61 YEAR OLD SINGLE WOMAN LOOKING TO MOVE TO SPAIN - Page 19

HI   Di

 This  post  arrive  in my box  but very  welcome  advise  as  I  am  looking  to move out  to  Spain ,but as things  stand it  will  be 2022  when hopefully   some  sort  of normaillty  returns  to  Air/Sea  travel, I  did intend to purchase  but  majority  of  people  strongly  advise  to rent  before  you buy,  and  your  post  solves  that  issues  for  me,  I   will   not  or  no intention  of  working  but  how  does  one  kill  the day,  as  I  will  be on my  own till  I  get  to know  genuine people  and  I  am   not  much  of a Pub  person these  days, You  were  correct in jumping straight  in  and  learning  Spanish, I  lived  in Germany   and for first  4  months  I   HATED  any thing  German, then  I  got  a Brain storm  and went  to  night  classes  and  what  a difference  that  moved made,  so  Spain  would be  no  different  in  my  eyes, Could  you  answer  me  1  question,  how  far  would  350  euro  a week go over   there  as  you  are  paying  about  115 euro  a week rent, How  do you  heat  apartment  in Cold  months  in evening, as  electricty  is expensive  over  there,

    Sorry  if  I  barge  in,  but  curiosty  kill the  cat,  and  seeking  as  much  advise  before I decided

              Philip

Well, with better weather & a slower pace of life you may not want to , ‘kill the day’ 

A sunnier outlook & way of life does wonders for most of us, it’s why many of us are here. You would be surprised how quickly time flies when everyday basics like shopping seem to always include a leisurely coffee. Even if you’re alone you will quickly get involved in conversations. 

There are many expats out here, but getting to know spanish locals is a joy, & as your spanish improves so will your relationships with local people. There are many groups everywhere, depending on your interests. Volunteers are always in demand & greatly appreciated! for everything from local dog homes to helping elderly etc. There are all kinds of ways you can be of value, from fund raising events to walking the dogs etc . 

Pubs do exist, but bars are relaxed places where you can just have coffee and a snack too. locals don’t tend to go out to get steaming drunk. Though of course many tourists come for just that but they are accomodated for in certain areas, eg benidorm

Spain is a stunningly beautiful country so you may find most of your time outdoors. If you’re not mobile you can drive. Go explore. Have faith in yourself. Have a beautiful day. 

My advise is don't buy , rent , it's much easier to try it out first , loads of amazing places to stay and rents are cheap . Inland you have lots of choice , Alicante is a lovely city buzzing with life x you still have a beach if you want and great travel as there is bus train and airport there 

Debbie - I know the area a little..  - I agree to rent first..  but am thinking more long term to retire. 

would like a bolt hole of my own.

do you go out there much? 

Hi Anne please contact me I have just been reading your last post and I think I can be of great help to you . My number is 

hello there and thank you for your advice.. I agree that a huge town would be too overbearing.. 

yet how far is Guardamar from the airport? further than Santa pola I know.. did you retire there alone of with a partner? hope you don't mind me asking.. 

Hi I am seriously thinking of selling my house in Ireland and moving to Spain. Thinking of buying a house in Torreviega, la Marina or cabo roig. I am a single woman. Any advice would be much appreciated. 😊

Hi   Susan,

  Hope  you  are  keeping  safe,  I   have  thinking  about  the  same  move  for a  number  of  months,  not  easy  to  decided  and  funny  enough  same areas  ,  but  past  few day  have  broaden my search  out a bit,  a lot  more  property for  your  money,  My  2  main  concern  are  Health  care  and  July  August  with  the  heat,  but  came across  2  properties  with  full  kitted  out basement, where one  could put a bed  during Hot  season,  I  have  no family ties  with Ireland,  have a car   flight and apartment  sorted  for late September,  My  calculation says  about  350  a week  to  live  maybe  400  with a car,,  15 a  week  electric   10  a  week  water,   Community charge 8 a week   Home  insurance  5  a  week   Suma  6  a week   Personal  tax  5  a  week,  Internet   Tv   10  a week, those are  some figures  I  have  gather  together,  anything  left over  pays for  mobile phone I  am  not  a  pub  person either,  but  must  pick  up  Spanish language,

But   at  the  end  of the  day  it  is  only  1  person  who  can decided, ,it   will  take  courage,  and  dont  look  back  if you  move,,I will not  be  working in Spain,  maybe  voluntary work,  a   person  will  need to  get  involved  with  something,  Hope  it  goes  someway  to help,  As  you  are  a woman  you  will  get more  help  than I   got,  but  help  and advise  I  was  very  good, not  complaining

Learn  from  yesterday/  Live  for Today/  Hope  for  Tomorrow

               Phil  

While La Marina is nice, public transport is just ok, therefore, a car is an essential. On the other hand, Torrevieja has a great bus network, very reliable. Hope this helps! 

Hi  Susan

Just   a  few  more things  about life in  Spain,   All  building   in  Spain  are  designed   to  be  cool  in  Summer,  so  some sort of  Heat will be required  in Cold season,   i  have  been  using Webcam  around  Torrevica,   and  people  wearing   same  type   of  clothes  as  I  wear  in  Cold  South East of Ireland. 

If  you  have SPAINISH  Bank account  and  you  a  pension  or  other income  paid into that  account.   Capital Gains  will  take about  24%,

Cabo Roig  La Zenia or Play Flamenla  are  busy  in  Holiday  season  but a  different  place in  Winter.  If  you  purchase  a property  in  those areas   would be a good move to have  Parking space  with property,,

I  like Quad Bungalow  in Coba Roig area  and La Zenia,  but  apartment  not for me,  no  sound  proofing, All  Windows   are  wide open  during  Hot season  and  you can  hear  everything 

Any  other questions  I  can help wjth just   ask, Some other  tips for you but not for open forum, feel  free to  ask  on  PM