04 Apr 2015 5:41 PM:
Hi MagicWriter2015
Great to hear you are thinking of moving to Spain. Yes, there are varied reports but if we were all the same the world would be a boring place! Not everyone can live in Spain, because people are right the temperatures do go up during the summer to 40+, but you just have to learn how to live in it!
My partner and I have been here 12 years now and we consider the summer our winter in that during the hours of 12 and 6 we stretch out on the sofas with a fan each usually and watch TV unless you are going to the beach - it's why the Spanish have siestas - they are sensible! Plenty of water too - not just beer, wine or tea!
Learning the Spanish lingo is probably best left until you come here although it is always helpful to have a few words ready for things. The Government offer free Spanish classes in most of the largish towns and villages and it is also a fantastic way to meet new people in your area and make some friends, then you also have other little classes around and about. We certainly did this and have some lovely English friends through this way, although you may not like everybody - you can choose...
With regard to houses - have you considered the Almeria area? This province is still in Andalucia and a lot cheaper than the Costa del Sol/Blanca areas. I am knowledgable about the housing market in the area and have a few Spanish and English contacts who let me market their houses to the English market. Have you also considered renting first? Just to make sure you like living in a certain area? If not, you can move on and find somewhere else that you like...
Healthcare is a problem and the Spanish are tightening up on this. I believe if you contact the DHSS in Newcastle and tell them you are moving to Spain you are entitled to 2 years of healthcare if your SS payments are up to date - but please check with them. If you work on contract here you will also be covered and even if it is only one person, the spouse will be covered as well. There are a number of private health insurances and I just think you have to get quotes from a few to get an idea of prices. If you want to start your own business then be careful, the monthly social security payments are high. I did manage to get an assisted start from them back in 2013 but my time is coming up and as I am over 55 will be around €270 a month so don't expect to make a fortune until you have covered that as they are very strict and will fine you if it is late each month. It would be a good idea to talk to an asesoria/gestoria about your tax returns etc. They know all the regs and you can worry less that you have forgotten to do this that and the other.
Hope this is of help...
Good luck!
Sally Scamell
Cortijo del Toro Virtual Enterprises
Thread:
Relocating to Spain
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