I cant see me ever going back to this !!

[jojo]

Originally Posted by the sarge

Hi Jo Jo

Male 59 ready to retire, wife wants to stay in England but will move when things are sorted 5-10 years who knows I don’t understand a woman’s brain.

I Was in the Army lived in Cyprus have visited and stayed there since and was thinking of going there, but distance cost of flights, title deeds problem and now expensive houses, think of swapping 340 days sunshine in Cyprus for 300 days in Spain plus shorter distance, cheaper flights, cheaper houses, no title deeds issues!!!
To have two houses the Spanish one will have to be about £100,000. I have done great deal of Internet searching and think Malaga is the airport Cheap flights from Liverpool by Easy jet.
Inland is the Area, Montes de Malaga seems to fit the bill.

So Now the Questions
1. If you had no mortgage to pay How much would you need to live on
2. What is the climate like in the area Montes de Malaga as opposed to the coast
3. Is Sky and Internet available in that area
4. Is villa crime a problem in that area
Although I have not visited the area I know that I want to live in a warmer climate, a country house with some land seems to be affordable I will rent for a period to ensure that I am happy before purchasing.
Tips hints and advice please

Peter

1. 1000€ a month minimum to live reasonably comfortably
2. Its hotter in the summer, but colder in the winter than the costas, snow is not uncommon and I scraped ice off my car windscreen on several occasions during last winter (a shock to me too)
3. sky and internet isnt a problem, in the larger towns and villages its as easy as the UK, in the country/campo, theres usually a way, wifi, satelite etc
4. I've not come across villa crime at all or even read about it in the local papers??

Tip, rent dont buy, as you need to find somewhere you're totally happy with and that takes time and of course house prices are still falling here, Also you should be able to negotiate rentals at the mo cos its a renters market. Check internet connection etc, before you agree to rent (or you could end up with expensive connection costs on a rented place)

Thats all I can think of for now...!!!! I'm sure others will add stuff


Jo xx

[the sarge]

Thanks Jo Jo I will wait for others to chip in dont think I will do it this year But want to be out of England by Aug next year only as it is my 60th then

Peter

[jojo]

Originally Posted by the sarge

Thanks Jo Jo I will wait for others to chip in dont think I will do it this year But want to be out of England by Aug next year only as it is my 60th then

Peter

I dont blame you, especially if next summer over there is as grim as this!! Mind you, its too hot here at the mo, hence my rather lethargic response for which I apologise.

Jo xxx

[Expat Ben]

Originally Posted by the sarge

Thanks Jo Jo I will wait for others to chip in dont think I will do it this year But want to be out of England by Aug next year only as it is my 60th then

Peter

Hello Peter,

I recommend you make your move before the summer as you can save a lot of money on your monthly rental payments. A good time to get a bargain is anytime between October and April.


I wish you all the best.

Ben

[the sarge]

Thanks Ben will remember that.

Peter

[Suenneil]

Hi Sarge

Sound advice so far .............. I would also add that you consider to plan at least one trip over in advance for a good look around areas and properties. Between Malaga airport and Gibraltar for example the differences between each Town are vast! and obviously it will depend on your own wants and needs. In addition there are slightly inland areas that a lot of people choose to settle - very different to the coast, but if its something you are considering then a visit is most definitely recommended.

Being here beforehand also gives you a chance to meet up with a couple of agents / owners ..... and dont be tempted to pay out any cash in advance of seeing a property! or meeting the person you are considering paying!

Im sure you know this already but living here is completely different to being on holiday here so visiting and looking through a different pair of eyes is a must! of course you can still check out the best beaches / restaurants / bars etc etc but you will also need to know where the nearest Doctors / Health Centre / Hospitals / Supermarkets / Transport / Vets if you have pets etc etc are ....

Enjoy your research !!

Sue

[the sarge]

Originally Posted by Suenneil

Hi Sarge

Sound advice so far .............. I would also add that you consider to plan at least one trip over in advance for a good look around areas and properties. Between Malaga airport and Gibraltar for example the differences between each Town are vast! and obviously it will depend on your own wants and needs. In addition there are slightly inland areas that a lot of people choose to settle - very different to the coast, but if its something you are considering then a visit is most definitely recommended.

Being here beforehand also gives you a chance to meet up with a couple of agents / owners ..... and dont be tempted to pay out any cash in advance of seeing a property! or meeting the person you are considering paying!

Im sure you know this already but living here is completely different to being on holiday here so visiting and looking through a different pair of eyes is a must! of course you can still check out the best beaches / restaurants / bars etc etc but you will also need to know where the nearest Doctors / Health Centre / Hospitals / Supermarkets / Transport / Vets if you have pets etc etc are ....

Enjoy your research !!

Sue

Hi Sue
Yes, good positive advice so far, being an ex military man I probably plan too much, all your points are very valid and welcome.

I have probably lived abroad for over 12 years in total and am aware that living away from what one calls home is different than being on holiday, there are always times when the English way of life seems to be the best until you come home and realise that “it is what it is”. if you’re happy with that don’t move abroad, I have wide and various reasons for wanting a bit more sun on my back, including a more relaxed healthy outdoor way of living than is available in the UK for my retirement. Although I have a few years to do before the old age pension I should have enough to live on. The planning I have done for Cyprus will stand me in good stead for Spain I hope, even if the Tax breaks are not as good.

Peter

[Suenneil]

Originally Posted by the sarge

Hi Sue
Yes, good positive advice so far, being an ex military man I probably plan too much, all your points are very valid and welcome.

I have probably lived abroad for over 12 years in total and am aware that living away from what one calls home is different than being on holiday, there are always times when the English way of life seems to be the best until you come home and realise that “it is what it is”. if you’re happy with that don’t move abroad, I have wide and various reasons for wanting a bit more sun on my back, including a more relaxed healthy outdoor way of living than is available in the UK for my retirement. Although I have a few years to do before the old age pension I should have enough to live on. The planning I have done for Cyprus will stand me in good stead for Spain I hope, even if the Tax breaks are not as good.

Peter

Hi Peter

Forgive me! Given your experiences of living abroad for so long Im obviously preaching to the well informed!!! Sorry.

Anyway .... I suppose any new Country - no matter how many previous Countries you have lived in - is an adventure! and one that needs planning too ..... so best of luck with it all.

Sue

[the sarge]

Originally Posted by Suenneil

Hi Peter

Forgive me! Given your experiences of living abroad for so long Im obviously preaching to the well informed!!! Sorry.

Anyway .... I suppose any new Country - no matter how many previous Countries you have lived in - is an adventure! and one that needs planning too ..... so best of luck with it all.

Sue

Hi Sue
Reread my last post comes over a bit strong as "I know it all",
So I must apologise to you, I lived abroad in an Army environment with all the support that I needed being provided.
All I wanted was to say is that I have had that experience but this time I have to ensure that I do it as best as I can and achieve what I want, so all help is genuinely appreciated.

Sorry If I offended you
Peter

[milton43]

hi thought you might have taken cyprus for tax reasons i am supposing you have a milatary pension which is taken tax free and taxable income at 5 percent for more info on this i find belvin franks the best sourse this can be found on daily telegraph expats money guide the also cover tax in spain and portugal forgive me if you all ready know this