Moving to Javea Area - need some help/advice

I've lived in Spain 32 years and things have changed out of all recognition. The days of cheap Spain seem to have gone forever. Thankfully I am out of the employment market as I have been retired for many years but I do know that it is not easy to find decently paid work. To be taken on as a paid employee (cuenta ajena) is rare and the conditions can be derisory. Most people who do work have to be "autónomos" or self employed. They pay a reduced rate of social security for an initial period (I believe it's two years) in order for them to get started but of course you have to become known and begin to get recommendations whatever the trade you chose. That of course means (expensive) advertising. Many do succeed in this way but the runway must be long to achieve effective take off! That means having sufficient capital to survive for a fairly extended period. Having said all this, rents are very cheap compared with what I believe people pay in England. Also tax overheads like car tax, property tax etc are far lower than in England.

One essential you'll need at the start is a NIE or foreigners ID number. You can do this yourself or pay a "gestoría" or lawyer to do it for you. I would suggest that you move over for an extended period to thoroughly explore the lie of the land - and DO NOT buy property because once bought it is extremely difficult to sell again if your needs change. The transaction / transfer costs are exceptionally high compared with England and the market operates far more slowly than in England.

Another obvious problem is the collapse of the English pound. Whatever anyone says to you about the situation for foreigners after Brexit, the truth is that no one knows. Equally, we have no idea if the English pound will recover or when but with the parlous state of the Euro, the future is still more cloudy. I would proceed with your plans, especially if your life in England is becoming intolerable as I believe it is for many.

I hope all this helps a little.

Hi,

A good and reasonably priced gardener will always be in demand.  You would have to work on a self employed basis and have to advertise initially, but once you have done a few jobs it will be word of mouth.  Don't expect to work for an employer.

Make sure you have enough money to last at least one year and don't burn your bridges in the UK, just in case.  

It is a marvellous life out here, you won't regret it.  Good luck!

Just do it ! Have no regrets ! Don't buy rent don't sell your UK property rent it out . 

Cost of living is much cheaper here we've been here 18 months only . 

Go for it ! 

Perfect, thank you everyone for your comments, we are still going to take the plunge, we have savings lined up to keep us going for 12 months plus my steady income as I am still lucky enough to work from home with my current job. Next stop to apply for the NIE number, from what I've read online it can take upto 6 weeks to come?

Myself and my boyfriend are looking to relocate to javea next February 2020. Before buying we would like to rent for a year- does anyone have any websites ideal for this? Currently all we seem to be finding are winter rentals. TIA

Agents prefer to give you short term leases because the commission is much better so insist on a long term contract. The law provides many protections in these contracts. A.P.

Hello, My wife and I have just taken on a 6 month rental on a villa in Javea. So far we have loved every minute of being here, but it's very early days. My wife has retired and a I am an artist (they never retire!). We are already considering staying longer once our 6 month rental is up, maybe renting for a year next time. We are both learning Spanish so we can at least make an effort to communicate with local people.

I would be interested to know how people find living in Javea all year round. Pros and cons etc. 

Many thanks for any advice offered.

Martyn