61 YEAR OLD SINGLE WOMAN LOOKING TO MOVE TO SPAIN - Moving to Torrevieja: tips and advice - Torrevieja forum - Costa Blanca forum in the Alicante province of Spain
Costa Blanca Building Specialists
Blacktower Financial Management
James Spanish School
Expat Services
Gentlevan Removals
ASSSA Insurance
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
interior building work
Gran Alacant Insurances
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
Espana Dream Properties
AA Free English TV
Car Key Solutions
Thy Will Be Done

Join the Torrevieja forum

Join the Torrevieja forumMy name's Alex and this is my website all about Torrevieja in Spain. Register now for free to talk about Moving to Torrevieja: tips and advice and much more!

61 YEAR OLD SINGLE WOMAN LOOKING TO MOVE TO SPAIN

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 4:48pm
194 replies13317 views32 members subscribed
Melissa

Posts: 40

18 helpful points

Location: Playa Flamenca

Joined: 17 Jan 2020

HI ALL

I FIND MYSELF AT THIS STAGE IN MY LIFE ALONE, DO I MOVE TO SPAIN, I HAVE NO FAMILY OR FRIENDS IN SPAIN AND MY FINANCIAL POSITION ISNT FANTASTIC.

I WILL HAVE CASH OF ABOUT 100,000 AND A PENSION FUND OF 65,000, I DONT HAVE ANY FURTHER INCOME AND MY UK STATE PENSION DOESNT START UNTIL I AM 66 YEARS OLD, WOULD I BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO LIVE IN SPAIN, I WOULD HOPE TO BUY A SMALL PROPERTY AND LIVE ON THE REMAINING FUNDS.  I DONT HAVE AN EXTRAVAGANT LIFESTYLE IN ENGLAND, ANY ADVICE WOULD BE GREAT.

I AM IN TORREVIEJA UNTIL MONDAY, HAVING SPENT A WEEK LOOKING AROUND, I HAVE FOUND IT QUITE DIFFICULT, I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR A BRITISH ACCENT, I AM TRYING TO LEARN SPANISH AT HOME AT THE MOMENT, BUT HAVENT FOUND THE LOCALS TOO FRIENDLY OR IS IT JUST ME

I HAVE MADE ONE DECISION I DONT WANT TO LIVE ON THE SEAFRONT AS I THOUGHT I WOULD.

I AWAIT IN ANTICIPATION

ANNE

Dazz

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 11:21pm

Dazz

Helpful member

Posts: 590

320 helpful points

Joined: 10 Sep 2018

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 11:21pm

Hi Melissa.

Welcome to the forum, are you talking euros or pounds? I think it will be manageable with your budget as long as you're careful, at least till your pension kicks in, it works out to around 13,000 a year. When looking at places keep in mind there are charges to pay over and on top of the purchase price, I think it's best to allow about 15% of the purchase price for this (I could be wrong about the percentage)

We live about 30 minutes from Torrevieja, I have found the numerous Spanish people I've met to be very friendly and more than helpful when I'm speaking my Spanglish :) 

There are lots of expat groups around which helps a lot with the social side of things and gets you out and about.

The same as you we wanted somewhere along the sea front but once here the plan changed. We're about a 15 minute drive to the coast.

Are you able to get out of Torrevieja to look around? There are a lot of urbanisations with a big expat population if that's what you're looking for.

Kimmy11

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 11:30pm

Kimmy11

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 6861

12546 helpful points

Joined: 8 Aug 2017

Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2020 11:30pm

Hi Anne and welcome to the forum!

If you haven't already found them, I'd recommend some brilliant guides written by our resident guru, Jim Taylor, about everything to do with making the move to and living in Spain:

Jim's guides - your complete guide to Spain

I'm surprised you didn't hear any British voices in Torrevieja - you'll certainly hear them in high season  :o)  But there are lots of nice villages and towns inland where communities thrive, but bear in mind that public transport is virtually non-existent once you're away from the tourist areas.  Even a little Spanish will go a long way with the locals making you welcome and one of the best ways to meet fellow foreigners is to join a Spanish language class.

You're a couple of years older than me, so I'm guessing you have to wait until you're 66 to draw your UK State Pension (67 for me)?  People in receipt of their State pension or another exportable benefit, such as Disability Living Allowance, are eligible for a Form S1 to transfer their free healthcare from the UK to Spain.  In the meantime, however, you'd need to buy private health insurance, which can be quite expensive.

A couple of other things to bear in mind for your budget is that, if you wanted to buy a property for, say, Eu 100,000, you'd need to allow a further 13% (Eu 13,000) to pay ITP (property tax) and legal fees, e.g. notary, lawyer, land registry on your purchase.  If Eu 100,000 is your top budget, you need to be looking at properties at a selling price of around Eu 88,000.

Unfortunately, Brexit could also have a negative impact - in the worst case scenario of a 'no deal', the S1 system will cease to be valid for UK citizens, so that means paying for private health insurance, or joining the Convenio Especial, for the rest of your life.  Also in the event of 'no deal', the UK government will not pay State pension increases to UK citizens living in Europe beyond 2022.

The cost of living in Spain is still cheaper than the UK, except for electricity, which is actually more expensive here, but IBI (Council Tax) is much cheaper here - the difference between our Council tax in the UK and what we now pay in Spain more than covers the cost of our health insurance.

Have a browse through Jim's Guides and if you have any questions, just ask.  This forum is a mine of information and people are happy to help - we've all been in your situation at one time of another.

Best wishes,

Kim

Anita 27

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 12:47am

Posts: 117

24 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 17 Jan 2020

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 12:47am

Hi there Ann I too am  hoping to move to toraviaja this year , I am also single, I do speak Spanish although not fluently I'm on a limeted  budget so more I lands I think there may be something for me too

Anita. 

Melissa

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 10:01am

Melissa

Original Poster

Posts: 40

18 helpful points

Location: Playa Flamenca

Joined: 17 Jan 2020

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 10:01am

Thank you all who have replied and I will certainly check out Jim's guide, a lot to think about, as the weather looks reasonable think will have a walk to Punta Prima found walking better than using the bus, I can see more of the areas. If anyone else has any comments please don't hesitate to reply.  Many thanks again

Advertisement - posts continue below

Peter Rossa

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 12:03pm

Peter Rossa

Helpful member

Posts: 146

83 helpful points

Location: La Marina

Joined: 19 May 2019

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 12:03pm

I bought a place in La Marina Urbanisation. I have met more friendly English people and even more friendly German and Swedish people, along with Spanish, then I have met for years in South London where people don't even like to say hello, that's just in my first three months.

Christine53

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 2:03pm

Posts: 51

30 helpful points

Joined: 25 Apr 2019

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 2:03pm

Hi Anne, I am 66 also single and moved to Spain in March 2019. I looked at a lot of places before deciding on Guardamar del Segura. I have found it to be a very friendly town both Spanish and expat are always willing to help. It's a small town but has a fantastic beach, beautiful parks, plenty of bars and restaurants and all the basic amenities on hand. There is a bus to Alicante and Torrevieja if you want to visit. Everything here is walking distance so no need to drive. I also find it's a very safe place you can walk alone late at night without any problems. I have made some really good friends here not just British also Norwegian, German and Spanish. It's obviously much quieter than Torrevieja but that suits me I don't want nightclubs the bars here are small and friendly always someone to talk to. Good luck with your decision but I would say Guardamar is definitely worth a look.

Christine 

Gerry59

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 2:42pm

Gerry59

Helpful member

Posts: 98

75 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 29 Dec 2018

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 2:42pm

Hi Anne. 

Welcome to the forum.  Firstly, Jim’s Guide is brilliant. 

You have a good budget, there’s plenty of properties around. We bought recently in Torrevieja central. Initially we looked at urbanization’s but felt a bit isolated So then we looked at apartments with 2 estate agents and settled on one in Calle Clement Gosálvez in a nice well kept building (San Luis Edifico). 

Doing out a list of priorities is helpful, eg. Age of building, south facing?, no of bedrooms, balcony?, nearness to bus station/bus stops, lift?. There are many websites showing what’s on offer. You get some idea,however, I’ve visited 2 dumps that were obviously airbrushed😮. 

Take your time, it’s your hard earned money, ask loads of questions and look for revisiting if needed. There’s always someone in a hurry to make a quick sale, don’t be rushed. Follow your instinct, it’s always right. 

Take note: some agents look after the legal end of you purchase, mine did. Others let you find your own. You are welcome to private message me for details of whom I used anytime. 

Good luck in your adventure. 

Karol1112

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 3:29pm

Karol1112

Helpful member

Posts: 207

84 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 3 Apr 2018

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 3:29pm

Hi, have a look at La Siesta in Torrevieja , there are some lovely little bungalows for sale there ( mine included) there is a bus service every 40 minutes and some bars and restraints about a 10 minute walk away . Bus into Torrevieja takes about 10 minutes , lots of English to chat to and a good mix of people in general. One estate agent I would recommend is Orange Casas , they have patience of a saint and really listen to what you want and make the buying process so easy , good luck with your adventure 👍

Melissa

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:53pm

Melissa

Original Poster

Posts: 40

18 helpful points

Location: Playa Flamenca

Joined: 17 Jan 2020

Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2020 9:53pm

Thanks for all the information, it's so difficult, when you are on your own.Decisions, decisions don't feel any further after spending a week here

Sign up for free or login to reply to this topic

Want to reply to this topic? Login or register for free to post your message:

Find more Moving tips and advice topics from a particular area:


Register for free!

Login to your account

Costa Blanca Building Specialists
Blacktower Financial Management
James Spanish School
Expat Services
Gentlevan Removals
ASSSA Insurance
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
interior building work
Gran Alacant Insurances
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
Espana Dream Properties
AA Free English TV
Car Key Solutions
Thy Will Be Done
Advertise your business here
Advertise your property
Help with my computer