retired ex-pats

[jojo]

In my infinate wisdom I have decided that its time to get all of the UKs retired folk and turn them into expats over here to sunny Spain! I know that Spain isnt as cheap as it was a few years ago, but the cost of living is still a little bit cheaper than the UK and certainly rent, council tax and the costs of running a car are much cheaper. You also have the beautiful weather, scenery and atmoshere.

I know on this forum we tend to be a bit negative about people coming over but that is purely cos there really isnt any work or prospects here right now, but for retirees who dont have to worry its perfect. I know the pound/euro exchange has been better, but its still in favour of the pound and may rise????

... and think of the great cheap holidays for family and friends, Spains only 2hrs from the UK and the flights, certainly to/from Gatwick are very reasonable.

Nows the time in my opinion!!

Jo

[Suenneil]

Originally Posted by jojo

In my infinate wisdom I have decided that its time to get all of the UKs retired folk and turn them into expats over here to sunny Spain! I know that Spain isnt as cheap as it was a few years ago, but the cost of living is still a little bit cheaper than the UK and certainly rent, council tax and the costs of running a car are much cheaper. You also have the beautiful weather, scenery and atmoshere.

I know on this forum we tend to be a bit negative about people coming over but that is purely cos there really isnt any work or prospects here right now, but for retirees who dont have to worry its perfect. I know the pound/euro exchange has been better, but its still in favour of the pound and may rise????

... and think of the great cheap holidays for family and friends, Spains only 2hrs from the UK and the flights, certainly to/from Gatwick are very reasonable.

Nows the time in my opinion!!

Jo

Hi Jo - its not a bad idea at all .... I was shocked when my own parents told me 6 months ago they were coming to live in Spain ! too long a story to explain but they are not what I would call risk takers or adventurers! but they just decided enough was enough in the UK - they have actually moved to the Tarragona region where my sister also lives with her Spanish partner ...... its a smallish village with no English spoken so they are currently in situ learning the lingo and having a ball apparently!
They have "dumped" the car and are using public transport, fewer heating bills, no poll tax or whatever its called these days .... etc etc .....

[jojo]

Originally Posted by Suenneil

Hi Jo - its not a bad idea at all .... I was shocked when my own parents told me 6 months ago they were coming to live in Spain ! too long a story to explain but they are not what I would call risk takers or adventurers! but they just decided enough was enough in the UK - they have actually moved to the Tarragona region where my sister also lives with her Spanish partner ...... its a smallish village with no English spoken so they are currently in situ learning the lingo and having a ball apparently!
They have "dumped" the car and are using public transport, fewer heating bills, no poll tax or whatever its called these days .... etc etc .....

Thats really brave actually, but I guess they have the security of your sister etc nearby in the event of a crisis!. However, there are alot of areas, especially down here on the coast that cater for expats and retired folk and they´re are alot of British people and British services so ány risks or fears are fairly minimal! And lets face it, the lifestyle here is perfect, everyday a holiday!

I´m trying hard NOT to slag the UK off here, but the comparisons are hard to miss!

Jo

[griz616]

Originally Posted by jojo

Thats really brave actually, but I guess they have the security of your sister etc nearby in the event of a crisis!. However, there are alot of areas, especially down here on the coast that cater for expats and retired folk and they´re are alot of British people and British services so ány risks or fears are fairly minimal! And lets face it, the lifestyle here is perfect, everyday a holiday!

I´m trying hard NOT to slag the UK off here, but the comparisons are hard to miss!

Jo

Well jo you have got my vote! As soon as We sell/swap our house in the uk, next stop the sun!!!!!!!!!! hope it is soon, regards griz

[jojo]

Originally Posted by griz616

Well jo you have got my vote! As soon as We sell/swap our house in the uk, next stop the sun!!!!!!!!!! hope it is soon, regards griz

Why dont you rent each way Griz, we did in the end or I think we´d still be waiting..... and if you buy and find its not quite what you want..... I´m so glad we rented here now, cos what I thought I wanted and what the reality is like are so different

Jo xx

[griz616]

Originally Posted by jojo

Why dont you rent each way Griz, we did in the end or I think we´d still be waiting..... and if you buy and find its not quite what you want..... I´m so glad we rented here now, cos what I thought I wanted and what the reality is like are so different

Jo xx

hi jo,
The only money we will have is the cash from the sale of the house, so I need to sell, or swap with cash my way. Then I will at least have some going on money. with that I will manage. regards griz

[jojo]

Originally Posted by griz616

hi jo,
The only money we will have is the cash from the sale of the house, so I need to sell, or swap with cash my way. Then I will at least have some going on money. with that I will manage. regards griz

You´d probably get more per month by renting, We do! Rents are higher in the UK

Jo

[griz616]

Originally Posted by jojo

You´d probably get more per month by renting, We do! Rents are higher in the UK

Jo

Hi jo,
Problem is we still won't have enough to start us off. also the land etc. if it was not looked after, if we had to move back, the damage that could have to be repaired could be prohibitive. My drinking buddy is a property developer, so I understand that you do not put the same grade of carpets etc into a rental that you put into this one. It is definately a non starter. But property prices in this area are more stable than most areas of the uk. we can only hope, regards.. griz

[smithy45]

Originally Posted by jojo

You´d probably get more per month by renting, We do! Rents are higher in the UK

Jo

Especially if you look inland a bit from the costa you will find very cheap rents. I have seen apartments advertised for as little as 250-300 Euros a month in the english free papers in towns only 10-15 miles inland, which is around half what you would pay for private rent on a flat anywhere (nice) in the UK.

[griz616]

Originally Posted by smithy45

Especially if you look inland a bit from the costa you will find very cheap rents. I have seen apartments advertised for as little as 250-300 Euros a month in the english free papers in towns only 10-15 miles inland, which is around half what you would pay for private rent on a flat anywhere (nice) in the UK.

I agree smithy, but I could not live in an apartment. Not really keen on neighbours. I also think I would rather buy, then no real monies to find each month, regards griz