During recent years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of Northern European families making the decision to migrate to the sunnier climes of Southern Spain. There are a number of reasons for this mass movement which aren't all related to the increased hours of sunshine.

Firstly, the Mediterranean lifestyle has a lot to be said for it. Long daytime hours with a midday siesta (rest period) generally leads to a laid back attitude which initially can be difficult to adjust to. The siesta itself is a wonderful invention and is usually taken between 2pm to 5pm, before returning to work in the late afternoon. During this period the population can either be found having a long lunch, relaxing on the beach or simply taking an afternoon snooze.

When discussing the cuisine of the region the best description would be simple but flavorsome. It is the ingredients which make the dishes so irresistible; olives, tomatoes, fresh fish, garlic and bucket loads of olive oil make it not only the tastiest but also one of the healthiest diets on the planet. A lack of thick, rich sauces allows you to experience the full flavor of Spanish sun ripened produce.

The people and culture are colorful and vibrant and for those who learn the local language you will not find a more welcoming nation. Cities such as Seville, Malaga and Granada are beautiful and host a multitude of splendid buildings, parks and monuments with a mixture of historic influences. Over the years various empires have held power over the region, Romans and Moors as examples, and each of these has left its distinctive mark on the local architecture.

In addition to all the benefits mentioned, Spain also has the added bonus of being incredibly good value. Even with the introduction of the Euro, which had the effect of increasing the cost of things in relation to the old Peseta, it is still a very cheap place in which to reside. The coast itself is considered expensive however if you take a short journey inland then everything reduces dramatically, from the cost of a beer to the purchase price of a property.

Finally, but by no means exhaustively, the overall infrastructure of the region has improved substantially in the past twenty five years since the earliest groups of British, German and Scandinavian expats took root. With the opening of borders there has been a flood of immigrants from a dozen other European nations as well as a recent rush of wealthy Russians and Chinese. It would have been impossible for Andalucia to accommodate this influx before the early eighties however since then vast investment has been pumped into upgrading airports, road systems and water storage alongside development of schools, hospitals and local government departments.

With the huge expat community now established this has given rise to many employment opportunities, meaning that the option of residence not only applies to the retired but to anyone who would like to give the lifestyle a go. If you're thinking of relocating to a new horizon then you would do well to consider the South of Spain as one of your options.