Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

donny-gal

Is that a Spanish sterling account? or one in the UK?

Thanks - DG

HappyinSpain

Hi DG,

Both accounts are with our local Spanish branch.

HiS

donny-gal

Thanks HIS

Will look into that while out here as not happy with exchange rate from Halifax. DG

siamese0109

LesD wrote: »

Hello all. Long time no 'see'!

As donny-gal has got us on to technology, I thought I'd seek out some advice on 'dongles' in Spain! Normally, on our trips, I just use the local internet shop. But we'll be out for 3-4 weeks soon and I wondered if it would be worth acquiring a Spanish pre-paid dongle and take my laptop. I have absolutely no idea how these things work - even in the UK - so wondered if anyone in Spain can help?

Hi - just happened upon this so thought I'd add my experience. I have an unlocked dongle that I got from e-bay in the UK and I use it with a YOIGO sim which I bought from Carrefour and which costs me a maximum of €1.30 a day inc tax. It does go slower after a certain amount of time but there's ample to do e-mails, check out a few sites etc. My Dad also has one but his is Vodaphone and I think he gets a package when he goes to Spain that costs him around €20 for a month. Neither of us have any real problems with the speed of it and I also use my sim for calls etc and for accessing Facebook on my phone so it really is worth it's weight in gold to me. I'm in the Torrevieja area and we get good reception from both providers as well :T

LesD

siamese0109 wrote: »

Hi - just happened upon this so thought I'd add my experience. I have an unlocked dongle that I got from e-bay in the UK and I use it with a YOIGO sim which I bought from Carrefour and which costs me a maximum of €1.30 a day inc tax. It does go slower after a certain amount of time but there's ample to do e-mails, check out a few sites etc. My Dad also has one but his is Vodaphone and I think he gets a package when he goes to Spain that costs him around €20 for a month. Neither of us have any real problems with the speed of it and I also use my sim for calls etc and for accessing Facebook on my phone so it really is worth it's weight in gold to me. I'm in the Torrevieja area and we get good reception from both providers as well :T

Thanks for that. Very interesting. But it looks like the YOIGO SIM deal has a minimum monthly charge of €6. As we are only out from the UK on an infrequent basis, I don't want to pay for months we aren't there. But it does look a good deal for permanent residents.

Happychappy

Hi just wondering if anyone has moved to Greece, either the Islands or mainland, and how things have worked out, cost of living, winter temps etc, I charter a boat for around a month per year and now looking to possibly buy a boat as a live a board for the period April till October, just interested in any views on the Greek economy,etc, I have been going to evening class for 18 months to learn the language ? boy that is difficult, but live in hope

droopsnout

Hi, Happychappy.

Don't think there's anyone here with strong Greek connections. But now I've said that, just watch 'em pop up!

What you want to do sounds really interesting. Even if there's no-one around to contribute to the Greek side of things, please do let us know how you get on!

Happychappy

Thanks will do, it is just we have chartered a yacht and sailed round most of Greece for the past four years, and with learning a little Greek we have been able to moor up in some of the fishing villages and towns not ruined by the British lager obsession, so now I am looking for possibly next year to live aboard for up to 6 months, but could do with the help and advice from any ex pats, my brother has just cleared off to Estipona in Spain? suddenly out the blue, upped and went and been there three months and not regretting a moment, learning to wind surf and other things he always wanted to do, but now at 57 has the time, so must be something in the genes, but thanks for your reply

droopsnout

Fantastic! Freedom!

I would think, though, that there might be some other, rather more specialist boards, populated either by expats in Greece or by boatowners, where you might have more luck than here.

Maybe you need to keep Googling!

downshifted

Does anyone do this and do you have any advice to pass on? I am interested in renting somewhere warm and living inexpensively - very mse!