We hate the cold so go Down Under in winter

PHIL and Bryanna Whitaker bought a property in New Zealand after retiring from running a car dealership.

The couple, both in their 60s, purchased a five-bed apartment on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, a mile from the centre of Queenstown. This cost just under £500,000 back in April 2016.

They now split their time between New Zealand and Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire.

Phil says: ‘We both hate the cold. As the days shorten in the UK, we escape Down Under to spend the British winter in Kiwi sunshine.’

When the couple were househunting they looked at dozens of properties around Queenstown. They chose their apartment because of the views over the lake and the mountain range – and the fact they can easily walk or cycle into town from there along the lake shore. The couple funded their purchase by downsizing their UK home to an apartment.

Phil says: ‘We knew we had to consider the impact of currency movements when buying so we used forex specialist TransferWise to send funds to New Zealand. This meant we got a fair exchange rate – and saved ourselves thousands of pounds in charges.’

The couple are extremely happy with their decision to buy in Queenstown.

Phil says: ‘It has some excellent restaurants and sports facilities and a village-like atmosphere where everyone knows everyone.

‘We also see our three boys regularly as we encouraged them to emigrate a few years ago and they now all live in New Zealand or Australia. We FaceTime as often as we can.’