Hello,I want to move to villamartin possibly september, from scotland. - Page 2

Thanks for your reply, we have researched alot and have to weigh everthing up. My husband works outside as a builder and the winters are just too much he is miserable. I know it wont be easy but really hope we can have a wonderful life in Spain. regards Berny.

Don't forget to get ALL your paperwork in order AND DON'T FORGET A STAPLER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wtbQUaC9mE

It's great to see more and more people moving to Spain and having the 'guts' to give it a go !

Of course I'm sure that most will fully understand that Spain is not 'paradise' and that there will be many problems to overcome, but most are just small and can be solved quickly.

Based on my long time and very involved experience in Spain I always try to advise everyone to take their time and don't rush into anything.

Choosing the right place to live is probably one of the most important factors, originally I lived in Alfaz del Pi and although I've moved to several  places since I still think that my original choice was good and I only moved around because of business and family reasons.

As for renting first I agree that is a good idea, however I think that it 's important to 'keep an eye' on the property market, and although there may seem to be ample houses for sale now, it's amazing how fast they disappear when the property market starts to move ...and it will...!

At the moment I live in Granada Province, in a very Spanish community and enjoy being quite integrated although as a 'foreigner' I know that I will never be considered to be a 'real' local, and as I get older I have to consider moving to an area where there are more expats and I mention that as I think that it's so important to think ahead and be aware that circumstances do change.

Good Luck ...!!!

Regards,

          Gordon

sorry, do not quite understand! When you say `there is a lot of people down here that go back.also the income tax here is a lot higher ' ; you are SURELY referring to the UK?

The income tax here in Spain is higher 24pc and the allowance lower than uk

A lot of things have changed in spain for the worse as well.it's still corrupt top to bottom and if everybody paid there tax it would be one of the wealthiest in the world

I've actually found it rather misleading when it comes to comparing prices and values re.UK versus Spain, from my own personal experience I've found it is very much 'Swings and Roundabouts'.

When making calculations I feel that it is important to remember that in most areas you get much more property for your money than UK and the IBI ( council tax) is much lower, but as I stated it really isn't a good idea to keep making comparisons, you are in Spain..just count what cash you have coming in and make the most of it !

When the euro first arrived I decided to mentally work out that a Pound equalled a Euro and anything extra was a bonus and went into my holiday fund and actually when you look at food costs for instance, if you use my principle they are about equal...( UK-Spain ).

For anyone who doesn't know...by the way...SUMA is the tax collection service used mainly in Alicante Province, IBI is the ' Impuesto Sobre Bienes Inmuebles' and in Andalucia and other Provinces it is collected by the local town hall.

As for corruption, well it has always been around...UK included.. personally I feel it's not as bad as it was..lots of officials have been locked up...will it stop corruption though.. I doubt it....

On my first visits to Spain , in the very early '60s ,it was recommended to place a couple of 1000 peseta notes in the back of your passport, however I never had a problem , despite wallking from places like Gibraltar to Seville then on to Lisbon.....but that is another story.!!

Regards,

              Gordon

Hi Berny, 

we're travelling from Glasgow at the end of September hoping to buy our future home, would love to hear how you get on with your visit and would appreciate any tips/ advice that you could pass on :) 

Best of luck with your search

Fiona

Dear BernyK (and Fiona).

We have lived in Spain for 11 years , and had a business here until 12mths ago .

My advice would be to come for 6 months , rent a property and be sure you DO like the place. We love it here and (one never says never of course) have no intentions of ever going back.There are a raft of things you need/ought to do once you decide to live here; ' but make sure first ' is what i would say.

You WILL need a car , unless, like so many brits we have met, you are quite happy to be able to walk to the end of the road to the local bar ! Make sure you have a EHIC card with you for medical emergencies , if you are of pension age that is slightly less relevant and you should be registering at the local medical centre for prescriptions etc.

Why Villamartin though? We lived, what, a mile away and, after the first year as we got to know the area better ; can honestly say that we go there four times a year possibly. In the plaza there is a terrific fish'n chip shop , lots of bars , and it IS very nice inside the plaza itself . Go a little distance away from Villamartin ( where there is a LOT of building taking place) and you will get more for your money (property wise), once you decide to buy.

A few miles away, inland , from villamartin there is such beautiful countryside , cheaper prices .No there isn't a shopping centre there, but do you want to go there regularly ,every day/once a week , when Alicante city is a 45min drive away , Murcia city closer to a hour?

Hi Bernie. This all depends on what you want, as said. It gets very busy on the coast in July/Aug. We choose to live inland in Villena. Found ourselves a lovely villa, pool and land, at a very good price. Still only 35/40 mins from Alicante airport and we can get to Santa Pola beach in 25mins. Which is enough for us, visit then leave. You also get more property/land for your money by going inland. We are surrounded by mountains and olive trees (not ours) and peace and quiet, but are only 6mins drive from a really large town, which has absolutely everything. Doctors, bank, fab restaurants,bars,cafes and every other shop you could think of. Plus a train station to Alicante and to Madrid. So we really have it all. As said before rent, and move on if you have to, this will help in making your mind up. Good luck 😎