Originally Posted by HBG (Post 9529535)

I found that the biggest problem when taking early retirement abroad, providing income isn't a problem, is the sheer boredom that can set in when the foreign novelty wears off.

People overcome it in various ways, on a smaller scale just by joining in local expat activities, but you can also go a lot further and do the things your previous hectic life prevented you from doing. The Open University is there for everyone and you can study anything from creative writing to a full blown degree in European literature, or even a degree in agriculture.

Tax advice is plentiful, but you need to be careful with expats trying to sell you unsuitable projects just to get their commission, and full page adverts in the expat press is never a good recommendation. With just a little care you can insure not paying too much, and you should never have to pay twice.

Originally Posted by Mitzyboy (Post 9529605)

I think you can get lulled into habitual non activity. Personally I'd shy away from expat groups. Frankly, theres so much to see in Spain that people ought to just get off their arses and go see it. I know of so many people here that go nowhere, see nothing, and spend their days sitting at home contemplating life, or lack of it.

As an early retiree it was something that worried me, but frankly I find there arent enough hours in the day to fit everything in!

Originally Posted by megmet (Post 9529617)

That is what I've found too! :thumbsup:
I'm going to have to live till I'm two hundred to fit in all the things I want to do and visit all the places I want to see!

Originally Posted by Mitzyboy (Post 9529605)

I think you can get lulled into habitual non activity. Personally I'd shy away from expat groups. Frankly, theres so much to see in Spain that people ought to just get off their arses and go see it. I know of so many people here that go nowhere, see nothing, and spend their days sitting at home contemplating life, or lack of it.

As an early retiree it was something that worried me, but frankly I find there arent enough hours in the day to fit everything in!

Originally Posted by HBG (Post 9529626)

Yes, I forgot about that. Spain in ten times bigger than the UK and there is a lot to see.

Another danger is to embed yourself to such an extent, usually with animals, that they stop you travelling because you're back to bringing up a family.

Originally Posted by Mitzyboy (Post 9529653)

Maybe one day in the future when I'm old and knackered.

Originally Posted by Fred James (Post 9529665)

You will be when you get off that bike in John O'Groats!:D:D

Originally Posted by njf (Post 9529680)

No dogs for me! But I have another question. I love our car - an Audi A3 with very low mileage. I even tried to find out about converting it to LHD but the price I got today is unrealistic. Not too keen on selling and finding a secondhand LHD car so was wondering how people get on with keeping their RHD cars in Spain. I know I would have to get it registered after six months and get the lights changed etc. A long time ago I took a previous car to Europe and I know overtaking and paying at toll booths or using car park barriers can be difficult but do you get used to it? (PS Are there mirrors available to make overtaking easier?)

Originally Posted by Mitzyboy (Post 9529686)

To be honest I'd suggest you start another thread rather than take the OP's off topic.
I know you'll get a lot of replies if you do

Originally Posted by njf (Post 9524783)

I have only just discovered this website - mea culpa! I have been using another website which has been providing some info but this one seems to be a lot more active, with many friendly users and providing lots of useful information. So this is my first post.

Well, this is another Moving to Spain thread.

My wife and I are planning on moving to Spain next year. We bought a house near Marbella three years ago with a view to ultimate retirement but which we have been letting on holiday lets. Due to redundancy, retirement has come a little earlier than expected so we are looking to emigrate next Spring.

Basically, I am looking for advice on what we need to consider and know about in making our final decision, particularly about tax considerations, both in the UK and Spain.

Can anyone recommend someone, preferably in London, who understands both UK and Spanish tax and can help us understand the ramifications?

My wife does not want to retire yet and, as she is from South America, is bilingual in Spanish and English. I know unemployment is pretty bad in the area but anyone know of whether that makes her any more employable?

TIA

norm