jimmbo

Couldn't think how to phrase the title.

With reference to all those returning to the UK and the thread "Another one back in Blighty" And the low exchange rate.

Are those returning dependant on raising an income in Spain?

Are any pensioners returning for lack of finance?

spainrico

Yes in my experience it is the younger ones needing to work to ensure a pension! and the pensioners are toughing it out.

Surely for the pensioners it is still cheaper to live here - lower council tax bills, heating bills (OK it is cold in the winter) car tax, etc...

jo-ann

It is tougher for us pensioners, petrol, electricity and all general prices are now much higher, insurance for cars & home are higher. Pension is getting less and less and the savings are disappearing fast. Even if we wanted to (and we don't) it would be impossible to sell and have enough to buy a house back in the UK in the south where we originally came from.

jimmbo

Yes, I'm thinking along these lines.

twistedmelon

I don't think returning is even an option for a lot on pensions and without family to accommodate them.That's assuming you could sell up to begin with.

mikelincs

Our problem was that we were getting less, in Euros, when we left than we were getting when we went to Spain 4 years ago. Fortunately we didn't have a house to sll in Spain, having sold and moved onto renting before the recession started. We had no-one and nowhere in the UK to go, but are renting here in the UK yes council tax is higher, but we haven`t got a car here as we qualify for bus passes, giving us free transport, and we at least know what we will get each month, so it is easier to budget.

jackytoo

If you have a low pension you don't have to pay rent and council tax either. Have a look at the DWP website. I know someone who went back, got a nice housing association apartment and don't have to pay anything.

cymruambyth

Ask about the "Minimum Income Guarantee" if on a low pension. Means tested, but rent, council tax, living costs would all be taken into account to access you income, if it's below the minimum, you could be eligible for payments.

patsywhitehair

I too know somebody that went back to UK, stayed with her daughter, went to council, lied and said daughter wanted her out and she had nowhere to go, council offered her a nice flat, she is well happy, oh and she has put her property in spain up for sale...

scampicat

Not on State Pension yet, but husband's Teachers' Pension that we live on has gone down by 1/3 since we came in Spain five years ago due to the exchange rate.

And the cost of living in Spain has gone up. Council tax may be cheaper in Spain, but the price of groceries in , say Mercadona, bears no resemblance to Morrisons in the UK, where, with BOGOFS, special offers and reduced to clear items, I can get a good amount of food for £25. Would cost £40 at least in Mercadona where they will just let food go out of date and then throw it away rather than reduce it. The market I use in Spain also is much more expensive than the one I go to in the UK.

We are back in the UK for a while, but this is not actually to do with finances as we do not think that Spain is particularly cheap anymore.

cymruambyth

We find Lidl the best for fruit and veg.

spainrico

We find 'Dia' supermarket very cheap - especially if you apply (very easy) for their card and then get the discount vouchers. Many of their own products are excellent. We still find the street market best value for fresh and cheap fruit and veg.

snikpoh

A lot of the people going back from around here are pensioners. I think finance is the big issue but they are also using the family as an "excuse".

I suspect that it's money first and then everything else adds weight to the argument.

Jaques2go

I dont understand, its certain that most things are cheaper even now in spain than England, so if you have a british pension, why would anyone return for financial reasons - given the money still goes a bit farther than in England?

lynnxa

for all the benefits that are available to pensioners?

& which tbh I reckon they are still entitled too, having paid into the system for years enough - even if they lived abroad for some years