Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Partly sunnyNews
| 
Submit Comments
Choosing to give it all up for a place in the sun
Cheryl Latham13/ 2/2008
STOCKPORT has been named as having the third highest number of people upping sticks in favour of a new life abroad.
A report from the Office of National Statistics reveals that over the past five years no less than 8,500 residents emigrated from Stockport in search of sunnier climes.
Nevertheless Council Leader, Councillor Dave Goddard, insists Stockport is a ‘fantastic’ place to live and attracts more residents year on year.
He said: "Stockport is a tremendous place to live and work, and we are a victim of our own success.
"Stockport is a vibrant community with mobile, self-reliant and qualified people, and home to thousands of small businesses.
"Successful people are attracted here and many move on as they progress through their career. We have great infrastructure and transport links and we also have very low unemployment rates.
"Residents feel safe in the borough, and the borough recorded one of the biggest falls in key crimes anywhere in England and Wales in 2007.
"The borough is 45 percent Green Belt and has superb leisure facilities. It really is a fantastic place to be."
But the trend to move abroad has been seen nationally and reached a record high in 2006 with an estimated 400,000 emigrating.
The main reasons people give for jetting off are property prices, tax and crime.
Paul Arthur, director of Cheshire-based migration specialists, The Emigration Group, said: "This is not just Stockport, the whole of Middle England is on the move.
"It’s the well-off commuter towns where people have gained a substantial amount of equity on their property and have decided they want something more.
"These people have done well in areas like Stockport but some now feel it’s time to move on.
"People are working longer hours and paying more tax so they expect more from public services but they just aren’t getting it. Crime is also an important factor as people are worried about bringing up their children.
"Everyone has different reasons for emigrating but are generally just looking for a better quality of life."
Wirral in Merseyside had the highest amount of emigration followed by Poole in Dorset.
We gauged opinion on the streets of Stockport to find out what local folk think about their town - see this week's Express to find out what they said.
Click on the video window for Channel M's report ...
Most recent 2 of 8 user comments
17/02/2008 at 03:02
Got an opinion you want to share?| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.8% |
| AA | 7.9% |
| Sainsbury's Personal Loan | 8.2% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Lloyds TSB | 8.9% |
| Abbey Personal Loan | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
4.50% |
|
FIRST DIRECT Everyday e-Saver |
1.75% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
2.25% |
18/02/2008 at 05:12