Moving To Spain

[IanMcL]

As described above, Spain is struggling economically. Beware post Brexit, where you might be blamed for their plight, by some nutcase.

House prices rock bottom- they can't sell.

Ex-pats drink beer and speak English, amongst their own. Learn Spanish.

Best of luck.

[WestMidsClaret]

Thanks again for all the advice, I am taking on board quite a bit of it.

[bfcjg]

Good luck with the move. Guy at work returned to UK six years ago due to his wife developing health problems now she has had the operation and aftercare etc they are planning to return. He sold his business in his mid fifties and they bought in Alicante downsized here and bought a smaller place in the UK as well as a just in case option. The advice re English speaking expert lawyers accountants etc is so valuable. When he talks about his time out there he loved it but didn't treat it as a holiday just as a long lazy weekend as such. He is is a mechanical electical engineer and got a bit bored so got a job working for a swimming pool company reparing fitting servicing pumps and plant rooms etc which helped his savings and he came proficient in Spanish,it was during this time he saw the horror stories of property deals gone wrong when he witnessed villas being confiscated and demolished for alleged planning breaches at the whim of local mayors and quotes for tens of thousands of Euros to connect upgrade or repair utilities whilst Spaniards paid little or nothing. The drinking culture is so easy to fall into as well as its so cheap and at times you drink because its there and sat outside eating it just seems natural. He's been with us for five years now and is a very knowledgeable chap about Spain and cannot compliment the Spanish people enough if you make the effort, he can't wait to get back.

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Why do so many posts advise avoiding ex pats?

I just can't see the point in moving to a new place and being surrounded with the same things you moved from?

I've lived in various cities in the US for 25 years and whenever I move to a new one people always say " oh you must meet so and so they're from xxxx" "oh we must go to the so and so, it's a great British pub". Why?

In my experience of this the British are very insular, quite critical of the culture (that they themselves moved to) and spend a lot of time talking about "the olden days".
And the pubs are fake.

If I end up having an English pal it's usually because we share the same musical taste or sense of humor or love of beer (which may of course be more likely because we're English) but is really more about personality, which is also easily also found by talking to a bunch of locals or other nationalities.

[gandhisflipflop]

If i moved abroad, i would do everything to mingle with the locals learn the language and do as the spanish do just as i expect immigrants to do over here. It would be hypocritical of me to think otherwise.

[WestMidsClaret]

Just to be clear I don't want to be surrounded by expat's. I'd just think it would make the transition easier plus if the moosus is STILL doing my head in then I can go and have a beer and a chat with a few brits hopefully rovers fans then i can take the ****. But we'd want a mixture of nationalities. In fact I'd welcome it.

[WestMidsClaret]

If i moved abroad, i would do everything to mingle with the locals learn the language and do as the spanish do just as i expect immigrants to do over here. It would be hypocritical of me to think otherwise.

Doesn't always work out like that though does it mate. How are you pal? Not spoke in a while. I don't go on facebook so much nowadays.

[Stockbrokerbelt]

Hi, I’m moving to Spain (Manilva) April / June & believe me we have visited numerous times, done our homework & have a a great estate agent & solicitor who could not be more helpful including meeting us on a Saturday in their offices in Marbella & explaining in great detail how the process will work including setting up all power, water & fibreoptic. The economy is on the up & looking at a 5% climb in their economy & doing the right way by automation & a economy built in the right way which will include a higher unemployment than the UK. Like any where you can meet dodgy individuals & I have who have all been expats. So my view is don’t be put off with the old stereotype of Spain & the Spanish, do your homework & use an finanance house to move your money etc.

[Shappie]

I just can't see the point in moving to a new place and being surrounded with the same things you moved from

I get that totally. Always makes me smile on holiday when you see the pubs advertising roast dinner on sundays and full English breakfast !

[gandhisflipflop]

Doesn't always work out like that though does it mate. How are you pal? Not spoke in a while. I don't go on facebook so much nowadays.

Yeah it wasnt meant as a pop at you its each to their own. I am ok mate how are you doing? Hope you're well.

[WestMidsClaret]

No I know you weren't having a dig at me mate. Proper suffering at the moment with this flaming illness, trying to sort this move out and having to look after Kell/kids. So a bit hectic. But shouldn't grumble too much because a lot of people don't get a chance at living life.

[gandhisflipflop]

Hope you're better soon buddy. A move to spain should be a great exciting move!

[Claret-On-A-T-Rex]

Lived out here for 15 years, married to a spanish lass and we have a little boy

A couple of things people have said are rubbish, here's the truth...

The NHS out here is far superior to the one in the UK.

Rent first and be very careful before buying property, also don't buy new property or off-plan flats, you can get shafted.

Diesel cars of a certain age need a sticker on the windscreen and can only go in certain places (maybe not main areas of town).

Get a job before you go.

[WestMidsClaret]

Hope you're better soon buddy. A move to spain should be a great exciting move!

Cheers pal. I know, it's proper exciting times. Opens up new worlds. Renting a villa for a year or 2 then deciding what we're going to do property wise. So if you're ever over you you doss at ours.

[gandhisflipflop]

Thanks mate much appreciated

[billyhamilton82]

"It was during this time he saw the horror stories of property deals gone wrong when he witnessed villas being confiscated and demolished for alleged planning breaches at the whim of local mayors and quotes for tens of thousands of Euros to connect upgrade or repair utilities whilst Spaniards paid little or nothing."

Beautiful country, wonderful people and fantastic climate.........

BUT

Be careful and watch out for your local mayor. Allegedly mafia infiltrated and as mentioned Spaniards have different set of rules to the rest.

Two stories of people we know in two separate incidents in Costa Blanca cost over $50k each to appease the local mayor and his cronies for supposed illegal renovation work completed by the previous owners.

One couple are still stuck out there unable to get rid of their house as they're not selling and they have had half their house ripped out (marble bathroom included) all works completed by the previous Spanish owner. ...the only comfort is that they aren't the only ones and have some morale support from others in the area going through similar situations.

They were out there for 5 years in a Spanish area and had learnt the language with no problems at all then the recession kicked in and the mayor made his rounds.

All the Spanish houses haven't been touched. It's a racket.

Dodgy to say the least. We were looking at Spain but now decided on France as a much safer option as you will never know when there is a change of mayor or whether they need some extra cash for their coffers.

[WestMidsClaret]

Cheers Bill. It won't put me off.

[ontario claret]

You're better off moving to Denmark. Much less crime, and you can eat your dinner off of the streets.

[billyhamilton82]

Cheers Bill. It won't put me off.

Not trying to put you off just giving you a heads up to be aware.

[WestMidsClaret]

I know mate. Any info is appreciated.

My next task is to think of a business that her dad and I can do. Yes I've read that it's a minefield out there for starting up a business but it's just going to be a small one that earns us a little pocket money. Idea's are more then welcome. I've got a few in the pipeline.

[Claret-On-A-T-Rex]

If you start a small business you have to be "autonomo" - self-employed and it costs 250 Euros a month. You still have to pay tax on top of that and you'll also need to pay an accountant 50 euros a month to do your returns. If there's two of you you'll be paying at least 600 Euros out per month before you even start so I'd knock the pocket money idea on the head, you need a proper startup.

To be honest, I'd stay where you are if I were you, I'm the only English bloke left now in my town and that's because I'm married to a Spanish lass and have support and connections and I make my money online.

[WestMidsClaret]

I was just trying to play it down a tad. I really want to think of that golden nugget idea. It doesn't have to be hugely successful (would be nice) I've read about the costs and licenses you need to obtain to start a business and about the autonomo. If I source it all out and think it isn't worth it then I'll knock it on the head and carry on what I'm doing at the moment, it's just a little more difficult being in Spain.