home is about much more than just tax’. Jersey’s 48 miles of soft, sandy


beaches, cliff walks and scenic coast- line are perhaps the most obvious reason to move there, but Miss Thomp- son also mentions the island’s great education system, low crime rate and many Michelin-starred restaurants. Plus, adds Mrs O’ Brien, the weather is mild and sunny and everything in Jersey is easily accessible. At the same time, she continues,


Jersey also has a cosmopolitan atmo- sphere and an economic framework that belie its tiny size. The island counts more than 13,000 profession- als, providing legal, accounting and financial services, all backed up by a world-class infrastructure of data centres, telecommunications and modern office developments. ‘In Jersey, you can work the city life, but not have to live your life in the city,’ explains Mrs O’Brien. And of course, the island’s strategic location, halfway between the UK and France, ‘opens up a world of connections,’ says Miss Thompson. All this conspires to attract a wide


range of high-net-worth buyers. ‘Active groups include those relocating within the financial-services sector and returning expatriates: UK nationals formerly based in Asia and North America, seeking a low-tax base closer to family,’ says Mrs O’Brien. Although many buyers are British,


others hail from further afield. ‘Jer- sey has become very attractive to high-value residents who are moving


Beaumont House, St Peter In five acres of grounds, the six-bedroom house’s inter- iors make the most of the views across St Aubin’s Bay. £6.9m through Thompson Estates (01534 707093), Savills (01534 722227) and Broadlands (01534 880770)


from Eurozone destinations to achieve stability and a better standard of liv- ing,’ comments Miss Thompson. Mrs O’Brien has even sold properties to people moving their business to Jersey from other offshore jurisdictions. Most incomers choose whether to


settle on the western or eastern side of the island depending on their needs. ‘West purchasers want an easy com- mute to the airport and east purchas- ers usually want to be close to the schools,’ explains Miss Thompson. St Saviour, an inland parish on Jersey’s eastern side, has a high concentration of good schools, including St Michael’s Preparatory School, Jersey College


for Girls, De La Salle College and the selective grammar Hautlieu School. On the other side of the island, St Peter is home to the airport and St Brelade has some of Jersey’s best sea views. Although you can only buy prop-


erty in Jersey if you meet specific residency criteria, the island is very welcoming for high-value incomers. There are four types of residential status, of which Entitled is the most flexible in terms of both property purchase and employment. To gain Entitled status, people who were not born in Jersey must live on the island for a continuous period of 10 years. However, the Chief Minister can


grant Entitled status to high-value residents that meet some specific criteria, including having sustaina- ble, annual worldwide earnings of more than £625,000 and paying a minimum annual tax contribution of £125,000. High-net-worth invest- ors who obtain Entitled status can then buy or lease any property in Jersey as their main place of resi- dence, although ‘the Population Office normally requires that you buy or lease a high-value property,’ accord- ing to the States of Jersey. With worldwide private wealth


Hollybank House, St Martin One of Jersey’s most notable properties, Hollybank House stands in 46 acres of parkland and woodland above the Bay of Rozel, to which it has direct access. The main house has six bedroom suites, an office suite with boardroom and an indoor pool complex. The manicured grounds also house four ancillary homes and excellent equestrian facilities. £14m through Wilsons (01534 877977), Savills (01534 870143) and Thompson Estates (01534 707903)


www.countrylife.co.uk


expected to reach $198.2 trillion (about £126 trillion) by the end of 2018, many high-net-worth investors will soon train their eyes on the island and its property. ‘The contin- ued growth of global wealth man- agement represents a compelling opportunity for Jersey’s economy,’ says Mrs O’Brien. ‘Such an active economy will be reflected in a very active housing market.’


Country Life, Jersey, Summer 2015 13


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