Just wondering, are things like furniture more expensive in Spain than in the UK? And if it's not, is there much of a choice/selection?

Not sure whether to buy a few bits before we head out there and put them in the lorry or container with the rest of the stuff.

Speaking of which, does anyone have any reccommendations for removal companies from the UK to Spain?

Many thanks in advance as always for your replies.

It depends on whereabouts in Spain you are going. If you're close to a large, regional city then there should be a wide choice (maybe not as wide as if you were near a large british city). However, if you're out in the boonies then there may only be one or two large furniture stores within 50km - and they may not keep much in stock, so you'd have to wait weeks/months until it arrives.
Personally, if you have the space to bring stuff over, I'd buy in the UK as it's easier to shop around, get things delivered and yell at people in english, rather than in spanish (talking on the phone is the single hardest test of your language skills - esp. as they can hang up at any time). Don't forget though, that it's a long trip to take something back if you don't like it, or need a warranty repair.
My personal feeling is that decent furniture is more expensive in Spain - but that may just be because I know where in the UK to go for good deals, or that there's more advertising & media coverage in britain.
Someone else will be along shortly to talk about good removals firms ...

Don't know about removals firms, but I'd second what's been said AND say I think the bottom end quality furniture is also more expensive in Spain.

Hi jowalker and welcome to BE, I agree with what has been said, I would by in the UK and bring out as in my opinion furniture can be very expensive here and in six years I have only ever seen one sofa that I have liked. Not just my thoughts but many people I know in the Cadiz area feels the same.

Where is it you are thinking of moving to here in Spain, I can't really help with a removal company in your area as I used one from Essex, I just looked in the local phone directory and rang three and asked them to come and give me a quote and then took it from there. Hope all goes well for you, by the way are the twins in your avie yours. Good Luck.

Thanks all for your replies. Had a feeling we'd be best to get things here before we leave.

Crispy - in reply to yours... We're thinking of the Muricia region - Yecla and a nice old farmhouse in need of a lot of TLC has taken our interest, but we're waiting to make our minds up once we get out there. Nothings definate yet, so we could end up somewhere completely different!

The twins in the photo are mine - just coming up for a year. Was the good luck referring to the twins or the move to Spain?? Am sure it's needed for both!!

I'm down on the atlantic coast, good luck was for your new future where ever that may be, the twins I'm sure will bring you so much more than good luck in years to come.

Don't buy until you have experienced living in the area of your choice. You may not like it and moving could be a nightmare if you can't sell. Oh, and welcome to the forum

I must admit, after living in Spain, we much prefer the furniture in the uk. There just seems more choice.

Maybe it`s a different culture, people tend to spend more time outside here, with a little less TV as the centre point. ;-))

That's what we were hoping for. Want to be able to spend time with little ones as they grow up and have a real outdoors lifestyle. Far better than wasting away lives infront of the tv.

Quite right Apart from the occasional dvd, we haven't watched tv since arriving here 2 years ago,

My experience is, if you shop arround most things are as cheap if not cheaper than in UK. OP should go to Almoradi which is close to Murcia. This town is known as "the city of furniture", there are more than thirty stores selling furniture at all price points. Similarly Crivillente is known as the "city of carpets". Media Mart in Murcia and the Habinaris Centre in Torrevieja are good places to shop for electrical goods.

We bough our Italian made suite in Almoradi cheaper than we could have bought the same suite in the UK. The salesman spoke excellent english, but ofcourse it helps if you can speak at least a few words of spanish.

If you are on a tight budget there are many second hand shops. Many find they do not settle to life in spain and there is a very good supply of nearly new furnishings at rock bottom prices.