Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

droopsnout

gfplux wrote: »

I have heard nothing about any changes

That is part of the problem! The government claims to have consulted widely, but no-one had ever heard of the proposals until someone hit upon a certain document quite by chance. It is government by stealth! (I guess we should be used to that by now ...)

droopsnout

donny-gal wrote: »

Try the old way
http://www.roundtownnews.com/rtn-newsflash/item/44325-threat-to-healthcare.html
DG

Your original link was missing the colon after "http", D-G, that's all.

droopsnout

gfplux wrote: »

Link not working for me also.
I have heard nothing about any changes.
However I am in the Luxembourg system (which works quite well thank you) frankly if I became ill on a trip to the UK I would try and get back to Luxembourg as soon as possible. That was the advise given by French expats in the UK, to my French wife when she came to England in 1982. It seems to hold good even today.

Experiences over quite a long period and in a couple of places in the UK would indicate to me that no-one would really want to be in hospital in England. (Can't speak for Scotland, Wales or N.I.) Recent media reporting of care in the UK is little short of disparaging. Very sad.

seven-day-weekend

I agree droopsnout, we made sure we kept our vote. I didn't know it finished after fifteen years until recently.

Also the passport, I renewed mine nine months early while we were in the UK and got one lasting ten years and nine months .

The WFA is a bit odd. They obviously don't want to pay it do they? I think it's pretty unpopular amongst those who've never been expats, many of whom see expats as lounging in the sun on Christmas Day, dressed in tee shirts, with sangria or cognac. (I've since told people how cold it is in southern Spain in the winter!). Many people think expats shouldn't get anything at all, even State Pensions:eek:. So I think the WFA is an easy target for the Government as they can be seen to not be pandering to those traitor expats who have turned their back on their country and spend all their money elsewhere.

I don't need to tell you I don't agree with any of this, just saying that is how many people see it.

droopsnout

See also: http://www.euronews.com/2013/10/24/new-eu-law-addresses-health-care-across-borders/

This affects holidaymakers, too.

droopsnout

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I don't need to tell you I don't agree with any of this, just saying that is how many people see it.

Yes, I know, s-d-w. But it's a sad place when people think that others shouldn't get the pension and healthcare they've paid into!

I do get the impression (from visits to the UK and from daily media) that there is great unhappiness in the UK, and that it's turning into a sort of blame culture.

The government targets the poor and the disabled. The population blames immigrants. Motorists blame caravanners for slow speeds on the roads. Drivers blame cyclists just for existing! Taxpayers want fat people charged more for health care. Local government, starved of money, goes crazy with car park charges. Police try to catch everyone out with speed traps all over the place. There is so much accusing, if that's the right word.

It seems from here to have become a place where government, both central and local, isn't there to support the people and improve their lives, but to hassle, pursue and torment people until they do as they're told.

And people take it. And blame others. And then turn to far-right political parties in their despair and frustration.

It's very sad to see from here. Not that we are isolated from all of it, as the Front National have come first and second in two recent by-elections over here.

Glad I live in the middle of nowhere and that generally authority (and the world in general) leaves us alone!!

seven-day-weekend

Good post droopsnout. I'm afraid you might be right

droopsnout

Thinking that my last post or two sound terminally downbeat (!), I just thought I'd mention some brilliant, brilliant television I've seen this week: Educating Yorkshire. If you haven't seen this on C4 (or Channel 4 Seven, if you can get it) watch out for the repeats and catch it, or record it if you prefer, or watch on 4OD online. Believe me, it's worth it. Like many others, I was in tears of joy at the end. Well, joy and admiration. Inspiring, uplifting telly!

droopsnout

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

Good post droopsnout. I'm afraid you might be right

You're much better placed to know than I!

droopsnout

donny-gal wrote: »

Certainly the expats near me feel the hospitals are dragging their feet over expensive treatments, knee ops, etc.

So the Spanish hospitals are trying to cut down their own expenditure? As everywhere, I guess.

We haven't been able to go to Spain this year, and we've missed it rather, especially after seeing San Sebastian, Zaragossa, Valencia, Figueres, Bilbao, Santander and Barcelona in recent times, not to mention a week inland from the Costa Brava.

There are some lovely places, as in all countries, and we have found so many of the people friendly and helpful (as here). What a tragedy it is that the country is going through such terrible difficulties, especially with youth unemployment.

The lad in our village whom I used to teach English is currently doing English and Spanish at uni, and is on a year's placement at uni in Madrid at the moment. He seems to be loving it. And Madrid is a fantastic city.

I really hope that the crisis is soon over. I did read the other day that Spain may have turned the corner. I hope so!

I was looking the other day to see if I could find any good deals on long-stay winter holidays down in the Granada/Sevilla areas. Anyone any suggestions as to good locations or reliable/affordable sites for finding accommodation? Would probably drive down from here via Madrid and Toledo.