Anyone moved from the UK to Spain?
Discussion
Due to the cost of living, complete lack of work and rotten weather, we (family of three and a dog) are renting our house, selling the cars, buying a Citroen Estate and driving to Estepona or Marbella to live. We've been a couple of times on holiday before.
Property to rent and the cost of living looks to be cheaper in Spain and we intend to survive not by working but from the rent of our house in the UK.
Any tips, pitfalls to watch out for from anyone who has done similar?
All seems pretty scary at the moment (never even driven through France before)
Many thanks!
Property to rent and the cost of living looks to be cheaper in Spain and we intend to survive not by working but from the rent of our house in the UK.
Any tips, pitfalls to watch out for from anyone who has done similar?
All seems pretty scary at the moment (never even driven through France before)
Many thanks!
Edited by 993kimbo on Sunday 23 February 14:28
GC, thanks for the link above.
My son is 21, so basically it's three adults and a small dog. We were planning on renting something like an Airbnb for a month, then having a recce/drive around in that month looking for something more permanent and hoping for the best that we find somewhere we can afford. An urbanisation with swimming pools, tennis, shop and things to do looks favourite at the moment as long as it doesn't feel like a retirement home.
We currently pay £3250 per month in rent, £500 on heating and gas, £1200 on food and drink plus council tax, car permits and all the other stuff, so I'm hoping we can rent somewhere for around £1500 and pay half the food bills, council tax etc. We won't be travelling with a sack of money unfortunately, it's all going to be a bit tight.
Shnozz said:
From what you say of your experience, can you dip your toe in the water first for a month or two (not sure what age your kids are)?
As for cost of living, many will say its not much difference these days but I disagree. Of course it depends what you spend money on, but I find when I m in Spain I spend far less in general. It is rare I find something costs more than in the UK (cars are a good example mind - eye wateringly expensive), and lots of little bits add up. That said, go to a big city in Spain and its a massive difference cost wise to the burbs. In general though, I find a supermarket shop to be of a similar price for the foods, alcohol however is v cheap. Daft things like a coffee out and about is €1/1.50, compared to £3 here. Its rare to ever have to pay to park, a beer after work in the local is €2 etc.
Thanks Schnozz. As for cost of living, many will say its not much difference these days but I disagree. Of course it depends what you spend money on, but I find when I m in Spain I spend far less in general. It is rare I find something costs more than in the UK (cars are a good example mind - eye wateringly expensive), and lots of little bits add up. That said, go to a big city in Spain and its a massive difference cost wise to the burbs. In general though, I find a supermarket shop to be of a similar price for the foods, alcohol however is v cheap. Daft things like a coffee out and about is €1/1.50, compared to £3 here. Its rare to ever have to pay to park, a beer after work in the local is €2 etc.
My son is 21, so basically it's three adults and a small dog. We were planning on renting something like an Airbnb for a month, then having a recce/drive around in that month looking for something more permanent and hoping for the best that we find somewhere we can afford. An urbanisation with swimming pools, tennis, shop and things to do looks favourite at the moment as long as it doesn't feel like a retirement home.
We currently pay £3250 per month in rent, £500 on heating and gas, £1200 on food and drink plus council tax, car permits and all the other stuff, so I'm hoping we can rent somewhere for around £1500 and pay half the food bills, council tax etc. We won't be travelling with a sack of money unfortunately, it's all going to be a bit tight.
Edited by 993kimbo on Sunday 23 February 16:10
Thanks again for your reply.
We chose Marbella only because that's the area we know, also Estepona seems nice. Not wedded to Marbella at all, we're not into the glitzy lifestyle or anything like that, but would want a bit of buzz rather than being stuck inland with mountains etc. Wife likes window shopping, I like driving, son likes bars and clubs.
My son is a professional close-up Magician and he may be able to get work at up-market parties, clubs etc but we won't rely on that.
I am a videographer, wife is a photographer. We shoot food for restaurants and property videos and photography. We were hoping that maybe some expats who run bars, restaurants and BnB's may need our services but we're not holding our breath.
Our income will come solely from our house we rent out in the UK, which is over £3k, so we'd be trying to get by on around £1500 pm to live after paying the rent in Spain. We are indeed running away, but have nowhere left to run over here.
Re cars, I'm allowed to drive a UK reg car in Spain aren't I? Is there a limit to how long I can stay with it UK registered do you know?
We chose Marbella only because that's the area we know, also Estepona seems nice. Not wedded to Marbella at all, we're not into the glitzy lifestyle or anything like that, but would want a bit of buzz rather than being stuck inland with mountains etc. Wife likes window shopping, I like driving, son likes bars and clubs.
My son is a professional close-up Magician and he may be able to get work at up-market parties, clubs etc but we won't rely on that.
I am a videographer, wife is a photographer. We shoot food for restaurants and property videos and photography. We were hoping that maybe some expats who run bars, restaurants and BnB's may need our services but we're not holding our breath.
Our income will come solely from our house we rent out in the UK, which is over £3k, so we'd be trying to get by on around £1500 pm to live after paying the rent in Spain. We are indeed running away, but have nowhere left to run over here.
Re cars, I'm allowed to drive a UK reg car in Spain aren't I? Is there a limit to how long I can stay with it UK registered do you know?
dmahon said:
Likewise sorry if I’m overstepping the mark, but if your property rents for £3k a month I suspect it’s worth a fair whack and/or possibly around London? Why don’t you sell up, downsize in the UK and possibly spend more time in Spain in the winters.
Less of a drastic change.
Thanks, a good idea. We can downsize but then have to dip into the remaining 'pot' to live, which is a black hole and will be gone in a few years.Less of a drastic change.
rdjohn said:
The one thing that I would suggest you consider before any big move like this, is the likely impact on relations with your immediate family. Being stuck together day-in; day-out, in basic rental accommodation, unable to go out for meals with friends, living off-the-grid waiting for a knock at the door, just sounds like contemplating utter disaster. How do you repair/replace a car? Even watching daytime TV all day requires a good broadband connection.
Thanks, but we're fine on that front and have been doing it for years. Love being with our children. Don't watch daytime TV. Play tennis, Cycle, walk the dog, go out for drinks, bars, all together.otherman said:
What, wait? £39,000 per year rent? I thought you owned the house and that's how you get to make money by renting it out.
Yes, we own our house and rent it out. The money we get from it pays the rent on where we live now. But now, due to lack of work, we can't afford it and have to rent something half the price, but there is currently nothing suitable available that will take a dog - but there is in Spain.wisbech said:
In that case why not move somewhere cheaper & warmer in the UK & pick up casual work?
I think we're in the best bit of the UK weather-wise, but certainly not cost of living-wise. Casual work for someone over 60 is few and far between. I'm competing with hundreds of smart and strong university graduates.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff