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Advice much appreciated please

Posted: Wed May 20, 2020 9:29am
5 replies359 views8 members subscribed
Paul07

Posts: 2

Location: Estepona

Joined: 20 May 2020

Hi Everyone,

 Was looking for some advice, had sold my house in the UK in February but obviously with all going in it got canceled. The couple still want to buy it and am looking to move to Spain in September if possible. 

1. Do you think this is viable? 
2.would you recommend it ?

3. Was looking for either somewhere to rent anyone could recommend or good rental sites. I’d like to have a look around so was wanting 2-3 month rentals if they exist and then either buy or long term rent.. plus any advice on the nicest places to live. I have no kids or family but just looking for a better climate and realise I’ve probably kicked the first time possible.

Any advice greatly appreciated. 
many thanks 

Paul 

Kerri

Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 7:04pm

Kerri

Helpful member

Posts: 539

237 helpful points

Location: Estepona

Joined: 5 Sep 2018

Posted: Tue May 26, 2020 7:04pm

Hi Paul,

You have not had any replies to your questions probably due to the difficulty for anyone to give you a short response on life changing decisions.

1. Is work an issue for you?  Finding work in Spain is not as easy as the UK and if you do not speak Spanish it will certainly be more difficult, unless you have something unique to offer or plan to start a business that is needed in Spain.

2. I would definitely recommend renting, not buying, until you figure out how Spain works.  Spain is totally different to the UK in every way.  To find the best short term rentals (less than 6 months) though you probably have to be in Spain or get someone to help.  Looking on the Internet will find you the most expensive.  A friend of mine found a great place, month by month, by asking at the local pub. You may have to start with an AirBnB type of place and then hustle around until you can find a good spot for yourself.  Also they will try to get a minimum of 6 months out of you. You have to be resourceful to find a good spot without alot of unnecessary cost and commitment.

3. Do you speak Spanish at all?  If not then you can expect to pay for services you would do by yourself, like transferring your UK license to a Spanish one.  [Note: Some do manage by themselves depending on the area they live and whether they can get by without Spanish but often it is easier to pay a Gestor or Lawyer to arrange things.]

4. Maybe it was good that your house didn't sell.  Why not try life in Spain for a period of time and decide if the lifestyle suits you.

5. In Spain you have to submit a tax return so you will quickly find that the personal allowance is much lower (you pay more tax) than the UK.  Also check Modela Form 720.  You can find information on this on the Web.

I hope this helps you a bit.

Best of luck with your plans.

Cazmac22

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 10:06am

Cazmac22

Helpful member

Posts: 229

69 helpful points

Location: Nerja

Joined: 11 May 2019

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 10:06am

Hi Paul,

Totally agree with Kerry, but she has given you good advice. Spain is a fantastic place to be, but not without its difficulties, especially in the beginning. Having said that, it is well worth the move and I would thoroughly recommend it.

I think you need to be more organised in your approach though. Read up and research areas as much as you can, then you can come back on this site and ask more specific questions that people can better respond to. Good luck

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KAHAWA

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 11:23am

Posts: 18

4 helpful points

Location: Estepona

Joined: 21 Mar 2020

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 11:23am

Hi Paul,

I have a 2 bedroom apartment on Estepona Promenade (Paseo) November to February (possibly to March). Walking distance to everywhere including our famous marina. Advice given above is vry good.

Regards

George

[email protected]

LesleyDee

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 12:01pm

Posts: 20

4 helpful points

Location: Estepona

Joined: 25 Feb 2020

Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 12:01pm

In the current economic climate, you will find rentals with no problem at all.  I looked after my son & daughter in law’s apartment and rented it on a short term basis at the start of the lockdown to a stranded family who are subsequently buying it.  I also have a friend with a two bedroom apartment between Cancelada and Estepona (quite near to Selwo Adventura) and he would certainly consider short term 2-3 month rentals at that time of year.  Please get in touch if you are interested.  I agree with previous replies, renting is the better option until you are sure where you want to stay or even if you want to stay permanently.  Life here in Spain is not without it’s disadvantages.  The bureaucracy is ridiculous and even changing address, which we did last October, took multiple visits to multiple offices in multiple places!  Much more difficult, as has been said, without at least basic Spanish.  Some places were very helpful, some decidedly not helpful.  I have lived in many locations all the way along the coast from Gibraltar to Benajarafe (east of Malaga).  Some places have had lots of expats and some none.  It depends what you want.  I thought I wanted to integrate with the locals but in my experience that actually doesn’t happen. I now wouldn’t want to be anywhere without other British expats.  

Samlouisa

Posted: Mon Jun 1, 2020 7:32pm

Posts: 46

22 helpful points

Location: Torrox

Joined: 24 Oct 2019

Posted: Mon Jun 1, 2020 7:32pm

The rental site Kyero is very good at showing a vadt amount of properties available to rent from local estate agents. Also this site has a property rental page. Also i know in some shops have a catalogue of properties to rent. Usually there will be a sign outside or just ask person on the til. But Kyero is best guaranteed lease with paperwork 

Hope this helps and if you are buying in Spain i believe you should purchase within the 1st year as you will not pay tax on the money in your bank account from property gains in the 1st year. But after that there is high tax to be paid. 

Hope this helps 

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