Domino

hopefully not too soon, I am enjoying it - or is that just the warmth.?

steviedeluxe

The Spanish start-up scene (like other countries) is really taking off and attracting investors...

For instance, some of last month's developments..

http://startupspain.com/last-month-in-spain-april/

If anything the investments are getting more and more frequent - "Follow the money" not the media gloomsters..
Just some of the announcements made in the last week (articles in Spanish) - it's getting crazy out there...

Teambox get funding of nearly one and a half million dollars
http://www.expansion.com/2012/05/21/...337628933.html
The Mad Video get 585,000 dollars in funding
http://loogic.com/585-000-dolares-de...the-mad-video/
Yuilop get 4.5 million euros investment
http://loogic.com/45-millones-de-eur...ion-en-yuilop/
600,000 euros investment in augmented reality company Catchoom
http://loogic.com/600-000-euros-de-i...tada-catchoom/
500,000 euros investment for Etece (a taskrabbit clone)
http://loogic.com/500-000-euros-de-i...abbit-espanol/
400,000 euros for the ecommerce management outfit E-tailers
http://loogic.com/400-000-euros-de-i...-the-etailers/

There's even been a Spanish outfit that re-located to London, and now gained £650k in funding
http://thenextweb.com/uk/2012/05/22/...men-in-the-uk/

Domino

Santander, one of the most miserly of the worlds banks, keep advertising they have available €4bn available for PYME's. That would drag alot of small businesses out of the boondocks - but they very rarely qualify for any of it.

the biggest beef I have is with the definitions - you can have a turnover in excess of €5m and qualify for large sums whilst the small, micro/startup, drag myself out of unemployment, business has to struggle to get a postage stamp.
I know many have no history/record/ etc, but that is what Capital Venture is all about. 99% of those who fail do so because they havent prepared for startup, have no guardian angel to watch over them, see the obvious and advise. Many people starting up are too close to the business to see the pitfalls until they are in them.
One guy I advised, good idea, good product, hadnt realised how big a bump it was to pay rent + rates + electricity on the high street shop he felt was integral within the business plan. His advertising budget was £nil.
He is now selling double glazing.

.

tally71

Hi,

Have you considered Turkey, they are looking at accession to EU in 2015. The climate is wonderful with over 300 sunny days, with milder Winters than UK & NI, but also having the 4 seasons.

The cost of living is extremely cheap compared to UK, with Bank interest at HSBC around 7-8%, so much better. Turkey also has a strong economy and has not been effected by the recent global economy issues. With great internet access (as little traffic) wap phone access is also great.

Our properties are situated near Fethiye in southern Turkey, where the population is 93000, there are many established ex-pat communities in and around the area, with plenty of places to enjoy a sociable drink and live music nearby.

We are in our 40's and have made many friends both English and Turkish. So I am sure you could find many people to socialise with, also for guitar lessons.

Our villas are situated about 30 minutes from Fethiye sharing a 17 metre length pool - ideal for a proper swim, looking at Mountain vistas in all directions. They are in a working village, where you can find goats being put out to graze in nearby fields, we are often given fruit or vegetables from the locals from their fields and trees. The locals love it if you can speak a few words to them, I have learnt over the years a few words and we can now converse okay.

There are 5 other English owned properties in the village with 2 households living there all year. One party owns a nearby wine bar. There are eating places in the village and local shops for bread etc, with a weekly fruit and veg market. The quality of food in Turkey is far superior to UK, the fruit and vegetables have amazing tastes and flavours.

There is fly fishing on a trout river within 5-10 minutes, golf course is about one hour 15 minutes away. There are plenty of walks nearby properties, some people have even climbed one of the mountains. With actual scheduled walks around Fethiye and in Spring / Autumn a local specialist arranges walking tours. Patara and Olu Deniz beaches are fantastic and within 40 minute drive, Seki ski resort 40 minute drive away. Plenty of things to do and places to see in between fitting in your work commitments, boat trips from Fethiye, Saklikent Gorge, Tlos and many other places of archaelogical interest.

(SNIP)

Thanks

Mitzyboy

Its off topic, but as far as I know Turkey will never become members of the EU because of objections from Greece (Cyprus), although of course Greece may not be in the EU by then anyway