moving to andalucia
 

hi,I have only just joined this forum today,in fact I have only just joined the 21st centurey and got my first laptop a couple of weeks ago,so I have been busy looking at various web sites to do with Spain,and lots of property searches. We are hoping in the not to distant future to move over to Adalucia region ,some where near Competa,proberly abit inland.

After reading some of the comments of other members Im not sure whether its such a good idea, what after reading about water shortages,animal creulty, the spanish not being very freindly,the bad estate agents,the black money,ect.ect.ect.

Im glad I have found this site,it will give me more insight and hopefully help me with any queries and enable me to continue to do more homework on the move to Adalucia.

If there is anyone in the areas where I want to go with any tips and advise I would appreciate any feed back.

I am hoping to move down with my hubby,and my boxer dog George.

I know there are thousands of ex pats living in Spain it cant be all that bad , can it ?

I think we have decided that it would be best to rent at first.

Anyway just to let you know that it is cold here,it as been sunny and dry for a change!!!!

LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING VEIWS TIPS COMMENTS XX

Re: moving to andalucia
 

Hi,

I think a lot depends on where you locate to. There will always be crime, animal cruelty etc. but you see more crime in the larger cities, especially on the coast and usually involving drugs or drunkenness.
I live inland in the Jaen province and I have never seen any trouble and have always felt safe, even at night. Young people seem to respect older people. We have found the locals to be friendly and helpful, especially younger people, despite us not speaking the language yet.
We have never had our water cut off - yet. When you compare Spain and the U.K. regarding water, why is it that after two or three sunny days in the U.K. local authorities enforce hose bans etc. especially with the amount of water the U.K. gets during the year compared to Spain.
My only regret is that we didn't buy years ago. The cost of living is cheaper, council tax shocked us - we pay 65 euros (a year) and the tapas are free with every drink in our town and the bars are open into the small hours.

Re: moving to andalucia
 

Thanks alot for your reply Mananaman,I am trying to find my way around this site, so I maybe a bit slow.I know what you mean about this country a bit of sun, rain , snow ,wind ect. and its a catastrophy!!
Like I said earlier we are hoping to move close to Competa abit inland.
We have got quite abit to do here first though,we will come down and rent a small villa to start with, but there is a lot to find out and do.Because the hubbys passion is his car that will have to come to. Is there many brits living in the area we want to go to? I trying to learn Spanish,very slow though.no hablo espanel,Im glad I found this site though,it is interesting to hear other peoples veiws,although at first some of the things some have said have seemed a bit offputting.But I take your point crime is rife everywhere,I suspose its like anything one just as to be carefull.
Have you lived in Spain for very long?

Re: moving to andalucia
 

I sent a reply back earlier have you recieved ? not sure I am using this page properly yet,I think Iv posted it to myself

Re: moving to andalucia
 

Your reply to mañanaman (post 3) is above your last post so you are doing it right. ;-)

Re: moving to andalucia
 

Hi,

Sorry for the slow reply. I am not actually living in Spain permanently yet, I travel back and forward as we are renovating the house, which we bought just over a year ago.
I come over for weeks at a time and was over last month when it was really cold, especially at night. Our house is a ten minute drive from the city of Jaen and just over an hour and a half drive from Malaga airport. Both my partner and I love it here, the locals are friendly, despite our lack of Spanish and are pleased that foreigners are making the town their home. We were the first Brits to buy here, but several more have now moved in.
We didn't want to buy near the coast due to the higher crime rate and higher cost of living. We wanted somewhere fairly quiet but with lots of facilities, which we have but we can always get a bus or drive down to the coast for the day.
At the end of the day it's your choice where you want to stay.

Wishing You Well

Ronnie

Re: moving to andalucia
 

Hi Ronnie,
Thanks for your reply,I wasent sure whether I was using this sight right as I only joined yesterday.What you say sounds promising,because I was feeling a bit unsure whether we would be doing the right thing moving down,after Id read some of the things on this sight yesterday.We will also be looking to go a bit more inland,I think we will rent at first,and look at the various options whilst we are their.What my hubby is looking for is a very large garage to rent/buy,for his passions to be parked in.Anyway thanks a lot I hope you and your partener enjoy your house regards Jean

Re: moving to andalucia
 

Thanks JDR , not too sure what Im doing yet, I only joined yesterday,and only got my laptop two weeks ago and I have to say although I am enjoying it and finding a lot of stuff out its all abit new yet, Ill get there in the end though,thanks again

Re: moving to andalucia
 

Hi Ronnie,
Thanks for your reply,I wasent sure whether I was using this sight right as I only joined yesterday.What you say sounds promising,because I was feeling a bit unsure whether we would be doing the right thing moving down,after Id read some of the things on this sight yesterday.We will also be looking to go a bit more inland,I think we will rent at first,and look at the various options whilst we are their.What my hubby is looking for is a very large garage to rent/buy,for his passions to be parked in.Anyway thanks a lot I hope you and your partener enjoy your house regards Jean[/QUOTE]

No problems. I think renting is a good idea as you can move on if you don't like the area. I noticed this ad in the Alcala la Real web site.

Casa Sue
Sorry no advertising. jdr
The link is:

http://www.alcalaonline.net/Accommodation.htm

Re: moving to andalucia
 

No problems. I think renting is a good idea as you can move on if you don't like the area. I noticed this ad in the Alcala la Real web site.

Casa Sue

The link is:

http://www.alcalaonline.net/Accommodation.htm[/QUOTE]

Thanks alot Ill have a look tommorow,sounds cheap for a 4 bed,I could put our George in one:rofl: unfortunatly we cant go for awhile we have still to put a few things in place here:confused: :confused: I cant wait to get things moving ,we have been thinking about it for a long time but things in life knock you for six and everything just seems to stay the same:mad: anyway i wont bore you to tears with my problems,are you here in uk or in spain at the moment ?:thumbup: thanks, speak to later

Re: moving to andalucia
 

Thanks alot Ill have a look tommorow,sounds cheap for a 4 bed,I could put our George in one:rofl: unfortunatly we cant go for awhile we have still to put a few things in place here:confused: :confused: I cant wait to get things moving ,we have been thinking about it for a long time but things in life knock you for six and everything just seems to stay the same:mad: anyway i wont bore you to tears with my problems,are you here in uk or in spain at the moment ?:thumbup: thanks, speak to later[/QUOTE]

Hi,

We are in Scotland at the moment but will go back over, probably after we finalise the move of out belongings. Our house in Martos is on a one way street, which is fairly narrow and we will have to get the local police to block the road off for a couple of hours to allow the lorry access to the house.
I know what you mean about things staying the same and not moving quickly. We are in the same boat, even when you buy your house there will always be something that will hold things up.

Good Luck for the future,

Ronnie

Re: moving to andalucia
 

Hi,

We are in Scotland at the moment but will go back over, probably after we finalise the move of out belongings. Our house in Martos is on a one way street, which is fairly narrow and we will have to get the local police to block the road off for a couple of hours to allow the lorry access to the house.
I know what you mean about things staying the same and not moving quickly. We are in the same boat, even when you buy your house there will always be something that will hold things up.

Good Luck for the future,

Ronnie[/QUOTE] Hi, I abosolutley love Scotland,we stayed in a place called COLMANEL on the west coast loved it.Have just read mail,I have tried to return but there is a problem it just wont let me send it,something else to sort out!! THANKS I will mail when I sort out what is wrong.Good luck in trying to get a lorry up your street,I am a lorry driver so I know what a task it is,I was once in the middle of Chester with a artic,:eek: that was sure some job,its simular in Spain with all the balconies to look out for,hope it goes well.When are you moving?

Re: moving to andalucia
 

Hi,

We are in Scotland at the moment but will go back over, probably after we finalise the move of out belongings. Our house in Martos is on a one way street, which is fairly narrow and we will have to get the local police to block the road off for a couple of hours to allow the lorry access to the house.
I know what you mean about things staying the same and not moving quickly. We are in the same boat, even when you buy your house there will always be something that will hold things up.

Good Luck for the future,

Ronnie[/QUOTE]

Re: moving to andalucia
 

Hi, I abosolutley love Scotland,we stayed in a place called COLMANEL on the west coast loved it.Have just read mail,I have tried to return but there is a problem it just wont let me send it,something else to sort out!! THANKS I will mail when I sort out what is wrong.Good luck in trying to get a lorry up your street,I am a lorry driver so I know what a task it is,I was once in the middle of Chester with a artic,:eek: that was sure some job,its simular in Spain with all the balconies to look out for,hope it goes well.When are you moving?[/QUOTE]

Tried to email again not recconising the address,send me email,Iwill return:thumbup:

Re: moving to andalucia
 

:) Hi there,

I hope all works ok for you. I am lucky enough to have a house in Competa, have had it for almost 5 years and with a lot of tlc and hard work by hubby it is now our little spanish home, although only out there every 6 weeks or so and all the summer. One day we will make the final move but with son doing A levels etc etc it is not the best time. Competa is a warm friendly village with a mix of lots of nationalities. I was a beach person for many years and still love to go to the coast but after a day with all the holiday makers I love to get back to the tranquility of Competa. I have some Spanish and that has helped but although still going to classes it is only when I am there that I use it and being amongst spaniards and hearing it spoken, reading signs and notices do you find that it becomes a little easier. I have spanish neighbours and they were a little sceptical to begin with but now we chat away and when we can longer understand each other we just end up with the giggles. Competa feels like home to us and has done since the day we discovered it and sat in the plaza after viewing properties.
I hope you find your little bit of Spain in Competa or nearby I am sure you will treasure it and not want to see it appearing in travel brochures or on these numerous buy in the sun programmes!
Good luck,
Eve