Kenwoodlad

We visited Spain for many years before deciding to buy a house. It wasn't till we actually lived in the house and paid local taxes and endured our first winter that we got an idea of what it might cost to live there full time. I remember nearly fainting when we got our first electricity bill for December/January. There is a big difference between spending time in Spain as a visitor and living there as a resident. Especially if you visited in summer and never experienced the cold season.

Rosemary

Hi and a warm welcome to the Spanish forum on BE. Myself and Fred James are the moderators for the Spanish forums whilst BEVS moderates Europe. Moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. 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.

Rosemary

Mark604

Visiting doesn't = living.
The same as driving a rental car doesn't = owning one.
Or eating in a restaurant doesn't = cooking your own food.

Mind you, having a girlfriend doesn't = being married, either.

casa del sol

Depends on where you live and how big the property is and what kind of property it is.....for example: How much energy and what kind of energy to heat/cool property, will there be maintenance/service charges to pay say for pool and gardens?. Do you intend to own and maintain a car? how much traveling will you do? Do you drink or smoke? How healthy are you? will you have to pay for medication and or health insurance?.....are you good cooks? so can make special tasty meals from local seasonal foods that cost little, can you do your own DIY?.....do you enjoy the best things that are free in life like, walking, the sun, the water, the hills, can live on love and friendship.