Hi All
I am sure you have had and answered all my Q a billion times before but I hope you dont mind if I start my own so that I have all the advise/answers in one place A bit about ourselves

Not quite retirement age yet
My husband and I are planning on moving to Spain in the next 4 to 6 months.
Area haven't a clue... What I would like is an area where there are quite a few other English ex-pats.
Language.... Nope we dont speak it but are more than willing to learn.
Employment.... hubby would like a little part time job anything really but not reliant on it.
property... Ideally We are looking to rent our house in the UK which will then fund renting a property in Spain again funds not needed for quite sometime, If problems arise.
Husband has give his notice at work here in the UK so we will be able to come over on holiday to visit the places we may be interested in settling
I think our main priority at the moment is finding where we would like to live Spain is such a huge place and we have no idea so help is needed so that I can then research the areas
Thankyou for reading if anyone can help and add positive views although I do expect to get negative views also but I am being optimistic and would love positive views on what we need to do
Thankyou

People will be able to give more help regarding the area if you say what sort of things you are looking for. Countryside, small town, large town, city, nightlife, parks, walks, sports, hobbies, mountains, sea etc.

What is wonderful about Spain is the fact that it is so diverse that most people can find a niche to suit them.

Welcome to the Spain section of BE.

Rosemary

Assume your husband wont be able to find a job (not one that isnt commission only anyway).

Rent until you find an area you like and decide if youve made the right decision to base yourselves in Spain.

Dont sell your UK home.

The winters can be very cold.

You cannot do too much research.

Good luck. Its a wonderful country but not right for eveyone.

agree with Rosemary, I'm in a similar situation i.e. looking to move, I've decided I would like a place near a beach (live close to one here), near to a main town, so that there is more prospect of finding a part-time job,and more life generally, a surprising fact is that winters are as cold, and (in some cases !!), insulation of homes not as good. I'm looking primarily around the
Alicante, Torreveicca area, there are plenty of websites for property,but a lot are recommending renting,and some say rent in 3/4 different areas,(this seems good advice if you're not sure about location ).Hope this helps (p.s. bbc running "A place in sun, winter sun" atm, gives you some idea about area.

Thankyou for the thumbs up " A place in the Sun " You are looking at the same things we are looking for
We want to be near a beach (Sea and Sun )
Quite close proximity to an airport
We plan to Rent not buy
We plan to Rent in more than one location so that we can find our feet and decide where we prefer just need clues where to start........
To start with though I would prefer an expat community (so to speak ) for guidence dont want to completly be thrown in at the deep end getting to old for that haha
Dont mind renting apartment or caravan
I would like to be near to a busy town but not in the middle of it
Dont want nightlife
We have talked about this over the years do not want to retire in the UK it is only now we are in a position to put this into reality but it isnt has simple as just packing a bag and jetting off I need someone to take me by the hand and guide me to begin with.
Thankyou to all that have replied so far

I forgot to mention that the temperature and rainfall varies throughout Spain so you may wish to take this into concideration too.

Rosemary

Thankyou Rosemary The temp and rainfall will be a big concideration We want a sunny climate we are moving to get away from the dreadful dreary rain of the UK

How often do you expect to return to the Uk?
Proximity and transport links to an airport can be an important consideration for some.

Don't try Galicia then - in winter it makes the Lake District look like a desert!
Otherwise though, it has the most beautiful landscapes we have seen anywhere -think Italian lakes.

Lovely people, several airports, super food.

We loved it, but would echo johnnyone - transport links are good, but not good enough if you need to return regularly at short notice.
Best of luck.

Yes want to return approx monthly or every couple of mths

Looks like you need to think re Alicante area or around Málaga they have lots of flights back to UK, dont think Almería as only Gatwick in winter 3x a week or is that 4, anyway couple more in summer.

So might be a starter for 10 looking or thinking around those areas, would think they have what you are looking for, good luck

Remember the winters are cold and the majority of houses don't have central heating.

Rule of thumb, if you can afford to live in the UK after paying rent then you can probably do the same in the UK. If you need to work then don't go.

Based on what you've outlined by way of requirements, I agree that somewhere within easy reach of Alicante or Malaga airports sounds the best bet.

Apologies if you already know this, but as you are below UK state retirement age you will need to get Form S1 from the DWP in order to receive cover under the Spanish public health system. This will cover you for up to 2 years (providing you have enough UK NI contributions) and after that runs out you would need to take out private health insurance to cover the period until one of you starts receiving a British state retirement pension. After that time you can both receive Spanish state health cover again, ie for the pensioner and the other half of the couple who is classed as their dependent.

Thankyou Lynn
No I diddnt know about Medical side of things it is on my list to look into though has i have several medical problems one of them being under active Thyroid which means I dont pay for perscriptions here in the Uk also high blood pressure which regulary needs monitoring gosh this is prooving more stressful than I thought may just buy a caravan over there and flit back and forth lol

That's a pity, as private health insurance companies don't cover you for pre-existing conditions - and it isn't worth taking out a policy without declaring any problems you have, as they would only refuse to pay for your treatment anyway. In the past, other forum members have posted information about how expensive regular medication can be in Spain if you have to pay for your prescriptions - even if you could get private medical cover you would have to pay for any drugs you need anyway, as the policies don't cover that. So could work out very expensive. In terms of a permanent move, it sounds like you would be better off waiting until one of you is 2 years away from receiving your British state pension - it may yet have to be the caravan option! Good luck anyway.