Those retiring abroad may suffer extreme loneliness (Image: Getty)
Millions of Brits have retired to over the years, seeking its warm climate, laid-back lifestyle and low . However, those thinking about packing their bags and saying adios to the UK are being warned by scientists that often people moving abroad feel lonely.
A new study in the journal Psychology and Aging suggests that people who move abroad after retiring are more likely to feel lonely because they lack community support in their new home and long for the relationships they built over the decades. And the effect of this ‘black spot in paradise’ can even damage health, the authors report. Lead author Esma Savas, from the University of Groningen, says the findings are a reminder that choosing where to retire is about more than just the warm climate.
Those moving to Spain are being warned its not always sunshine and rainbows (Image: Getty)
“When making the move, people are thinking about how they are going to be in the sun, sunbathing, having the best time of their life. But they are not necessarily thinking about the implications on their social network,” she said.
To gain a better understanding of retirement migrants’ experiences, Ms Savas and her colleagues surveyed 4,995 Dutch retirees living abroad and a comparison group of 1,338 Dutch retirees still living in the Netherlands.
To qualify for the survey, those living abroad had to be older than 65 and have moved to their new country after turning 50.
Participants were judged on their levels of loneliness by being asked how much they agreed with statements such as: “There are plenty of people I can rely on when I have problems” and “There are enough people I feel close to”.
To qualify for the survey those living abroad had to be older than 65 (Image: Getty)
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The measure of loneliness fell into two categories: emotional loneliness and social loneliness.
Overall, the findings showed that retirement migrants are ‘socially lonelier’ than those who stay at home. However, they are, on average, financially better off and healthier than the non-migrant retirees in the control group.
The study didn’t paint a totally bleak picture, as many participants said they were very happy with their move, and few regretted it.
Ms Savas said: “When you are 60 or 65 you are not thinking about what happens when you are 85, but these are two very different age brackets. Will you need friends and family?
“Most of these people are happy. But they need to manage their expectations of what it is like as a migrant. There will be feelings of loneliness if they cut ties to their country of origin.”