Hi all. My name is Mark my partner is June, I am a retired police officer from Hampshire aged 54 currently working as a sales rep, June is 61 and retired.
We have been looking with interest at this forum and you all seem helpful to each other. We want to move to spain in the near future possibly Andalucia.I have been reading a thread reporting living costs. One thing we have been pondering over is the costs of living. My pension delivers £850 per month and obviously June gets her state pension. If we were mortgage free in spain, is that income realistic to live on or should I consider employment?

Hiya Mark

The Benchmark for living here is £1000 per month as a retiree with no mortgage, although I have heard of people living on £6500 a year. Inflation here is around 4%, but a lot of that has been due to house prices rising. It is trus to say though that things are more expensive here than they were a year or so ago when we arrived. In general in the CB North where we are, the cost of living is about 30% less than the UK.

As June is 61 you will both be eligible for free healthcare in Spain. Make sure you apply for an E121 from the DWP before you come out here.

Sorry I can not help with your questions,
just wanted to welcome you to the forum.

Diane aka Mamacats
Ragdoll Breeder
Portugal