Goodbye to all......with a sad heart

To Emerald

So sorry to hear that you have to leave. Times are bad for a lot of us, just keep as positive as you can and believe that in a few years things will get better  . As long as you have your health, that's all that matters.

Let's hope that 2010 will be a better year for all

Dear All,

"place in the sun" dreams can be just that, dreams, dreams that fail, end in divorce and even suicide.

All you can do is wish people well and hope they find employment and can meet their mortgage payments etc.

Officialdom or bumbledom as it should be called is routinely staffed by those with no common sense and who are avoiding any real work.

My own verdict on this country differs from Goodstich's in that I believe that the majority of local government workers in the offices especially "planners" are so stupid and corrupt that I would classify them as insane.

Corruption itself in all its forms is a pandemic in this country.

Routine professional corruption is more widespread than benefit fraud.

It was invented by the insurance industry and the loss adjusters they employ who in turn buy and corrupt every form and shade of professional from Harley Street doctors down, all to cheat the public.

I wrote the following recently following a six month delay in a claim:-

Let's not let this thread descend into a "everything that is wrong with Spain" discussion again.

Most of us are perfectly aware of what's gone on and the disasterous consequences that the Spanish government now faces.

This thread is for those that are unfortunately having to leave because of what's gone on.

Let's respect the fact that this is a difficult time for them and they should feel that they can post on this thread without getting their heads bitten off.

Many of our friends have left and we know how hard it has been for them to leave.

Thanks

Justin

I totally agree with Justin. This thread has changed from people giving support to someone over a hard time to a negative thread that makes the person we are trying helping feel worse.

Dear All,

I am afraid Justin assumes too much, those of us shivering over here have little idea of the hard life being experienced by the ex-pats.

Our holiday last year in France was something of a shock in terms of how much things had changed since the euro became so strong.

The traders on this site have often told us how inconsequential we are to the overall Spanish estate market, the percentages advised were tiny.

However we can trade up our holiday experience to full time living with the pound so weak, at least in our imaginations.

I suppose my point is why is the UK so much better than Spain for anyone to seek to return and catch my cold?

The originators of the thread did not give any detailed information and information is what the forum should be providing, not keeping things quiet, or worse still trying to hide them.

Whilst I try to get money together to pursue recompense with Maria, I am nevertheless very thankful I am not trying to fund a mortgage for the pretend holiday complex apartment at Casares.

So come on Justin tell us what you know, but please don't try to sell it to me.

Off to bed now to shed my day-time layers and don my night-time coverings, the boiler has ceased roaring for a few hours but the ever rising direct debit will ensure the power company has a healthy cushion in place in case I disappear to warmer climes.

The other thread has fizzled out and was undoubtedly another wind-up.

Best wishes

Norman

 I suppose you actually make a good point there Norman.  What are people returning to the UK for?

One of our friend's managed to find a job in Wales before they left, which made it quite easy for them.

But for those that are returning, what are you returning to?  Will you be better off in the UK?

Justin

I imagine those who are returning to th UK are doing so because they have nothing left in the tank to enable them to stay in Spain for any longer, therefore they are coming back to what the UK does better than any other country, and that is providing sanctuary a free health care and a benefit system that gives an individual a feeling of self worth (ie not food stamps etc) if they have nothing to return to.

This glitch in the economy is a finite problem and is already begining to wane (slowly but surely) in many areas and i believe things will start to improve steadily over the next few months . I for one am not put off with planning to relocate to Spain within the next 2 years ,however i will have to continue to work fom th UK and spend say every 3rd week in Spain to start with. That at least gives me a reasonable income whilst trying to develop some way of an income in my new home country.

I think some of those facing finacial difficulties through lack of work in Spain could maybe consider this as a temporary way to overrcome the current status quo

Best wishes to all

Dean

I cannot get any help here, I have had to battle to get my 8 month old son his vaccinations as the money I had paid into the Spanish system was used up on both my pregnancies. Spain does not give you money for nothing(maybe a fact the English goverment should note?) But in the 10 years I was working in England I paid in a large amount and feel my children deserve some of that money back! I have never claimed any sort of benefits in the UK (neither have my 70 year old parents who never had a day off for their whole working lives) so I intend to at least get some child support.

We have just been told the house we are moving to will not be ready for another 4 weeks so we will be in Spain until the end of Febuary. If anyone needs any building work done we will be happy to give you a quote!!

I think if you are claiming a pension or have savings or can buy a property outright you will be okay to move over here,we just came to the conclusion that we will be renting (and panicing) for the rest of our lives and never be able to buy our own home for our children. Spain is a wonderful country and we feel lucky to have lived here. I know about the government corruption but has'nt there been alot of that in the UK too??

Thanks again for all the kind messages. x

Things don't look great in the UK either. Unemployment is nearly at 3 million, and although the worst year is over (2009), 2010 will still be a herd one for many people, especially people from the lower social classes who have been the worst affected.

Anyway, things can only get better both in the UK and in Spain. Hopefully!

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Dear All,

a vote of thanks please to Emerald Property Management for being so frank and informative.

Please don't be offended if I conclude that your return is to enjoy our social security system and hopefully find building work easier to obtain here.

The housing benefit system for young families seems generous and the health service will readily provide vaccinations.

I am always puzzled by people's claims that they love a country, as we found on our trip to France, countries change and some of the attraction can be lost.

It is no doubt a misuse of the word but currently I would "love" some sunshine to drive this wretched cold away.

Best wishes once again and if you are coming to this area and need a favour of any kind.

Regards

Norman

Hi to EPM,

I have every sympathy with you it must be heart breaking, however as you say your families needs come first. I hope you find the security you seek. I hope to be heading to Spain soon, but can buy property outright (although depleted by rip off merchants to the tune of around 100K) have savings, state, employer and private pension. These can all be earned in your native country and allow to return. I wish you health and happiness in UK and a prosperous New Year. 

Thank you so much for your kind words Vilprano. I truly hope your move here brings you everything you hope for. My husband has a job to go back to in the UK and as soon as my children are old enough to go to school I will work full time also so we can get back to Spain ASAP. We had a very sad New Years this year and promised eachother we will do all in our power to be back in Spain.

I moved here alone, as a single,25 year old woman because I wanted to live here so much. I met my husband and gave birth to both of my children in Spain and have not returned to England once in all that time. Both my parents live across the road from me and my husbands parents nearby so in answer to you Normansands,I DO LOVE this country, it's people and way of life. And I love being close to our families.  I was not offended at all by you saying we are going back to enjoy the social security system,why shouldn't we? My husband and I have both paid into that system and neither of us have ever claimed anything. We deserve it alot more than others who currently rinse the British government of millions each year. However,this is not a subject I want to get into. If my husband had plenty of work here in SPain we would not be going anywhere,we would rather struggle than bring our children up in England(they will be FREEZING for a start!).  Unfortunately, work is hard to come by and unlike the 6 million Spainish people out of work,we are unable to claim any money so until things pick up across Europe we can only give up on our dream and try it again some time in the future.

Dear E.P.M.

Many thanks for the additional information, very much appreciated.

I take it that joining the Spanish social security system is not in itself a guarantee of continuing support and your contributions in the UK count for nothing?

So the market is not that common. Perhaps it is all posted somewhere?

I believe that the new regime in France has also changed the rules for British ex-pats.

It is great to hear that your husband has a job waiting, I hope it will be a success.

Unfortunately, I suspect that greatly reduces the scope for full assistance, though tax credits should be available.

I wish you every success.

Regards

Norman

 I'm not sure how it works in the UK but if you are self-employed in Spain, you are not entitled to any benefits if you can no longer earn any money....even though you HAVE to pay 260 Euros every month when registered as self employed.

I assume that is the position that Vicci and her husband now find themselves in.  Having paid into the system there is no assistance when you need it.

Best of luck to you Vicci, I hope everything works out for you in the end.

Justin

Thanks Justin and Maria. Wish I could have met you all before we left,maybe by the time we get back over here my kids will both be in school and I will have a little more free time on my hands! EOS might be a multi-million euro company by then and Justin far to grand to meet any of us! I would like to continue on the site if that's okay? It's nice to be able to read whats going on over here even if it will make me green with envy!

Best wishes to you both. x

 Future is always bright! Keep walking with faith!

Hi EPM

I have been following this thread in amazement!!

It has gone from your sadness at leaving Spain and the good wishes of many to having your life disected and judgement passed by a bitter person who has never lived in Spain

Perhaps a new thread should be started with his bearing his sole for us to "pick at'' On second thoughts nah

In the spirit of how the thread started i hope 2010 will be the start of the good times for you and your family

david W

This message was last edited by David W on 05/01/2010.

Dear All,

information is all and this thread has provided some of value.

Despite the free movement we are supposed to enjoy, if your social treatment is not equal how do you take advantage of that freedom?

Surely social insurance payments in one country should count market wide.

Though I suppose there is a risk involved.

Some while ago  there was a publicity furore here over the "lower social" classes migrating to the seaside to collect their public payments.

If they could collect their benefits in CDS instead of Hastings perhaps that would solve the over-supply problems on the Costas.

After all, if it can be done with winter fuel supplements and pensions?????

Though would CDS welcome the migration?

Regards

Norman

Hola Vicci and family

I know it may seem bleak at the moment for you but do try to think about the positives you have going for you , both yourself and your husband have eperience of living in Spain and know for sure that you want to make Spain your home. you both have family living there and your children were born there, you understand the culture and ways of the Spanish and i would imagine after all this time you can speak even basic Spanish (a huge plus i'm sure you agree).

All this means that getting back to Spain when things improve will not only be far easier for you than when you first went there but will no doubt help to re-inforce your determination that you will be back .

As i mentioned in an earlier posting this recession isn't permanent and is beginning to show signs of recovery and the building trade is always one of  the first trades to recover.

When you do get back to the UK bear in mind there is more help available to you now than there was when you left ,with working families tax credits child benefit, free dental for children etc ,so make sure you get everything your entitled to as this will help you get back on your feet quicker, then you can plan for when you will return to Spain

Keep positive keep smiling and all the best for the future

dean