Moving to Spain

melanzana

Renting is a no brainer. For three, four or thereabouts months in the Winter. Fine. Cheaper rates off season too.

I just don't get the "let's move abroad to the sun" thing.

We are programmed to like our lives in our own countries. But a break away is great too. Not enough to buy though. Too risky IMV.

Rent, rent, rent. Great deals out there for longer than a month too.

So little risk, for so much gain.

Loanranger

Spain is cold at night in the winter months. Usually below 10C. If you did not know this then you need to rent for an extended period so that you can experience all the myths about Spanish life.
I speak from experience!
Also, many many expats yearn to return home to the UK or Germany or Belgium or wherever as they get older. A foreign country is no place to be ill and in hospital with no grasp of the medical terminology in another language.
As everyone else says, rent first.

knightstyle

I agree with the "don't burn your boats" comments, go for a year whilst keeping a UK address, bank, etc.
Have you thought about house sitting for someone over there, it is a good way in and as your accommodation costs are covered you could still afford your current place in UK.
We till recently lived in France, all very straight forward paper wise but if your pension is from a government agency, teachers, police etc. there can be tax problems, there is a recent ammendment to the rules that you will need to check out. Normal OAP government pension will be taxed in the country you live in, so no problems there.
Your house in the UK, is it suitable for short lets, we put all our personal stuff in one locked bedroom and let the house to business people on a weekly basis, see Hoseasons.
Anyway, go and follow your dream we did and certainly don't regret it.

BarryBlue

Loanranger wrote: »

Spain is cold at night in the winter months. Usually below 10C. If you did not know this then you need to rent for an extended period so that you can experience all the myths about Spanish life.
I speak from experience!
Also, many many expats yearn to return home to the UK or Germany or Belgium or wherever as they get older. A foreign country is no place to be ill and in hospital with no grasp of the medical terminology in another language.
As everyone else says, rent first.

You are right, Spain does get chilly at night in the winter months. Many Spanish properties don't have central heating either. Yet some people moan at the winter fuel payment being received by pensioners who are in Spain, even though they are British taxpayers and get a UK pension.


I disagree about the health provision though. People we know who are resident in Spain prefer the hospitals there. One friend has had a couple of quite serious episodes and has had fantastic treatment there. He speaks little Spanish but insists this is not a problem either. I suppose it helps if you are in a populated area, not somewhere with two houses and a donkey!