Want to make the move - Page 3

Thank you for your lovely reply well im retiring this year so have to sell I prefer  a house if possible with a roof terrace or massonete but it all depends on areas, prices, I do want everything in walking distance. I'm in to weight training so a gym nearby would be good, I am a social type,  I work in mental health and I've reached that point in my life that I need me time, lost my mum recently and that had now made me more determined to live the rest of my life with gusto and less stress, I make my own wine too which I enjoy doing  its nice to chill out with a glass or 3 at the end of a challenging week, I hope that my income of £1000 per month will be sufficient I don't know whether I should rent first but need my money to buy eventually, when I sell my house  hope to have enough money left  to buy, I have seen many in my price bracket, wish I could win the lottery  😁 will look forward to hearing from you soon many thanks 

Anita x

Yes, sometimes in life, we reach a point when we realise that it is time for a big change and moving to Spain would definitely offer that!

Ok.  Consider renting your home. Ask an estate agent how much you could achieve monthly.  If you have a room that you could lock and store many personal possessions, that would be a help as you can’t bring everything with you. Eg photo albums etc.,    If you could achieve a good rental for your home, then you could afford to rent a nice place in an area that appeals to you.   Lots of people buy in Spain, their circumstances change after a few years and they decide to rent...

If you go down this road, you keep your options open.  After a year or two, you will know if the area you chose was right for you or you will have a better knowledge of where you would prefer to reside. You might then decide to buy your own home. It is very probable that your property at home will has increased in value too.  I haven’t seen any massive surge in property values in Spain so you should be in a better position to buy.  

I presume you will apply for residency so will be able to live in Spain without any worries. As you will be retired, you should be eligible for reciprocal healthcare. ( 5gin receipt of state pension age)

Our area in Torrevieja is on the La Mata side. Not so many ex pats but many English speaking people and everything is within walking distance including walking into Torrevieja or over to Habaneras shopping centre. There are a few gyms closeby which hold no interest to me but when our son visits, he avails of their facilities.  Beach is within walking distance as are all the coastal walks. Excellent bus services if required.  I would recommend looking for a rental in La Mata. Years ago, it was very quiet in the winter but no longer. So many Scandinavians come for the winter months ,they speak perfect English and are lovely people. Most of the restaurants remain open all year round so you will meet lots of the expat community while out walking and of course there are many retired spanish people too.  If you would prefer a more English speaking place to live, try La Zenia, Playa Flamenca on the other side of Torrevieja.  

Do you know the area?  If so, do you have any preferences?

Think before you leap.  Are you a single lady?  Do you know anyone who lives in Spain ? What would you do if you became ill or broke a leg?  Do you attend church? If so, this is your easiest way of integrating. The church family could be your friends.

Time to get up.

My husband spoils me...breakfast in bed every morning, he likes to rise early whilst I don’t!

Hello rosemary, thank you for your response I appreciate it. Well I have to sell my house as its 5he end of the mortgage and have to pay it off. I'm retiring soon and will have some NHS pension plus state pension. I don't know any areas as I have not been, it's just what others have recommended and what I have seen on TV  there seems to be a rush in my head regarding moving over before end of the year as some have said things about health care and residency etc etc, I don't drive and  I don't mind being around people from different countries. I am single and just want to feel safe in 5he area I will be going to the gym as this is part of my life. I don't mind joining in with whatever is going on around me socially, I don't know anyone in Spain unfortunately but making new friends is important to me too, I prefer somewhere that is open all year round with lots to do and dint want renting to swallow up my limeted funds, I'm unsure of the procedures to renting for a couple of months and what this would entail but I have to be sure of where I eventually buy, it's just the brexit thing that's putting the cat among the pigeons, I am going to come over in April though and hope my list of questions will be clarified and give me a quieter mind and a smooth transition. I lived in palma many moons ago and have always had it in my heart to return someday to Spain I just need to understand everything I need to do, 

Thank you so much and if you can reply I'd be very grateful enjoy your day, and lucky you having breakfast in bed, only time I had that was in hospital many years ago lol😁

Anita

Hi Anita,

You really have set your heart on making the move!

You say you have to clear your mortgage so I presume you have the money to do that.  Once your house is paid for, it is yours!  You will own it outright so of course you could rent it out. Let us say that you got £800 per month in rental, that would give you approx €920 at today’s exchange rate.  You should be able to get a long term rental for possibly €600/€650 per month which would leave you with over €250 in your pocket.

Of course, if you plan to sell your house to clear your mortgage, then that is a different situation.  Get advice from somebody in the financial world before doing anything.

Torrevieja is a busy seaside town which is alive all year round

 As you don’t drive, you will need to be on a bus route...ample bus services in Torrevieja.

A maisonette would probably be ideal for you.  Decide if you want to have a patio or a sun terrace ( some don’t have a solarium). There are maisonettes opposite to us, they are inside a gated community with a lovely pool. Some people seem to rent theirs as we have seen people coming and going. The accommodation isn’t huge but very cosy. 2 bedrooms, small kitchen, living room and bathroom.  Should be easy to keep warm during the winter. Our Swedish neighbour spends the winter in hers and goes back with her dogs in May. Occasionally, she turns the spare bedroom into a dining room and entertains us and other friends. Bus stop nearby. There are lots of these type of properties about. Contact some estate agents and make enquiries about renting for 6 months.  It is vital that you do not make a mistake in your choice of location, you must get it right.  We were lucky, my husband’s sister recommended the house we bought and we have never had any regrets.

Check out areas around La Mata, Aguas Nuevas, TORREBLANCA, Los Locas etc., 

Keep in touch.

Best wishes,

Rosemary.

Hi rosemary I truly appreciate your response and information, I will have to sell my house to pay mortgage off  , not sure when as I have stuff to do and sort out before I can put it on sale, working full time don't have much time to do what I need to do, plus the weather has been grim, but hopefully in the next month the weather will be better and I can do what needs to be done the areas you mentioned are they within torrevieja areas, a maisonette was on sale that looked perfect and in my price range, I get property for sale emailed to me, it's so frustrating that sometimes I don't look, but once I can just come over for a week I think I will use that time to look at different areas and ask lots of questions, but not until April and not sure where to stay that is within reach of these areas or general cost, but I'm sure I will get it sorted at some point

Thank you again for taking the time to reply it's really appreciated 

Anita

Hola Anita.

You plan to visit in April but you will probably find it difficult to find any accommodation available as Easter falls on the 10th and people love the weather at that time of the year. Look at a website called homesaway.com and you will see several ideal places. The first one you will see shows a white picket gate...it’s in an ideal location on the boardwalk in La Mata but availability for April. The following one is in Los Locas and also fully booked for April but you could get it for  the last fortnight in March.  Both have a good bus service into Torrevieja although you could walk easily into town from Los Locas. Both perfect areas to start your search. There is a bicycle hire shop not far from both. 

Both areas offer lots of restaurants, shops etc.,nearby. I love both places and so will you.  Check out the accommodations, perhaps your son/ sons might decide to join you for a weekend which would be lovely.

Airport bus goes on the hour directly to Torrevieja. .... very cheap. Bus or taxi to your accommodation.  All bus journeys around Torrevieja cost €1.35 for the journey. ( free to residents once you have your residencia,I think)

Flights in a March will be cheaper...check them out.  Where will you be flying from?

EasyJet, Ryanair are 2 options possibly.

Do your homework and as much research as you can.

You are nearly there!

Thank you rosemary  I can't come over until April due to my annual leave starting 1st April but hopefully I will find something. But I will look at your suggestions, I have to admit I get lost easily and have zero sense of direction, but maybe that will be interesting and I will find hidden treasures, maybe after Easter might be best, I didn't realise that there was an airport bus so thanks for that info I think I need to make a list of everything I need to ask and a list of all the advice and information. Totally appreciate your help

Anita