I holiday in Goa most years for anything between a 4 and 8 weeks dependent on my business commitments in the UK - I rent an appartment and a car and thoroughly enjoy my time there, rueing the day that I have to return! So why is it that whenever I read through these threads there is so much doom and gloom? I understand there are difficulties with many things, property ownership in particular I understand is fraught; but in some respects is that not part of the charm? Am I being nieve but surely any expat living there must have visited many times before moving and would be aware of the potential problems and in any event you only need ask here and invariably you will receive better advice than from most solicitors - hence why I have opted against purchase! But come on people lighten up why not focus more on the positive side of Goa, great beaches, good restaurants for example. What am I missing?

So come on all you guys who have lost your life savings, spent a fortune on useless legal advice, are undergoing persecution and investigation by a corrupt government that retrospectively and illegally changed the laws............please explain on an ex-pats forum to a holidaymaker why you do not find all this "part of the charm" of trying to sustain your Goan existence.

I wait with baited breath........................

That is tragic Johnny and that I understand and sadly not only happening in Goa - A lot of people in Spain, where properties are substantially more expensive, find hemselves in similar circumstances albeit for differing reasons. However when I am there and i go for fairly long periods 4/8 weeks I never really here anything negative from the ex-pats it seems only on here - but this is also a source of valuable info and help.

The other 48/44 weeks of the year is what you are missing.
You need to spend longer periods to experience the real Goan charm.

You are not missing much as a tourist. Try living there all year round then you will know what the Goan mindset is all about. How quickly you will be ripped off. Goa is a beautiful country sadly the people spoil it.

I agree. Goa+Holiday+4/6 weeks, OK. Long term they will drive you crazy. Anyway, you can't stay long term any more. They killed that stone dead.

PS. Does any one know how to contact India Mike. other than by the website?

It is a pity the days of empire and colonies are over, or we could march in and turn Goa into a large 'natural' theme park. (meant as a joke!!)

Splendid idea, along the lines of this particular article.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...servation-area

Englands a beautiful country sadly the people are all sad!At least the Goans say good morning etc. The UK governments corrupt- how many of you took out an endownment mortgage that would pay off at end of term and give you a lump sum???(Cost me and the ex £20,000)Did you take out an ISA 6 months back paying 2. something% interest and didn`t know that the bank had dropped the interest to 0.somethibg % without even telling you?It`s currently up to you to ask! have you checked lately? What do you pay sky tv every month??(£80 a year for full package in Goa.) What do you pay the NHS every time you need a prescription?What does your gas and electric cost you a year? (mines fractionally over £100 a year in Goa.) Your phone bill with BT? My internet and line rental with BSNL is less than £100 a year.The majority of goods in the supermarkets have a price printed on the labels in Goa - Do they in Tesco? I needed to order some specialist light bulbs for a pond purification system which a very good shop in mapusa managed to obtain for me. They not only cahrged me less than the price quoted but were a third of the cost in the UK! How can any of you say you are being ripped off in Goa!! More so in the UK I think. Have a hard think about it and perhaps you may realise why some of us expats actually enjoy Goa and choose to live here. J

I don't think that you are in a position to make comment on the Goa property situation when you have not purchased yourself, and spend so little time there.
It is very easy to castigate people who are disillusioned, but remember they too loved Goa, and saw it's charm, and spent large sums of money consulting various licensed professionals before purchasing - only to find that the advice they received was wrong, and they now find themselves in a legal minefield. Please do not suggest these people are blind fools who should have been aware of the potential problems - there are many aspects of corruption and extortion relevant to the property situation in Goa, which you are unlikely to be aware of.

Please explore the facts before you make such a sweeping generalisation !! I have seen the facts and believe me, they make worse reading than the average legal case file on a serial killer !!

Dread - facts first, opinion later !!
x

We had spent holidays in Goa for over 10 years before we purchased 8 years ago, deeds registered, and now find ourselves in a legal minefield.
I am determined this year, that I am going to enjoy what time we have left
nevermind what the Government and FN's throw at us.

Personally I do not think it is much cheaper living in Goa except for drinking and eating out.
Sky in Goa is a load of rubbish. In UK we have broadband up to 24, free phone calls, and line rental £17.99 a month.
Primark and Matalan - have clothes which are better made than you find in india, and as cheap. Wait for the sales in the big high street shops and you really get bargains
Traditional English food is cheaper in the UK, and of course you get the BOG Off offers.
Our prescriptions are all free. - it depends where you live in the UK.

We save on gas and electricity by staying six months over our winter, but then those who want to live all year around still have to leave for 2 months after 180 days.
Flights back to UK to renew visa's! how much overall do they really save?
Family and friends in the UK play a far more important part in our lives

[QUOTE=noni;8718533]We had spent holidays in Goa for over 10 years before we purchased 8 years ago, deeds registered, and now find ourselves in a legal minefield.
I am determined this year, that I am going to enjoy what time we have left
nevermind what the Government and FN's throw at us.

Personally I do not think it is much cheaper living in Goa except for drinking and eating out.
Sky in Goa is a load of rubbish. In UK we have broadband up to 24, free phone calls, and line rental £17.99 a month.
Primark and Matalan - have clothes which are better made than you find in india, and as cheap. Wait for the sales in the big high street shops and you really get bargains
Traditional English food is cheaper in the UK, and of course you get the BOG Off offers.
Our prescriptions are all free. - it depends where you live in the UK.

We save on gas and electricity by staying six months over our winter, but then those who want to live all year around still have to leave for 2 months after 180 days.
Flights back to UK to renew visa's! how much overall do they really save?
Family and friends in the UK play a far more important part in our lives

I suggest that Steve reads Buyer Beware and some of the other threads then he will know why people are so upset with the Goan situation.

[QUOTE=noni;8718544]
Noni, please forgive me for asking, if it is so awful Why do you still go to Goa now?
Could you not board up your property and have someone care for it for you?
We go to India because my husbands entire family are there and we have a genuine home there. The inevitable problems are part of everyday life. I must say discussing this thread with my husband this afternoon his sympathies are completely with those worrying about lost investment.

[QUOTE=Bipat;8718580] I still go because I love the place, it gets into your blood - even after all the shit that has been thrown at us, and as I said I am going to enjoy my next six month's holidays whatever.

I don't get ripped off now, as I know the prices, if they just try to rip me off once, I will not use their shop/services/resturant again.

There are so many good Goans, we have many, many friends there from all walks of life.

Only if you are OLD!

or

under 16?
16-18 and still in full-time education?
claiming the doles (sic)?
in hospital?

or


PREGNANT


.