Was going to Spain from start to finish but now I, Luca have taken over

 Having spent most of the day (& last night) researching my move abroad, some startling revelations have been uncovered. You may know of them, but remember I'm just starting on this trail.

There are about a half a million properties on the market in southern Spain, a lot of them for years & years. So of course this made me think of the enormous mistakes possible. What if I don't like the area, maybe the people won't like me, after all I am invading their country or ...... well there are a loads of possible pitfalls. I also don't like the legal situation in Spain today becoming aware of the "mafia" style legislation. Which brings me to the conclusion that I have to rent for a year or even two or three to test the water, as it were, then to maybe consider buying when I am more conversent with the Spanish way of life.

So now I am into looking, but where? Well it has to be the south of Spain somewhere, but again where? On the web sites they all look superb, we are told the area is wonderful & everything is perfect, but that is the job of the seller or estate agents to make them so. I could write the same about England, read, then think it's not so bad, but I ain't into spin doctors. I will have to take a look.

Speaking to several sellers yesterday & today I have now booked appointments to view properties around  Malaga & Alicante at the end of the month. Also to look around the areas. I know it is the wrong time of the year & everywhere will be crowded & top dollar, but the flight is booked the car hired and I am now moving towards the next stage. I know I will have to return, possibly two or even three times, to hopefully get it right.

I have strangely never driven in Spain although it won't pose a problem as I have regularly driven in France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Italy & Denmark, but nevertheless I am checking for any wrinkles. I am told Spanish driving is a revelation although it cannot be worse than Bangkok!