According to NatWest International personal banking, the number of people retiring abroad is set to increase to 3.3 million by 2050, and in two independent surveys from Saga and NatWest, Portugal was rated as the third best place in the world to retire to.

The findings, highlighted on property and travel website homesworldwide.co.uk, point to the inexpensive cost of living, good healthcare, mild climate and top quality beaches as just some of the reasons urging retirees to relocate to Portugal. Retired people in the UK spend a higher proportion of their income on food and energy than any other age groups and as such, it is this demographic that has been hardest hit by the continual rise in the cost of commodities this year. In the UK food prices shot up by more than 7.4% from January to October, while utility costs rose by 7.6% to June, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics.

By contrast, living in Portugal is more affordable than the UK with fresh food, utilities, dining out and general entertainment well below British prices. For example, UK retirees are being swamped with average power and water bills of �1,698 � in Portugal this cost is approximately �400. On day-to-day perishables, the price of a litre of milk in the UK is around 80p compared to 50p in Portugal.

Further draws include the moderate year round temperature, which means lower heating bills, and the overall quality of healthcare. Medical care is a key consideration when choosing a retirement destination and in Portugal, EU retirees qualify for the same free basic healthcare that is available to all residents in Portugal. This includes doctors� appointments and the availability of basic medicines.

With this in mind potential purchasers may well wish to consider the benefits of buying on Jones Homes� O�sis Parque development on the Algarve. Located near the cosmopolitan harbour town of Portim�o and the quaint fishing village of Alvor, this residential development provides easy access to the Algarve�s 30-plus golf courses and, although not part of a golfing resort itself, O�sis Parque owners can enjoy discounted green fees at the Group�s other resort, Boavista Golf & Health Spa Resort near Lagos. This and its location, just 10 minutes drive from several superb beaches, means that prices on O�sis Parque are much more affordable than those on a typical coastal golf community.

Overseas Property & Travel Manager of Jones Homes Portugal is Dawn Williams. She says: �O�sis Parque is an ideal place to retire to � around 60% of our purchasers have retired to Portugal or plan to do so in the future. O�sis Parque has a real residential community feel to it but with all the amenities of a holiday resort. For those who have relocated, Portugal is only 3 hours flying time from the UK making it easy to visit friends and family on a regular basis.�

Indeed, such is O�sis Parque�s appeal that about half its residents are Portuguese, many of them from Lisbon who want a weekend retreat on the Algarve. Traditionally styled, the apartments and villas have been designed to complement the local environment, and with a country club atmosphere, O�sis Parque provides unrivalled on-site facilities for the use of its residents � huge outdoor pool, kiddies pool and playground, heated indoor pool, Jacuzzi, tennis courts and restaurant.

Prospective purchasers hesitant about buying abroad need have no fears about the reputation of the Cheshire-based residential property developer, which has enjoyed almost 30 years of continuous successful development on the Algarve and almost 50 years here in the UK. Many property purchasers, whether they want a permanent or a holiday home, opt for a proven product, a recognisable name synonymous with quality and professionalism � for them, O�sis Parque would seem to fit the bill.

For more information about Jones Homes� residential developments on the Algarve, visit website www.joneshomesportugal.com or ring 01625-548405. Prospective purchasers may wish to �try before you buy� and holidays can be booked by e-mailing reservations@algarveselect.com or calling freephone 0800 6340780.

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Notes to Editor:

1. Photograph(s) attached to e-mail

2. For more information please contact: Dawn Williams (Overseas Travel & Property Manager) Jones Homes Portugal, Emerson House, Heyes Lane, Alderley Edge, Cheshire SK9 7LF tel: (01625) 588415 Fax: (01625) 588271 E-mail: dawn.williams@emerson.co.uk Web: www.joneshomesportugal.com

3. Distributed by: Alan Sykes (Public Relations Officer) Jones Homes Portugal, Emerson House, Heyes Lane, Alderley Edge, Cheshire SK9 7LF tel: (01625) 588307 Fax: (01625) 588310 E-mail: alan.sykes@emerson.co.uk Web: www.joneshomesportugal.com

4. Jones Homes Portugal - profile: Jones Homes Portugal is a Company within the International Division of The Emerson Group whose founding member, Jones Homes of Alderley Edge, is one of the leading developers of quality homes based in the North West of England. With almost 50 years experience it has established an enviable reputation for building homes of character and individuality in highly desirable locations.

The hallmark of a Jones home is luxury accommodation coupled with high standards of design, construction and specification. The Company�s qualities have been recognised over the years with a number of major UK national housing awards. These include GreenLeaf awards, the prestigious Tree Council Award, New Homes Garden Awards and Gold in the 2007 British Housebuilder Awards. From its Cheshire base, the Company has expanded to establish regional offices in Yorkshire, Kent and The Fylde coastal area of Lancashire. Now with over 35 years experience in the Algarve, Jones Homes Portugal is behind several residential and holiday developments in the region including Boavista Golf Resort (Lagos), Lakeside Village (Quinta do Lago), O�sis Parque (Portim�o) and Jardim do Vau (Praia da Rocha), and in recent years the Company has won several prestigious Homes Overseas Awards.