David Sykes is a man enjoying a second chance at life.  On a holiday in Florida three years ago he suffered massive kidney failure and was quite literally minutes away from death.  Having made a full recovery, he began re-evaluating his life. Alongside his wife Lindy, he's sold the family four bedroom home in Droylsden near Manchester and is enjoying semi-retirement. 

Now the couple want to downsize even further and concentrate on enjoying life to the full.  David’s convinced the place for that fresh start is in Spain.  But wife Lindy, who works as a TV extra, is keen to stay close to home – not just for work but also for family. It's a battle of wills, but who will have their way?
 

Home properties - North Wales

Colwyn Bay, where the couple are basing their search, is located on the north Wales coast between Llandudno and Rhyl. The region has a very diverse landscape, ranging from extensive sandy coast in the north, to the valleys, open moors and rugged mountains to the south. But the good news is, wherever they settle, they will not be far from Snowdonia National Park's beautiful scenery. The couple will also be extremely at home among the area's population which has the largest proportion of post-retirement age residents in Wales – at almost 27%.  Plus they will find that their £250,000 budget is very healthy in this area of Wales, especially as they are planning to downsize. Despite the presence of the national park, prices are way below the UK average and certainly a lot cheaper than the Manchester suburbs that they've come from.  But will the properties on offer be special enough to tempt David away from his beloved Spain?

Property 1
	The first property is a cottage in Betws yn Rhos. Priced at £179,950, it is being sold by Peter Large
Property 2
	Next is this £225,000 cottage in Penmaemawr. This is being marketed by Fletcher & Poole
Property 3
	The final property is a hugely modernised cottage in Pentrefelin which is being sold for £250,000 by Sterling Estate Agents

Away properties - Alicante

Alicante is one of the most popular regions of Spain for tourists and buyers alike, and it's easy to see why. The sun shines for 80% of the year and even in winter the average temperature is 12º C , while summer hits the dizzying heights of 27ºC. And that is not all - Alicante is only a two and a half hour flight from London, which means easy access back home if our couple get homesick. And as a region it also benefits from a huge concentration of blue flag beaches and plenty of ex-pat communities, activities, bars and restaurants. Property prices are also relatively affordable and there is plenty of room for negotiation in the current market, meaning Jasmine may be able to snap them up a bargain. But will this be enough to allay Lindy's fears about leaving their grown-up children behind?

Property 1
	The first Spanish property the couple view is this semi detached villa which is priced at £185,000. This is being sold through Rightmove Espana
Property 2
	Rightmove Espana are also the agents selling the second property- this villa in Quesada which is being sold for £205,000.
Property 3
	The final Spanish property is located in Aspe and is on the market for £192,000. It is being sold by Property Shops Group