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Missing Your Kids and Grandchildren?

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 1:50pm
11 replies412 views8 members subscribed
PeteinAberdare

PeteinAberdare

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Posts: 74

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Location: Alicante City

Joined: 13 Feb 2020

We are getting our house in the UK valued tomorrow. We have talked for several years about various options including retiring to Spain. At least we will have some information that will help decide what our realistic options are.

Particularly for me, the warmth makes my arthritic joints so much better, and we both love being outdoors and being active.

Between us we have 6 kids and 8 grandkids.

How has it been for people with close families when they go to Spain to live permanently? Miserable? Tolerable? Fantastic?

Points of view very welcome!

GeraldineMac

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 4:51pm

Posts: 4

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Location: Villamartin

Joined: 6 May 2019

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 4:51pm

PeteinAberdare wrote on Sun Feb 14, 2021 1:50pm:

We are getting our house in the UK valued tomorrow. We have talked for several years about various options including retiring to Spain. At least we will have some information that will help decide what our realistic options are.

Particularly for me, the warmth makes my arthritic joints so much better, and we both love being outdoors and being active....

...

Between us we have 6 kids and 8 grandkids.

How has it been for people with close families when they go to Spain to live permanently? Miserable? Tolerable? Fantastic?

Points of view very welcome!

Hi, when we first moved here all was fantastic as we could fly back whenever we felt like it. We have 2 children, I grandchild & 1 on the way.

We do still love being here, hubby also has arthritis so climate is brill for that. So so glad we made the move. Only negative is not down to being here it's to do with the current covid worldwide. We totally respect that countries are doing all they can to keep us safe but do miss being able to book a flight, go see them or vice versa.

At least we have lovely FaceTime to keep us in touch until things get better for travel.

I still would say go for the move if it's what you had planned. Good luck in your decisions 👍

Steve6

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:01pm

Steve6

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Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 29 Feb 2020

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:01pm

Just go and do it. You have one life only. Grand children think about them selves so do the same.

Golandrina

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:47pm

Golandrina

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Location: Almoradí

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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:47pm

Can I suggest that you have a look at Citizens Advice Bureau Spain in order to understand some of the rules and regulations now in existence for non-EU individuals moving to Spain.   If you are looking to drive here it may also help to have a look at the N332 website that deals with anything to do with driving in Spain.   It is run in collaboration with officers of the Guardia Civil for English speaking people and has an English version of the Spanish equivalent of the Highway Code.

tebo53

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 7:49pm

tebo53

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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 7:49pm

Steve6 wrote on Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:01pm:

Just go and do it. You have one life only. Grand children think about them selves so do the same.

Steve6....I agree. You have one chance at life and you should take up the opportunity. Kids and Grandchildren do as they like and so should you. There are loads of ways to keep in touch even face to face. The travel restrictions will be over soon and family will visit you. I love living here in Spain and would never, never go back to the UK to live.

Steve 

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PeteinAberdare

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 7:51pm

PeteinAberdare

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Posts: 74

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Location: Alicante City

Joined: 13 Feb 2020

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 7:51pm

Golandrina wrote on Sun Feb 14, 2021 6:47pm:

Can I suggest that you have a look at Citizens Advice Bureau Spain in order to understand some of the rules and regulations now in existence for non-EU individuals moving to Spain.   If you are looking to drive here it may also help to have a look at the N332 website that deals with anything...

... to do with driving in Spain.   It is run in collaboration with officers of the Guardia Civil for English speaking people and has an English version of the Spanish equivalent of the Highway Code.

Thank you. I am aware of the main issues I hope - I am lucky to have decent pension provisions so the financial requirements are not a problem for us. 

I was just wondering how people got on with not seeing their families for extended times. I think it is fair to say there is a good chance of extending your lifespan by a few years with a better climate. Exercise and fresh air is easier to take, no cold damp chest for months on end, etc. So even if you see them less per year there is a reasonable chance you will have more years available and arguably be in better shape.

Davebev1

Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 11:53pm

Davebev1

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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 11:53pm

Looking at it from the other perspective, my parents moved to Spain when my two eldest children were very small. We lived over three hours drive apart in the UK and saw them for hurried weekends four or five times a year. They moved to Spain and instead we spent two fortnight's a year together in a more relaxed environment. My children spent more time with their grandparents than if they had stayed in the UK. As teenagers they visited on their own, even took a friend out for week with them. My children loved speaking to them on the phone telling them their news and genuinely looked forward to seeing them. They were far closer to my parents 1500 miles away than they were to their other grandparents who lived 3 miles away!

Your grandchildren will love visiting, be envied for having grandparents living in the sun by their friends and with today's technology you can stay in touch so easily now. My parents never regretted their choice and my children certainly didn't miss out by them living in a different country.

Purple gran

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2021 3:48pm

Purple gran

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Joined: 23 Jan 2018

Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2021 3:48pm

We have four children, each with a partner, ten grandchildren and a great granddaughter who we haven’t seen in the flesh since New Years 2020, in fact we’ve never met the youngest who was born last May, but he already seems to recognise us happily on FaceTime.

It is hard, but not intolerable, the climate alone, with its accompanying improvement in our health and sense of well-being, makes it worthwhile to be here.  The time May come when we shall need to return to be closer to our family in our dotage, but meanwhile we enjoy our life here.

Nobody’s life is perfect, having our family contact limited to social media calls is the price we continue to pay for the benefits we reap by living here, and the time will come when we can physically meet again, won’t that be sweet!

PeteinAberdare

Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2021 11:01am

PeteinAberdare

Original Poster

Helpful member

Posts: 74

110 helpful points

Location: Alicante City

Joined: 13 Feb 2020

Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2021 11:01am

Thank you for all the positive replies. Much appreciated.

Lot of things will need to fall into place in the UK but I hope we make it eventually.

yebbl

Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2021 4:35pm

Posts: 5

4 helpful points

Location: Los Dolses

Joined: 14 Oct 2020

Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2021 4:35pm

I left UK last October hoping to settle in Spain.  The move was not just for myself but for family and friends to join me for holidays, long weekends etc.  I found a suitable home and paid my deposit. Got as far as aquiring NIE and bank account, couldn't get appointments for further necessary paperwork as waiting times are months away.  Driving Licence in Spain also an issue now.   I should have moved into new home in January but because of Brexit,   UK now doesn't have EU rights. Be careful of your area of purchase choice.  My advice is - Search Orihuela Costa Military Authorisation!!!   This process (from Barcelona) takes longer than the 90days allowance.  Some people talk about waiting 9 months for Military Certificate.  Covid and Brexit make it near impossible for UK citizens now.  It became clear to me if i stayed in Spain i may not see my family again. Residents only allowed into Spain.  If i left Spain I couldn't re-enter as i am not resident.  My choice was to stay alone in Spain or leave.  I left , lost around £10,000.  I am now back in UK enjoying seeing my family and friends again, and am happier to be here. I do miss the lovely weather and sunshine, but family are more important. The idea of cheap flights and family visiting regularly is now a thing of the past.  I don't think that's going to happen in the future because of all rhe Covid testing, 2 tests when you arrive back in the UK and quarantine.  I think this testing will continue for a least another or perhaps longer because every week there is another strain.!!!   Please if you are thinking of moving to Spain, do lots and lots of homework, read about paperwork and banking and residential requirements and get as much advice as possible. Homework, homework and more homework. Grass is greener on the other side for people who are already settled there, but different rules now. 

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