Week of 09/09/2007 - 02:00 to 16/09/2007 - 01:59
| You will get more navigation options, a search bar, direct links to all free guides, special reports, maps, your own profile page and more when you Register FREE or Login |
Second Year in Spain - September 2007 Part One
Submitted by Susan Bearder on Fri, 14/09/2007 - 23:41.The ultimate test of whether you have made the right decision to move to Spain is the first visit back to the mother country. Going home was a great adventure for many reasons, not least my son's wedding. Loved every minute of meeting old friends and family but am I glad to be home! Probably even more importantly so does Steve who had more to give up.
Más agua!
Submitted by debsjenkins on Thu, 13/09/2007 - 14:34.Marcus’ 41st year started with the unveiling of a power tool.
For my husband’s 40th birthday last year I bought him an impressive red concrete mixer. He was very proud. Our knowledge of concrete making was limited – but it couldn’t be that hard, could it?
Make Sure That Your Retirement In Spain Is Financially Secure
Submitted by BlevinsFranks on Wed, 12/09/2007 - 12:52.
How you become a tax resident in Spain
Submitted by BlevinsFranks on Wed, 12/09/2007 - 11:38.
If you move to Spain permanently for six months or more you will
almost certainly become tax resident and be obliged to pay income, capital gains, and wealth taxes on your worldwide assets and be subject to Spanish inheritance and gifts tax rules.
Your Spanish Property Agent
Submitted by Dream Spain on Tue, 11/09/2007 - 17:57.Your Spanish property agent should have a positive impact on your experience of buying property in Spain. But as a buyer there are a few steps you should take to make sure you get the very best out of your agent.
La táctica del palo y la zanahoria – The stick and the carrot - Spanish property
Submitted by Dream Spain on Tue, 11/09/2007 - 17:54.Why Wait 'til You're Older?
Submitted by joegregory on Tue, 11/09/2007 - 12:57.Your Name:
Joe and Julie Gregory
Where are you from?:
Birmingham originally and Great Yarmouth for the past 4 years...
Where do you live now?:
Moratalla
Who did you come here with?:
Partner / Husband / Wife
What's your best bit of advice for people thinking of doing the same as you?:
<p>
Don't put off until tomorrow what you can be doing today. Even if you don't want to live in Spain until you retire you can make your plans now and work through the obstacles until you have a clear way you can buy a place in Spain.
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
You don't need all the money up front either. We got a loan in the UK for a our deposit - although we told the bank it was for "home improvements" (a white lie really as a home in Spain is an improvement!) - and a mortgage in Spain. We didn't even have to abandon our UK home because we're renting it out. I know we're lucky (having a business that can be run from anywhere) but even if your circumstances mean you need to live and work in your home countryfor a while - the sooner you buy a place where you want the better off you'll be. Just like a pension - the sooner you invest the bigger the potential reward in the future.
</p>
What plans do you have for your future in Spain?:
<p>
We have a 5-year plan to get our hands on our dream home in Spain by playing the property game.
</p>
<p>
However, I've got to be honest. Buying a place in Spain is nowhere near as straightforward as doing it in the UK. There are less mortgage providers meaning less competitive deals and the upfront fees, even on a small purchases, seem to be double or even triple what you'd expect to pay in the UK. Plus, believe it or not, the whole process seems to take even longer than a typical UK transaction!
</p>
<p>
So, our game plan is to raise finance for our dream home (I envisage a huge villa with immaculate grounds and a massive swimming pool - with a mountain view) by investing in UK property first using buy-to-let mortgages and then using the equity from those properties - 10 or so in the next 3 years - to buy our Spanish home.
</p>
<p>
I don't know if the plan is foolproof yet but we're keen to give it a try.
</p>
In your experience, what is the biggest mistake other people make when moving to Spain?:
<p>
I think it's not necessarily to do with MOVING but NOT moving. So many people find excuses not to do what they really want when the real reason is often just fear of the unknown. The easy way to overcome that is to ask questions, read up and find out all you need to know.
</p>
<p>
The NativeSpain.com website and books are ideal for that!
</p>
Why did you decide to come here?:
Originally, being able to escape Birmingham to live by the sea on the Norfolk coast.
What did you leave behind?:
<p>
Having only recently moved from Birmingham to Great Yarmouth - I had already adjusted to a massive "slow down" in the pace of life but if people in Norfolk tend to be laid back, the people in Moratalla are almost horizontal! But do I miss hectic, rude, pushy and stressed people all fighting to get head? Not really!
</p>
<p>
If I'm really honest I can't say there is much to leave behind in the UK except the nasty weather, bad service, overpriced food and drink and exorbitant heating costs.
</p>
<p>
Of course there are family members there but as most of my old friends and family are in Birmingham a flight from Spain is almost as quick and cheap as driving from Great Yarmouth anyway.<br />
<br />
We didn't leave our house in the UK behind really either - we took the advice of my sister to rent it out so that if we ever decide we need to get back into the UK housing
market it will be easier.
</p>
What work do you do?:
I'm lucky enough to be self employed in a job where I can work from pretty much anywhere with an Internet connection. This has saved me from having to find work or rely on some other form of income such as a pension.
What made you choose this location? Did you know much about it before you moved here?:
<p>
If I'm honest - one of my key criteria for my first purchase in Spain was that it had to be CHEAP! Being further inland Moratalla house prices are much lower than other, more coastal parts of Murcia and furthermore - locals prefer to live in the modern part of town meaning prices are even lower in casgo antigo.
</p>
<p>
Based on the low house prices I wasn't expecting much but after a short walk around Moratalla (even though it was pouring with rain at the time!) I fell in love with the place. It's ideally located for outdoor pursuits with mountains, rivers, camp sites and forests all around and the town itself has friendly locals and a welcoming layout.
</p>
<p>
However, despite the fact that bargains are to be had here - house prices have been soaring in recent years (especially when compared to newbuilds and resort properties)
</p>
Tell us about the place you live? What's it like (a house, apartment, flat, etc)? What are your neighbours like?:
<p>
We live in a 4 storey townhouse high up in the old quarter of Moratalla near to the main cathedral square.
</p>
<p>
Being a Moorish town this means narrow, winding streets, balconies overflowing with plants and flowers that almost meet and neighbours attached to our house from above, below, to both sides and even to the rear!
</p>
<p>
The really wonderful thing about this layout is that you really feel like you're living IN a community. We have a bakery 2 doors to the right and bars scattered all along the street which leads to a handful of shops a butcher and even a theatre further down the hill.
</p>
<p>
The smell of woodsmoke (from the bakery) mixed with fresh baked bread, coffee from the bars and the pine forest just out of town gives Moratalla a unique, welcoming smell too.
</p>
<p>
During the main summer fiesta in July - bulls run along the street right past our door. The cathedral suqre is beautiful and we're just 5 minutes walk from the town's castle which dominates the skyline as you approach.
</p>
<p>
Every time I drive up towards Moratalla and see it perched on the side of the mountain with its distinctive castle and cahtedral jutting up towards the sky - I have to smile!
</p>
What's the best thing about where you live?:
I personally love the feeling of space you get when you're in Spain. Go for a drive or a walk during siesta and it's almost as if the place is deserted. Of course - being a big food lover - the fact I can get well priced and delicious local fruit, vegetables and meat plus a 3 course lunch for less than 10 euros and I'm in heaven!
What have you learned about your area that you think other people should know?:
If you like parking space or plan on having loads of cars then living in a townhouse won't be for you - we have to park 5 minutes walk away from the house and only drive past to drop off shopping and heavy stuff we don't want to lump from the car.
How important do you think it is to be able to speak Spanish?:
Very important - especially this far away from the resorts and urbanisations! I must admit that despite working really hard at it my Spanish is coming along much slower than I'd like but making an effort and remembering to smile is all you need to ensure your neighbours are wamr and friendly.
Do you have any regrets?:
I wish I'd started learning Spanish sooner and more methodically before I got here. Of course, the best place to practice is in Spain, but learning the language needs to be a serious part of your pre-move homework if you want to fit into Real Spain!
All the Fun of the Fair: Seville's Feria
Submitted by elliehogger on Mon, 10/09/2007 - 23:20.
The only thing I was sure about in the weeks leading up to the Feria was that I wanted a dress. No, not wanted; needed. It is surely every girl who has ever been to Spain’s dream to wear one of the flamenco-style dresses that the women wear during the April Feria (while dancing with a dashing Spanish man in impossibly tight trousers, of course). I was looking forward to my first Feria with all the impatience of a child at Christmas (having said that, I still get ridiculously over-excited about Christmas).
Meet our newest member... Trevor
Submitted by debsjenkins on Mon, 10/09/2007 - 17:18.At last Marcus has found his dream...
A 30 year old...
In great condition...
One previous careful owner...
A tractor called Trevor.
Trevor The Tractor With Marco
