My Husband and I are moving to Spain and interested in purchasing a 2 - 3 bed Villa or Bungalow in a residential area in Almeria - General property discussion in La Alfoquia - La Alfoquia forum - Costa de Almería forum in the Almeria province of Spain
Grupo Platinum Estates
Mini Digger Almera
Have Tools Will Travel
UK DIRECT REMOVALS
ASSSA Insurance

Join the La Alfoquia forum

Join the La Alfoquia forumMy name's Alex and this is my website all about La Alfoquia in Spain. Register now for free to talk about General property discussion in La Alfoquia and much more!

My Husband and I are moving to Spain and interested in purchasing a 2 - 3 bed Villa or Bungalow in a residential area in Almeria

Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2018 5:20pm
18 replies351 views4 members subscribed
Breianne

Posts: 23

3 helpful points

Location: La Alfoquia

Joined: 16 Mar 2018

A very warm hello and welcome from Brian and I.

Brian and I are from Wales in the UK, in early (he in mid) 60's and having worked all our lives and having family we would like to embrace a new life and way of life in Spain.

We are looking for a well maintained villa or bungalow (with or without a private poolbut with option to have one)) in a private residential area (no communal residency)  and adequate space for our small pet dogs.

We are looking to retire to Spain and as friendly people ourselves making new friends and are pleased to be a part of this friendly forum for anyone's help, advice and support.

We are looking to be inland and open to various areas in Almeria, such as La Alfoquia, Albox, Zurgena, Huércal-Overa, Arboleas, Mojacar, Turre, Vera Playa, Los Galladros etc., and would like to be amongst a good community of Ex-Pats that we can meet as well as other nationalities and be close to amenities, e.g., shops, supermarket, bank, post office gp surgery, dentist, vets, leisure, social and cultural activities, cafes, town hall, church etc., learn Spanish and be close (no more than an hour and a half) to an airport or choice of airports.

Apart from opening a Spanish Bank Account, obtaining a Visa and registering for NIE, Brian and I would be pleased to hear from anyone that can give some insight and guidance into buying, the moving (we also have pets) aspect in regard to driving or flying, recommended Corredores (i.e. Brokers) and or trusted real estate agents (if Spanish, with English speaking staff) and their commissions, property surveyor, lawyer, what to look for and out for in respect of buying, property tax and or other costs, living costs/the cost of living, e.g. utility, local (IBI) tax etc.

Setting up phone, satellite, tv, water supply and sanitation (main, well or tank). Mail, Gas and electric, heating. Buying a car and renewal of driving licence (before moving to Spain i.e.) and furnishing outlets along with electric outlets for, e.g. laptop, table lamps, fridge, freezer, hairdryer, tv etc.

We know there are many aspects and things to do and sort prior to the purchasing and moving any reply would be valued and appreciated.

Thank you.

Best wishes

Breianne 

harald

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2018 9:12am

Posts: 5

1 helpful points

Location: Mojacar

Joined: 21 Mar 2018

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2018 9:12am

.

Good morning

Please contact Invesproperty who have both inland and beachside properties at a good price and with English speaking staff These people stand for everything from A to Z

Regards.



Breianne

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2018 4:46pm

Breianne

Original Poster

Posts: 23

3 helpful points

Location: La Alfoquia

Joined: 16 Mar 2018

Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2018 4:46pm

Hi Harold,

Good afternoon.

Thank you very much for getting in contact and your reply.  Its very appreciated.

Have a lovely afternoon.

Best wishes

Breianne

DarioMartin

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 10:36am

DarioMartin

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 5342

6308 helpful points

Location: Vera

Joined: 16 Aug 2017

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 10:36am

Hi Breianne,

I saw in your post you mentioned “Visa” ... what would that be for out if curiousity?

Pets will need to have all vaccinations (including Rabies) up to date and their Pet Passport signed;  we didn’t have a Pet Passport when we brought our cat in, but could show all vaccinations were up to date; once cleared by customs we were able to collect her - took about 1.5 hours to sort all the paperwork out (note: they LOVE paperwork here - I mean, with an absolute passion!)

Regarding your requirements - well neither Mojácar or Vera Play are “inland” but they are both only about an hour from Almería airport.  The downside there is that flights into Almería in the winter months are somewhat limited, with Alicante I believe being the major airport to serve the region.  Alicante is about 2 and a bit hours from those locations.  Murcia airport is within the time limit specified, but I don’t really know the availability of flights to and from Murcia and I believe it is a bit of a mission to get to and from the airport, being not as well placed as either Alicante or Almería.

I can’t advise at all on the property type you require, although I am sure it’s out there and I second Harolds advice to contact a property agent.  I would only caution that you may need to be prepared to compromise on some of your requirements as the properties available may not meet the entirety of the criteria specified - I would say to figure out what are the important “must haves” and what you’d be prepared to compromise on and take it from there.

With regards buying a car, you’ll need NIE and in some garages, to produce a Certificado de Empadronamiento, obtained from the Ayuntamiento once you start living here.  In Almería you can now only obtain an NIE if you have a purpose or need for one i.e. such as purchasing a car, in which case you’d have to produce a pre-invoice to prove you have put a deposit on a vehicle and so require an NIE (to all those about to jump on me and say “OH NO YOU DON’T” - this is a recent change in Almería’s requirements)

You can drive on UK Photocard licence here, as UK is still in the EU.  You can’t actually get a Spanish licence until you get Residencia.  I am sure others would suggest coming out and renting for a few months while you search for the place / area you want to live; this gives you the chance to buy a car, sort out NIE, Padrón etc and see what you need to do to buy a place here.

Best of luck with the search

Saludos, Darío

Breianne

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 3:30pm

Breianne

Original Poster

Posts: 23

3 helpful points

Location: La Alfoquia

Joined: 16 Mar 2018

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 3:30pm

Hi Dario,

Good afternoon from sunny (yes...sunny!) Wales in UK.

I really appreciate the wealth of information you have given, so thank you very much as the more information obtained, the more.....covered.

In respect of our pets, is it best to have drive over (hence making a few trips over the course of a few days to get to Spain) or arrange them to be flown over with us?  Either way, how is the arrangement made or will have to be made in regard of our pets?

Brian and I are also somewhat concerned about the floods (as we tend to also experience similar here in the UK) that Spain has had in various places.  Are there certain areas we need to bear in mind that are affected by floodings or is it best we look to be more so inland but not out in the sticks so to speak (i.e. miles from amenities and on our own).

We are being as realistic as possible in our choosing of properties as we know (but thank you for also pointing this out) that we won't get a 10/10 property that will tick all the boxes in our requirements and needs and are more than prepared to compromise.  

We were thinking of getting a property broker as estate agents tend to be pretty expensive but have not ruled out using one of the other.  If you or anyone else knows of a trustworthy estate agent or agents this would be very much appreciated along with having details of a lawyer who we could give power of attorney to so that we are not having to jet back and fro from the UK to Spain and vice versa.

Though we are not yet having or drawing a UK pension, how are UK pensions affected for example?  We know these are not index linked.  How do people in general manage because of this?

I dont wish us to sound so lack of being clued up...!  I certainly dont want to feel that people may raise their eyebrows and think .....'We have got a right pair here!'.......

What we would like to do is plan for our relocation and move with as little stress and pressure as possible.  Moving to another property overseas is something we havent done before hence turning to those such as yourself on the forum.

Last but not least...we are not just on the forum for help and advice but to get to know you and every one that has been so kind as to get in touch.

Best wishes

Breianne

Advertisement - posts continue below

Breianne

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:05pm

Breianne

Original Poster

Posts: 23

3 helpful points

Location: La Alfoquia

Joined: 16 Mar 2018

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:05pm

harald wrote on Sat Mar 24, 2018 9:12am:

.

Good morning

Please contact Invesproperty who have both inland and beachside properties at a good price and with English speaking staff These people stand for everything from A to Z

Regards.



Hi Harold,

Just to ask....please!

Is this invesproperty or does it need to be investproperty.  I am unable to source a link.

Kind regards and thank you.

Breianne

DarioMartin

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:12pm

DarioMartin

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 5342

6308 helpful points

Location: Vera

Joined: 16 Aug 2017

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:12pm

Hi Breianne,

One of the most stressful things you can do in life is move; moving countries adds an extra level of stress ... I’ve done it four times now and it never gets easier!  It’s understandable that you’ll want to get as much sorted out as possible before you leave.  That being said, I’ll state the obvious and just say ... Spain isn’t England 😁

By that I mean you’ll find a much more relaxed way of life here, but that also extends to the way things are done ..... mañana 😊

First.  Pets.  We flew our kitty cat in, but came from much further afield than UK; so driving wasn’t an option.  Both methods have their own benefits and I’d be hopeful that someone with experience of bringing a pet in from UK will weigh in here.

Floods.  We’re in Vera, about 7km from the coast .... we’ve seen no flooding at all.  I do know that the shops on the big roundabout entering Garrucha (Bougainvillea roundabout) flood every so often - local information suggests about every 5 - 7 years - THAT BEING SAID - it’s right next to a river that floods ..... I don’t think it’ll make much difference being inland, unless your up in the mountains!

Coastal areas obviously get busy in June / July / August but are very beautiful.  I love the area we are in and love waking up and seeing the Mediterranean from my window; others though will entreat you to move inland to other Expat areas such as Urcal, Albox, La Alfoquia etc.  Turre is also “inland” but closer to the coast.  Again, big expat community there as well as Mojácar, on the coast.

Pension - no idea.  As far as I am aware, your pension is unaffected and again, as far as I am aware, remains unaffected by Brexit. Again, hoping someone with experience will weigh in.

With regards estate agents and lawyers, YES, I have recommendations, both English speaking and I will send you details by private message ......

Ok - if I come up with anything else, I’ll add more on this thread

Saludos, Darío

Breianne

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:34pm

Breianne

Original Poster

Posts: 23

3 helpful points

Location: La Alfoquia

Joined: 16 Mar 2018

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 4:34pm

Hi Dario,

Once again, thank you.

You have been very kind in your support.

Once Brian and I decide further, I would certainly take you up on your offer of an English speaking estate agent and lawyer.

In respect of Vera, that is another area, Brian and I have looked at and into and on our list of suitable areas within Almeria.

Best wishes

Breianne

DarioMartin

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:22pm

DarioMartin

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 5342

6308 helpful points

Location: Vera

Joined: 16 Aug 2017

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 5:22pm

Vera really is quite beautiful, but I must stress not an Expat “stronghold” like Urcal / Albox / Turre etc.  If you were to live in Vera, then getting to grips with Spanish - even a little - would make your life here a little easier.  I would hesitate to suggest it’s “essential” to learn Spanish as many people don’t and manage quite well, however it does make integration in the local community a much easier prospect.

Saludos, Darío

Breianne

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 8:22pm

Breianne

Original Poster

Posts: 23

3 helpful points

Location: La Alfoquia

Joined: 16 Mar 2018

Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2018 8:22pm

Hi Dario,

I hope you are enjoying a lovely evening.

Es un placer escuchar de ti y tambien converser contigo.

The clocks go back this evening in the UK so Brian is preparing to leave for work earlier. He is self employed and works away (at contracts all over the UK).

Thank you for your further enlightenment on Vera. In regard of learning Spanish, this is something I am keen on doing and making a priority as well as looking to enjoy in respect of learning.  Brian and I wish to mix with Spanish and other overseas people that live in Spain.

Hopefully what I mention Spanish wise is understandable....to and for you.  If not....as I mentioned earlier...I'm keen to learn.

Muchas gracias y saludoscordiales

Breianne

Sign up for free or login to reply to this topic

Want to reply to this topic? Login or register for free to post your message:

Find more General property discussion topics from a particular area:


Register for free!

Login to your account

Grupo Platinum Estates
Mini Digger Almera
Have Tools Will Travel
UK DIRECT REMOVALS
ASSSA Insurance
Advertise your business here
Advertise your property
Help with my computer