Want to make the move - Page 2

Thanks Patrick. 

Hi Kieran and Eileen

Lots of good advice already on this thread, Granny Rose particularly.  You will certainly get something decent in your price range and in the areas that you want. 

The estate agents mentioned are all fairly good ( but remember in Spain you can deal with any of them to purchase something you see on a competitors website). Use an independent Spanish solicitor and don't lay down a deposit on anything till you have a solicitor in place. It just gives you extra protection should things change. 

Otherwise , visit a few places within your criteria and visit as many houses a you want. Like every house purchase, you'll know when you know as soon as you walk into the right place. 

Good luck

Will. 

Hi Will

Thanks very much. Yes we'll try not to make any silly mistakes. That's why I really appreciate advice from the people here. We have time on our side so will certainly take your advice. 

Best of luck to you.

Kieran 

We bought a place in Los Leandros, near La Mata. There are several apartments for sale there very close to the beach. 

Thanks Bmor. I'm hoping to get there soon for a good look around.

Hi Kieran/Eileen,

If your looking for somewhere to stay whilst house hunting can we suggest our Bed & Breakfast, which is in El Galan, San Miguel de Salinas, we have had many people staying with us whilst looking for property, we will send you a pm with details

Regards

Lawrie & Mags

Hi Lawrie/ Mags

Thanks for that and got your PM. We'll keep your details and let you know when we're going there.

Thanks

Kieran.

Hello rosemary Read your amazing post on moving to torrevieja, I've gt so many questions whizzing round my head  it's driving me mad, had various forms of advice some feel I should rent and not buy, I am on a budget like most but I have been warned about drug dealers and the rest, its  because I'm on my own that it is so important to know the good areas that are close enough to everything and not expensive as I don't want my money to drip dry away , then there is brexit, I was told that I will need to have an income of £2,"400 per month but I will be retired and have that plus NHS pension, I'm so confused, sorry to say so much but I am hoping to get a break in April so I can come over and hopefully clear my head and have clarity, I do speak Spanish  although not fluently 

Many thanks in advance of any help 

Anita

For advice regarding many of the queries that you will have can I suggest that you have a look at Jim’s Guides on this site.   Also the Citizens Advice Bureau Spain site may have some answers.   Also, for anything to do with driving in Spain, look at the N332 site which 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.

In all the time we have been going/ staying in a Torrevieja, We have never encountered any drug dealers. Perhaps that is to do with our ages. 

So, you would like to live in Spain or do you plan to keep a home in the UK?

Give this a lot of thought.   If you own in the U.K., could you rent it out while trying out your new life in a Spain?   Imagine what you would do, in years to come if you decided that you wanted to return to your homeland.  It is very possible that your home in the U.K. will have increased in value while it is equally possible that the home you have bought in Spain hasn’t increased in value or worse, proves difficult to sell.   Don’t burn your bridges until you know for sure if you want to stay forever in Spain.

You and you alone must decide what is best for you.

Choosing a good area is extremely important.

Do you want to be near the sea/ beach?

Will you have a car?

Where will you park it?   Needs to be safe. Many urbanisations have safe parking.

Do you want an apartment, a house or a maisonette? ( not called that in Spain, it will have a ground floor or an upstairs , the ground floor has a terrace while the upper floor has steps and a roof solarium) 

You will need shops, restaurants, a bank, bars etc., within walking distance.

A bus service is also a plus.

Visit areas, look for people playing potanca ( outdoor bowls)....all nationalities play and welcome new members.

Look for schools nearby....people are always looking for properties near schools so that may help with selling should you want to move on.

Living in Spain isn’t expensive really. Eating out is very affordable. A glass of wine or a cup of coffee won’t cost more than €1.50...should be less.

Make sure that any property you decide to buy or rent will be heatable in winter months.  Choose south facing in order to get lots of sun.

Not sure how much you have to survive on per month as it was difficult to make out what you had written.

Sorry, I must go.

Please reply and let me know how you would see your new life.

Best wishes,

Grannyrose.