Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

No we don´t but as with all government changes, the pendulum of advantages swings to their favour, and not the citizens.

Best not to wait to find out if possible.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

I agree with both your last posts wholeheartedly

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

I've attended two 'going home' lunches today, sad events for friends who have lived in Spain for 18 and 22 years respectively. I don't have to speculate on the reasons for their return, they told me what they are.

They can no longer cope with the Spanish government's and local government's extortionate demands directly aimed at foreigners.

I could elaborate, but what's the point? This is a well informed forum, and most people will know exactly what I mean.

Cornwall and Essex is where they're returning to, and I wish them well.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

Very sad indeed. I too know a couple that are trying to sell to go back very elderly but it is the fear of what may happen with the crisis government that worries them. They have been in Spain 12 years. I say trying but selling the house is the problem

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

Selling their houses is the problem. Both couples have tried and failed in these troubled times. They're leaving them behind, possibly as holiday homes, in reality they're abandoning them. They're abandoning 20 years of dreams.

I've witnessed flowers and tears today, but when you analyse it properly, what's wrong with 20 years of happiness?

We don't live for ever, do we?

(Mind you, that Japanese guy lived for 114 years. I wouldn't fancy that).

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/06/13/...29_520646.html

Lets face it owning property in Span now has been turned from a pleasant and valuable asset into a virtual liability or even a millstone around the neck in many cases.

In addition prices are still falling like a stone and likely to continue for quite a while ahead as a result of this Govts cack handed approach.

They ordered the banks to start unloading properties and simply get whatever they could for them ?

They removed the tax relief for buyers.

They've made it not worth while owning a property to rent out.

The increasing number of expats and others wanting out is only going to make the situation worse both regarding house prices and Govt income from the same.

Not content with shooting themselves in the foot once, the clowns just keep on doing it, time and time again.


"The ongoing fall in house prices in Spain accelerated in the first quarter of this year as the housing market remained in a five-year-long slump and as banks sought to offload property on their books.

According to figures released Thursday by the National Statistics Institute (INE), house prices fell an average 14.3 percent in the period January-March from a year earlier after declining 12.8 percent in the fourth quarter of last year.

New home prices fell 12.8 percent, while the average price of existing homes decreased by 15.3 percent. Prices have now fallen by 39 percent from their peaks toward the end of 2007.

Prices fell across the country, with the biggest drops experienced by the regions of La Rioja (18.0 percent) and Madrid (16.8 percent.)

The government removed tax relief for homebuyers at the start of this year, further depressing demand in a market badly hit by rampant unemployment."

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

An addendum. What about those rich Americans having their bodies frozen in the hope that future scientific advances will restore them to life a hundred years on?

I can't afford something like that, and I'm not sure I would want to if I won the pools.

When I wake up tomorrow, my wife and the two dogs will greet me, I would hate to be woken by a robot who might look like Tony Blair.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

Hence if possible better to keep property in UK for just such an instance but seems the Spanish have that one covered now! As with comments by Dick but of course if you do sell it Government don't accept the price you got and base tax on higher price that could not these days be achieved. It is satrting to look like a very sorry mess.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

All tis inheritance tax and stuff that expat are going through now, ie having to pay to inherit their spouses share of their Spanish house, is what Spanish families have done since the year dot.

They accept the way it is, it is incomers who have a different view, which is also shared by a lot of Spainsh people who moved away from Spain to the UK who are shocked at the system of inheritance taxes and the "estafation" as they see it.

It is also the reason why a lot never want to return to Spain, after working and bringing up the children, they don´t want to see the Spanish taxman take a chunk out of their efforts.

We are of the same opinion. QSJ.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

At least we were aware of the inheritance taxes but the thing with tax on my current home in the UK should we move over wasn't aware off and to me takes the biscuit no matter how small the amount you pay.

As for inheritance tax I wonder what happens if your wife/husband who legally owns 50% of the property says I don't want to inherit the other half. They would still own 50% but what would happen?

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

To answer the original question maybe this is heaven on earth? Salou

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

They know precisely what they're letting themselves in for, yet they keep inviting them back year after year. :confused:

Is it sheer desperation and greed for business, any sort of business ?


Having said that, it may be the only sort of business they will be getting shortly, as nobody with more than a penny to scratch their arses will be hanging around too long.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

Right, I've let others have their say..

Here's my tupp'orth. Ok the sun helps - but it can't be the only factor else we'd all head to Sudan or India..
So the fact it's only a couple of hours flight must make a difference. Plus the generally cheaper cost of eating and drinking out, and the well-developed accommodation and transport.. eg http://www.02b.com/en/notices/2013/0...links_5020.php
But, imo it's a matter of space - in a time sense as well. You feel you can relax over a drink or meal, without being moved on. The country in summer is full of terrazas where people relax over their coffee or beer. If the main drag or town centre gets too busy, there is a vast amount of countryside to explore.
Of course that doesn't apply to Madrid or Barcelona, but you're talking a different kind of tourist or settler then.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

I fear that's what Blackpool's like every weekend - and many UK town centres. I loved living in Nottingham, but the city centre often looked like a war zone on weekends.

Re: Spain -What's the attraction?
 

Its the weather!

Yes, there's more space ...... but at the end of the day if the weather in Spain was the same as the weather in the UK then most of us wouldn't have gone there. You wouldn't be using your swimming pools, you wouldn't be sipping wine and eating out on the terraces