moving to andalucia
Mar 10th 2007 | 10:29 pm
#16
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From: Wakefield/Andalucia This Year
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. Compe hta 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
Hi Eve,
Thanks a lot for your post,I dont know quite how I came to choose Competa,we came down to Spain on holiday a couple of years ago,we stayed up near Almeria,I wasnt that keen on the area,we hired a car and travelled as far as Nerja,I loved it there,so looking at the map I thought Competa a good choice,we dont want to live on the coast either,we are hoping to get out later this year,we will rent at first and have a good look around to make sure we get the right house for us.My husband as got a business venture in mind so it is going to be even more difficult.I am so glad Iv got this lappy a couple of weeks ago,I spend so much time lookig at property ect.I injured my back a couple of years ago,so Im not working,it leaves me time to spare.We are not quite old enough to retire yet,there will be myself hubby and our George( boxer dog )moving out.We have got a few things to tie up here then we will be on our way I cant wait.Its nice to know that there is other english people in the area and its realy nice to talk to people on this site,it feels like your meeting people before you even get there.thanks again x
Mar 11th 2007 | 11:25 am
#17
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: If only I knew
Re: moving to andalucia
[F]Hi jandy44,
Had a similar experience to you three years ago, was going to invest in an off plan apartment on a golf complex, it took so long to get going we pulled out, while we were there we decided to have a look at the country and drove from Malaga in a big arc up to Granada through the mountains then down to the Alpujaras, through the Lecrin valley and ended up in Nerja on our last day before returning home, we had a couple of hours to kill so on the way to the airport we saw a sign for Competa and decided to have a look !,when we eventually got there up the old road we were awestruck just looking down on it...but had no time to go into the village. when we got home we could not get it out of our minds, so two months later I returned on my own to take a better look, it was cold and very wet, with the mountains collapsing on the roads but I loved it, just so far removed from life in the UK.
I could go on forever but wont, we got to know Competa very well staying in lots of houses all round the village, we tried to buy two houses both of which fell through, no problems just bad timing, after our last visit we decided to look a bit further afield and discovered Canillas Albiada which we loved also as it was much quieter, we put an offer in on a house there which the owner could not sell yet that very day someone else came along with a much higher offer !!! we then thought we have looked elsewhere before and can again but loved the Axarquia region...We are now building a house just outside a small village and hopefully it will be completed by November....dont be afraid, the people are fantastic and very helpful(we no ablo Espanol) there are always a few expats about even in the tiniest villages, and beer is an international language, they are not cruel to animals generally just not as nutty as we are about them...I suggest you start in Competa and then try Canillas de Albiada, Archez, Salares, Sedella, Canillas de accietuno and then drop down to Velez Malaga ( lovely spanish town ) great for all sorts of shopping..also Eroski Hypermarket...We still love Competa and go regularly when over to eat or people watch, but could not live there now as we love the countryside..the great thing about this area is it is so close to the coast, airport, shops, but a million miles away in terms of everything else...please try the drive, even if you don,t find anything better than Competa you will still love the scenery, and drop into the village bars for Tapas or a beer , you will be made most welcome.
[/FONT]
Had a similar experience to you three years ago, was going to invest in an off plan apartment on a golf complex, it took so long to get going we pulled out, while we were there we decided to have a look at the country and drove from Malaga in a big arc up to Granada through the mountains then down to the Alpujaras, through the Lecrin valley and ended up in Nerja on our last day before returning home, we had a couple of hours to kill so on the way to the airport we saw a sign for Competa and decided to have a look !,when we eventually got there up the old road we were awestruck just looking down on it...but had no time to go into the village. when we got home we could not get it out of our minds, so two months later I returned on my own to take a better look, it was cold and very wet, with the mountains collapsing on the roads but I loved it, just so far removed from life in the UK.
I could go on forever but wont, we got to know Competa very well staying in lots of houses all round the village, we tried to buy two houses both of which fell through, no problems just bad timing, after our last visit we decided to look a bit further afield and discovered Canillas Albiada which we loved also as it was much quieter, we put an offer in on a house there which the owner could not sell yet that very day someone else came along with a much higher offer !!! we then thought we have looked elsewhere before and can again but loved the Axarquia region...We are now building a house just outside a small village and hopefully it will be completed by November....dont be afraid, the people are fantastic and very helpful(we no ablo Espanol) there are always a few expats about even in the tiniest villages, and beer is an international language, they are not cruel to animals generally just not as nutty as we are about them...I suggest you start in Competa and then try Canillas de Albiada, Archez, Salares, Sedella, Canillas de accietuno and then drop down to Velez Malaga ( lovely spanish town ) great for all sorts of shopping..also Eroski Hypermarket...We still love Competa and go regularly when over to eat or people watch, but could not live there now as we love the countryside..the great thing about this area is it is so close to the coast, airport, shops, but a million miles away in terms of everything else...please try the drive, even if you don,t find anything better than Competa you will still love the scenery, and drop into the village bars for Tapas or a beer , you will be made most welcome.
[/FONT]
Mar 11th 2007 | 11:27 am
#18
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,272
From: If only I knew
Re: moving to andalucia
Hello Everyone,
Excuse my long post I am New, just joined tonight
Excuse my long post I am New, just joined tonight
Mar 11th 2007 | 11:37 am
#19
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,272
From: If only I knew
Re: moving to andalucia
Hello Jandy44 again,
If you do decide on Competa pay Clara a visit in the main car park, she is a great estate agent and a really straight lady, you wont go far wrong...some agents do charge rather a lot of money or add it on the price of the house..
If you do decide on Competa pay Clara a visit in the main car park, she is a great estate agent and a really straight lady, you wont go far wrong...some agents do charge rather a lot of money or add it on the price of the house..
Mar 11th 2007 | 10:10 pm
#20
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Young at heart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,900
From: Wakefield/Andalucia This Year
Re: moving to andalucia
Thanks a lot for your mail,found very interesting,we are hoping to get down in a couple of months,hire a car and have a good look around.Iv since seen a couple of cortijo,s aroud the Iznajar region that look quite interesting.We are looking at various options.At first we thought about aa appartment,then I like outside space and country side,and hubby likes his cars,I love the idea of Competa and will be visiting when we come down,we will look Clara up
Did you have is it a gestor to sort your paperwork ect out ? If so how much on average would you say they charge?I think we may get a bit more for our money if we go a bit more inland,we dont want to put everything into a property as we will need running costs untill we get sorted So I thought a cortijo might be the answer,even if we have to do a bit of work to update.We need something with some space for my hubbys cars and my dog.I spend a lot of time browsing ,cant wait to get moving
thank goodness for lappys,this is a godsend.thanks again keep in touch
Mar 11th 2007 | 10:19 pm
#21
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From: Wakefield/Andalucia This Year
Mar 12th 2007 | 5:11 am
#22
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Essex and Competa CDS
Re: moving to andalucia
Hi ,
Competa is so obviously a hit, Clara is a great property agent, we bought our house through her and Spike. We used our own lawyer from Rincon de la victoria, i can't remember how much now but i think it was better having a lawyer from outside the village.
Competa has a good website fro the Ayuntamiento and it is the stages of all being available in english. It is www.competa.es well worth a visit. I hope all your plans work out ok, what sort of business are you hoping to set up. Competa is ever changing with new bars and restaurants and even a shop or two but it still maintains it's character.I wish you well. Eve.
Mar 12th 2007 | 5:38 am
#23
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Young at heart
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Wakefield/Andalucia This Year
Re: moving to andalucia
Cheers Iv found Clara on the web
Mar 12th 2007 | 5:58 am
#24
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From: Essex and Competa CDS
Re: moving to andalucia
Hi Bigbhudda,
Glad you like the area, which village are you building in, are you still close to competa and canillas. We used Clara and found her delightful. Also it turned out that her husband spike used to work many years ago with a friend of ours, what a small world.
Glad you like the area, which village are you building in, are you still close to competa and canillas. We used Clara and found her delightful. Also it turned out that her husband spike used to work many years ago with a friend of ours, what a small world.
Mar 12th 2007 | 6:02 am
#25
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 799
From: Essex and Competa CDS
Re: moving to andalucia
Hi jandy 44,
are you still attatched to yur lappy looking for properties, you really should give Clara a go, I bet you will find something on her site you like the look of. I can't say she displays photos as well as others but her site does seem to be improving! Keep in touch and if you decide to visit for a look about e mail me and if I am there maybe we can meet for a drink and tapa.
Eve
are you still attatched to yur lappy looking for properties, you really should give Clara a go, I bet you will find something on her site you like the look of. I can't say she displays photos as well as others but her site does seem to be improving! Keep in touch and if you decide to visit for a look about e mail me and if I am there maybe we can meet for a drink and tapa.
Eve
Mar 12th 2007 | 6:39 am
#26
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Young at heart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,900
From: Wakefield/Andalucia This Year
Re: moving to andalucia
Hi jandy 44,
are you still attatched to yur lappy looking for properties, you really should give Clara a go, I bet you will find something on her site you like the look of. I can't say she displays photos as well as others but her site does seem to be improving! Keep in touch and if you decide to visit for a look about e mail me and if I am there maybe we can meet for a drink and tapa.
Eve
are you still attatched to yur lappy looking for properties, you really should give Clara a go, I bet you will find something on her site you like the look of. I can't say she displays photos as well as others but her site does seem to be improving! Keep in touch and if you decide to visit for a look about e mail me and if I am there maybe we can meet for a drink and tapa.
Eve
Eve Thanks a lot,yea Im still here browsing seen loads,so much to think about,this lappys the best thing going, and is this site,so nice to talk to people,the troulble is Im learning how to use the lappy has well !!! Joined the 21st centurary a bit late,but hey oh here I go speak soon x
Mar 12th 2007 | 10:10 am
#27
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Wakefield/Andalucia This Year
Re: moving to andalucia
Hi ,
Competa is so obviously a hit, Clara is a great property agent, we bought our house through her and Spike. We used our own lawyer from Rincon de la victoria, i can't remember how much now but i think it was better having a lawyer from outside the village.
Competa has a good website fro the Ayuntamiento and it is the stages of all being available in english. It is www.competa.es well worth a visit. I hope all your plans work out ok, what sort of business are you hoping to set up. Competa is ever changing with new bars and restaurants and even a shop or two but it still maintains it's character.I wish you well. Eve.
my mind is boggeled,we take so much for granted here in uk. Where do you start ?I am glad it was here on this site ,had no idea eveything seems so complicated!!!! I meeeeen if you live in the country side one water pipe can be supplying several houses so you may not have water all the time!!! better get a few buckets I just think I may as well be joined at the hip with this lappy and get some work done.Thanks Eve its opened my eyes.
Mar 12th 2007 | 11:15 am
#28
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,272
From: If only I knew
Re: moving to andalucia
[F][F]Hi again Jandy 44,
I would not get to freaky about all the stuff otherwise you may never do it, you could spend forever reading about what might happen, some things may happen, a lot will not, if you listen to good advice and make sure everything is legal you wont go far wrong, sure the water goes off occasionally, so does the electricity, but that is what makes the whole deal so special...it's a new.. old life style,I personally think that is what Spain is to me, the contrasts between Modern and rural Spain is like stepping back into something we had a long time ago in the UK.
Eve Hi,
Clara and Spike..what a team, they gave us lots of good advice, certainly a good starting point in Competa, we are still in the area, around Salares, still visit El Pilon now and again. [/FONT][/FONT]
I would not get to freaky about all the stuff otherwise you may never do it, you could spend forever reading about what might happen, some things may happen, a lot will not, if you listen to good advice and make sure everything is legal you wont go far wrong, sure the water goes off occasionally, so does the electricity, but that is what makes the whole deal so special...it's a new.. old life style,I personally think that is what Spain is to me, the contrasts between Modern and rural Spain is like stepping back into something we had a long time ago in the UK.
Eve Hi,
Clara and Spike..what a team, they gave us lots of good advice, certainly a good starting point in Competa, we are still in the area, around Salares, still visit El Pilon now and again.
[/FONT][/FONT]
Mar 12th 2007 | 10:22 pm
#29
Thread Starter
Young at heart
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,900
From: Wakefield/Andalucia This Year
Re: moving to andalucia
[F][F]Hi again Jandy 44,
I would not get to freaky about all the stuff otherwise you may never do it, you could spend forever reading about what might happen, some things may happen, a lot will not, if you listen to good advice and make sure everything is legal you wont go far wrong, sure the water goes off occasionally, so does the electricity, but that is what makes the whole deal so special...it's a new.. old life style,I personally think that is what Spain is to me, the contrasts between Modern and rural Spain is like stepping back into something we had a long time ago in the UK.
Eve Hi,
Clara and Spike..what a team, they gave us lots of good advice, certainly a good starting point in Competa, we are still in the area, around Salares, still visit El Pilon now and again. [/FONT][/FONT]
I would not get to freaky about all the stuff otherwise you may never do it, you could spend forever reading about what might happen, some things may happen, a lot will not, if you listen to good advice and make sure everything is legal you wont go far wrong, sure the water goes off occasionally, so does the electricity, but that is what makes the whole deal so special...it's a new.. old life style,I personally think that is what Spain is to me, the contrasts between Modern and rural Spain is like stepping back into something we had a long time ago in the UK.
Eve Hi,
Clara and Spike..what a team, they gave us lots of good advice, certainly a good starting point in Competa, we are still in the area, around Salares, still visit El Pilon now and again.
[/FONT][/FONT] Dont worry Im not going to be put off,I cant wait to get moving,but it is still wise to find some things out ,Im not working at present so I may as well spend some time searching for info,then it gives us some idea of what to do when we get down there,I have some years ago spent a lot of time driving around Spain as a lorry driver,had some fantastic times,we travelled all over Madrid,seville,velencia,alicante,
we even went to Tenerife on a spanish freighter out of Cadiz,all that way to deliver a yougart machine,we were only there for six hours, anyway thats another tale I could be here all day.Cherio for now
Mar 15th 2007 | 11:11 am
#30
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Young at heart
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Wakefield/Andalucia This Year
Re: moving to andalucia
