This book is the first to analyze the phenomenon of international retirement migration, to trace the story of the migrants from their old to their new homes, and to examine the conceptual and policy contexts of this relatively new form of transnational mobility. The Costa del Sol, the Algarve, Tuscany and Malta attract increasing numbers of retirees each year, especially British and other Northern European citizens. This study provides new insights into the motivations of the mainly well-off and well-educated retirees who settle in Southern Europe and how they manage the transition. It demonstrates the roles of international tourism and of living abroad earlier in life in the formation of the ambition to retire abroad, and it describes the dominantly positive consequences of the moves. The challenges of providing health and welfare services for the ageing population are also explored. The book develops fascinating perspectives on new constructions of old age as a period for personal development and positive changes, and on the ways by which Northern European retirees resident in the South are forming a new pan-national European identity.This book will have wide appeal to a range of readerships and its cross-disciplinary nature will make it relevant for courses on sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, tourism and leisure studies, migration studies, gerontology, social and health policy and area studies.

'If you are considering uprooting, my advice is to read this valuable book before you take the plunge.'Times Higher Education Supplement'Good use is made of oral testimony backed up by statistical data in this rigorous study.' Business Archives: Sources and History 'This book links tourism with the study of migration and social gerontology and thus demonstrates tourism can make a contribution in ways traditional academics value. Hence this books should help convince sceptics that tourism is an important field in its own right and can assist in the wider understanding of societal issues.'Annuls of Tourism Research'Sunset Lives represents a remarkable contribution to the study of a 'new' migration phenomenon which we can reasonably expect to have an increase of in the future. The importance of this phenomenon needs to be studied since it usually remains rather hidden behind other migratory flows which are seen as more crucial and visible for society. F

Russell King Dean of the School of European Studies,University of Sussex Tony Warnes University of Sheffield Allan Williams University of Exeter