Originally Posted by St George 1974

Hi

This is very sound advice, thankyou. We have actually been looking into investing a portion of our money into a very secure investment that won't make us filthy rich but would give us a regular monthly income to live on. If we did manage to get the "top end" of the expected amount that would be fantastic as we would be in a perfect position to invest, buy a property in Spain outright and have a regular income of around €31000 per year to live on but we're trying to base things on the worse case scenario and not to focus on pipe dreams lol

Originally Posted by St George 1974

A total break from the fast paced hustle & bustle of our daily lives only to maintain a mundane existence for potentially a more slower paced, relaxed and scenic lifestyle.

Originally Posted by cricketman

240k euros wont get you a property in Spain and a regular income of 31k euros per year

Even at 5%, 240k euros is only 12k per year and that doesnt take into account inflation. And even 5% is hard to come back. I know of no secure investment yielding more than 4% currently

You need at least 1 million euros in the bank to yield 31k euros per year after tax. If you want to account for inflation too then you need at least 2 million euros

Originally Posted by cricketman

A Spanish lifestyle is not slower or simpler than a UK lifestyle. That is absolute nonsense

If someone goes to live in a remote village then of course their lifestyle will be slower and more relaxed because there are few jobs and little to do all day, but that goes for any country

Spanish people work longer hours and sleep less than any other nationality in Europe. If anything, a Spanish lifestyle is more hectic and stressful than a British lifestyle. Especially if you compare jobs and benefits

Originally Posted by rspltd

Your postings have varied with the use of partner and then wife. There is a big difference in Spain with a number of additional hoops to jump through if there is no marital relationship.

Originally Posted by cricketman

A Spanish lifestyle is not slower or simpler than a UK lifestyle. That is absolute nonsense If someone goes to live in a remote village then of course their lifestyle will be slower and more relaxed because there are few jobs and little to do all day, but that goes for any country Spanish people work longer hours and sleep less than any other nationality in Europe. If anything, a Spanish lifestyle is more hectic and stressful than a British lifestyle. Especially if you compare jobs and benefits

Originally Posted by Moses2013

Very true. People coming from a busy city in the UK who end up in a Spanish village and realise they like country living, will probably always boast how relaxing it is (especially when they are retired). We live in a quiet part of Ireland and it's a slower pace of life compared to Dublin, but many people like the buzz of the city and we're all different. In general life is the same and you either drive to work, use public transport, walk or cycle, depending where you live and where your work is.

Originally Posted by MikeJ

I disagree somewhat about not buying property (above) - prices are low, probably as low as they will ever be, it's a buyer's market. If you are determined to make the life change then having the security of a home when circumstances get rocky will be invaluable. However, you should not burn your bridges at the start. I am a great believer in try-before-you-buy. Rent for twelve months to check out the area, see if the lifestyle will suit you as well as your partner /wife, look for your lifetime home and check out the employment posibilities for your self. As many have said, the job landscape is horrendous at the moment but there are jobs and there are lucky people - sounds like it's about your turn!
Go for it and good luck.

Originally Posted by St George 1974

Thankyou for your time replying. To be more precise I am looking at properties in Bigastro as that is where my wife lived with her ex between 2001 - 2008. She always speaks highly about living there and about how happy she was at living the Spanish lifestyle. They were only forced to return to the UK due to their marriage breakdown. I've always considered "taking her back" to her dream life as it also appeals to me and I know should it work out we would be very happy as we have absolutely nothing to stay here for. As for my illness, I'm suffering from severe depression since being made redundant so I also feel that a big change would be very good for me. As for finding work I have budgeted for us to live there for a year renting (including healthcare) just to see if both me and my wife could find work. She pretty much has a job as soon as we are there through a Spanish friends who own a popular restaurant. I would hunt high and low in that year to find some sort of work. My wife is certain that I would take to living there well, she has concerns about employment but she also knows that I am a fighter and once I snap out of this hole I'm in I am a very determined man who doesn't give up too easily. Do you think moving nearer the coast would be a better idea?

Originally Posted by St George 1974

I was actually thinking exactly the same thing as I have done my homework on the area of interest including checking out the property market and it definitely is a buyers market right now, but although i will listen and take on board everyone's opinion it doesn't specifically mean I agree :-) The only thing holding us back is the high unemployment statistics as this is our major concern, but this doesn't specifically mean that I will not find work. We plan to do exactly as you have advised, rent for 12 months as to "test the waters" and see where fate takes us. We don't really have a great deal to lose as we live in rented accommodation now which although us cheap, it's no where near as cheap as the equivalent in Spain!! Thankyou for your advice, I think we will be going for it!!

Originally Posted by missile

I know Bigastro well, but your wife will know it far better. Quite a nice little town. Not a lot to do there and you would need a car. There are several other towns I would choose. However what suits me, may not suit you and yours. Are you sure YOU want to live in the town where your wife and her ex lived?I can sympathise with your mental health problem. I would suggest a move to Spain could be good for you, it was for me :-)If I may suggest "snap out of depression" is not the way it works. It can be a long journey and you may benefit from professional help. Make yourself a plan and set your self realistic goals.

Originally Posted by Moses2013

I agree with MikeJ that it's certainly not a wrong time to buy if everything is right. I think the big issue here is that you are moving to an area with high unemployment and low wages. I know many people don't want to hear it, but many couples in their end 30's & 40's fail because they are blinded by the sun and in this the case memories they have. When you're 20 without children and something goes wrong, it's easy to start again. Your partner might have memories, but there's no point of moving to an area where you have no job prospects. If it has to be Spain, why not consider other areas?