1st time in Torrevieja for a month stay with intentions of coming back permanently - Page 2

Tracy,

         Some good advice given previously, however don't let negative points put you off, provided you research thoroughly and don't arrive wearing 'rose tinted specs', then you could give it a try, certainly good experience for the future.

You really need to be prepared to work hard for much lower wages, but as long as you don't expect to make a fortune then it is possible, self-employment is probably the best option, although the monthly payments are high but you do get many benefits.

Most pensioners do enjoy a good lifestyle but of course they do have the support of guaranteed income, for younger people who have to work to live then yes it is more difficult, but possible.

I came to live and work here in Spain 30 years ago, it wasn't easy but I don't regret the move.

May I wish you Good Luck ,

Regards,

                Gordon

Hello Gordon, it´s good to know that there are some positive outcomes but what kind of work did you do and did you speak Spanish? Also, did you have money behind you? I´d love to give more encouragement for others to enjoy the kind of life I do but I was able to buy outright from the proceeds of my UK house and I live on savings and pensions. Unemployment rates here are among the highest in Europe and wages are low.
If you are able to expand a bit more on how you succeeded I´m sure it will help others make informed decisions.

Thank you for your response gordon. I understand people are keeping my eyes wide open for me however we'll still look into things when we come over in December.  You never know, thanks again x

First..Tracy, I'm sure that you will do your homework properly and not make any rash decisions and although I know that other comments are made in good faith it does spread negativity, there are many good points to living and working in Spain.

Hello Cheryl,

                   Thank you for your response., and yes you are right I should expand my 'advice' a little more.

I actually arrived in Spain during a recession and there was virtually no advice available with regard to starting a business.

I opened a shop ( in Benidorm ), and everything I did was trial and error, however I've always enjoyed a challenge so I didn't let anything put me off, I'm stubborn and pig headed and never take no for an answer and you do have to be thick skinned.!

When I opened the shop I was the first Brit in the area to open such a business without having a Spanish partner and I regularly 'ruffled feathers ' in the various official departments and actually 'made the headlines in several national newspapers' when I put a large notice in my window stating that customers could pay with Pounds,( pre Euro)  I had many comments but wasn't stopped.

OK, so that's a bit of background...

I did have some money which I lived off for the first year and I didn't take anything out of the business for the first year,and just kept ploughing it back into stock.

You have to remember that what works for one person doesn't always work for another and without knowing a persons finances and business accumen it is difficult to work out a business plan for a complete stranger.

So basically I think that when I started in Spain it was actually more difficult than now and I had to work without advice ,support or even a telephone for the first year, I spent many hours in telephone kiosks !!!.

Anyone starting now also has the internet to assist them and I would recommend running an online business, even if just E-Bay or similar to support them.

I would also recommend starting on carboot/rastro sales, it's amazing how much you can learn about business in Spain by doing this and you make many contacts and for instance it's also a very good place to get business for the likes of painting and decorating etc..You cannot beat meeting and talking directly with potential customers..

I could write ooudles of  info. about running a business,...... I was in the Royal Navy ( submariner) and was still quite young when I came out of the service, but I never let anything stop me despite coming up against constant hurdles.

I'd hate to see anyone suffer, however if you don't try something different then you may spend the rest of your life wishing that you had.

I have every faith in young people now, I think that many have good ideas and plenty of guts to 'have a go'.!!!

So Good Luck to anyone coming to work and live in Spain, whatever age you are, and don't let Brexit put you off,just treat it like a bad cold and eventually it will go away and everything will return to sanity....

Regards,

              Gordon

Love the idea of networking through carboots etc as its an easy step whilst trying to get things going in the background. I envy you gordon, id love to be working and settled in spain, although you grafted your butt off and deserve to be in the position you are now so hats off to you 😊 you give great advice and i really appreciate you giving me your time, regards Tracy x 

Brilliant Gordon!

Hi Tracy, 

Great to speak to you, I'm in a similar situation looking to visit and view property then move over later this year. Hope things work out for you. These replies are negative but honest so I would just ensure you have a cast iron plan. Theyve helped me a lot.

Good luck!

Tracy xx

Hi thank you 😊 good luck to u too. Yeah id rather have realistic ideas before i go. Would be great to hear how you get on 😊 regards, Tracy x

Yeah you too. Big move and something I've always wanted to do. 20 years off retiring so will have to work but I'll do pretty much anything. Husband's the same. I'll keep you posted xxx

Me too lol turning 40 in 2 weeks. I can turn my hand to most things so here's hoping x