Rye News has recently called upon expats to come forward and tell us their stories and the uptake has been very impressive with responses from various far-off places but with one common theme: they all hold fond memories for the town they all knew, grew up in or lived in at some point in their lives. Now living abroad, they enjoy being kept in touch through the reach of Rye News, their local and international weekly paper.
Brexit was the catalyst for many UK residents to re-evaluate their lives and finances and, coupled with the comparatively inexpensive property values in parts of Europe and further afield, a move abroad seemed the best option.
One of those who took the plunge (well half a plunge at least) was former Rye resident Andy McConnell who many will know as the glass expert who appears regularly on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, often adding a touch of humour to his in depth knowledge when describing and valuing various items of collectible glass. He felt compelled to change his way of life and to head for sunnier climes.
He ‘bit the bullet’ and sold his business in Rye but settled locally just along the coast and his former commercial premises in Rope Walk has new owners trading as Soap and Salvation.
Andy now divides his time living six months of the year in south east Asia having built up and sold, a portfolio of property investments in Rye and the Dordogne in France, the profits from which have enabled him to make a lifestyle change. The link to the article here, taken from this weeks Birmingham Mail, makes interesting reading.
Image Credits: Nazrin Montag , Nick Forman .