DLandJL

Hi, first post, where to start?!

We're a couple in our early 50's who're fed up with our high pressure jobs in the UK and are thinking of moving to Spain with the help of equity from selling our house.

We have concerns about healthcare, Brexit, pensions and mostly gaining suitable employment.

We'd have enough money to buy a place to live and possibly a business too but wonder how easy it'd be to find employment rather than buying a business.

Does anyone know of any good sources of information other than just asking loads of questions on this forum?

Thanks,
Dave.

spainrico

You have identified all the issues........employment could be the biggest one.

More here
https://www.gov.uk/world/living-in-spain

Moses2013

As you already know, buying a business is a big word and what kind of business are you talking about? Depending on your skills it's not impossible to find employment in Spain but even then, to actually make money is the difficult part. Apart from all the other things (taxes, language) why waste all your hard-earned money on a business that could fail + not really have time to enjoy Spain. Wouldn't you be better off selling and moving to a cheaper part of the UK where you'd just need a low pressure job until actual retirement.

tebo53

It might help to get more informed help on the Jobs question if you told in what profession you are in or qualified for.

DLandJL

We have considered buying a guest house or café in the UK but they seem to be far more expensive than some homes / businesses in Spain.

We agree buying a business could be a risk which is why we're wondering how easy it'd be for us to find employment.

Currently I'm a Director in construction, my wife is a Key Account Manager in automotive company. After selling our house and clearing all debts we should have a good amount left to buy a property and maybe a business (or even more properties for holiday lets). We won't need to be earning nearly as much as we do in the UK.

Initially we've considered things like B&B, café, ice cream parlour in Spain but are open to advice.

Retired in Euskadi

Firstly, think about what sort of lifestyle you'd like.
Secondly, think where in Spain would supply it and doing what.

If you're in high pressure jobs, you're used to being busy, under pressure etc.
So a life of G&T's on the patio overlooking the Med might eventually be boring.

Perhaps initially downsizing in UK, and getting a property in Spain (buying or renting) might be an alternative if it's possible.
The danger of burning your boats in the UK and then finding Spain doesn't supply your needs will be traumatic by which time you might be late 50's.

We live in the Basque country because my wife is Basque. It fits our needs because it's got everything apart from guaranteed sunshine 320 days per year, but still better than UK. There are few Brits or imposed foreign culture like Brit bars, shops etc. Here it's a unique culture; but not to everyone's taste.

You'll need Spanish for lots of things. Brexit....I don't worry about and I voted to leave!
My state pension is paid into the UK & my private pension paid into our local bank.
Healthcare......mine is with my wife, so is free; others will explain what you'd need to do, but I think you'll need a private policy until 65.
Employment is a big subject; there's more here than down south, but depends on your situation.

If you could afford the time, best to come to Spain and look around, ideally having chosen somewhere already.

Sorry I cannot be more help.

Moses2013

No offence but do you really think Spain needs another café, ice cream parlour? Unless it's a top location, there's always a reason why it will be cheaper and do you have experience in this area? You both have great jobs in the UK and I can only agree with Retired in Euskadi. Why don't you downsize and maybe buy a holiday home in Spain. Other option as mentioned would be to move to a cheaper part of the UK where you can still earn good money but don't have as much stress. Live mortgage free and save the rest for early retirement.

spainrico

Got to agree with Moses, you would be throwing your money away. Believe it or not, people don't eat ice cream 12 months a year even in Spain!

Rosemary

Hi and a warm welcome to the Spanish forum on BE. Myself and Fred James are the moderators for the Spanish forums whilst myself and BEVS moderate Europe. Please read the Site Rules http://britishexpats.com/site-rules/ adhere to them so that the site runs smoothly. Moderators are there to ensure that the rules of BE are maintained. This is so that members gain the information that they are looking for and find their experiences on the forums to be friendly and worthwhile.

Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderator who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are usually friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge about the issues of living in Spain. I hope that you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

sunseeker123

If the cafe/ice cream is resky, is buying a B+B business or buying a property and run air bnb in tourist area（say Malaga, Benidorm) less risky

Moses2013

Well, if you buy a home to live in and rent out rooms it's certainly less risk and more an additional income. Buying a bigger property to rely on income from renting is then again a different story and depends what you offer compared to other places. At the end of the day it just depends how much money someone has. Some people can buy 10 hotels and can still live well if 5 fail, while another person can lose everything by just buying a small café.

missile

Do you have any experience of running a café or B&B? Both can be very hard work and quite stressful.

DLandJL

None but we'd be amazed if either was harder work or more stressful than the jobs we have now!! Obviously we do appreciate we'd have a lot to learn too.

missile

I think you would be surprised. I know several who have escaped the rat race only to find they are working more hours to scrape a living and hardly have time to enjoy their "life in the sun".

Loafing Along

Available management jobs in Spain, just like the UK, are found through newspaper advertisements, recruitment agencies and headhunters but, more importantly word-of-mouth . Nearly all the recruitment companies that work in the UK operate in Spain and can be found on the Internet. The issue you will face is language. Spanish is essential, english "nice to have" but also often asked for is German.


Steer clear of the "Hosteleria" ( café, restaurant, bar business ) , it's highly competitive, there are over 250,000 in Spain and they open and shut with amazing frequency. If you want to look at that market look at franchise-type operations that will find a site for you, equip and set you up with an established brand and then charge you a fortune in royalties. Extremely hard work but can be rewarding.