Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2020 10:09am
Purple Gran
I’ve just read your message and want to say how delighted I was to see that the two of you are living the dream. Very well done. Like you, we love going for a walk and coffee and going out to eat whenever we fancy. Isn’t if wonderful to be able to do this on your pension. You are clearly a good home economist and manage your money well.
Unlike you, I have never managed money and don’t even know how to check the bank balance! Before my father died, he had to hand the reins over to Mummy. Like myself, she never dealt with the bills or banking. Amazingly, she proved to be quite able and managed very well until she died some years ago. It frightens me sometimes when I wonder how I’d cope if my darling husband wasn’t here or became seriously ill. Thankfully, my 2 sisters would help as they are very able ladies. I doubt there are too many women today that would admit to being such a failure.
But, I digress! The cost of living in Spain must be less than home. No tumble drier needed. Central heating on all day during the winter isn’t necessary. Clothes.... you can wear anything! There’s no need for dressing up to go out, nobody looks at you because they don’t know you. A car? It can be old or ancient. Just as long as it passes the MOT, it will do the job. The bus service appears to be good and inexpensive.
The only thing that is expensive is the TAXI SERVICE. Local taxies are costly and others too.
We joined friends who came to Torrevieja to collect us and brought us to their home in La Marina for a drink. We then ate at their local Chinese restaurant and split the bill. For 2 of us it cost €37 and the taxi home cost €35. Ridiculous but it is quite a distance. Equally, we used to eat in Torrrvieja town regularly and the taxi back was €12 to €15. Fortunately, we now have some excellent restaurants close by and rarely travel to eat.
Yes, I’d say it must be cheaper to live in Spain.
When we are at home in NI, eating out is ( in my view) much more expensive.... not to mention the cost of wine or other alcoholic drinks. As for a coffee, we go into M&S to get food and always enjoy a coffee and cheese scone... £10. Here, it’s a pittance depending on where you go and it’s still a fraction of what we pay at home.
Is it any wonder that all the holiday home owners are breaking their hearts that they aren’t here ?