Life in Spain - a few questions?
Discussion
I posted this in the Spain forum but maybe it will get a few more views in here....
I have the chance of a job in Spain -- specifically the Marbella area - I'm at the point of weighing up whether I can afford the move
What I would really appreciate is some idea of the costs of common everyday items and petrol etc - I could (and have done) Google all this but I will get a better idea from you guys already living there!
At this early stage I would also appreciate anything that I need to bear in mind with respect to tax/healthcare/property etc....
I would be moving there with partner and child so not interested in the club scene!
Many thanks
I have the chance of a job in Spain -- specifically the Marbella area - I'm at the point of weighing up whether I can afford the move
What I would really appreciate is some idea of the costs of common everyday items and petrol etc - I could (and have done) Google all this but I will get a better idea from you guys already living there!
At this early stage I would also appreciate anything that I need to bear in mind with respect to tax/healthcare/property etc....
I would be moving there with partner and child so not interested in the club scene!
Many thanks
We have a place in Marbella. We don't actually live there full time, because my wife hasn't officially retired yet, but we are working on it. Here are a few thoughts though.
Petrol - I can't help you. Our place is in the centre of Marbella, so we don't need a car. The city is quite small, so you can walk just about everywhere, and if you can't walk, there are always buses or taxis.
The cost of living, generally, is probably cheaper than here, but not by much. Things like vegetables and fruit are less expensive, but eating out isn't cheap any more.
Housing can be expensive, and the housing market is best described as Schitzophrenic, if you are looking to buy. You would have thought that with the economic crisis and the bursting of the housing bubble, prices would have fallen dramatically, but they don't seem to have done that. A lot of that is down to the Spanish mentality which is quite a bit different to the Anglo Saxon one. In the UK house prices fall, people who need to still sell and accept less money. Most Spanish people I know don't think like that. They see that prices reached 'X' at the top of the market, so their property is still worth 'X' today, and they won't entertain a reduction. Result? Not a lot of sales volume, at least compared to the period before the bubble burst. That doesn't mean that bargains can't be had - there are distress sales of course, and there are a fair few foreigners looking to sell up and willing to negotiate. Tips for buying are as always, location, location, location. Places out in the sticks will always be harder to shift than somewhere in an urban setting.
The corollary of all of that is that it should be fairly easy to rent somewhere. There is downward pressure on rentals at the moment, as we are finding out. We'd like to rent out our flat, but are finding it difficult to get the sort of money that would make it worthwhile.
The Spanish health system is I think quite good, and compares favourably with the NHS. If you are working there and paying tax, you qualify for treatment just in the same way as you would in the UK. If you aren't paying tax there, then you can get treatment, but you need your E111 or whatever it's called now.
If you have any specific questions, drop me a PM.
Petrol - I can't help you. Our place is in the centre of Marbella, so we don't need a car. The city is quite small, so you can walk just about everywhere, and if you can't walk, there are always buses or taxis.
The cost of living, generally, is probably cheaper than here, but not by much. Things like vegetables and fruit are less expensive, but eating out isn't cheap any more.
Housing can be expensive, and the housing market is best described as Schitzophrenic, if you are looking to buy. You would have thought that with the economic crisis and the bursting of the housing bubble, prices would have fallen dramatically, but they don't seem to have done that. A lot of that is down to the Spanish mentality which is quite a bit different to the Anglo Saxon one. In the UK house prices fall, people who need to still sell and accept less money. Most Spanish people I know don't think like that. They see that prices reached 'X' at the top of the market, so their property is still worth 'X' today, and they won't entertain a reduction. Result? Not a lot of sales volume, at least compared to the period before the bubble burst. That doesn't mean that bargains can't be had - there are distress sales of course, and there are a fair few foreigners looking to sell up and willing to negotiate. Tips for buying are as always, location, location, location. Places out in the sticks will always be harder to shift than somewhere in an urban setting.
The corollary of all of that is that it should be fairly easy to rent somewhere. There is downward pressure on rentals at the moment, as we are finding out. We'd like to rent out our flat, but are finding it difficult to get the sort of money that would make it worthwhile.
The Spanish health system is I think quite good, and compares favourably with the NHS. If you are working there and paying tax, you qualify for treatment just in the same way as you would in the UK. If you aren't paying tax there, then you can get treatment, but you need your E111 or whatever it's called now.
If you have any specific questions, drop me a PM.
Thanks for the help -
I would be working there full time and paying tax there --
The workplace is actually right near all the golf courses - I suspect we would want to live elsewhere and am prepared to live inland tbh
I may well pm you -- just need to find out if I have made the next round!
I would be working there full time and paying tax there --
The workplace is actually right near all the golf courses - I suspect we would want to live elsewhere and am prepared to live inland tbh
I may well pm you -- just need to find out if I have made the next round!
Lucas CAV said:
Thanks for the help -
I would be working there full time and paying tax there --
The workplace is actually right near all the golf courses - I suspect we would want to live elsewhere and am prepared to live inland tbh
I may well pm you -- just need to find out if I have made the next round!
There are squillions of Golf courses! Good Luck!I would be working there full time and paying tax there --
The workplace is actually right near all the golf courses - I suspect we would want to live elsewhere and am prepared to live inland tbh
I may well pm you -- just need to find out if I have made the next round!
I live in Barcelona and just wanted to add the following:
Shopping, packaged goods are quite expensive in comparisson with the UK. Raw ingredients are quite cheap in my view (fruit, veg etc)
People shop much more regularly and throw less out from a food perspective.
Clothing.... not many cheap shops, but people seem to consume less. The things they do have they pay for though. Phones more expenisve, internet ditto.
Don't know about Marbella but in BCN, there is lots to see for free, the place is warm, the people are great and it a great way of life....
oh and learn the language
Shopping, packaged goods are quite expensive in comparisson with the UK. Raw ingredients are quite cheap in my view (fruit, veg etc)
People shop much more regularly and throw less out from a food perspective.
Clothing.... not many cheap shops, but people seem to consume less. The things they do have they pay for though. Phones more expenisve, internet ditto.
Don't know about Marbella but in BCN, there is lots to see for free, the place is warm, the people are great and it a great way of life....
oh and learn the language
The jiffle king said:
I live in Barcelona and just wanted to add the following:
Shopping, packaged goods are quite expensive in comparisson with the UK. Raw ingredients are quite cheap in my view (fruit, veg etc)
People shop much more regularly and throw less out from a food perspective.
Clothing.... not many cheap shops, but people seem to consume less. The things they do have they pay for though. Phones more expenisve, internet ditto.
Don't know about Marbella but in BCN, there is lots to see for free, the place is warm, the people are great and it a great way of life....
oh and learn the language
Or in your case. learn BOTH languages.Shopping, packaged goods are quite expensive in comparisson with the UK. Raw ingredients are quite cheap in my view (fruit, veg etc)
People shop much more regularly and throw less out from a food perspective.
Clothing.... not many cheap shops, but people seem to consume less. The things they do have they pay for though. Phones more expenisve, internet ditto.
Don't know about Marbella but in BCN, there is lots to see for free, the place is warm, the people are great and it a great way of life....
oh and learn the language
The jiffle king said:
I live in Barcelona and just wanted to add the following:
Shopping, packaged goods are quite expensive in comparisson with the UK. Raw ingredients are quite cheap in my view (fruit, veg etc)
People shop much more regularly and throw less out from a food perspective.
Clothing.... not many cheap shops, but people seem to consume less. The things they do have they pay for though. Phones more expenisve, internet ditto.
Don't know about Marbella but in BCN, there is lots to see for free, the place is warm, the people are great and it a great way of life....
oh and learn the language
thanks for the reply -Shopping, packaged goods are quite expensive in comparisson with the UK. Raw ingredients are quite cheap in my view (fruit, veg etc)
People shop much more regularly and throw less out from a food perspective.
Clothing.... not many cheap shops, but people seem to consume less. The things they do have they pay for though. Phones more expenisve, internet ditto.
Don't know about Marbella but in BCN, there is lots to see for free, the place is warm, the people are great and it a great way of life....
oh and learn the language
I am through to the next round..... (just found out)
scary stuff...
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