Advice

I presume you did all your research about buying and maintaining property in Costa Almeria. Consequently, I think you will love the area. Welcome!

Thanks for your reply  will comexas retirement.  Both me and hubby will buy out right and live here.

Just worried about location  and what's going on there . Restaurants. Sea location.  Planning a trip later this month to look around.  Any ideas or places to stay eat and enjoy life welcome 🙏 

Hi Paula. I presume the house is in the Olula del Rio area not in the town itself. The town is a typical small working northern Almerian  town with everything you need eg banks, supermarkets etc. The main local industry is quarrying and you don't have to look far to see evidence of it. That's not a criticism or bad thing as the industry provides income for the area and the quarries dont spoil the landscape.There are some lovely little villages within a few miles of the town both in the valley and up in the hills and plenty of small restaurants and bars dotted around. Olula is only about 15 minutes from all the British in Arboleas and Albox so you can choose a Spanish life or otherwise it's up to you! It's about an hour from the coast, a very easy drive, even more so now the new stretch of.motorway is open.

I live a few miles along the valley from OdR and love the area. You definitely need to experience living there before you buy though as it won't be everyone's cup of tea. Why not try a long term rental- mahe sure you experience both the heat of summer and the winter! Good luck 

Thank you such a massive decision we love a house just outside urracal but need to visit area, not sure we can long term rent first though . I can see this would be perfect to do so though. Not slept in weeks 🤪 

Hi again. I know of a lovely house for sale just outside Urracal village, maybe its the same one!

You hit the nail on the head when you said it's a massive decision. It's easy to buy in rural Spain, not always so easy to sell, so you need to be sure. That's why you really ought to try before you buy.

Urracal would suit me personally to a tee! It's in a beautiful area and far away from large towns. It's also very Spanish with no sign of 'little Britain' in sight! It's    the sort of place I had ideally wanted to buy in, but it didn't suit my husband mainly because he didn't speak Spanish, so we compromised and bought a little closer to bigger towns. How is your Spanish by the way. And speaking Castillian will only help to a certain extent because the local dialect is pretty thick!

Have you also taken into account the need to drive absolutely everywhere if you live in the small villages or in the campo. I sadly recently lost my husband and it has really brought it home to me how vulnerable I would be if for some reason I couldnt drive. In fact Id be totally stuck! I'm not trying to put you off as this part of Spain is magical, but I am warning you to be careful. That house may be fabulous but I can promise you that there are many more fabulous houses around, more that can easily be sold! in fact, do you really need to buy at all. Could you perhaps rent your UK property and rent here as many people do. Whatever you decide to do take your time and good luck!

Usually, I shoot from the hip and sometimes my advice is mistakenly taken as criticism. Therefore, I’ll tread delicately over your dream.

1. Do not sell your property in the UK for at least three years after your move to Spain. Leave room for a retreat.

2, I must advise you rent accommodation in the area for as long as you can in each season. That sunshine you crave might be your greatest enemy (only saying!). Culture is important too. The Spanish will (usually) welcome you, but try and change their way of life and suddenly you could be Public Enemy Number One. 

3. Is your partner/spouse in favour of living in Spain? The marriage/partnership rate is attritional amongst ex-pats. Have you discussed the adventure with your family?

4, I don’t expect you to answer these questions here, but I’d advise you tread carefully within yourself.

5. (The Clincher) - Why spend hard earned capital on a dream when you can rent cheaply at zero risk?

Excellent advice Matthew

Rent first. Repeat: RENT FIRST. Visiting the area or having a holiday here is definitely not the same as experiencing full time living. Matthew has given some excellent and very sage advice in his reply - I urge you to heed it. The area you are considering is a buyers market - great when you are a buyer, far, FAR more difficult when you are trying to sell further  along the road. RENT FIRST and be SURE this is what you want, that full time living here suits you and you suit it. 

Thank you so much ❤️