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JUST JOINED AND SEEKING SOME GENERAL TIPS

Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 7:59pm
87 replies4508 views15 members subscribed
LeeB

LeeB

Helpful member

Posts: 135

66 helpful points

Location: Arboleas

Joined: 26 Jun 2019

Hi all. My wife and I are about to retire, sell up in Essex, UK and move to Spain.

We'll be buying a house and if anybody can offer advice, we would be grateful. And not just the good stuff. If there is anything negative about moving to the Albox area in particular, and Spain in gereral, we want to hear it. Forewarned is forearmed, as the old saying goes.

Looking forward to tapping into your experiences and wisdom.

Regards to all.

LeeB

Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 8:52pm

LeeB

Original Poster

Helpful member

Posts: 135

66 helpful points

Location: Arboleas

Joined: 26 Jun 2019

Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 8:52pm

Hi Warren and Amanda. Many thanks for your response.

Your number 1 item has already been taken on board by the boss and myself. The rest will be duly noted.

I have already heard about agents demanding money and I'm more than ready to tell fhen where to go.

We're  coming over in September to scout out the area. Our UK house will be on the market by then. If we do nothing else, we will most definitely be appointing a lawyer and at that time, also authorising power of attorney.

Who knows. Nuevo ano en Espana?

Thanks again. Regards. Lee

Puggo

Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 10:40pm

Posts: 87

23 helpful points

Location: Huércal-Overa

Joined: 12 Mar 2019

Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 10:40pm

Hi

We have just moved to Spain and have found this forum really helpful, you can always ask questions on here .

I would agree get a feel for an area, summers are hot and we have been told winters very cold . If you need works doing on your new property get recomendations,  lots of advice available in forum.

We have found Spanish people have been more than willing to help us in our poor conversation skills and I would say learn the language ad much as possible

Good luck with your exciting new journey.

Regards

Sally

LeeB

Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 11:15pm

LeeB

Original Poster

Helpful member

Posts: 135

66 helpful points

Location: Arboleas

Joined: 26 Jun 2019

Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 11:15pm

Thanks Sally. One thing i am way ahead on is "aprendo espanol." We're both retiring and i think its vital to occupy our time. I have a couple of projects in mind and learning the language is pretty much top of the list.

We're in Spain right now on holiday, which was booked way before we decided to make the big move. Therefore, being here now is a great opportunity ro practice on the poor Spainish people, so i started learning about 7weeks ago. To my utter amazement, i aint too bad at it and have managed to make myself understood in most attempts. Also, i cant praise the local people enough as they have been so helpful in filling in the gaps and correcting the really bad gaffs.

Perhaps i can offer a tip to everyone else. It only needs a single letter error to make a plonka of ones self. Money and plate is a pretty good example. 😊

Thanks again for responding with the advice. Lee

Matthew

Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 7:29am

Matthew

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 2236

3339 helpful points

Location: Mojacar

Joined: 16 May 2018

Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 7:29am

Hi Lee,

You're getting some good advice here. I am not arguing with any of it. Please don't get offended at what I am about to post - it's my gut reaction while I enjoy an unhealthy breakfast as I can possibly eat. Furthermore, I'm probably too late with my advice.

You're selling up in the UK. I get the feeling it's lock,stock and barrel. If things go pear-shape, have you left room for a dignified retreat? Are you burning your boats?

If I had been replying to the post before you retired I would be advising (i) Rent out your house in the UK while you rent off season in the place in Spain where you intend to live for no less than 5 weeks. (ii) The 5 weeks should be used to confirm that not only is Albox for you, but that Spain is for you. (iii) You are not the only person in your life, have you spoken with your wife/partner/family about your adventure? (iv) You ain't gettin' any younger, are there too many hills where you are buying? (v) Will you have a car? (vi) If not is the public bus service suitable to your needs? 

I'm retired too. I continue to live in Ireland, but travel to Spain as often as I can. I haven't sold up in Ireland as we need options. A few months at a time are enough for us in Spain.

Just to confirm:- No offence whatsoever is meant from me and I wish you the best on your adventure.

Tip for learning Spanish:- Listen to Radio Nacional (easily accessible through internet while you are in the UK). You will be at sea at first, but slowly but surely you'll pick up phrases etc.

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LeeB

Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 12:19pm

LeeB

Original Poster

Helpful member

Posts: 135

66 helpful points

Location: Arboleas

Joined: 26 Jun 2019

Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 12:19pm

Hi Matthew.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Madam and I have looked at this from every angle imaginable, and some, not so much so. For reasons that are far too many to write down here, we are making this move.

It is by far, the best choice for us in any way you look at it. Lifestyle, health and of course financially.

One detail I will offer you is this. When we broke the news to our daughter, we weren't at all sure how she would take it. She thought about it for a out a second and then said just three words. "Oh. Free holidays."

And yes, we will most definitely have a car, a very nice one.

Thanks again.

Regards. Lee

Crancrank

Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 4:47pm

Crancrank

Helpful member

Posts: 549

363 helpful points

Location: Mojacar

Joined: 8 Feb 2018

Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 4:47pm

Hi Lee and welcome.

You have had some good advice from previous responses so I will only add one piece of advice.

For your legal requirements speak to Amanda Oakley at ALO services in Zurgena T: 950 449 179 | E: [email protected]

Amanda is a champion for accuracy and good service to Ex Pats buying houses in the area that you are looking at.

We have purchased 2 properties here. 

The 1st one using a Spanish solicitor recommended by the estate agent, expensive and mediocre service and took them 12 months to provide the deed pack.

The 2nd one using Amanda Oakley at ALO Services recommended by many other satisfied customers posting on the original Arboleas Forum www.arboleas.co.uk absolutely first class service at 60% of the cost of the first purchase and this included obtaining an NIE for my partner.

Good luck

LeeB

Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 5:05pm

LeeB

Original Poster

Helpful member

Posts: 135

66 helpful points

Location: Arboleas

Joined: 26 Jun 2019

Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 5:05pm

Thanks. Great advice.

Out of interest, conveyancing in the UK makes glaciers look pretty rapid.

Bearing in mind, we'll be cash buyers, how long would you estimate the process should be with your decent abogado?

Cheers. Lee

LeeB

Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 5:38pm

LeeB

Original Poster

Helpful member

Posts: 135

66 helpful points

Location: Arboleas

Joined: 26 Jun 2019

Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 5:38pm

Very good to know.

Once we sell in Essex and come out to Spain, we'll be renting. As much as I see the very obvious need until we complete on our own house  watching dead money fly away offends.

Thanks for the info. Lee

DonnaPete

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 10:07am

Posts: 31

18 helpful points

Location: Arboleas

Joined: 12 May 2017

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2019 10:07am

Morning Lee. We moved out lock stock.and barrel from Essex last october and havent looked back.  We originally fancied Albox but went there and didnt like it but fell in love with Arboleas..  Go with your gut feeling. Amanda Oakley is brilliant she had power of attorney and our move went through with very little stress this end but loads of stress in Essex. Can highly rexommend Dream homes Almeria for when you starr looking for your dream home.  Good luck 

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