Moving to Spain - Page 2

Just to put a different perspective on the replies you have been given.

I have a semi retired friend that did exactly as you are aspiring to do 10 years ago. He didn’t work for a few years but now does the equivalent of 3 days a week. He loves the lifestyle, culture and pace of life. He had previously had health issues that have now resolved as a result of him having more leisure time to exercise and the warmer climate has definitely helped him. The healthcare he has received in Spain has also been fantastic and much quicker than the NHS.

His pool is used for 6 months of the year and he does all the maintenance himself so it’s much cheaper than paying someone to do it. He buys all his fruit and veg from the markets, as we do when we are visiting our holiday home, and knows the best places for the bargains. He does think prices, particularly for food, have risen but then again, they have in the UK.

He and his wife are heavily involved in the community and have a big social network of friends. They love their lifestyle and ended up selling their UK home, such was their love of their new life. 
There are definitely complexities to living in Spain but where there is a will, there is usually a way. Just wanted to offer a positive perspective from close friends who have lived the lifestyle change that you are considering. 

I’m so happy with the information you have given and I really do appreciate your time and effort,

I’m looking to do exactly what your good friends have done and at the age of 51 am considering doing it now rather than in 10yrs time . I will only make the leap if I can buy outright and have a nice little nest egg behind me so that I’m not under pressure straight away to find work but I’ll be honest I would do anything work wise and I hope with this kind of attitude and approach to it I would be fine.

It’s nice to see it can be done 😄🇪🇸

3 months use of the pool, come on at least give helpful advice. Even in Canada and northern europe you get more than 3 months use of a pool

I did wonder ……

Thank you I’d be in it as much as possible 🤣

Hi

We have a holiday home on Campoverde and the last four years we have been renovating our house we have employed two different tradesmen to help myself and my husband (who is a builder - qualified electrician) to extend etc.  They both have been people we have known and trust one being a neighbour who has a building firm and one a landscape gardener.  If you do decide to come I am sure you will get work if you are trust worthy and reply to your phone which is something most people find annoying when they are not kept informed.   Both of the tradesmen we used managed their taxes without a problem and the living costs here in Spain are cheaper than where I live 21 miles north of London.  I wish you luck nothing ventured nothing gained.

You might not be lounging for hours in the pool in the off season but on a warm sunny day you are definately jumping in for 9 months of the year. Jan. 1st we went down to the beach and mentally prepared for a Jan 1 'polar bear' plunge. Once in, yes it was cold' but we actually swam for around 5 minutes and felt no need to get out as fast as possible. The water temp was 15.4, which from records is quite average for Jan. So thats an extreme example that an 80 year old isnt going to do, and my mother always had to have the pool warmer than a bath, so if that what's the other poster likes then i can see the 3 months comment, but thats not what i would call normal. As for work, you will have to hustle and build your network, just like anywhere new. 'Handymen' are everywhere, and wages in Spain are much less than you're used to, but it can and is often done. Just go all in and you'll be fine. Also, many english speakers will give preference to an english speaking contractor for ease of communicating but the same is true for traditional employers in spain, they will give preference to a local Spaniard as is often done in other countries. Do your homework, then just do it

Thank you so much for your kind words and I totally appreciate that I will have to work at it and that’s something I’m prepared to do , I did some work in campoverde a few years ago for a friend tony Byrne and met some English builders there who were also working for Tony as I recall one of the chaps was bill who I believe runs the guest house there with his wife and the other guys were Wayne and Darren all good guys .

It would be good perhaps to book up with bill and come over for a few days and catch up with them and also speak to Pinar properties and see what’s about property wise as I have a basic understanding on what needs to be paid out when buying but more knowledge is beneficial 

Thank you for your help 😄👍

Yes agreed it’s a case of being straight forward and doing good work and the rest should fall in to place I think a trip back to campoverde is next on my agenda 

Thank you for your time and as always I appreciate good and bad opinions 😄👍

Yes, late July through to September after that the pool cools rapidly, tried and tested since 2017. Braver souls may venture in longer but none of my neighbours get more than about 3 months use of their pools.

A pool blanket on a roller also helps greatly during the off season to extend the swim days