Moving To Spain

WestMidsClaret · Post by **WestMidsClaret** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:07 pm

So the moosus, I, the in-laws and maybe even her nan are thinking about moving to Spain this year. Alicante area, there or thereabouts. Anyone done it recently? Got any advice? Kell's a special needs teacher so she will stay in Education. I drew the short straw and I'm a stay at home Dad but I do a bit of buying and selling various things for a little extra coinage. Her mother works in a school currently and her Dad will probably do almost anything out there. We're originally going to rent long term (think it's something like 11 months) before buying so we can suss out area's etc. Obviously everything's going to be trial and error. Probably going to focus on the area were Kell will be working up to a 30 minutes drive.

Hopefully we'll be going over with around £200,000 to buy a place. Kell's 37 and I'm 40 but we're like a couple of teenagers so will need to be close to a lively area with plenty of expats, close to a beach but that isn't a must.There's going to be 4 adults (possibly 5) and 3 kids. I know this isn't A Place In The Sun but there are a lot of people with good life experience on here that have lived abroad etc.

Thanks.

PS the moosus' operation went well and the plates/screws did the job. But she is doing my head in though

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:09 pm

They do like to stick with their own, don't they, these immigrants.

Little enclaves, where they just speak their own language.

conyoviejo · Post by **conyoviejo** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:11 pm

West Mids....The most important advice i can give is to learn the language ASAP.. Will help you loads with your life out there..The Spanish are really lovely people and appreciate it if you try to speak the lingo.. I found it invaluable when I have been in Spain..

randomclaret2 · Post by **randomclaret2** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:23 pm

The O/P asked for advice UTB

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:31 pm

randomclaret2 wrote:The O/P asked for advice UTB

What's your advice for immigrants living in insular communities?

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:31 pm

The best advice we can give you is to ignore UpTheBeehole.

Just go and check the areas out. Plenty of cheap weekend deals around.

Tribesmen · Post by **Tribesmen** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:37 pm

Yer I would say learn Spanish and live as far away from expats as you can .

Joe14 · Post by **Joe14** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:40 pm

It's nice waking up to the sun everyday!! Don't expect anything to get done on time. In many regards they are still well behind some other European countries. Prices have gone up in the last 10/15 years. Surprising how many expatriates actually come home to use our NHS/dentists/doctors etc.
Spanish are a good laid back bunch. If you like long 3 hour lunches, wine and sun you will love it

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:41 pm

Just make sure there's full english breakfasts, pints of carling, daily deliveries of the Sun, karaoke on a Friday and a pub quiz on a Wednesday.

Take a supply of teabags and marmite, and don't forget a good load of Cadbury's chocolate.

There's a good amount of schools set up by English people teaching English children proper English as well.

cutsy123 · Post by **cutsy123** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:43 pm

Speak to Gaz Kay, a fellow claret

info@propertybrokerspain.com

Hes a spanish property agent

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:43 pm

UpTheBeehole wrote:Just make sure there's full english breakfasts, pints of carling, daily deliveries of the Sun, karaoke on a Friday and a pub quiz on a Wednesday.

Take a supply of teabags and marmite, and don't forget a good load of Cadbury's chocolate.

There's a good amount of schools set up by English people teaching English children proper English as well.

Yep it`s good to immerse yourself in the local culture !!

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:52 pm

My only advice is don't live with the in-laws.

WestMidsClaret · Post by **WestMidsClaret** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 2:57 pm

Inchy wrote:My only advice is don't live with the in-laws.

Yeah trust me I'm doing my best not to let that happen

Lisbonclaret · Post by **Lisbonclaret** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 3:47 pm

Utb, what a tosser.
And that is from someone who has lived in Portugal for over 20 years and probably speaks Portuguese better then Utb does english. C'''!

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 3:51 pm

WestMidsClaret wrote:So the moosus, I, the in-laws and maybe even her nan are thinking about moving to Spain this year. Alicante area, there or thereabouts. Anyone done it recently? Got any advice? Kell's a special needs teacher so she will stay in Education. I drew the short straw and I'm a stay at home Dad but I do a bit of buying and selling various things for a little extra coinage. Her mother works in a school currently and her Dad will probably do almost anything out there. We're originally going to rent long term (think it's something like 11 months) before buying so we can suss out area's etc. Obviously everything's going to be trial and error. Probably going to focus on the area were Kell will be working up to a 30 minutes drive.

Hopefully we'll be going over with around £200,000 to buy a place. Kell's 37 and I'm 40 but we're like a couple of teenagers so will need to be close to a lively area with plenty of expats, close to a beach but that isn't a must.There's going to be 4 adults (possibly 5) and 3 kids. I know this isn't A Place In The Sun but there are a lot of people with good life experience on here that have lived abroad etc.

Thanks.

PS the moosus' operation went well and the plates/screws did the job. But she is doing my head in though

Plenty of ex-pat bars for a laugh almost anywhere along the Spanish coasts. I've spent a lot of time in the area from Malaga to Calahonda and Marbella and 200k, at least currently, will by you a hell of a property. Good luck and I'm jealous.
By the way, cars are cheap as well.

Lisbonclaret · Post by **Lisbonclaret** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 3:53 pm

I would add, apart from trying to learn Spanish, to actively mix if poss with the Spanish. Show that you have an interest in the culture ,food and history and you will be welcomed.

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 3:58 pm

Let's hope the local population aren't as anti immigrant as the Up The Clarets lot.

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 3:59 pm

I'm just thinking about the possibility of this, someone who has
a property in Spain has told me the best thing to do first and
foremost is to get a Spanish solicitor who's a good English speaker.

Lots of horror stories in the press about people who've bought without
the proper checks and consents and had, in extreme cases, their
houses demolished. The Spanish government might have cracked down on that
now, but it's wise to be absolutely sure of your own situation.

I'm sure you'll be fine though, and good luck.

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:05 pm

Be careful what you get into 'Buying and Selling'.

I recently started watching and am hooked on Breaking Bad. Just saying

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:14 pm

We were looking into it when I retired but were put off by the land grabbing that was going on in Valencia & Alicante provinces back then.
Post 18 is spot on get a good English speaking solicitor to baby you through the buying process.
We were also told that for simple paperwork, residency, health, car purchase & insurance a notary would iron out any problems.

Top Claret · Post by **Top Claret** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:14 pm

Go for it. 40 is a great age to start a new life, I am sure you will never look back.

I am retired, although only 58 I have a long term rental in jalon valley (25 minutes north east of Benidorm)

I pay 700 euros a month. South of Alicante areas you will be able to pick up a decent place for 500, no problems. I personally would never buy anywhere abroad as I like to move around and not be tied to one area or country.

Get plenty of advice from the ex pats

halfmanhalfbiscuit · Post by **halfmanhalfbiscuit** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:23 pm

I moved to France ten years ago.
My advice is learn the language and swerve the xpats.

Stockbrokerbelt · Post by **Stockbrokerbelt** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:24 pm

Hi, i'm moving April/June time to Manilva near Estepona on the costa del sol dependent on how quick we sell our home & in the process of buying a 3/4 bed town house, we originally intended to rent long term to ensure we like it but the area house prices have seen a rise of about 15% so have reacted to that.
Advice is to check out everything twice have a plan remember its not a holiday, don't believe the bull about the Spanish are slow i can only give the thumbs up regarding solicitors, estate agents etc.
We have visited a lot to pick the area as we were originally going to move to Cadiz area but its just to quiet & felt it was too Spanish, the area we have chosen is 30 mins from Gib & very multicultural with great transport links including an airport being constructed near Marbella & area for shopping etc.
Estepona is a very up & coming area with a lot of money being invested in a train station & limited new build, the Major is very green in his outlook & determined the area won't go the way of areas further up the costa del sol.
Hope that helps, have you any tips or advice for us?

Vino blanco · Post by **Vino blanco** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:31 pm

I've lived in Spain (Torrequbrada on the Costa del Sol) for four years, having owned an apartment here for many more years. I can fully recommend the experience and my wife and I think of Spain as home and have no intention of returning to the UK, having said that we are retired so have no problems with earning a living out here.
It could, indeed, be a good idea to rent first to make sure you can handle living out here. If you do intend to buy, property prices are still relatively low following the financial crisis but prices are now rising especially in the coastal areas. I would suggest you get a good English speaking lawyer/tax advisor for all your legal matters. Also, you will need to look at your healt issues as well: you may need to sort out private medical insurance if you become residents ( living for over 6 months a year in Spain).
In our area there are many expats in business but there are also many Spanish areas, so you get the best of both worlds. The lifestyle is much more relaxing and the cost of living much cheaper than in England. I already spoke French and German before we came out so I have picked up Spanish quite quickly, my wife is now learning and gets by quite well.
Do not forget, you are only a couple of hours flight back to the UK to see friends and family etc. All in all we have never looked back and we are enjoying our retirement fully. Give it a go, I can recommend it very much.

JimmyMac'sMate · Post by **JimmyMac'sMate** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:32 pm

Reading your threads my only advice I can give which is free when you get there don't come back utc

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:56 pm

Top Claret wrote:Go for it. 40 is a great age to start a new life, I am sure you will never look back.

I am retired, although only 58 I have a long term rental in jalon valley (25 minutes north east of Benidorm)

I pay 700 euros a month. South of Alicante areas you will be able to pick up a decent place for 500, no problems. I personally would never buy anywhere abroad as I like to move around and not be tied to one area or country.

Get plenty of advice from the ex pats

I would go with the rental idea. We are thinking about it on retirement (when I'm about 89) but I've said that I'm not sure I'd buy because of some of the bad tales you hear and if you rent and there is a problem you can just leave. Have looked at some properties over there and some really nice places to rent for not a huge amount of money. The advice about learning the language is sound though. I know someone who had a business over there and if you don't speak the language you have little chance of getting any business. On the other hand if you make the effort (which I believe people should anyway) they will welcome you as the Spanish are a friendly bunch if you make a bit of an effort.

houseboy · Post by **houseboy** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 4:58 pm

JimmyMac'sMate wrote:Reading your threads my only advice I can give which is free when you get there don't come back utc

I know I wouldn't. I go there temporarily sometimes and never want to come home.

TheOriginalLongsider · Post by **TheOriginalLongsider** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 5:18 pm

Moraira is a good mix of nationals, by the beach with nice bars

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 6:05 pm

UpTheBeehole wrote:They do like to stick with their own, don't they, these immigrants.

Little enclaves, where they just speak their own language.

Not forgetting building religious buildings,changing the school menu,the monopoly on private hire,living rent free.
Just a few positives.

ŽižkovClaret · Post by **ŽižkovClaret** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 7:18 pm

UpTheBeehole wrote:They do like to stick with their own, don't they, these immigrants.

Little enclaves, where they just speak their own language.

Kurwa!

Costadelsolclaret · Post by **Costadelsolclaret** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 7:34 pm

Hola
Live in Manilva/Duquesa myself for last 3 years
I don't understand someone saying cars are cheap in Spain

TractorFace · Post by **TractorFace** » Fri Jan 19, 2018 9:32 pm

Start learning the language ASAP. Even getting by in a bit of local lingo will help to open new doors for you and it will be appreciated . Another tip: Try to avoid the British enclaves and certainly don't ghettoise yourself by living in one. Hope it works out for you.

charlyt · Post by **charlyt** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 1:29 am

UpTheBeehole wrote:They do like to stick with their own, don't they, these immigrants.

Little enclaves, where they just speak their own language.

Do they have Welsh forebears..?

Quicknick · Post by **Quicknick** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 5:00 am

Why Spain? Have you considered Portugal? The west Algarve is far cheaper than the Spanish costas, far more attractive and it isn't as hot. Lagos is a good place to live. The locals are pretty friendly and the town is as attractive as anywhere I've been.

Top Claret · Post by **Top Claret** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 5:49 am

Spanish used cars cost a fortune. Something we pick up for £2000 would cost 7k. You should take your own and if you want to stay get it registered on Spanish plates.

New cars are the same has the UK, so I have been told

Be careful of handing bond money to the Spanish, I have been told that they never give it back. You need to rent of a repeatable professional agency.

The quality of food is far superior to the UK. Meat from the supermarket is of far better quality and fruit and vegetables from the local markets is 75%cheaper than the UK and taste amazing.

Where I stay in the Jalon Valley, I can pick oranges, lemons, figs off the trees and eat them and buy the wine from the local vineyard.

Eating out at quality restaurants is nearly half the price of the UK. Beer is cheaper and wine is never more than 1.50 euros a glass.

The UK is far cheaper on electrical goods and bedding.

Off on the turf this aft and then catching the 6.45am Ryanair flight to Alicante tomorrow.

Adious amegoes

Rojales Claret · Post by **Rojales Claret** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 8:15 am

Myself & my wife are just in the very early stages of considering retiring to Spain, probably in or around Rojales/Quesada area between Alicante & Murcia. How do you ex pats think Brexit will affect the future for retirees in Spain?

alicante claret · Post by **alicante claret** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 9:39 am

I moved out here three years ago, living in Gran Alacant a mixture of expats plus all parts of Europe. We rent and have rented our property in UK surplus adds to pension. I was able to complete some work online but from my experience wages in Spain are lower and those expats working full time seem to work longer hours. Health care here us first class, cost of living affordable. I would endorse learning language but would look to start in area with expat support. Avoid places such as Quesada which is entirely British.

MarbellaClaret · Post by **MarbellaClaret** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 10:44 am

After ten years in Marbella some of the comments leave me puzzled but can highly recommend the lifestyle, would say learn as you go,one step at a time or as many before you found out the hard way the money will be gone.
Renting is the best way forward at least for a year and if you do eventually buy allow 10 to 15% of purchase price for taxes, legal fees, etc. Good Luck UTC

Stayingup · Post by **Stayingup** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 10:57 am

I bought a place South of Alicante on the coast. Lovely.
Remember you have 10%tax on the buying price. Electricity is quite expensive so look at the bills if you buy an existing property.
Inland is cheaper than at the coast.
I like where we are my neighbours are Spanish, Swedish and one Belgian. Nice lot.

Top Claret · Post by **Top Claret** » Sat Jan 20, 2018 11:01 am

MarbellaClaret wrote:After ten years in Marbella some of the comments leave me puzzled but can highly recommend the lifestyle, would say learn as you go,one step at a time or as many before you found out the hard way the money will be gone.
Renting is the best way forward at least for a year and if you do eventually buy allow 10 to 15% of purchase price for taxes, legal fees, etc. Good Luck UTC

You will think some of the comments on here are strange when you live in Marbella. The cost of living in the Costa Blanca is far cheaper than the Marbella area, I know, I have spent time in both

2 Bee Holed · Post by **2 Bee Holed** » Tue Jan 23, 2018 8:33 am

Isn't it wiser to see how Brexit will change your residency status first?
Then there is the EHIC and health care arrangements to sort out during the Brexit negotiations.
Or am I being a pessimist?
I'd rent and if it all goes pear shaped, you can come back more easily.

WestMidsClaret · Post by **WestMidsClaret** » Thu Jan 25, 2018 11:47 am

Thanks for all the replies, apologies for not responding earlier but flu's hitting me hard again and the moosus is STILL doing my head in! A lot of good advice definitely going to learn the language. Don't need a car as we're taking one over. Area's we aren't too fussed about but plenty of schools around would be ideal. I have no idea how brexit would/will affect our status and can't really guess. Definitely going to rent for the 1st year I think. Kell's going on sabbatical so if for some reason we don't like it then we can come back and she can carry on with her career here.

Thanks again for all the info and advice its very much appreciated.

Vino blanco · Post by **Vino blanco** » Thu Jan 25, 2018 1:33 pm

Westmids. Just one other thing. Everyone moving to Spain is normally recommended to make a Spanish will, since, God forbid, if something does happen to you or yours, it can have repercussions on your assets both in Spain and the U.K. and the taxi implications thereof.

WestMidsClaret · Post by **WestMidsClaret** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:09 am

Muchas gracias por la informacion senor

Heaton's Gloves · Post by **Heaton's Gloves** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 9:53 am

Di nada

Foshiznik · Post by **Foshiznik** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 11:04 am

Quicknick wrote:Why Spain? Have you considered Portugal? The west Algarve is far cheaper than the Spanish costas, far more attractive and it isn't as hot. Lagos is a good place to live. The locals are pretty friendly and the town is as attractive as anywhere I've been.

Lagos is beautiful. Do you live there? I've always wanted to live in north America, but Lagos would be a very close second.

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:17 pm

MarbellaClaret wrote:After ten years in Marbella some of the comments leave me puzzled but can highly recommend the lifestyle, would say learn as you go,one step at a time or as many before you found out the hard way the money will be gone.
Renting is the best way forward at least for a year and if you do eventually buy allow 10 to 15% of purchase price for taxes, legal fees, etc. Good Luck UTC

I would move to Marbella in a flash if I could convince the missus. Absolutely love the area. Marbella has less of a tourist feel to it - my folks had an apartment on the front so spent a lot of time there - shame they sold it. We come back as a family every year but stay around Puerto Banus area but spent most of our time back in Marbella.

iluva64 · Post by **iluva64** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:23 pm

One for the negative

I have two business colleagues and one cousin who have all sold up, flats, houses, apartments and moved back to Blighty.......main reason Spanish economy is $ha££ed.
Health system is non existent.......only positive, the weather.

Do your research

Shappie · Post by **Shappie** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:29 pm

Why do so many posts advise avoiding ex pats?

Sutton-Claret · Post by **Sutton-Claret** » Fri Jan 26, 2018 12:40 pm

Shappie wrote:Why do so many posts advise avoiding ex pats?

Pat Butcher should be avoided