Was going to Spain from start to finish but now I, Luca have taken over

jake and denise said:
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 9:58 AM

Hi

We too are finally completing our move to Spain on 1st August. Just waiting for a skip to arrive this morning so that we can clear our house. The furniture etc will be collected next Monday and we fly out just after that!
We have had our property near Benalmadena on the Costa del Sol for about 6 years and love it!!
We are both teachers and have been lucky enough to spend most holidays there including the whole 6 weeks of Summer so feel that we do know the area fairly well - although still lots to find out!
We have made friends with other residents on the development - ours is a combination of residents / holidaymakers. Our best friends are a Spanish couple and we really miss them when we're not in Spain!
We're both big footie fans so will get good Sky package set up asap - but we have a great fave bar that we visit for match nights in Fuengirola.
Jake has retired but I am hoping to find some teaching work as we do not have unlimited funds for our new life. Also been hit by having to sell our property in UK at probably the worst time ever!
Finally, we are so excited about our move - just want to be there now!
Our friends worry that we think we're heading to "paradise" - we know that we're not but as we say we would rather be poor and warm than miserable here!!
Best of luck with your move

Gerald said:
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 10:18 AM

Hi Denise,
thank you for your moral support and I am so very happy for you, I hope your move goes well & you find a good position soon.
But with 6 years experience you have a good start. As you say "poor & warm as opposed to .............."
Jake, if he has just retired, will find it strange reverting to "house husband". Seeing my wife come home & mess up my tidy clean house is ......... good job I love her.
Good luck, enjoy your life.

Rachel said:
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 11:01 AM

My husband and I are moving to Spain on 13 October. A big move but agree with the principle of 'poor and warm rather than poor and cold'. My husband, John, is a retired farm manager and nee to have space but not crowds. I still run my own business and hope to continue. \we decided to rent long-term in the first instance and believe we have found the perfect place for a more leisurely lifestyle. Can't wait for October but much to be done before then.

Don Lochnagar said:
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 11:30 AM

We are moving out too, at the end of August to Murcia. We can hardly wait. The franchise we have bought into is ready to go as soon as we get there. I'm just not sure we're going to get everything in the delivery van. We've been back fro a month's holiday for about 5 weeks and we've had 2 days without rain. Poor and hot does for me too.

Carol Sutton said:
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 12:51 PM

We have been living here now for more than 6 years and would not want to live anywhere else. We are in a typical spanish village, only 33 houses. Our house is 20 minutews from the coast which is where I work. Making aliving here is harder than in the UK but if you are prepared for that then you will have a nice life. My husband is also an ex farm manager and loves the space w ehave out here and the open roads.

pat said:
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 1:15 PM

Go for it and enjoy. We moved here 5 years ago and have no regrets, we are now in our 70's and feel fitter than we would feel un UK. the sunshine and wonderful air are free.

Louise said:
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 3:01 PM

Good luck Gerald, will look forward to hearing more! My husband and I are hoping to move over next year but have so much to do before that! Its exciting though and we're already checking out where certain houses are within the vicinity where we have chosen to settle. We're going to live a little inland about 40 minutes from Malaga airport and just over an hour to the Ski slopes of the Sierra nevada. We will both be early retirees but have plenty planned to keep us busy and we already have lots of friends in our new area so all looks good! I'm jealous you're going so soon and I have to wait a few more months!!

moonbeam said:
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 3:12 PM

Go for it and good luck!

I moved here about 25 years ago and still love being able to sit outside with a drink, even if you only want one drink - as nobody hurries you, rather than have to huddle indoors looking at the rain. If you still have to work, be prepared to have to work very hard, the recession is still biting and things are tough.

I have worked very hard, and still continue to work very hard as the government keeps advancing the pension age! Some people in England still make comments about how it must be so lovely going to the beach every day. I have to point out to them that Mon to Friday is the same as in London - I work! However, you can maximise your leisure time in the open air which I so enjoy.

If the worse comes to the worse you will have at least tried, and had the experience. But be realistic, the sun might seem to make everyone friendlier but always ask yourself would you consider the same option if offered in England without checks!! Do not assume that your own nationality would never try to scam you either!

Louise said:
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 3:47 PM

I've just caught up with all your blog now and would say to you to look back as I've left various feedback on previous days!! Keep writing as I'm enjoying it!!

Jenny said:
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 5:11 PM

Have just found this thread. We too are in the process of moving to Spain (Orxeta Costa Blanca). We are packing up what furniture we have left having given away and sold most of it. We will be taking the ferry from Hull to Zeebrugge, and we will be driving ourselves and our belongings through France to Spain. We are so excited that it is actually happening at last.
We are both early retired so work will not be an issue.
We are hoping to sell our removal van complete with 9 tea chest and loads of boxes and bubble wrap to some poor folks who are having to return to UK, or perhaps we will be able to exchange our UK registered van for a Spanish registered car.
We would like to hear from anyone who might want a right hand drive British registered 2006 Iveco Luton Van Taxed and MOT'd until March 2013. It will be available after 10th August.

Gerald said:
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 6:16 PM

Thank you all for your replies & encouragement it is most gratifying & spurs me on.
To the people who are already in Spain, thanks for the additional insight & for the ones preparing to go or just thinking of it, you are all terrific. If could have the chance to live by you, life would be more than a "bowl of cherries"
Jenny why don't you start a blog of you travelling though France & Spain? It will bound to have loads of content. It will also advertise your sale!

Gerald said:
Monday, July 23, 2012 @ 6:25 PM

Louise, looked now at all your replies and they are most helpful, thanks. I will be adding to the blog tonight.

chrissie said:
Sunday, August 5, 2012 @ 10:02 PM

hi, hopeing someone can advice us, we had a holiday home in torromolinos for 10yrs, and we sold it 4 yr ago, we are now looking at moving to spain permantly, does any one know ciudad quesada alacante, and what its like? is there plenty there ie shops,bars,banks etc and is it a safe place to live, if anyone can advice, just husband myself and 2 dogs going we,re late 40,s

Gerald said:
Sunday, August 5, 2012 @ 11:15 PM

Hi Chissie,
We have just returned from travelling from Alacante all the way down to Gibralter. From my experience trouble is only where you look for it, just keep away from the obvious problem areas & seedy people.
I quickly went off the north & felt very isolated in the Sierra's so I personally would recommend around Malaga or Granada although I like the Nerja area. Few people speak English but that shouldn't worry you.