Despite being bordered by only one other country (Spain), Portugal has an intercontinental feel. The culture, architecture, language and cuisine have all been influenced by centuries of global travel. Living standards are high due to the advanced economy, peaceful governance, and emphasis on moral freedom for its citizens. The weather is uniformly warm in the summer months, while temperatures in winter vary depending on location. For example, you’ll find snowfall in the mountains, mild microclimates by the coast and subtropical islands. But it’s the stunning variety of terrains that draws so many tourists and expats to the country. You can hike in the national parks, walk the cobbled streets of the historic villages, search the Atlantic horizon for glimpses of North America from dramatic cliffs or lounge on one of the many glittering beaches. The Portuguese have a hospitable nature and you can expect to eat freshly sourced ingredients cooked simply and served with a flourish. Fish, squid, smoked meats, olives, cheese, bread and local wines are plentiful and you’ll find produce markets and restaurants at every turn. Feasts are central features of many of the festivities but you’ll also find music, dancing and night-time revelries at the frequent celebrations throughout the year. The north of Portugal is rocky and rugged and famous for the port wine-growing region, the Douro Valley. Rising up from the rural interior are wild mountains dotted with hunks of granite and flowing from them, the wide, fertile Tagus, Guadiana and Douro rivers. Lisbon is the most densely populated city, closely followed by Porto, and the southern Algarve region is a tourist hotspot. The Madeira archipelago is made up of 8 volcanic peaks, only two of which are inhabited and there are 9 islands in the Azores offering pale beaches, thermal lakes, geysers and black lava fields. This land has been fought over by Celts, Goths, Greeks, Romans and Moors, each of whom have left their architectural marks. Modern property development tends towards spacious, open-plan homes with echoes of these historical styles. The people of Portugal revere a rural life and as a result, there are a lot of villas or plots of land for development available in the countryside. In contrast, the cities and coastal regions are filled with affordable apartments. The road networks are good, air travel is quick and easy from northern Europe and America and there are high-speed international trains from connecting cities in France and Spain. Children are legally required to be in education from six to eighteen years old and there is a range of schooling options for international students, from public state schools, private faith schools or international schools. There is a state healthcare system in Portugal too. EU citizens can access it for free once they’ve registered and received a healthcare number (cartão de utente).

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Are you looking for a change of scenery? &nbsp;If this is the case, France should be at the top of your list! This magnificent country is a treasure trove of stunning landscapes with a wide range of settings to suit everyone's tastes and a rich history that will captivate you. Starting with the southern part of the country, the warmth of the people will greet you at every turn. This region is well-known for its sunny weather, sun-kissed beaches, outdoor celebrations, vibrant markets, and music festivals. Over a glass of wine, people gather to celebrate life, exchange cultural traditions, and foster an environment that is warm and welcoming to visitors from all over the world. As a matter of fact, the <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/france/places-to-live/occitanie-0l58192">Occitanie</a> region in the southwestern part of France is truly a one-of-a-kind destination with its diverse offerings of landscapes and activities. With direct access to the Mediterranean coastline and the majestic mountains and ski resorts of the Pyrenees. &nbsp;Coastal cities such as Montpellier also offer a rich historical and cultural heritage, this region is an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy the nature, history and culture of France. A little further north, nature enthusiasts will find a peaceful haven in the renowned French Alps, known for their breathtaking alpine scenery and outdoor activities like downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and sleigh rides. With the largest skiing area in the world, the <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/france/places-to-live/auvergne-rhone-alpes-0l60750">French Alps</a> offer unforgettable experiences for all kinds of nature lovers, all year long. Finally, with their world-famous cuisine and vibrant arts scenes, French cities such as Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux offer an unforgettable experience that combines the best of urban living and cultural heritage. Regarding the cost of living, France is a great place to call home. Although prices have increased in recent years, it remains more affordable compared to other European nations like the UK. With a strong economy and an excellent quality of life, &nbsp;You can experience a comfortable lifestyle without overspending. Also, the French culture offers a more relaxed and laid-back way of life that will have you feeling right at home in no time. Why not seize the moment and fall deeply in love with a property in France? Start living your dream today by preparing for your move and reading our location guides on different regions and provinces in France. &nbsp;

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Beautiful weather, excellent food and wine, world-famous art and culture and low living costs are just some of the reasons you should pack up and move to Spain. Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe and also one of the most geographically varied. With some of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the world, breath-taking mountainous regions, fertile plains, and sun-drenched isles, there is something to suit every preference. Visit Spain and you’ll enjoy a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers, mild winters, with snow in northern and mountainous regions. If you love art and culture you’ll have much to discover in Spain, which is home to some of the finest architecture in the world. There are ancient marketplaces, Moorish palaces, and the fantastical structures of Antoni Gaudi, not to mention the Dali museum, Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim, Fundacio Joan Miro, and the numerous festivals which regularly take place throughout the country. Spanish food is as varied as its landscape; the Spanish are absolutely passionate about their local cuisine. Tapas is popular worldwide, and you’ve probably sampled at least one of these delicious little dishes. The variety of tapas offered in Spain is huge, and varies from region to region and also according to season. Spanish markets are abundant with huge fruits and vegetables, thanks to the long months of sunshine. The great news as a prospective buyer, is that food, like the cost of living generally in Spain, is very affordable and of excellent quality. Moving onto more practical matters, the healthcare system in Spain is ranked among the best in the world, spending 10% of its GDP on healthcare. There are also excellent transport links throughout the country, with modern metros, high speed trains connecting most cities, long distance coach services between major cities, and bus services in all major cities and towns. It’s no wonder that Spanish public transport is known to be some of the best in Europe. For those wishing to venture further afield, it’s easy to travel from Spain to other parts of Europe by plane, train or bus. And of course, with 36 international airports, it will be easy for friends and family from back home to come and visit!

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If you’ve not made up your mind yet where you want to buy a property, explore our <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/places-to-live/regions">region guides</a> for a broad overview of an area. Or if you have your eye on a particular area of Spain, take a look at our <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/places-to-live/provinces">province guides</a>. Find out what it’s like to live there, where the top locations are to buy a property, and discover what services and amenities could be on your doorstep.&nbsp;&nbsp;Or perhaps you already know which city / town you want to move to, and want to find out more about what it’s like to live there, things to do for expats, healthcare options, schools, jobs, and transport services. If so, check out our <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/places-to-live/cities">town and city guides</a>, which offer a deep dive into all these topics and more.&nbsp;For further location inspiration, check out our blog posts on the top destinations to buy property in Spain for <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/where-to-buy-cheap-property-in-spain-in-2024">budget hunters</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/where-to-buy-property-in-spain-2024">investors</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/11-best-destinations-to-live-in-spain-for-families">families</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/11-best-destinations-to-retire-in-spain">retirees</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/11-best-destinations-to-live-in-spain-for-digital-nomads">digital nomads</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/best-golf-resorts-to-buy-a-property-in-spain">golf lovers</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/lights-camera-spain-spanish-movie-locations-where-you-can-buy-a-property">movie fans</a>, <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/best-food-and-wine-destinations-in-spain-to-buy-a-property">foodies</a>, and <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/spain/best-properties-in-spain/best-heritage-destinations-in-1">history buffs</a>.

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Buyer Stories

Why he decided to buy in Spain

Finding the right agent

Seeing over twenty properties over the past two years

How the legal processes differed to buying in Holland

What he loves about the Altea area

What Jack would do differently if he bought again

Episode 43: Jack who purchased in Altea

&nbsp;<h2>Intro</h2>Welcome to the Kyero.com Spanish property podcast where we interview people who recently purchased their dream home in Spain.They tell us what worked, what didn’t and what they’d do differently next time. &nbsp;I’m Beth Davison and today I’m speaking with Jack originally from Holland.He purchased her dream home <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/altea-property-for-sale-0l911">Altea on the Costa Blanca</a>.Living just two and a half hours from what he calls his second home Jack gives a unique perspective on how different the buying process is in Spain compared with other countries in Europe.He worked with the estate agent<a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/spain-property-for-sale-0l55529?agent_id=9307"> Skyline Costa Blanca</a> to find his dream home in Spain. &nbsp; &nbsp;Check out the show notes at <a href="http://kyero.com/podcast">kyero.com/podcast</a> to find links and resources mentioned in this episodeJack: &nbsp;I am Jack. We bought a house in Altea. It's a big house, three bedrooms, apartments, four bathrooms, a nice big plot, on the hills. We have a sea view. We were looking at buying a house for two years and started in the area of Malaga and we ended in Altea and that was the place where we wanted to buy a house. So, we were looking very, very often, maybe daily on Kyero, on the Kyero site, looking for the house we wanted to buy.So, we found this house and I had made contact with Skyline Real Estate Agency. I told her, please, this is what we are looking for. Can you arrange an appointment for me so that we can discuss about buying that house? So we did.Beth: &nbsp;Wow, it sounds so straight forward.Jack: &nbsp;(laughter)Beth: &nbsp;Why did you decide that you wanted to buy in Spain?Jack: &nbsp;Well, my whole life, from when I was child, I loved Spain. That's one thing, the other thing is I have my company in Amsterdam and within two and a half hours I can go to my second home and the weather is perfect.Beth: &nbsp;Oh nice.Jack: &nbsp;it's perfect. Yeah, we love Spain and it's close by for us.Beth: &nbsp;Amazing, so you start looking online, through Kyero, what are the next steps? You mentioned getting in touch with the agent, did you find that easy?Jack: &nbsp;Yeah, yeah, of course there are a lot of agencies for real estate in Spain but yeah, my Spanish is not that good so I need somebody who can help me with the language. So, that was one of the points that I needed for real estate. It was different then we are used to here in Holland. So, it's a different kind of buying a house. It's not that easy. There's a lot of work to do in a strange country so you need help.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, definitely.Jack: &nbsp;All I can say to everybody from abroad take somebody, in the country, that you trust, for helping to buy that house.Beth: &nbsp;Do you feel like you had a good relationship with your agent?Jack: &nbsp;It's always difficult, but no, it was great. I trust her and I hope she will do the right job, and she did. But then you are looking backwards, you never know.Beth: &nbsp;True, but you found your dream home, so that's a good sign.Jack: &nbsp;Yeah, we have a very, very, very nice house.Beth: &nbsp;So what was the process after you saw it online? How many viewings did you go on? How many other properties did you see?Jack: &nbsp;I think, in the last two years, I have seen twenty, twenty-five houses.Beth: &nbsp;Wow, and you were going to Spain each time, or you put it all in a two week block and just went out for one trip? How did it work?Jack: &nbsp;No, I did, I go often to Spain to look at two or three houses and then we fly back until we find the house where we are thinking about this is it, this is where we can live?Beth: &nbsp;Did you know immediately, when you walked in, you were like, "This is the one."Jack: &nbsp;The last one that we would buy, we really said, "This is it, this is the one we want to have," yeah. Also, not only the house but also the price and location. The price, because what you get is not too much work to do on the house. It was already renovated. So, life was good. It was good, yeah.Beth: &nbsp;What was value for money like in comparison to your home and what you were expecting. Do you feel you got a lot for your money? Or did you feel that you had to change your attitude towards your budget?Jack: &nbsp;Yeah, you always &nbsp;have to do something on the house because I'm not that young. But most of the people are, "Oh we will live there," for a second house. So, we have things to do, there's work to do on the house but not immediately. I want to rent it, I will rent for a year or two years. I also am going to change it in the way we want to have it. We make it modern.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, OK, cool. So it's liveable right now and then you get to do it up. That's really nice, that's a nice way to do it. Did you stick to your budget?Jack: &nbsp;Yes, yes we did. It was OK.Beth: &nbsp;Because lots of people end up having to adjust or change how much they want to spend or they end up overspending, but you feel like everything went smoothly with you?Jack: &nbsp;It was OK. It is difficult for me to explain in English but the owner died and the children wanted to see money.Beth: &nbsp;So it worked out well for you, not great for everyone, but it worked out well for you.Jack: &nbsp;It was good, yeah.Beth: &nbsp;Fair enough. Sometimes it does feel a little bit fated in that the right property happens and everything works out. It sounds like it was pretty smooth sailing for you guys.Jack: &nbsp;Yeah, yeah.Beth: &nbsp;You've done well. You've started on a high.Jack: &nbsp;In Holland I'm used to buying a house, something like that, not in Spain. Yeah, it's gone well, yeah.Beth: &nbsp;Were there any different laws or the legal process &nbsp;in Spain, was it different to Holland, was it different from what you were expecting? Did you have to learn anything?Jack: &nbsp;No, no, it's completely different. That's one of the reason I'm glad I have my own agency because it's so different. You understand notaries, notary?Beth: &nbsp;Yeah.Jack: &nbsp;In Holland you are thirty minutes inside, you sign, and you have a house. With this house I was &nbsp;two and a half hours in the notary and they write checks for the payment completely different then we here in Holland - really completely different. So, you need help. That's the only thing I can say.Beth: &nbsp;You need help and you need trust. I think it was good you trusted your agent.Jack: &nbsp;Trust, yeah, yeah, yeah.Beth: &nbsp;When it got to the point of purchasing how easy was it for you? Did you have a solicitor? Was there anyone else helping you other than your agent?Jack: &nbsp;Yeah, two of my nieces. They have lived their whole life in that area. They are from Holland but they are from there tenth birthday living in Spain, so they are Spanish women now. They helped me with everything also. One of them is at an insurance company in Spain, and the other one is working for a bank in Spain, so they can help me with everything. That's what happens.Beth: &nbsp;They must be very pleased now that you get to go and visit more often.Jack: &nbsp;Yeah, they're glad we came to Spain.Beth: &nbsp;Lovely, do you use it as a holiday home or are you there as much as you are in Holland? How does it work?Jack: &nbsp;We are there once every six weeks going to the house. Now, I'm 59 [years old], but next year, two years I will be more often, and more often going to Spain and taking longer there. But, I'm not going to be a resident. I will stay resident in Holland.Beth: &nbsp;OK, that's exactly what I was going to ask, that you'd move permanently but you want to keep it half and half.Jack: &nbsp;I also keep a house here in Amsterdam.Beth: &nbsp;Oh, what a dream life, two great places.Jack: &nbsp;Yeah.Beth: &nbsp;What's your favourite thing about the area that you bought in?Jack: &nbsp;The climate, the food, the people, yeah. It's quiet there where we bought.Beth: &nbsp;Amazing, and have you found the language barrier a problem at all?Jack: &nbsp;No, no, I know a lot of Spanish words but I can't talk with Spanish people so I'm going to learn it. I'm going to learn Spanish. For me it's important to communicate with Spanish people.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, fantastic, you can make time.Jack: &nbsp;Yeah, I'll make time for it. So, I don't want to speak only short Spanish. So, I have to speak Spanish for my job, that's important.Beth: &nbsp;So, if there are people thinking about doing what you have done, you mentioned the advice of getting your own agent, and someone that you trust.Jack: &nbsp;Yeah, yeah, that's the most important advice I can give.Beth: &nbsp;It's great advice. I think it's very true.Jack: &nbsp;Yeah, it's difficult maybe to know who you can trust, that's the biggest problem. It's the same when you're looking backwards then you can check if it's OK, if the choice is good.Jack: &nbsp;Yeah, buying a house in Spain is doing business abroad and doing business abroad is not easy. So, you need somebody.Beth: &nbsp;Be a little bit brave, then I suppose would be your advice to people?Jack: &nbsp;Yeah, I think, yeah.Beth: &nbsp;I think it sounds like just take it one step at a time and do a lot of research?Jack: &nbsp;Yeah, yeah that's what I thought. We were looking for two years and we know when you are looking for two years you know the market so it's not, "Oh the sun is shining so I'll buy it." No, no, there's more. So research is very, very important and yes to know what the market is and which price is normal, yeah.Beth: &nbsp;If you could do one bit differently to when you did it before, what would you do differently?Jack: &nbsp;That's a good question.Beth: &nbsp;Would you do it all exactly the same?Jack: &nbsp;Actually, I don't know. The only thing I can say is don't buy too fast. Think about it, it's an important and expensive choice that you make so don't do that quick.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, you want it to be the right thing. I think that's exactly right. When are you next going to Spain?Jack: &nbsp;In about three or four weeks.Beth: &nbsp;Oh, amazing, I hope you have a really good time I'm very jealous. But thank you so much for talking to me today. I hope it goes really well.Jack: &nbsp;It's a pleasure to meet, it's a pleasure to meet.Beth: &nbsp;It's a pleasure talking to you to. Bye Jack.Jack: &nbsp;Bye bye.<h2>Outtro</h2>Thank you for listening and thanks to Jack for sharing his experiences.And to Skyline Costa Blanca for making this episode possible. I could really tell that Jack has loves Spain for his whole life, and which family already there it’s great to see that he now sees Spain as his second home.If you like what you’ve heard, you can search these agent’s properties and more on Kyero.com &nbsp;Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode &nbsp;This podcast is produced by Kyero.com - our mission is to connect you with estate agents and properties throughout Spain. &nbsp;Whether your dream home is a rustic farmhouse surrounded by olive groves or a lock-up-and-leave apartment on the seafront, you’ll find everything you need at Kyero.com &nbsp;We love hearing how these podcast episodes have helped you find your dream home in Spain - please do continue to share your feedback with us and if you’ve enjoyed this episode, we’d really appreciate you taking the time to review and rate our podcast on iTunes or your preferred podcast listening app.&nbsp; Your feedback, reviews and ratings help us reach and connect more people with their dream home in Spain.And, when you’re ready, here are four ways we can help you: &nbsp;<ul><li>&nbsp;<ul><li>Ask a question by emailing <a href="mailto:beth@kyero.com">beth@kyero.com</a>. We’ll try and answer them all in an upcoming Q&amp;A episode &nbsp;</li><li>Get a location guide by emailing <a href="mailto:beth@kyero.com">beth@kyero.com</a>.&nbsp; We’ll reply with the latest data and information on the areas you are interested in. &nbsp;</li><li>Calculate your budget. Simply visit <a href="https://www.kyero.com/budget">kyero.com/budget</a>, enter two numbers and you’re done!</li></ul></li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>&nbsp;<ul><li>Be our guest. If you’ve already purchased your home in Spain, we would love for you to share your story on the podcast.&nbsp; Just email &nbsp;<a href="mailto:beth@kyero.com">beth@kyero.com</a> and we’ll take it from there.</li></ul></li></ul>&nbsp;<h2>Post-Outtro</h2>Tune in next time when I speak with Tania from Sydney, Australia. She worked with Olvera Properties to find her dream home in Spain.And I think lives the furthest away than any of our buyers so far. She loves Spain so much that over the last five years she’s bought not one but two properties.I’m Beth Davison and you’ve been listening to the Kyero.com Spanish property podcast. I’ll see you next time!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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