Introduce yourself to the gang

[maggieh]

Hello everyone
I have just joined this forum today and haven’t quite got the hang of it, so apologises if I have butted in on anyone else’s conversation.

My husband and I are serious about retiring to Spain and would appreciate any help or advice you can give. Few of my concerns are, can we have our state pension transferred to Spain, what’s the health care system like and is it expensive? Is the cost of living less expensive than in England UK? We don’t want to live too near the busy tourist spots but more semi rural-but near enough in case of any health emergencies.

Thanks in advance
Maggie

[Chica]

Originally Posted by maggieh

Hello everyone
I have just joined this forum today and haven’t quite got the hang of it, so apologises if I have butted in on anyone else’s conversation.

My husband and I are serious about retiring to Spain and would appreciate any help or advice you can give. Few of my concerns are, can we have our state pension transferred to Spain, what’s the health care system like and is it expensive? Is the cost of living less expensive than in England UK? We don’t want to live too near the busy tourist spots but more semi rural-but near enough in case of any health emergencies.

Thanks in advance
Maggie

Welcome to the forum maggieh.. I'm just about to have my dinner so unless anyone else chirps in I will be with you shortly

Maggie. xx

[Chica]

Originally Posted by maggieh

Hello everyone
I have just joined this forum today and haven’t quite got the hang of it, so apologises if I have butted in on anyone else’s conversation.

My husband and I are serious about retiring to Spain and would appreciate any help or advice you can give. Few of my concerns are, can we have our state pension transferred to Spain, what’s the health care system like and is it expensive? Is the cost of living less expensive than in England UK? We don’t want to live too near the busy tourist spots but more semi rural-but near enough in case of any health emergencies.

Thanks in advance
Maggie

Ok. Dinner done!!!

Yes, you can have your state pension transferred here direct into your spanish bank account.

If retired, you do not need to pay for health care and the emergency side of things are excellent. You would need to bring with you an E121 and your medication will be free as in the UK.
If you are renting it is cheaper to live here inasmuch as there are less bills to pay although electricity is quite expensive but we do use less. Fags, spirits and public transport certainly is much cheaper than the UK.

We live here on my husbands pension and we just about manage on the exchange rate aas it is now.

As for where to live, that's a big question on it's own. We live on the CDS near Nerja and it's fine for emergencies.

Sorry it's brief but lots of others will have their input too I'm sure.

Maggie

[Tallulah]

Originally Posted by maggieh

Hello everyone
I have just joined this forum today and haven’t quite got the hang of it, so apologises if I have butted in on anyone else’s conversation.

My husband and I are serious about retiring to Spain and would appreciate any help or advice you can give. Few of my concerns are, can we have our state pension transferred to Spain, what’s the health care system like and is it expensive? Is the cost of living less expensive than in England UK? We don’t want to live too near the busy tourist spots but more semi rural-but near enough in case of any health emergencies.

Thanks in advance
Maggie

Hi Maggie,

As Chica (Maggie) has already said - it's transferable of course - although the exchange rate right now leaves a lot to be desired, but if you're both over 60, your health care is covered. It really depends on where you want to be - any ideas geographically whatsoever?? Or are you really aiming down south? (Not that there's anything wrong with that of course!!)

It might be an idea to transfer this onto your own thread, in case anyone answers you on here and it gets mixed up with the Jo's hunt for aloe vera thread. If you're not sure how to, ask Jo our lovely Mod - I'm sure she could start it for you!!

Tallulah.x

[Chica]

Originally Posted by Tallulah

Hi Maggie,

As Chica (Maggie) has already said - it's transferable of course - although the exchange rate right now leaves a lot to be desired, but if you're both over 60, your health care is covered. It really depends on where you want to be - any ideas geographically whatsoever?? Or are you really aiming down south? (Not that there's anything wrong with that of course!!)

It might be an idea to transfer this onto your own thread, in case anyone answers you on here and it gets mixed up with the Jo's hunt for aloe vera thread. If you're not sure how to, ask Jo our lovely Mod - I'm sure she could start it for you!!

Tallulah.x

Think I'm gonna have to stick to chica!!! It's gettin' a bit too confusing...lol.

[Tallulah]

...and then you factor in the blondeness!!!

Seriously, hi Maggie (the OP) - if you manage to find your new thread, give us a little bit more info and you'll be inundated with lots of opinions!!!

Tallulah.x

[jojo]

Hi Maggie, welcome to the forum. I think the money and health stuff has been covered by Tally and Chica and in anycase, I´m not that knowledgeable on all that stuff. Altho (forgive me if I´m wrong) but was there something about Valencia, not wanting to cover expats health or something??????

Anyway as for cost of living, well its not as cheap as it used to be. Most things maybe a tad cheaper than the UK altho it depends on where you go. Electricity is about the same, food and household, maybe a bit cheaper? Cars are dearer, electronics are dearer... ciggies and booze are much cheaper, perol?? hmmm its still a bit cheaper, but that keeps changing.

what I would suggest you do is write a list of what you need and want from an area ie near airports, hospitals, towns, coast etc, and then have a look at what areas meet those criteria. We´ll be happy to advise you, or try looking on "google earth"?? and then go for a visit/holiday and have a look around.

My top tip for now would be that you rent, then if you´re not completely happy, you can move. Very often its not until you´ve lived here that you realise that what you thought you wanted, you didnt...... or is that just me LOL. Cos quite honestly, when I was making plans to move over here, I hadnt a clue and wouldnt want what I thought I wanted then!!!!


Jo xxxx

[maggieh]

Hello Maggie (chica),Tallulah and Jojo

Thank you all so much for your helpful replies. My husband and I are still in the early stages and haven’t got past ‘talking’ about the move- so we haven’t decided where yet. I’m keener then he is because I love the sunshine and that’s something we rarely get here in the North of England. It’s good to know that this forum exists so I can ask lots of questions. I’m not too sure how to create a new forum but I will give it a go. Once again, thanks for your replies.
Maggie

[Chica]

Originally Posted by maggieh

Hello Maggie (chica),Tallulah and Jojo

Thank you all so much for your helpful replies. My husband and I are still in the early stages and haven’t got past ‘talking’ about the move- so we haven’t decided where yet. I’m keener then he is because I love the sunshine and that’s something we rarely get here in the North of England. It’s good to know that this forum exists so I can ask lots of questions. I’m not too sure how to create a new forum but I will give it a go. Once again, thanks for your replies.
Maggie

Hi again Maggie. You are creating a new forum or do you mean a thread within this forum...lol ? If you click the Spain Forum link then new thread you will be well away. Anyway, when you can think of any other questions you are not sure about give us a nudge.

Chica. xxx

[Chica]

Originally Posted by Chica

Hi again Maggie. You are creating a new forum or do you mean a thread within this forum...lol ? If you click the Spain Forum link then new thread you will be well away. Anyway, when you can think of any other questions you are not sure about give us a nudge.

Chica. xxx

Ps: or you can continue on this one. Good luck!