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

Was about researching about where to look & about living in Spain I am here. So was for anyone interested here are the good & bad things that happened to me. But now I (Luca) will tell you about my experiences, both very bad, better and good.

Looking for blue skies
Friday, September 7, 2012 @ 7:50 PM

After the dreadful last few weeks now is the time to move on, the past cannot be changed & I must concentrate again on the present with particular attention to the future.

Recently I have been looking again at many things, such as type of property, how much rent to pay, value for for money, learning the language transport in Spain, illhealth considerations and so on.

It isn't until you really start looking & researching at things that you realize how much there is. This brings home particularly the value of this site. Almost everything wanted can be found somewhere here, however occasionally the problem is - where? But with time, effort, patience & getting used to the mapping, one soon gets to know where to look.

One brilliant piece of information I received throught the dark days was that a very good friend of mine is also looking for somewhere abroad & in fact has was looking at that time in Thailand (the Land of Smiles).

Now! Thailand is brilliant, but to the inexperienced it is positively a minefield. The Thais are brilliant at scams & would eat him for breakfast, poor devil would not stand a chance. They are brilliant at it, easily the best in the world. Don't get me wrong I love Thailand & the Thai people are truly wonderful, I have lived & been their many many times, but unfortunately it is in their nature, to exploit everything to their own advantage that is literally any situation. Even your loved one will do it, and will not bat an eyelid, not thinking it is wrong, to them it is second nature. The tales I could tell - well another time & place.The truth to my mate had to be told.

Anyway, Richard my mate is now looking for a property where I am looking & I am helping him, using the experience I have so far gleaned. So, we (I) have now booked a flight to Malaga on the 24 October for a week. After looking at all the airlines & costs I'm afraid Ryanaire has been the selection, obey their rules, avoid the "dirty tricks" & pound for pound it is the best, regardless of its bad press & foul mouthed executives. To date I have had no problem with them.

The car hire field was carefully scrutined at & surprisingly Hertz came very close to my choice, however the company I eventually chose was through this site with the deciding factor being the additional accidental damage insurance cover being just £30.

The only detail remaining for that week is where to stay, in a hotel or look for an apartment for a week? I'll (we) will decide that in the next week or two.

We will be looking within a 30 mile half radius of Nerja, maybe even coming close to other members of EoS. The excitement is again running through my veins to achieve my dream & I can't wait to get over their, with my target set to be in Spain for just after Christmas.

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8 Comments

ElviriaDreamer said:
Friday, September 7, 2012 @ 8:52 PM

Hi Gerald.

Glad to hear your back on the case...hope you find "your home" on this visit. In my opinion you have chosen one of the best areas to look. Elviria is a beautiful spot too, by the way...check it out whilst you are there, if you have time. Just don't tell everyone sssshhh! And Benalmadena Pueblo.

I don't know your age, but if under pension age, do check out health insurance as a priority before anything else.

I just assumed that because I could get holiday insurance at much extra cost, companies would insure me to live abroad. I was so wrong and could not get cover due to pre existing illnesses. Virtually nothing would be covered in the event of needing treatment/care or the premiums were beyond sense (and that was the agent trying to sell a policy...thankfully honest).

I hope you find no problems but I just wanted to point this out to you and others contemplating the move abroad. Even more relevant with new laws for ex-pats.

Gerald said:
Friday, September 7, 2012 @ 11:27 PM

thank you for your comments (I'm sorry I don't know your name).
Fortunately I am retired but have contacted the NHS in Newcastle anyway concerning this & they were extremely helpful & pacified my possible troubles.
I have already looked at Elviria as I have Benalmadena Puerto, although I think that the Nerja, Torrox, Frigiliana areas better suit my purpose. I'm yet not averse to living inland although I hate cold & am aware of the lousy nights in January, February.

Tamara said:
Saturday, September 8, 2012 @ 9:50 AM

Well done matey, delighted to hears you are now looking forward and making your plans again. If nothing else, planning and dreaming are a great way to heal wounds and losses. And then, even better, if you find the home of your dreams this trip - WOW! How exciting that will be!

I wouldn't stay in one place for your whole visit. Leave some spare days so you can go and stay in Frigiliana or lznate or any other little village that takes your fancy. After viewing a house, if you like it you need to be able to walk around the streets at 11pm and even at 6am to see if it's noisy! And whether the locals are friendly and smiling (they probably will be!).

All my friends told me to take my time, not rush into a purchase etc. I agreed, knowing that I didn't HAVE to buy on that visit. But when l crossed the doorstep of the second house l viewed that day, l knew l'd come home. So if you find the right village / base, and then the right home, grab it with both arms and all your heart. If you can see yourself each room, if you know straight away which outside space will host your breakfast, where the shade is for reading your book in the afternoon, where you will go for your evening stroll, and if you can picture yourself sitting round the table with half a dozen friends emptying the jug of vino, you have found your home. I so wish you well Gerald. You and l have both had sad losses this year - l hope you find the place that will help to heal you, just as l have.

Good luck my friend.

Gerald said:
Saturday, September 8, 2012 @ 11:13 AM

Thank you Tamara as always your choice words are always a source of encouragement & comfort & we are indeed bound by a sad loss this year.
I will indeed take your advice and maybe stay in a couple of different places, although I wish I could speak even a little Spanish.
Tamara I am extremely careful who I class as my friend and often rebuke people who attempt to call me friend against my thoughts. But even in our short association I do already consider you to be a true friend.

ElviriaDreamer said:
Saturday, September 8, 2012 @ 4:03 PM

Hi Gerald

So glad you are covered healthwise...this is so important.

Inland or by the coast, I think as long as you find what is right for you, you'll be OK. Home is where the heart is.

Like Tamara said "you will know when you arrive home". Very wise lady and words. Nearly cried!

Yes colder, inland in winter but you could call it, "cosier" with adequate heating...then it sounds more appealing :)

Have fun looking and exploring...enjoy it all. That is the most important thing.

Best wishes and thoughts.

Nikki (Nicola when naughty) LOL!

Gerald said:
Saturday, September 8, 2012 @ 9:04 PM

Hi Nikki (don't think I need the Nicola stage!).
I have to say I have reservations about the colder nights, but I suppose 2 months cold is far better than than the English 5 or 6 months cold coupled with the possible couple of months more.
I felt immediately at home when I was in Nerja, Frigiliana & Torrox.
So,I am excited about the looking, but even more of living their.

Tamara said:
Saturday, September 8, 2012 @ 10:50 PM

Home is where you feel at home. Friends are people you care about and want the best for, whether you've met them or not :-)

Louise said:
Monday, October 8, 2012 @ 5:00 PM

Not sure if you look back, but I missed this one! We are going to live inland and although the nights can certainly be cold the days are often still warm and bright and all you need to do is light your log burner or even better put your central heating on (usually oil fired) and be cosy. As you said its generally for a couple rather than 6 months like here in the Uk! Good luck once again. Louise

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Gerald
Was a retired old fart who still likes to be fairly busy but now at a more sedate pace, as my occupation always ran at 90 mph often working above 55 hours per week. Love to see new country areas & ain't afraid of change. In England was secretary of quite a lot of institutions. But I'd be lost without my laptop & am lost without my Sky television. Gonna be interesting learning Spanish (or trying anyway!). But now taken over by me Luca, superdog!!