Underestimated costs
#46
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 25
Re: Underestimated costs
One of the biggest considerations for us is our ages. I'm in my early forties and my husband his early fifties. We're now not so sure about retireing at our age - could we fill our days. We both enjoy the garden, cooking, pottering etc, and my husband is keen on sailing, but could we find enough interests to keep us off the plonk. Maybe we're better off doing something else until my son is older and leave retirement for another ten years.
#47
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 635
Re: Underestimated costs
I'm in my early fifties and have absolutely no problem at all filling the days. Back in the UK I spend the week indoors looking out at lousy weather and then go socialising with friends at the weekends. Socialising in this case meaning engaging in the British national sport - drinking.
Here I am more active. Spend much more time outdoors. Socialise with people who see a drink as something you take while eating, rather than something you take 8 of before eating, during eating, and after eating.
Retiring involves managing a change in your life and that's something you have to do if you retire now or in 15 years. Only if you do it now, you'll have more options for what you do with your spare time because you are fitter than you will be then (probably).
Here I am more active. Spend much more time outdoors. Socialise with people who see a drink as something you take while eating, rather than something you take 8 of before eating, during eating, and after eating.
Retiring involves managing a change in your life and that's something you have to do if you retire now or in 15 years. Only if you do it now, you'll have more options for what you do with your spare time because you are fitter than you will be then (probably).
#48
Miles away from home
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Originally UK, Australia, Oman
Posts: 79
Re: Underestimated costs
We are in a similar situation to yourself and have similar plans afoot, out of curiosity can I please ask what type of questions your last recce to Spain raised as they may be things that we have not considered either.
We are currently looking at Javea and have a senior school son to consider.
Looking forward to hearing back from you. Thanks
#49
Miles away from home
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Originally UK, Australia, Oman
Posts: 79
Re: Underestimated costs
One of the biggest considerations for us is our ages. I'm in my early forties and my husband his early fifties. We're now not so sure about retireing at our age - could we fill our days. We both enjoy the garden, cooking, pottering etc, and my husband is keen on sailing, but could we find enough interests to keep us off the plonk. Maybe we're better off doing something else until my son is older and leave retirement for another ten years.
I just found this after I posted asking what your concerns with making the move was! If your only concern is finding things to do if you retire early, then I think that would be the least of your worries. We have lived abroad as expats for most of our lives and I returned to the UK with my youngest son 2 years ago to give him a taste of English lifestyle (we have found that none of us are enjoying our time back in the UK for many reasons) as even though he was born here we left for Australia when he was 5 months old. Our thoughts were to retire in Spain in approx 6 years time once he is at university BUT we have thought recently why wait? If we move now, he also makes it his home so more chance of him too making his life there later on, as for things to do, I assure you from plenty of experience anywhere in the world that has good weather and an outdoor lifestyle gives plenty of opportunities to do many things, it should not take too much time to make new friends (especially if you have a school aged child too) and a new lifestyle and then your life will soon be full, I also think of all the opportunities that your child will also have that they do not get in the UK. I truly wish you all the very best and hope that you do decide to make that move, we are hoping to be there by Christmas 2016 and we are so looking forward to it. Good luck
Last edited by Awineor2; Jul 2nd 2016 at 5:05 pm.
#50
Re: Underestimated costs
Rentals, you only have to look slightly inland & the prices drop like a stone.
Granted long lets are harder to find as the Spanish don't like signs advertising the property is empty, fair enough really, but if you keep bugging the agents locally to where you want to be you may be surprised what turns up & at what price.
We currently rent a seven bed chalet with pool & gardens for less than half your coastal cost.
Granted long lets are harder to find as the Spanish don't like signs advertising the property is empty, fair enough really, but if you keep bugging the agents locally to where you want to be you may be surprised what turns up & at what price.
We currently rent a seven bed chalet with pool & gardens for less than half your coastal cost.