Should we retire in spain?
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 17
Should we retire in spain?
Very confused cannot work out what to do. Is life so hard in spain, seems to be a lot coming back to the uk. Have read there is a new form to be filled out in spain telling the authorities what bank accounts and monies you have. What do they want that for What is the best area would anybody say. Heard also a lot of crime ..burglaries in some areas. Have been to velez Rubio and Malaga. Lake Vinuela was to die for,rented a villa on the lake,that was it smitten. But now I am reading all things going on and don't know what to do. My husband just wears blinkers and just says lets go,I am more cautious Hope someone can help me. Thanks
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 990
Re: Should we retire in spain?
You are right to be cautious;you have to do a lot of research. Being on holiday is not like the nitty gritty of living here.
The best thing to do is search different forums on Tax, health,residents register, assets form 720, finances,driving etc. Your brain will be frazzled with information overload, but it will give you some idea of what you will face.
Look at sites for ex pats, like UK in Spain, Anglo info etc, there are loads of them, and some give conflicting advice. Rules in Spain change frequently, so don,t rely on Books which can be out of date when they come into print.
It makes a difference if you are receiving state pension, as regards health.
There are lots if things people just don't realise, especially the tax implications. eg what is tax free in UK isn't here- important if you have a pension pot coming or an inheritance.
If your husband refuses to remove his blinkers, then he will be in for a few shocks!
Be prepared for the hidden costs in Spain.
Take time over it, don't buy until you are sure.It's a huge undertaking. Don't give up your house in UK.
The best thing to do is search different forums on Tax, health,residents register, assets form 720, finances,driving etc. Your brain will be frazzled with information overload, but it will give you some idea of what you will face.
Look at sites for ex pats, like UK in Spain, Anglo info etc, there are loads of them, and some give conflicting advice. Rules in Spain change frequently, so don,t rely on Books which can be out of date when they come into print.
It makes a difference if you are receiving state pension, as regards health.
There are lots if things people just don't realise, especially the tax implications. eg what is tax free in UK isn't here- important if you have a pension pot coming or an inheritance.
If your husband refuses to remove his blinkers, then he will be in for a few shocks!
Be prepared for the hidden costs in Spain.
Take time over it, don't buy until you are sure.It's a huge undertaking. Don't give up your house in UK.
#3
Re: Should we retire in spain?
Neptuno's post is very good.
I would suggest if you are able to afford it come out here and take a 6 month rental without cutting your ties back home. That way you will be able to assess better what life is really like.
I would suggest if you are able to afford it come out here and take a 6 month rental without cutting your ties back home. That way you will be able to assess better what life is really like.
#4
Account Closed
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,176
Re: Should we retire in spain?
I fully agree with the above.
On a lighter note, I know many people who have retired here. Most seem to be living very happy lives.
We´re nearly in November and there are people sitting at the wine bar next door in their T-shirts!
As Neptuno said, do your research, take you time and don´t make any rash decisions. Have you thought of renting over here for a year? To my mind, that´s the only way you´ll really see what life is about, the good and the bad!
Whatever you decide, good luck
p.s ... see crime stats for Spain v UK
http://www.nationmaster.com/compare/...-Kingdom/Crime
On a lighter note, I know many people who have retired here. Most seem to be living very happy lives.
We´re nearly in November and there are people sitting at the wine bar next door in their T-shirts!
As Neptuno said, do your research, take you time and don´t make any rash decisions. Have you thought of renting over here for a year? To my mind, that´s the only way you´ll really see what life is about, the good and the bad!
Whatever you decide, good luck
p.s ... see crime stats for Spain v UK
http://www.nationmaster.com/compare/...-Kingdom/Crime
Last edited by IamStu; Oct 25th 2013 at 2:38 pm.
#5
Re: Should we retire in spain?
I fully agree with the above.
On a lighter note, I know many people who have retired here. Most seem to be living very happy lives.
We´re nearly in November and there are people sitting at the wine bar next door in their T-shirts!
As Neptuno said, do your research, take you time and don´t make any rash decisions. Have you thought of renting over here for a year? To my mind, that´s the only way you´ll really see what life is about, the good and the bad!
Whatever you decide, good luck
On a lighter note, I know many people who have retired here. Most seem to be living very happy lives.
We´re nearly in November and there are people sitting at the wine bar next door in their T-shirts!
As Neptuno said, do your research, take you time and don´t make any rash decisions. Have you thought of renting over here for a year? To my mind, that´s the only way you´ll really see what life is about, the good and the bad!
Whatever you decide, good luck
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: bute
Posts: 9,740
Re: Should we retire in spain?
Only you can decide, but one thing is clear. Visiting a place as atourist is NOT the same as living there ! As other posters suggest, go and live there for a few months before burning any bridges.
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 614
Re: Should we retire in spain?
One thing to bear in mind about buying a house in Spain is that it tends to be a one-way ticket.
The housing market in Spain is not like the UK. So you shouldn't think that if your spanish house doesn't work out it's an easy matter of selling and either buying one more to your liking or moving to a different country.
For a start, when you buy there is a significant amount of tax to be paid. After you've paid the seller, reckon on needing about another 10% of the house price for taxes, fees, solicitor and the like. That's before you even consider the cost of moving from the UK.
If you do want to sell up after a short time, it's unlikely that prices will have risen enough to even cover those additional expencses - let alone the enormous commissions that spanish estate agents charge to sell your house. And after that, there's the time factor: selling a house in Spain can take years. Literally 2 or 3 years to find a buyer - even if you reduce the price to below what you paid, they are still hard to find as there are so many properties on sale in Spain and so few buyers for them.
So: be very sure before you jump in. Getting out could leave a significant amount of capital tied up for years. You would have to be prepared to take a loss and if you needed that money to finance your new, new life it could be very frustrating.
The housing market in Spain is not like the UK. So you shouldn't think that if your spanish house doesn't work out it's an easy matter of selling and either buying one more to your liking or moving to a different country.
For a start, when you buy there is a significant amount of tax to be paid. After you've paid the seller, reckon on needing about another 10% of the house price for taxes, fees, solicitor and the like. That's before you even consider the cost of moving from the UK.
If you do want to sell up after a short time, it's unlikely that prices will have risen enough to even cover those additional expencses - let alone the enormous commissions that spanish estate agents charge to sell your house. And after that, there's the time factor: selling a house in Spain can take years. Literally 2 or 3 years to find a buyer - even if you reduce the price to below what you paid, they are still hard to find as there are so many properties on sale in Spain and so few buyers for them.
So: be very sure before you jump in. Getting out could leave a significant amount of capital tied up for years. You would have to be prepared to take a loss and if you needed that money to finance your new, new life it could be very frustrating.
#8
Re: Should we retire in spain?
Very confused cannot work out what to do. Is life so hard in spain, seems to be a lot coming back to the uk. Have read there is a new form to be filled out in spain telling the authorities what bank accounts and monies you have. What do they want that for What is the best area would anybody say. Heard also a lot of crime ..burglaries in some areas. Have been to velez Rubio and Malaga. Lake Vinuela was to die for,rented a villa on the lake,that was it smitten. But now I am reading all things going on and don't know what to do. My husband just wears blinkers and just says lets go,I am more cautious Hope someone can help me. Thanks
BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.
Please let me know if you need any further help.
Rosemary
#9
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,368
Re: Should we retire in spain?
I fully agree with the above.
On a lighter note, I know many people who have retired here. Most seem to be living very happy lives.
We´re nearly in November and there are people sitting at the wine bar next door in their T-shirts!
As Neptuno said, do your research, take you time and don´t make any rash decisions. Have you thought of renting over here for a year? To my mind, that´s the only way you´ll really see what life is about, the good and the bad!
Whatever you decide, good luck
p.s ... see crime stats for Spain v UK
http://www.nationmaster.com/compare/...-Kingdom/Crime
On a lighter note, I know many people who have retired here. Most seem to be living very happy lives.
We´re nearly in November and there are people sitting at the wine bar next door in their T-shirts!
As Neptuno said, do your research, take you time and don´t make any rash decisions. Have you thought of renting over here for a year? To my mind, that´s the only way you´ll really see what life is about, the good and the bad!
Whatever you decide, good luck
p.s ... see crime stats for Spain v UK
http://www.nationmaster.com/compare/...-Kingdom/Crime
Crimewise, I'm certainly not saying UK is better but you need to take into account where you are moving from and where to. From say London to some pueblo blanco in the hills of Andalucia you'd expect it to be less, but for me living in a rural part of UK, I find far more crime in Spain. I've said previously, I've only been on the receiving end of crime twice, both times in Spain, and my UK neighbour who had lived next to us for 20 years with no problems, had her car stolen and trashed and her solar panels nicked within a few weeks of moving to Spain. Mind you, a lot of the crime carried out in Spain is by alcaldes and the very people you could be relying on to steer you through the legal maze of buying your house!
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Velez-Malaga
Posts: 4,920
Re: Should we retire in spain?
Very confused cannot work out what to do. Is life so hard in spain, seems to be a lot coming back to the uk. Have read there is a new form to be filled out in spain telling the authorities what bank accounts and monies you have. What do they want that for What is the best area would anybody say. Heard also a lot of crime ..burglaries in some areas. Have been to velez Rubio and Malaga. Lake Vinuela was to die for,rented a villa on the lake,that was it smitten. But now I am reading all things going on and don't know what to do. My husband just wears blinkers and just says lets go,I am more cautious Hope someone can help me. Thanks
http://soha.es/
I am not saying it is impossible to find a fully legal house there, but you do need to be extremely cautious, never believe what an estate agent tells you and never use a solicitor recommended by them.
#11
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 17
Re: Should we retire in spain?
Thank you so much everybody, REALLY appreciate all your advice :-) Agoreira has given me a lot to think on. Mmm will show blinkered.Thanks.
#12
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 17
Re: Should we retire in spain?
Very interesting Linda R just went on site. Maybe better at Los Romanes although looks somewhat overbuilt. Maybe a better option near the lake than Vinuela. Still need to decide what to do .....Being a new forum girl appreciate all the help. Thanks :-)
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 178
Re: Should we retire in spain?
I read the word crime here mentioned, burglaries are on the rise with the crisis. are cars being more and more targeted especially if UK plate on it ?
always good to have a smart, not-installed locally VV2 alarm on your car + other devices and cell phone emitter also (warns you on yr cell if attempt is under way).
you can also have windows hammer-proof (special film against hammers)
I suppose also special locks on the house doors is a must, external forged bars to protect windows.
anything that forces the thieves to waste time is good.
always good to have a smart, not-installed locally VV2 alarm on your car + other devices and cell phone emitter also (warns you on yr cell if attempt is under way).
you can also have windows hammer-proof (special film against hammers)
I suppose also special locks on the house doors is a must, external forged bars to protect windows.
anything that forces the thieves to waste time is good.
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: London (mainly)/Oliva
Posts: 2,137
Re: Should we retire in spain?
I may be wrong but I get the impression there are more burglaries in the campo than in the towns, unlike the Uk where the opposite is true. Whilst the villa on the hill may seem idyllic it does have its downsides including the risk of break-ins but also having to do everything by car. As you get older this may become a consideration.
I would always buy in a town or village.
I would always buy in a town or village.
Last edited by johnnyone; Oct 26th 2013 at 6:51 am.
#15
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Location: Alicante province
Posts: 5,753
Re: Should we retire in spain?
I agree with most of what has been said, especially the renting first aspect, but don't prevaricate for too long - crime happens, there is corruption everywhere and we all get older - just go for it when you're ready.
All you need to do is to get someone to look after your house in the UK, pack a suitcase, take you passport and credit card and get on a plane to your chosen destination.
Do not bother with any considerations about residencia and signing on anywhere, all that comes much later once you know whether Spain is the country for you. There's a fair chance it will be.
All you need to do is to get someone to look after your house in the UK, pack a suitcase, take you passport and credit card and get on a plane to your chosen destination.
Do not bother with any considerations about residencia and signing on anywhere, all that comes much later once you know whether Spain is the country for you. There's a fair chance it will be.