03 Oct 2007 10:26 AM:

Hello all,

I moved out to Valencia, Spain, 12 months ago. I bought a house near the historic city of Xativa, which is a 30 minute drive/train ride south of Valencia's Capital and about a 20 minute drive inland from Gandia & Oliva beach resorts that more of you might have heard of. I wanted to live away from the tourist areas, amid the mountains, where I could envelope myself in Spanish culture, make Spanish friends, learn the language, eat paella and drink vinto tinto!

I came to Spain without a word of Spanish (I lie - I did know how to say "Hola", "Gracias" and "Quisiera un cafe con leche, por favor", but that's it). I bought a beautiful renovated townhouse with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a huge roof terrace and breathtaking views, and all for 165,000 euros (about 110,000 pounds sterling). I bought with a company called Casas del Mediterraneo in the end, a reputable Spanish estate agent with around 50 offices across the Valencia Province. They are a fantastic company: trustworthy, incredibly helpful, and even there for you after you made your purchase. I was never put under any pressure by this company, unlike many of the other companies I chose to see properties with (Spain & Property being one very pushy estate agency). A lot of estate agents tried to charge me extortionate fees, or treated me like an idiot, or just took me to see houses that weren't in any way the typre of properties that I had asked to see. There are a lot of time wasters out there, but I made the right decision in the end.

Within a few months, I had made friends, gotten a job and was speaking fluent Spanish. I can even make a very good Paella. I love the area where I live, and I have travelled quite a bit throughout Spain. I am now an estate agent myself - for a brand of Casas del Mediterraneo - and I have helped a lot of Brits to achieve the life that I now live. I love that I can make plans for the weekend that wont be spolit by rain! I host BBQs, go on mountain walks, spend Sundays on the beach at Gandia, and enjoy the "tapas & vino" lifestyle as much as possible. It's not al sun & sangria: I work hard and have met many obstacles along the way. But, it's certainly been worth all my struggles. I love my life here - I've had so many adventures.

So... to anyone out there is is thinking about moving to Spain and worried about the hurdles they may come across: In me you have someone who will be happy to give you advice, to recommend areas and who can even find you a property. The transition can be hard at times, but the adventure is one worth taking, and the lifestyle really is a better one here in Spain. Email me if I can answer any of your questions, smooth over any of your concerns or help you in any way. I love, whenever possible, helping others to achieve the sunny life that I now live.

Muchos besos!!! NaomiAlicia xxx (NaomiAlicia@aol.com) ... email me!!

Thread: We want your happy stories ONLY

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