Hi, we are a couple in our late 40's we are looking to buy a flat or apartment in either Spain or Turkey. This is mainly just for us, not to rent out. Our original preference was Turkey (probably Altinkum) but the problem is you cant get cheap flights there so will cost a lot to go over there, however the cost of living is cheap. So we now looking at Spain as flights cheaper but then cost of living more.
We would love to hear from people who have bought in either countries for the pros and cons.
Also if we decide on Spain we want to live with ex pats (I know, how predictable!) in the south, what areas are best?
Your advice will be appreciated, thanks, Jim and Jayne

As Concierge for the Spanish section of BE I would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

Thanks Rosemary, I am glad we found this website, we are planning on buying next year so can now spend a nice cosy winter getting some pros and cons as to where to look next year, cheers.

Hi Jim

Apart from obvious costs I think you should consider the hidden costs, taxes etc

Take a look at this thread

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...2#post10951382

Thanks, these are part of the questions we are looking at. There seems to be swings and roundabouts buying abroad. Turkish property prices are reasonable and the buying costs seem lower and the cost of living is cheaper (no Euro, cost of power etc). However the flights for 2 people are still £400-£500. Hardly seems worth having your own place. Whereas Spain the flights are cheaper -£200 plus or so. But then the cost of living seems higher and, as you point out, costs and taxes are higher.
Despite this doom and gloom we are keen on getting a place.
Do you mind me asking you are there areas that particularly appeal to ex Brits to settle and are you glad you moved there? PM me if not want to post publicly, thanks.

Hi Jim

I fled UK nearly 40 years ago with little money, I fell in love with Portugal but could find no way of earning a living there.
Eventually I ended up in Gibraltar where work was easily available in the closed frontier days,
When the frontier opened I purchased property in Spain but retained close contact with Gib, I have owned a maisonette and a finca in Spain purchased for pennies in the early 80's. Now I only have property in Gib but would normally spend a fair amount of time in Spain and Portugal, however the shenanigans of the Unpopular Party in Spain means I avoid where possible going over to the Dark Side.
I am at the moment toying with the idea of buying a holiday home, but it would be in Portugal not Spain although I may just settle for rentals of less than 6 months to avoid the residency problems.

From your post I take it that you would also not whish to be full time residents of Spain. Therefore somewhere that offers easy access to an airport with frequent flights back to your area of the UK should be your first preference. Then it really depends on your personal needs.

Thanks Fred, very candid answer and very helpful. Im beginning to see some negative things towards Spain at the moment, and the fact that an experienced person like yourself would prefer Portugal to Spain at the moment speaks volumes. Im swaying back to Turkey despite little bit dearer flights, but plenty of time yet. Thanks again.

I think living in Spain is far more better option to live in turkey.

Thanks for reply, can you give a couple of reasons why you prefer Spain to give me some ideas? Cheers

As many problems Spain has I would choose it before Turkey

As Concierge for the Spanish section of BE I would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

Yes very good, but there are more pitfalls.

If you sell your UK property in the same Spanish tax year that you become a Spanish resident in, you pay Spanish capital gains tax on the profit that you have made on the property.

If you buy a holiday home, you pay an assumed rental tax on weeks not used by you.

If as a none resident you exceed 180 days in a callender in Spain you are liable for a €300 fine. If as a resident you don't declare your entire world wide income you are liable for a €10,000 fine.

We have stocks and shares, stocks and shares and cash ISA's, cash deposits, rental property, state and private pensions. We dare not throw ourselves at the mercy of the Spanish tax-man, so who is the loser, Spain or us?