Can We Afford To Live In Spain?

[crookesey]

Originally Posted by Stravinsky

Crooksey

You sound as if your expectations are much the same as ours. We dont draw pensions yet though, and live on investment income at the moment.

When we first arrived, only 2 years ago, I had calculated that we could live comfortably on around €1000 - €1200 a month, using capital if we needed any "extras". In reality it was about right then ..... but now of course with the r/ex we have to send over more sterling to get the same euros.

Even so, on £30k (€37k) you will live like kings around this area (I believe you are looking near us). Quite often I do hear people say they are finding it as expensive as the UK (and I don't doubt them) but here we dont find it so.

Probably very similar, my wifes drawing her state pension now and we have decided to draw our private pensions at the same time as my state pension becomes due in 4 years time, something like £23K P/A in total. Investments will top it up but it makes our Public Sector friends look very wealthy.

Of course we are not coming over until we have bought a property and sold some property over here so will keep hold of the day jobs so not to go into savings. I expect the whole process to take a couple of years but as we won't have any mortgages to pay we don't mind buying early if the right thing comes along.

I think that we will be OK as I expect our rates, gas, electric & water to reach £4500 P/A over here very soon, nothing like in Spain so makes up somewhat for the ex/rate.

[Goldberg]

People move back sure, but alot of people stay.

With 30k sterling a year you will be minted, and have a good life.

It is not all about the money though, you will have better sun shine and beaches, and a new challenge.

Truthfully too, it is not for every one , if you have been stuck in the uk for 60 years you have a certain way of living, so you may not be able to hack it. Like the people who return.

Expat life is for some and not all. You either like it or not. The easy way , is too come over try renting for a year, if you like you stay if not, you go back to cold old england.

I was thinking today, if I left spain, and went to say brazil or dubai, I would not dream of going back to england, all the people I talk too want to leave!

Tax, Political correctness and terrible weather, and lots of immigrants, at least you get sun here! Some things dont work, sure, but where can you eat out for 5 pounds and get courses in the uk.

It is not perfect but if you just have to sit in the sun and relax, I dont know anywhere that beats it.

It is the number retirement spot for retirement people. For us who have to work it is much more challenging. Much, you are lucky.

But still would not go back to uk, the world is too big to see.

[crookesey]

Originally Posted by Goldberg

People move back sure, but alot of people stay.

With 30k sterling a year you will be minted, and have a good life.

It is not all about the money though, you will have better sun shine and beaches, and a new challenge.

Truthfully too, it is not for every one , if you have been stuck in the uk for 60 years you have a certain way of living, so you may not be able to hack it. Like the people who return.

Expat life is for some and not all. You either like it or not. The easy way , is too come over try renting for a year, if you like you stay if not, you go back to cold old england.

I was thinking today, if I left spain, and went to say brazil or dubai, I would not dream of going back to england, all the people I talk too want to leave!

Tax, Political correctness and terrible weather, and lots of immigrants, at least you get sun here! Some things dont work, sure, but where can you eat out for 5 pounds and get courses in the uk.

It is not perfect but if you just have to sit in the sun and relax, I dont know anywhere that beats it.

It is the number retirement spot for retirement people. For us who have to work it is much more challenging. Much, you are lucky.

But still would not go back to uk, the world is too big to see.

Don't worry about our ages, our son's friends often say that we are the youngest 60 odd year olds that they know.

I know what I will miss about the UK.

1) The Peak National Park (we live an eight minuets drive from Chatsworth Park). However there must be something about the UK that all expats miss.

2) Our son, who will no doubt view us as the scours of as many cheap holidays as he can manage.

I look forward to early morning drives to the coast and walking on the beach dipping my toes in the water long before the rabble arrive. On the way back I will pick up the freshly baked bread, freshly squeezed orange juice and cooked meats and cheese for our late breakfast.

I love doing the shopping when in Spain, albeit that I spend an eternity doing it. Decisions, decisions, will it be meat or fish for dinner? will it be salad or vegetables or both? what fruit shall I buy? Then of course comes the all-important selection of the wine too accompany the meal that I have not yet decided on. I will then have a titter when I hear a UK regional accent saying "See if they sell Kingsmill Fred". Back home with the supplies only to find out that we have run out of San Miguel and bottled water, off I go again.

On my return the wife says "The bottom of the pool is filthy", great, I can now play at submarines with the remote controlled underwater Hoover thingy, thats another very productive hour taken care of. Have a look at the TV and see what's going on back in the UK, bloody hell its Gordon Brown, I'm going for a swim, the wife has beaten me to it. A bit of gardening when it cools down and then fire up the barbecue, remembering to keep quiet about the Premiership match that kicks off at 9-00 pm Spanish time, roll on tomorrow.

Do you think that we will fit in?

[Big Pete]

Originally Posted by crookesey

Don't worry about our ages, our son's friends often say that we are the youngest 60 odd year olds that they know.

I know what I will miss about the UK.

1) The Peak National Park (we live an eight minuets drive from Chatsworth Park). However there must be something about the UK that all expats miss.

2) Our son, who will no doubt view us as the scours of as many cheap holidays as he can manage.

I look forward to early morning drives to the coast and walking on the beach dipping my toes in the water long before the rabble arrive. On the way back I will pick up the freshly baked bread, freshly squeezed orange juice and cooked meats and cheese for our late breakfast.

I love doing the shopping when in Spain, albeit that I spend an eternity doing it. Decisions, decisions, will it be meat or fish for dinner? will it be salad or vegetables or both? what fruit shall I buy? Then of course comes the all-important selection of the wine too accompany the meal that I have not yet decided on. I will then have a titter when I hear a UK regional accent saying "See if they sell Kingsmill Fred". Back home with the supplies only to find out that we have run out of San Miguel and bottled water, off I go again.

On my return the wife says "The bottom of the pool is filthy", great, I can now play at submarines with the remote controlled underwater Hoover thingy, thats another very productive hour taken care of. Have a look at the TV and see what's going on back in the UK, bloody hell its Gordon Brown, I'm going for a swim, the wife has beaten me to it. A bit of gardening when it cools down and then fire up the barbecue, remembering to keep quiet about the Premiership match that kicks off at 9-00 pm Spanish time, roll on tomorrow.

Do you think that we will fit in?

you will fit in perfectly ...

[Pete]

Hi Crooksey

I am slightly younger (year or two) but in a similar position in terms of wanting to move to Spain. Hope you will keep the forum informed of your progress.

Regards

Pete