Driving & consequences of doing wrong.

Hi everyone

I hope that you don't mind me asking this question on your Forum!  Having just attended a pre-retirement seminar, and thinking seriously about finances for once, I am trying to get an idea about likely living costs when we move to Spain.  Our estate agents said it would be a lot cheaper than living in the UK - but being a cynic, they would say that, wouldn't they!  I know from visits to Spain that food and drink should be lower, as should eating out , but what about utilities, community charges, local taxes etc.  I am specifically asking on your Forum because we are buying an Azucena in Santa Ana, so will probably have similar bills.  We will be living on our pensions, though if we can get part-time work we will do so, but need to work out costs on the basis that we will only have our pensions. 

Many thanks!

Sue

Hi Sue, this should give you an idea of the sort of costs you might expect.

The following is courtesy of Simmy and Andy Web from another forum on Torrevieja.

This is a run down of my costs for the last 12 months.
The property is a 2 bed 1 bathroom Apartment.
Electric €280
Water €352
TV €216
Building and contents insurance €140
Community Charges €260
Phone I use mobile and call box at present
Wealth tax €180
Suma €98
Fiscal Rep. €155
Total €1681

 There is no contest between UK and Spain!
My Council tax is now in excess of £1,500 the equivalent here in Spain is 92 euros.
TV - more channels cost less in Spain.
Water and Electric - Cheaper in Spain
Community charge here gives me two swimming pools to use when ever I like.
Eating out in Spain - a fraction of the UK cost
Drinks - cheaper than UK (although beer is creeping ever higher here)
Supermarket prices are on the whole less than at home.

 Hope this helps, Sping.

Hi Sping

Thanks for your helpful reply.  It looks as if  living costs will be cheaper than here, which is the most important thing.  Can't wait to be living in Spain!

Sue

Hi Sping,

Just as a matter of interest, can you tell me where you get your Building and Contents insurance from. You pay about half of what I pay for my place in PGII R-2, and I'd much rather spend the 100+ euros in Alfie's bar than on insurance.

Hi Tom, as I said in the post, the costs are from someone on another forum. I have posted the question re insurance company and will get back to you as soon as I get a reply.

At the moment we pay £177.44 for the year with Intasure, but are looking for a better quote this year.

Sping

Cheers Sping !

I just went with the bank recommended insurers for convenience in the firts year, but like everyone else, I am always on the look out for a better deal.