Moving "up north"
#1
Thread Starter
Forum Regular

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 36
From: Andalucia

We live in Andalucia...and about as far south in that area as is possible!....and for various reasons and after 14 years there, we want/need to move.
Anywhere in Spain is a potential "target" and we would like to ask this forum of their experiences (if any) about moving within Spain, especially across regional administration areas - the bureaucracy - the different ways of doing things - the difference in culture that we might encounter - different idiomas - etc etc.
We'd also like to exchange pms with anyone who lives is Galicia/Asturias (always assuming they'd be amenable to answering some pretty basic question!) as that is one area that appeals.
All advice and help will be appreciated.
Anywhere in Spain is a potential "target" and we would like to ask this forum of their experiences (if any) about moving within Spain, especially across regional administration areas - the bureaucracy - the different ways of doing things - the difference in culture that we might encounter - different idiomas - etc etc.
We'd also like to exchange pms with anyone who lives is Galicia/Asturias (always assuming they'd be amenable to answering some pretty basic question!) as that is one area that appeals.
All advice and help will be appreciated.
#2
Lived for over 10 years in Navarra. Retired to the Costa del Sol and took ages to get into the national tax system ! Basically Navarra has a separate deal with the Spanish state on taxation so as far as the central system was concerned I was "new" in Spain. That aside it is a great place to live, small community, lovely countryside great food not far from the beautiful Basque coast , towns such as San Sebastian or over the border into Biarritz. Weather can be a bit tiresome, lot of wind and dull winter.Communication can be difficult as nearest reasonable airport is Bilbao and high speed train stops at Zaragoza. Population a mix of quite serious , hard-working Spaniards and Basque, good economy, low unemployment, excellent medical services.
#3
You'll find Galicia & Asturias cheaper in general than Euskadi (Basque country), especially property prices.
Here, we average some 1500mm rainfall annually, but reasonably well distributed throughout the year. Ex-pats few in this area; in our village it's rare to hear English.
Not everyone speaks Basque, especially around Bilbao.
As 'loafingalong' said, Navarra has a good mix; the north is considerably wetter than the centre/south. It's got a wonderful mix of scenery, from "wild west cowboy" type dry country in the south to one of the largest forests in Europe (Irati).
Very good infrastructure. Airports at Bilbao & Biarritz just round the corner both very good.
Food & drink is as good as it gets; you don't see "full English breakfast" signs; the bars are full of 'pintxos' and La Rioja is less than an hour's drive away.
Here, we average some 1500mm rainfall annually, but reasonably well distributed throughout the year. Ex-pats few in this area; in our village it's rare to hear English.
Not everyone speaks Basque, especially around Bilbao.
As 'loafingalong' said, Navarra has a good mix; the north is considerably wetter than the centre/south. It's got a wonderful mix of scenery, from "wild west cowboy" type dry country in the south to one of the largest forests in Europe (Irati).
Very good infrastructure. Airports at Bilbao & Biarritz just round the corner both very good.
Food & drink is as good as it gets; you don't see "full English breakfast" signs; the bars are full of 'pintxos' and La Rioja is less than an hour's drive away.






