Brits Want Better Quality of Life

Ever thought of swapping Exmouth's microclimate for the lovely Mediterranean climate of the south of France?

Well, with Flybe's summer links to Avignon in the South of France, easy access from Exmouth to Exeter airport, and great opportunities to buy cheap property, there's no reason why you couldn't be living your own 'Year in Provence' or having a share in a bolthole.

The bestselling novel 'A Year in Provence', made famous a few years later in the BBC drama, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. And the sunny, beautiful and appealing lifestyle which inspired the novel caused many to fall in love with the region of Provence itself, turning it in to one of the most sought after second home destinations in the world.

From Exmouth or Woodbury, you can take the No. 56 bus to Exeter Airport and catch a flight to Avignon in Provence, May to October. It's an ancient region and the countryside nearby, such as the Vaucluse region, is regarded as being some of the most beautiful in France.

Surveys indicate that Britain and France are at the opposite ends of the lifestyle league table. An extensive survey undertaken earlier this year by uSwitch found that although UK income was the highest in Europe, France was the highest performing quality in terms of 'Quality of Life Index'. Uk workers were found to work longer, die earlier and pay more for goods, services and everyday consumer items than the French. Steven Worboys, MD of international property specialist Experience International, comments:

"Increasingly  Britons are looking towards the kind of bright and beautifully relaxing parts of France that Peter Mayle wrote so famously about 20 years ago and particularly so now that only €2,000 is needed to invest in new property in that area. Our charming development which allows one to take all the pleasures of Provence benefits from an exceptional situation in the heart of the magnificent French countryside, just a few steps away from the historic centre of Malaucene."

Do you already own a property in France or spend part of the year overseas? Do you like the idea of swapping life in Exmouth for life in sunny southern France? Tell Exmouth People about your experiences or wishlist! Perhaps you'd like to appear on A Place in the Sun or in the magazine!