Good luck to you. The advice most often given to people planning to make the move is to rent for at least a year first to make sure it really is for you, before committing yourself to buying. The costs associated with buying and selling property in Spain are much higher than they are in the UK so if you find you're not as happy as you thought you were going to be because of either something to do with the property, the area or the neighbours, being able to move on even if you can find a buyer for the property would cost you a lot of money. Having said all that, I didn't rent first and I like where I live, but on the whole if you can afford to I think it's sound advice, and property prices in Spain aren't likely to be shooting up any time soon so you don't need to worry about losing out.

Most villas, if that is the type of property you want, will be on urbanisations so make sure you check how much the community fees are to avoid any nasty shocks. Another point to look out for in the current housing market, as many sellers have reduced their asking prices, is that if you buy a place for a sum well below the official "catastral" value, then the Spanish Tax Office are highly likely to send you a bill for the additional transfer tax due on the difference between what you paid and what the "official" value is. It can be thousands. Some people take the view that they are buying the property "cheap" so they aren't too bothered, but you need to be aware of that upfront.

With regard to the hospital question, we do have private medical insurance as we are below pensionable age. Luckily we haven't needed any hospital stays apart from a 1 night one for me, but if we were in the state system and one of us had to be in for a long stay needing what they call an "acompanante" I would pay someone to come in and share the load - there are always lots of local adverts from people willing to do this or look after elderly people at home (but not many would speak English, it has to be said). I know how much anyone who has savings in the bank has to pay for even a small amount of home care via Social Services these days (although the care is actually provided by private agencies) and the hourly rate local people charge over here is much, much less.

http://www.ukhca.co.uk/pdfs/domicili...oroverview.pdf

Yes, Lynn, we had this out in another thread - it depends on whether the OP wants to do their own shopping/cooking or dine out every night.
with most produce half the price of the UK it is doable.
the BH and I have never been ones for being out and the life & soul of the party every night - more being together, especially as she works at the moment so has 11-12hr days with travel.

The rates are less than the UK, with bins emptied at least 6 days a week, but you have to take it to the bin.
Fone/ADSL is dearer, but the providers are having a small war cutting pennies compared with competition, of which there is more than the UK.

I am sure we all can come across with cost saving ideas, although a number here refuse to admit their glamorous lifestyle is all a pie in the sky.

HiLynn
we hope to buy in Benissa or Pedreguer dont like housing estates lol thanks for the info on the transfer tax and i see you have insurance could i please have the name of them as we will have to get some sorted out as we are young like yourselfs
all i wanted to no really was could you live on £1000 a month thats till i get me pension still got 7 years to wait blast lol

The company we have health insurance with, although excellent, wouldn't be of any use to you unfortunately, as they only cover Malaga province and part of Cordoba province. Maybe some forum members who live around the area you are interested in could suggest alternatives? The best known "international" companies like BUPA tend to be the most expensive (there's a surprise!).

nothing new there then BUPU LOL

deepaul
If you have health problems, are not wealthy, don't speak Spanish- don't even think about it!
As you have 7 years to go before your state pension, health cover will be a major expense.
If you still want to try it the following areas are ones you should research:
Tax, especially inheritance tax
Health-think ahead to when you may need help-Can you afford it?
Cost of living- other factors to consider-trips back to UK to see family. Very cheap flights not easily available, plus you always spend more than intended.
Funeral plan or insurance essential.
Accountants fees-tax is complex!
Electricity, water etc-no cheaper in fact electricity is dearer.
Shopping is about the same or more than UK. It's a myth that it's 40% cheaper.
Car tax, council tax cheaper, but there may be maintenance or community charges as well.
Maintenance of property and garden, fine when you're fit, but as time goes on, may become a burden;paid help is expensive.
Why not just have a holiday several times a year! Far less bother, less pain in Spain!

With respect you are looking at things through those rose coloured things. It is not sweetness and light here and indeed raining today.

Simply because life in the UK is difficult does not mean that it is perfection here it is not. Walking under the palm trees and along the Med yes but beyond that facade difficulties. At least that is our experience.

Please forgive me but I thought we were talking about Javier we have now moved some km's to Benissa et al.

Why not Austrias or Galicia?

Do you know these places or is your thought process based upon internet browsing? I repeat I thought you said in your opening email Javier? Now you have moved the goalpost somewhat.

We pay €106 per month currently for the 2 of us (aged 63 and 57) - it was approx €80 when we took it out almost 5 years ago but goes up a bit each year (as most things do, everywhere). We manage to pay that within our £1,000 per month without difficulty.

If your financial affairs are simple and you are not trying to "get around" anything, tax need not be complex and there is no need to pay a gestor or accountant to sort it out. Many people complete their own tax returns by downloading the PADRE programme, or you can phone Hacienda at the appropriate time of year and they will give you an appointment to go into your nearest Hacienda office where they will complete your tax return online there and then, free of charge.

I don't find labour to do anything expensive in Spain, quite the opposite especially in the present economic climate - but I do speak Spanish and make a point of using Spanish people to do the work. My experience is that you are much less likely to be "ripped off" that way and it will most certainly be much cheaper.

Javea is only 5mins away from both places and Benissa and Pedreguer both come up when you look at Javea villas for sale we are going over again in oct for more house hunting

Thanks Lynn for all your help you seem to be living your dream like we all want to

we have friends that have a villa in javea and it has most things one wants im just doing my homework before we jump ship here in the uk

No problem, that's what forums are for!

My dream certainly wouldn't be everybody's ideal. If you plan to buy a villa, especially with a pool, then your running costs are likely to be higher than mine as I live in an old town house (a fairly big one) with no pool, or air conditioning. We don't have a car as we live in a big town with lots of public transport (and I don't drive anyway). But it suits us which is all I care about!

You say five minutes away? Sorry