingly popular holiday destination, there will always be a good rental market for leasing out your home when you're not using it.