Experiencing the weather, the sights and the culture of far-off places can leave many of us with thoughts of buying a property abroad, either as a holiday home or even as somewhere to live permanently in the immediate or more distant future.  In most cases, however, the image that we have in our minds is one which is based on our experience of summer in our favourite location, and of course that can often be very different to how things look at other times of the year.

Many of the popular resorts around the world that we visit are geared up for making the best of the holiday season while it lasts, but often the hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, bars and shops which are so alive during the summer, close down altogether for the rest of the year.  Whilst your experience might have been of a lively, bustling resort, it can turn, literally overnight, into a ghost town at the end of the season.  With only a handful of shops staying open to service the needs of the locals, towns and villages can become virtually unrecognisable.

Obviously the weather can differ greatly too.  That mountain resort that provided a welcome respite from the heat of the summer sun could see you entirely snow-bound in the depths of winter; great if you like skiing, but not so good if the nearest decent supermarket is 40 or 50 kilometres away!

For those still in their working years and considering a permanent move, it can be easy to see countless employment possibilities during the summer months but not appreciate that these will disappear completely during the winter.  In many places, even the locals who rely on tourism for part of the year depend on the income that they have earned throughout the summer, unemployment benefits or the money that they make from their crops to see them through until the start of the next season.  In some cases they are even forced to move to other locations for work when things quieten down.

Of course, having said this, visiting your favourite place after the tourists have all gone home can be a wonderful opportunity to experience a more authentic view of the local life, to mix with the local people and really find out whether life in their homeland would suit.

The decision to buy abroad is a serious one and so, whether you are considering moving permanently or simply want to make use of your property at different times of the year, do your research and don’t be fooled by what you see in the summer.  The difference between the high and low seasons can be quite extreme and could play a large part in your decisions concerning the type of property that you choose and its precise location.