nice places in spain for a family

[chris(madrid)]

This started before in the German speaking areas - though maybe for other collateral reasons. Often it was folk living above their TRUE means. They lived "on holiday" all year. Live like a local - you'll manage better.

[jojo]

Originally Posted by crookesey

Yes me to, but I think that prices will be in free fall next year. I have noticed brits reducing by a few thousand Euros and deciding to throw their furniture in (were they intending to ship it back to the UK?) Most that I have spoken to are returning to the UK and haven't a clue that they are going to have to reduce by as much as 30%.

However, from what I've seen recently, a lot of Brits who were planning to "jump ship" and return to the UK are starting to think twice - is the UK having such a good time at the mo???? In my opinion its just been a "knee-jerk" reaction to run for home if things seem bad, but I'm now seeing a lot of people thinking a little clearer and deciding to sit it out here

Eventhough my OH commutes to work in the UK and we're paid in sterling, we're saving a fortune by living in Spain -we rent our UK house for double what we're paying in rent here, all our utility bills are much cheaper here, e.g. council tax 8 euros a month! and our bins are emptied once a day!!, food and petrol are less (although rising - as everywhere else) and life is generally more relaxed and pleasant.

Ok, maybe there is a bumpy ride ahead and things could change, but the UK really isnt having a good time either and I for one would sooner have a bad time here than back in the depressing, grey UK!

Jo

[crookesey]

Originally Posted by chris(madrid)

The problem has just as much to do with the economy strength having been based on property speculation (not only on the coast) - and property that NOBODY can afford now. As well as raised costs external to the country - revaluing the currency would make the 2nd part WORSE.

The main sufferer atm is the building industry - but not just where tourists are. I moved here just after the last revaluation - was DIRE for folk who lived here ALL OVER. Massive interest rates - 18-25% Mortgages. Maybe if Spain becomes less attractive some of the non productive tax dodging folk will go away - and the rest of us can live happily.

As I see it Spain could have done with 500,000 less properties yesterday and the UK could do with 500,000 more properties today. Our politicians are now telling us how they will sort out the current problems, if they know how to do this how did they get us into this bloody mess in the first place? These things tend to sort themselves out with the passage of time, politicians will keep their heads down when times are tough and then will claim the credit when things recover.

The out of work building workers will now have to look for repair and renovation work, and charge reasonable prices. If they can't do this they will have to return to their towns and villages and do as their parents and grandparents did when times got tough. The army of Jack the lads who make up the illegals will find that returning to where they came from preferable to starvation. Anyone with no mortgage who doesn't need to work will carry on as normal, albeit at 15% higher costs if they derive their income from the UK.

Spain like the UK has seen it all, invasions,wars,hard times and good times. It needs to sit down and have a think where its going instead of charging around like a dog on heat. I know areas where the expat communities will keep the local Spanish businesses going, give it two to three years and you will wonder what all the fuss was about.

[crookesey]

Originally Posted by jojo

However, from what I've seen recently, a lot of Brits who were planning to "jump ship" and return to the UK are starting to think twice - is the UK having such a good time at the mo???? In my opinion its just been a "knee-jerk" reaction to run for home if things seem bad, but I'm now seeing a lot of people thinking a little clearer and deciding to sit it out here

Eventhough my OH commutes to work in the UK and we're paid in sterling, we're saving a fortune by living in Spain -we rent our UK house for double what we're paying in rent here, all our utility bills are much cheaper here, e.g. council tax 8 euros a month! and our bins are emptied once a day!!, food and petrol are less (although rising - as everywhere else) and life is generally more relaxed and pleasant.

Ok, maybe there is a bumpy ride ahead and things could change, but the UK really isnt having a good time either and I for one would sooner have a bad time here than back in the depressing, grey UK!

Jo

jojo,

If folk have got £350,000 mortgages on properties that if they had to sell would fetch £300,000 then yes it's depressingly grey. I know a guy with a £25million property portfolio at last years valuation all on very highly geared borrowning that is now worth circa £4million less and his interest payments have increased by 2%. He has £90,000 in credit card debts, a Mercerdes on credit and owes his parents and brother £100,000 apiece.

I have a lot lot less with a relatively small mortgage, no credit card or hire purchase debts so other than the mortgage I don't owe anyone a tanner. I have savings and some rapidly shrinking investments along with a pension fund for future use. So it's bad in the UK is it? It is for some but for me the government, taxes, law and order and the bloody awful weather is why I want to come to Spain, but not to be in debt.

[chris(madrid)]

Originally Posted by crookesey

As I see it Spain could have done with 500,000 less properties yesterday .....The out of work building workers will now have to look for repair and renovation work, and charge reasonable prices. If they can't do this they will have to return to their towns and villages and do as their parents and grandparents did when times got tough. The army of Jack the lads who make up the illegals will find that returning to where they came from preferable to starvation. Anyone with no mortgage who doesn't need to work will carry on as normal, albeit at 15% higher costs if they derive their income from the UK.

At last count there are OVER 1 million unoccupied/unsold/unrented properties about. And iirc that did not include the tourist sector!

Problem is that many illegals have not the where with all to eat, let alone get a flight home so they can maybe eat.

I read yesterday that (I think) Guatamala (or Ecuador) is looking at assisting it's reported 60,000 illegals in the EEC (mainly Spain)to get home following the EECs recent aggressive anti-illegals ruling. But even they admit that there's just as much chance they'll starve there too.

For many it'll be better to get caught and imprisoned for 18months. They'll get fed. And taxes will rise to pay for them!

[Deepdiver47]

I was suprised to see the number of South Americans listed as resident in Barcelona. I guess the French got North Africa and Spain, for its colonisational misdeeds, got the other side of the ocean.

But slightly back on topic, what about Barcelona? I currently live in Cape Town and really enjoy Multi cultural cities, so looking for a Sanish equivalent. Without Gazza lookalikes and Watneys Red, preferrably . .

[chris(madrid)]

BCN <-> Cape Town.

I didn't see that much of Capetown city itself when I was over in SA ('91) - but yes not a bad analogy.

Penedes = Stellenbosch (wine etc)

[rita.clancy]

Hey I'm moving to spain soon

Can you reccomend the best way to learn Spanish when I move over

Thaqnks for your help..........................................

[chris(madrid)]

Avoid anywhere that you can use any other language. Watch ONLY Spanish TV - especially old films you've seen so often in English you almost know the text. Read Spanish magazines (on a hobby you like).

BUT you should get as a minimum some tapes and I'd recommend something like Adult Night Classes BEFORE setting out.

Spanish is spoken FAST on the whole.