Advice needed please on deciding moving abroad -Newbies !!!

Hi guys we are doing exactly what you are.

We knew our area having visited many times in the past years.  We booked appointments with 3 different agents and told them the properties we had seen on line we wanted to view.We wanted a new build and when we arrived we found on many occasions if a developer had 4 designs he advertised the cheapest cost with most expensive build picture.  All turned out well in the end.

We now would have booked an inspection trip (sbout £99 each which incl flight accommodation pick up drop off at airport and being taken to properties.  Be warned though they are intense with back to back viewings from 11 - 5 stopping for quick lunch.  Your head will be spinning but you get to see so much.  Then come home and think about it.

Get a solicitor who is recommended and independent of agent.

From post I read on here and FB sites work is hard to come by especially if you are not fluent in Spanish.  We are taking early retirement so like you set money aside.

I don't know the area sucina.  We are on the coast.  On FB there are lots of different sites covering expats in Spain and then more localised sites.  Everyone is so helpful and we have learnt lots on the way.

Feel free to pm me if you want to know anymore about the buying process.  It's one heck of a roller coaster ride selling in .uk and buying in Spain.  We move there to rent in next 4 weeks all being well

Karen and Colin 

We felt the same! We are still working in our own business so will be going back and forth for a few years yet, but we have just bought our home in the sun... Just last month... And we love it.

We have gone inland to get something in the same price bracket as yourselves. It is stunning...we both love walking and the scenery around El Niño de Mula and Mula itself is amazing.

We have a 2 bed, 2 bath detached property with a pool... Still can't believe our luck!

I went on the Internet and looked up loads of properties and then made myself a tick list of all the things we wanted and compared each until I had a final list of about 12 choices. Then I made appointments with agents to see them all.... In just two days... I would recommend you give it a bit longer than that!

Two of the agents really stood out for us... Mercers in Camposol and Old Farmhouses in Fuente Alamo both went above and beyond. In the end, the latter had the property of our dreams. I cannot praise the staff of Old Farmhouses enough!

We don't have a car yet but we are looking to buy a lefthand drive here, have it checked over and then drive it there... It's an option.

Good luck... I hope you will be as lucky as we have been!

Trishx

The advice above is good advice but the one thing I would like to add is that the consensus of opinion on all our topics and posts about this is to rent a property first (in or nearby the area you like best). This will give you plenty of time to look around different places /areas and if you find the life is not for you, you will not have burnt your bridges.

We have a holiday home and have met many expats over the years, some are very happy but there is always a few who would love to go back to the UK for one reason or another but cannot sell their property for enough money to be able to relocate back, comfortably, to the UK.

Life changes, health changes and what you enjoy now in Spain may not be what you continue to enjoy in 10 or 20 years.

Property in Spain can be a bargain but the fact is they don't rise in price like UK properties. What you pay could be what you have to sell for, or even less if property prices continue as they have in the last 10 years and then it's difficult to buy again in the UK.

If at all possible try to rent your UK property out and use the money to fund your Spanish dream by renting in Spain. If after a while you decide the life is for you you can then think about buying a property at your leisure. By then you will know exactly where you would like to live and what kind of property.

No matter what any Agent tells you, properties take a long time to get a buyer and what you see now will more than likely still be for sale in a few months so if you do decide to take the plunge don't feel pressurised to make any quick decisions.

The happiest expats are those who rented first. We have a couple in our area who have rented in Spain for about 5 years or more and have upgraded from a townhouse to a villa in that time, using their UK house rental and UK pension to fund their life. We also know a couple who rented and then bought a property when they were sure where they wanted to be but also know someone who rented in Spain and went back to the UK in 6 months as it wasn't for them. They were so glad they had rented and not bought and could go back easily to their house in the UK. Everyone is different!

Work is lowly paid compared to UK and working conditions (particularly in the heat of Summer ) are not always as good.

The lifestyle is as healthy as you make it but some expats choose to lead a sedentary lifestyle with drinking being the main exercise which isn't good for future health. Saying that there are those who have a healthier life by playing golf/bowls and being able to follow more outdoor hobbies than they could on the UK.

From what I've seen, it is what you make it but to give yourselves time to see if it is for you before moving lock stock and barrel is the best advice anyone could give you at this stage. 

We have had a holiday home for 12 years and love it but I couldn't live there. I enjoy the best of both worlds. Warm Summers in Spain  (4 weeks at a time during April to October...missing out August! ) and cosy centrally heated Mid-Winters in the UK. My husband on the other hand could live there but his beer belly wouldn't have time to reduce as it does now in the times we are back in the UK! :) :) 

Jan

Excellent advice Jan!

I guess I should have also mentioned that we have holidayed several times at our friends home and made previous visits over the past two years looking in different areas each time.

Also we have been lucky enough to hold on to our home in the UK for the time being at least.

Trish

Hello Debbie and Clint

I'll try and cover a few points here for you to consider.

You lay out your thoughts here financially.  I am aware that the Authorities in Spain do like people to have a basic € annual income.  Obviously you say you have a lump sum.

Bringing a car into Spain may attract an import tax.  I think you say you've got an old-ish car or would get one.  

As you are not of age yet to get the current Pension (Form S1 ) entitlement to health you will need to get yourselves Health Care provision.  

If you rent (even buy) on an Urbanisation there may well be a surcharge monthly for that privilege.

Straight away with the above 2 scenarios you could be waving bye bye to 250€  (even more) each month.

Advise you to ask Advice ref letting your UK property out long term.  Usually any income from property is taxable.  

Property in the coastal areas seem to be more expensive.  But if you live in the countryside there of course are limitations, i.e. public transport and maybe hospitals etc.  

There is a high percentage of unemployment in Spain, even amongst native Spaniards.  

There is controversy which has been going on for some time with regards to the 'new' Corvera Airport (Google it) in Murcia.  If that quite literally takes off then there may be a chance of employment.

If anyone spends more than 183 days within a 12 month period then I believe you then become liable for Spanish tax.  There is a Double Taxation Agreement between Spain and the UK.

There is an abundance of info on the Citizens Advice Spain website.  You can register and get specialist advice which they ask for a payment.  Lots of files can be viewed though.  Also Expats in Spain/Files have genuine files with info which can be seen on line.

You might be asleep yourself by now .....it's really asking yourself some searching questions about how you see your life style and what you want to achieve.  Just do your homework.

One last point to bear in mind is if you are thinking of buying then the price you see just add another 10-14% on top for Spanish Tax.  Another point finally on tax is if you become fiscally resident then when your Spanish tax return is done then they require for you to enter ALL WORLD WIDE income etc.  Their personal allowance on tax has a lower ceiling.

Hope you find the info helpful.

Best wishes for your future.

Mar

Hi Debbie and Clint,

My advice to you is do your homework first. Take a weeks holiday and hire a car and go see as many areas as possible you are interested in. We did this and took notes of each area listing the pros and cons, we then sat around the hotel pool and went through the contenders and came up with the area with the most going for it.

We were with a company called Camerons who took us around over Three days and on the other Days we went around ourselves with local estate agents.

As for work i've always been a believer in that if you want work you will find it But you have a nice sum to tide you over if it takes a bit longer than expected.

There is a 10% tax on new builds along with 2% stamp duty and notary fees so keep this in mind when you find a property you like.

On resale property the tax is 7% i think. Cars are slightly dearer in Spain but if your after an old banger it shouldn't be a problem.

Now if you like wine then your gonna be very happy, good plonk is as cheap as chips and you can have Three bottles a night for Five euros total or less, Happy days. fresh fruit and veg are very cheap from the markets and lovely and fresh.

Your Council tax bill for the year is going to be not much more than a months payment in the Uk.

We are moving into our Villa in the next month, Our House in the UK is sold and we cannot wait. We do not believe in keeping a house in the Uk as you are simply paying for everything twice (insurance,council tax, Car tax etc) Plus we cannot see any benefit in going back to the UK for a few months of the year, Isn't that the point of coming to Spain.

I hope this has helped you a bit and like us you are young enough to do this now and enjoy some quality years in Spain before old age sets in.  You may become less mobile later on and not be able to do certain things that you can now so go for it and good Luck. Throughout my life I have always said to myself this is going to work, i will make it work and you know what it nearly always does work. YOLO

Good luck and best wishes

Mel and Jill

We did much the same as you guys. Have only just bought last month...still on cloud 9.

We have bought in El Niño de Mula... Where are you?

Trish and Melv

Hi Mel and jill exactly what we did ended up Santiago de la ribera.  Renting for 10 months as bought off plan. So looking forward to it x

Out in Santiago de la ribera for 58 hours sorting out rental 

Colin and karen

Hi Trish and Melv

We are in San Pedro Del Pinatar in a development Quiet close the the Lidl supermarket. It was a Years Build and is now Finished and ready to move into, We were out last week to sign the Deeds. Its all very exciting now and Our Dream of the last 15 years is becoming a reality.

Many thanks

Mel and Jill