Irish passport holder moving to Almeria - Page 2

Hi Linda

Lots of good advice from people on here who have lived / owned property in Spain for longer than us, but just to balance things up, here’s my view. We sold up (literally everything) a few years ago, moved here, bought a finca with a small cortijo and have never looked back. I am also lucky enough to have an Irish passport, and from what I understand your passport gives your husband the ability to do residency as an eu citizen on the old rules - I maybe wrong here as we did our residency way back and things change constantly.  Get in touch with a good gestor (I recommend Salvador in Almeria) and talk through your situation and they will give you factual advice. 

I work part time so pay social security which gives us both state health care. Your private healthcare will be an going cost forever, which you have to consider carefully.

We didn’t buy our finca as an investment, it’s our home - the only time falling house prices matter is if you want to sell in the future - houses here can be in the market for years and years. 

Give yourself 6-12 months renting, see if you like it here, and if like us you love it, then go for it - I’ll never go and live back in the UK again!

Wishing you all the best ...

Great! Another Paddy on the forum. Nothing like tons of knowledge from the Emerald Isle although with a surname like Carthew you might have some difficulty in persuading even the Irish that you're Irish. Caress, love, value, respect that passport; it's worth much more than you think.

For anybody looking in from the UK. If you even have an iota of a thought that Spain is an ideal retirement place for you don't let Brexit put you off. Like Anita said come in the off season and rent for several weeks. You'll live cheaper, warmer, happier and have an experience that you thought you'd never have. 

Now Anita Ní Cartú (your name in Irish) you have  cheered up another Paddy no end. Lovely post from you.

Well Carthew is my married name - my husbands family are from Cornwall.  Is Daly irish enough for you 😂😂 I spent every summer in Ireland as a child stacking turf, milking cows by hand etc - proper boghoppers from Offaly! 

Good on Ya Anita.

Matt

Well I disagree. If you are 100% sure you want to live in Spain I’d purchase as house prices are very low and probably likely to rise. In the UK I think there’s a fair chance property prices will drop. After all,  free movement has come to an end and demand will therefore probably drop in relation to supply.

In my book buying a house in Spain is a good idea! Remember though, selling can be a slow process so only do it if you are sure this is were you want to stay! 

I know far more people who have made this move and loved it compared, with ones who’ve not and have retired to the UK. 

Hi Anita, what a breath of fresh air you are! So far I’ve had what I feel are negative comments (intended or not) to our plans. I do appreciate that the replies are coming from people who own a permanent or holiday home in Spain but they would have put a less determined couple off the whole idea of retiring to Spain. 
we are firm believers in life is what you make it and that you are the masters of your own fate. yes, we will have to pay taxes. Yes, one of us will be left alone in the future, but that will happen no matter where you are in the world. We are already learning the language. We are doing our homework regarding the taxes, Spanish wills etc; and we intend to rent for as long as it takes for us to find our new home - because it will be our forever home. 

Thank you so much for your lovely reply! 
kind regards 

Linda 

Hi Linda 

You’re more than welcome! If you ever find yourself round our way (Illar) give us a shout, the kettle is always on! 

Anita

Hi Andy

Another lovely positive response! We are a 1000% sure that Spain will be our home for hopefully the next 30 years!!! our adult children think it’s a great idea ( years of cheap holidays 😄) and our grandkids can’t wait for us to move so that they can have school holidays in the sun. 
This is not a a spur of the moment decision. We both took early retirement from our jobs during the first lockdown and decided to bring our plans forward - moving to Spain was our plan in the next 3-5 years. Brexit and Covid have both thrown a tiny spanner in the works and things will now take longer, but we are both committed to making our home in Spain as soon as we can. Thank you again.

Kind regards 

Linda

Hi Anita 

I’m not sure when we will get there or exactly where in Almeria we will set up home but if we are anywhere near to you then we’ll take you up on that cuppa 😀

Take care 

Linda 

Hi Linda

Your situation sounds similar to ours. We bought our house and moved in two months ago. Your determination is brilliant. That’s what you need because it’s a great adventure and can give you a new lease of life.

Good luck and please contact us if you want any advice. We’ve learnt a lot, much of it from this forum, people we’ve met and own experiences. 

Dario Martin who is often on this forum knows a huge amount about the legal technicalities of moving to Spain and I’m sure he’d be happy to help too.

Private message us if we can help. Our house is up in Oria 40 minutes from the coast. Andy and Sarah