flintstones

Hello, we are "virgins" at this but would like some experienced people to give us any thoughts.
OK, at present we live in South Africa, retired and moved over here in 2006. Was so happy until the devil came along and changed our lives in so many different ways. To move forward we need to leave SA and get closer to the family, but not on their doorsteps. Seeing that we are now used to warmer climate, England is at the moment not in the running, but Spain is. We have thought about buying, but now our thoughts are turning to renting, we know that this is a major cause for discussion about right or wrong, advantageous or otherwise, but in our case we would rather have what little money we have to be with us, and not tied up in a house.
So we are looking at renting in an area not overcrowded with English, but enough not to be cut off completly. We are used to moving around and settling down where our beds land us (being ex military, gives you a good starter) We feel that we lend ourselves to our surroundings with learning the culture and way of life and with a lot a patience the language as well, but that causes much laughter (well to the South Africans over here when we try to speak Afrikaans, but they can see we try). We just want to move forward, be allowed to get on with our lives and retirement, and fill our hearts with a feel of living and not dread, which we have done for the past 2 years or more.
So anybody out there who can give us any tips/advice on moving over, with a view to renting, would be very much appreciated. We have done some homework on the internet, but for first hand AND up-to-date knowledge/advice etc, its best to be in touch with people on the ground.
OK, think I have gone on long enough, hope that nobody has fallen asleep during all this.
Look forward to hopefully hearing from somebody!, anybody!.
Enjoy your day.

Rosemary

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

fionamw

Welcome, sorry to hear you've had problems & let's hope Spain (or wherever) offers a less hassled alternative.
As to where to suggest? Your post was more expressive than some newbies about what you might want in your lives/surroundings, but with the caveat that the very best way is of course to come, drive around, stay in places and form judgements that way, there are a couple of answers you could fill us in on:
City? Town? Village? Edge of Village? Social life important? Lots of land or little? Access to bus/train/airport vital or just vaguely of interest? Prefer close neighbours? etc etc.
Weather is obviously important to you, and you won't be surprised to know that even in 'hot and sunny' Southern Spain there are high/mountainous bits with perishing winter temperatures which turn into mini-infernos come July-September. So do you want constant pleasant? Guaranteed warm rather than maybe? That kind of thing. (obviously no-one can guarantee weather, but you get what I mean!
Ok ramble over. Good luck.

flintstones

Hi, Thanks for your input, it has been well received, with us living in South Africa we live on the edge of the semi desert area known as the klein karoo, very hot summers, nice winter days (with the odd off day) but cold nights, so we feel that we are used to the climate, but saying that the summers are getting harder to bear with temps in the 40's. As we look out of our kitchen window we look at the Swartberg mountains, which do get covered with snow during the winter months, with this year having a heavier fall than previous years. We live in a little dorpe (village), but come 1800hrs there is not a soul about, we like to know that there are people around us and that we can at least go into town at night and see life. With getting older in life, you tend to want to do away with the younger noise that we so used to enjoy!!!!! we think its nice to have neighbours to greet, pass the time of day with and have a laugh. To be about 1hr or so from an airport would be great as we need to feel the arms of our family around us occasionally, we are used to being apart as our family is in the Forces, so they have no roots as yet. We really are the kind of people that are happy to make a home in an area
where "normal working people live" we are not rich but want to enjoy life to the best our pension will allow.
Our dream would be to live on the edge of town, not much land, but we do love the outdoor, so roof terraces, patio areas with constant, pleasurable weather would be so wonderful for us, 3 bedrooms, thus allowing and welcoming our family into our home. Are we asking to much, is this everybody's dream, we feel that we can do it, with lots of help (advice etc), homework and of course positivness We are looking at renting in the region of 350 Euro per month max, is this realistic? We are hoping to come back to stay with our family in Germany for 3 months, to allow us to go to Spain to do some homework and hopefully come back to South Africa to pack up and leave the devil behind.

steviedeluxe

If temperatures of over 40C in summer are hard for you to bear, you may wish to avoid much of the Med coast!
A lot milder on the north coast, but you also get more rainy days. You'd get plenty of chance to walk in beautiful countryside. I think somewhere like Comillas or Santander would be very amenable, and not over expensive. San Sebastian is a very nice place and has a great rep for food and tapas, but it's more expensive. Two airports around there, Bilbao and Santander. In any case, you'd find very few native English speakers on the north coast, so that may put you off.

flintstones

Hi Steve, Thanks for your comments, we think that the humidity is more arid here than Spain, so feel we would be more comfortable with a mediterranean climate, plus we would be so much closer to our family, which would be good for both parties. Have a wonderful weekend. Enjoy

Lynn R

You could take a look at the Axarquia area, east of Malaga in Andalucia. I live in Velez-Malaga, the capital of the Axarquia, but that might be too urban for you. There seem to be some very cheap properties to rent in villages further inland at the moment, for instance Alcaucin. I would not advise buying there as there are many problems with illegal properties due to the local Town Hall having granted building licences which were later declared invalid by the Junta de Andalucia, but as a renter that need not concern you.

You would be within 1 hour of Malaga airport and have the mountain views you like. Most Spanish villages are also very quiet at night, however, there isn't a whole lot of "life" to see unless you go to one of the coastal resorts.

For more or less constant warm weather, however, the only place that would fit the bill would be one of the Canary Islands like Tenerife or Gran Canaria.

flintstones

Hi Lynn, Thank you for your input, we are reading them all with interest and taking on board all points that are mentioned. We are talking so much about this move and so grateful for everybodys help and advice. Enjoy your day.

jackytoo

There are quite a few South Africans living around marbella, perhaps they chose it for the climate.

flintstones

Hello Jackie, Many thanks for your reply, will look into that area, although we are English, just living in South Africa. Have a wonderful day.