Rixxy

Do you have an exisitng account in the UK - I managed to get one but only cos hubby had an account with Lloyds TSB. Otherwise you could try an account in Gibraltar which is similar to UK and at least speaks english and have higher interest rates.

Ray51

Or : let me open you one in Jersey or Isle of Man ?

Rixxy

Good idea - nicer place than Gib to go to when withdrawing 10 euros....

Ray51

No need to ever go there oneself ( uless U want to ? ) :
- use the ( free ) Gold Visa at ATMs and tills worldwide instead !

Rixxy

Sorry - was taking the micky there - just sounds great to tell the pals - off to Jersey today to get dosh out or the bank.

No they are agood aidea, the only downside is you have to have money!!!

Do they take much to set up - running costs etc can they be in differing currencies and do you have to put a certain amount in every month??

Ray51

I'll try & PM U later , O.K. ?

Rixxy

Tnx perfect

tim hortons man

Crispygirl you make a good point that the wife and I have been discussing. I've been teaching English in Madrid for the past year and it's a nice part time job (good money as well) and the wife said she wants to join me, we could live on what we'd both earn (including savings for the summer when their is less work) but the problem is neither of us are good at being furgal that and we rent rather than own so I'm always concerned about rent increases

I've also noticed the long Spanish work day, you typically get 2-3 hours for lunch and it's added on in the evening. Think about that for a moment, you leave the house at 8am and get back home at 9pm, that is typical Spain. Worse is almost (particularly in Madrid centre) everything shuts down as well so you can't do your shopping or appointment in between. Personally I'd prefer to give up the siesta and get home earlier.

I haven't had time to make it down south yet so I'm curious to see what the big attraction is, why everyone wants to live there.

Lionda

We should have completed last October but are still waiting for the paperwork to be sent to the Town Hall, or so we have been told, hopefully we should get over in April but I'm not holding my breath

Ray51

I haven't had time to make it down south yet so I'm curious to see what the big attraction is, why everyone wants to live there.[/QUOTE]

isn't mostly the retirement option , as in
sunshine + ( somewhat ) lower CoL than U.K. and NW EuroLand
that is the attraction ???

SmartiesUK

you know it I know what you will do as well. You will retire to Spain sooner rather than later and play lots of golf in the sunshine. Now me, well I have never played golf but I am going to learn he he. We (me and the missus) will go hell for leather to learn the lingo and from there its plain sailing.

I have heard all the "but you will be bored comments" from friends and family. Listen to me, I will be bored at 65 when I am retired in the UK and too old to make the move to Spain probably (assuming I am around then) so why not be bored in Spain at 45 with good knees to go hiking with and a half decent back to golf with . I refuse to be 65 in the UK and run the gauntlet of teenage hoodies on the street corner because guess what, when I am 65 it will be todays hoodies kids on the street corner!! No sir, not for me I am afraid They would knock me over and rifle the baked beans out of my string bag in no time.

Hmmm, you will be in Spain soon Pete just like me. You have no excuses, I will be penny pinching but I'm going for it

Big Pete

You must of read my mind , i could have typed that word for word ..

Can you imagine what the Uk is going to be like in say just 10 years time ?? Scarey isnt it .. Thats why i know i am making the right move ..

Rixxy

Crikey - after watching the news from here theres no way wild horses would drag me back to UK.

Guys - there is no 'good' or 'perfect ' time to move

Just go for it - you wont regret it!

pjj

Thats very true rixxy ive been going through the emotions and at the end of the day there s never a good / perfect time to move you can keep coming up with a hole lot of different excuses why not to go and then before you know it will be claiming your pension and still in the uk just follow your dream !

Rixxy

Dyou know what - my parents bought a villa here 25 years ago with a view to living here. They had own business and for 13 further years there was always an escuse not to move.

12 yrs ago I made the move here having decided against the classic Oz move - and felt immediately at home! Young kids etc etc.

2 weeks later my parents landed on the doorstep and have never looked back! But they do regret not moving sooner.

Its like anything, there is never a right time to buy a house, have children, retire, move country etc.

Crikey I sound wise (or old!)