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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Expert Series

What’s It Like To Live In Spain?

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Buyer Stories

Episode 94: Trevor, Who Purchased In Illar

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Episode 93: Annemie, Who Purchased In Mojacar

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Episode 92: Jamie, Who Purchased In Punta Prima

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Episode 91: Chris, Who Purchased In San Juan de los Terreros

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Episode 90: Lewis, Who Purchased In Illar

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Episode 89: Lee, Who Purchased In Purias

&nbsp;Intro&nbsp;&nbsp;Welcome to the Kyero.com Spanish Property podcast, where we interview people who recently purchased their dream home in Spain.&nbsp;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 to Lee, from Southampton, who purchased a country house in Purias, in Murcia.&nbsp;High on his priority list was a pool and to be local to good bars and restaurants - a man after my own heart.&nbsp;He worked with estate agent 4everspain.com&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 episode.&nbsp;&nbsp;Body of Transcript&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; So, I'm semi-retired and we purchased a country house in Purias.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Amazing, and when did all of this happen? When did you complete? When did the process start?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; We bought the house a year ago in October. So, [it was] a year ago, roughly. It started around the end of May.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; So, how did the process go for you then? It was what, six months that you spent viewing and getting things sorted?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; It actually took a little bit longer than it should have because in the middle of the process the Spanish law changed with regards to mortgage property.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Ah, OK.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; So, it took a little bit longer. There were some things with the house as well, that weren't on the deeds which needed to be put on the deeds. So, that took a little bit longer.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; So, there was some bureaucratic stuff that had to happen?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Did you get the right amount of help for that? Did you know enough about that anyway? How did that play out for you?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Well, when we purchased the house we got put in contact with a very good solicitor based down in Aguilas, and he picked up all the issues that we had and dealt with all the issues really efficiently, so, that really helped.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; And I think that's what lots of people have told me, really, is that it's about the people that you get put in touch with, and it's about building some trust and building a relationship with them. Would you say that's accurate for you?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Oh, absolutely, the solicitor that we have has been absolutely second-to-none. He's been fantastic. Not only him, but other services that we have been in contact with [have been great as well]. We had to have some electrical work done when we came, as well, because we were merging two levels. We got put in with a fantastic electrician who was really good, price wise, and really efficient and really keen. So, it's definitely key to be put in contact with the right people.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; And were you put off, at all, by the things that needed doing or were you always going in looking for somewhere that needed a bit of fine tuning, or a little bit of work done? Is that sort of what you went in looking for?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, we were looking for something that would probably need work. So, from a retirement point-of-view, being able to always have something to do and that sort of thing. So, that's what we went for.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Are you a bit handy? You sound handy. You sound like you're not intimidated by that work.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; No, absolutely, no, we haven't really done anything daunting yet but we built... Well, we had a big orchard at the back of the house and half of that is gone. We built a big decking area, a car port and some stoning. I'm just doing some wall building at the moment and so on. So, yeah, it's been a time, yeah.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Amazing, I think that's so nice because it means that you get to put your own stamp on it, really, and just have it exactly as you want.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, absolutely, we wanted to keep some of the trees. As a couple, we didn't need fifty-nine orange trees. Now we've got probably three orange trees, grapefruit trees and grape vines and stuff like that. We did take quite a bit out to give us a bit more space as well.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, lovely. So, when you first started looking, how much did you know? How much could you tell the agent? Did you say, "We want outdoor space. We want this"? Did you go in with broad ideas and just looked at lots of different things?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, the only two stipulations that we had on our list was that we wanted our own swimming pool and we wanted somewhere where, if we wanted to go out for dinner or a drink, we could walk.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Nice.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Really, those were the only stipulations that we had. We knew we wanted something that was a bit somewhere where you felt like you could breath. So, we previously been and had a look at some apartments and didn't like the idea of that. Then, when we came to have a look at this, we had looked at two others.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; And how different were they?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, the three properties were fairly different. One was a two bed on a golf complex which I thought I would really like because we have some friends down in Villa Martin. We've been staying down there quite a bit, and it's all, basically, revolving around the golf complexes and stuff down there.&nbsp;So, I thought I'd really like it and I hated it. it was just awful. I just felt so hemmed in. Every house was like the next one and I just didn't click with it.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; It's so interesting that it's different things for different personalities, isn't it? Some people absolutely love that, or think that they are going to hate it, and then arrive there, and everything is there for them and they love it. Then, some people want, like what you've got, something completely different; something that is unique that you can sort of put your own stamp on.&nbsp;&nbsp;How helpful was the agent? Did you think that they listened to you? Did they show you what you wanted? How was that process for you?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Carol, from 4everspain.com, she was really good. She communicated really well with us. We came over and we looked at the property. We then went away and had a look at the other two properties. We came back, the next day, to have another look at this property (so, a second viewing). She was really responsive to all of that sort of thing. She kept up to date with us and kept informed with us and stuff while we were going through the process.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Presumably, then, you viewed, you decided, then you had to return to the UK and you were doing the process from the UK? Am I right in saying that?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Absolutely, yeah.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; And how was that distance? I know that some people don't struggle at all and it's all done very efficiently. For some people, they like to go back and forth and be a bit more involved. What was your process like?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; We came backwards and forwards, I would say, probably only a couple of times between when we put the offer in to when we actually came to complete last October. That was to do the sort of rubber stamping of stuff. Having the solicitor that we had made a massive difference. He did, basically, pretty much everything for us: directed for changing the bills (domestic bills) and stuff over. Yeah, having somebody like that makes a huge difference.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, yeah, and just so you don't have to feel too stressed when you're at home and a little bit further away. I can totally understand that.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; It was plain sailing. It was pretty easy. There were slight little issues from time to time with the language barrier but not so massively that it stumbled us, really. It was just trying to evaluate paperwork and make sure the paperwork was correct and stuff like that, in a different language. That was pretty much it.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, fantastic. So, I want to talk a little bit about lifestyle in Spain. Are you there full time at the moment, in Spain?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, yeah.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; How has that differed for you? Did you already know what Spanish life was going to be like or has it felt really different to you: different pace and different daily routines?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, for us, at the moment, obviously with the pandemic going on it's all a bit strange.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; However it's just amazing, really. For us, we came here; we got major work done, with work a lot earlier than we expected to be.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Was that because of coronavirus?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, we just took the bull by the horns and said, "Awe, come on, let's just go."&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Right.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; So, that's what we did. All of our experiences in Spain, so far, have all been really positive. Like I say, my wife's retired, she's retired and stuff, and I've just been sort of trying to fix bits and pieces and bring a bit of money in; so just odd jobs for people over here. We've only been here a few months so it's getting to know the people and stuff.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, totally, and build those connections up. How easy have you found that? Obviously lockdown sort of changes everything in that respect. Have you managed to meet people? Have you managed to start building that community?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, we have done [some of that]. There are a few expats around. In the area that we live in, there are not a huge amount. There are expats here but they're all sort of spread out. If you want your expat fix we go down to Camposol or Mazarrón or somewhere like that where there are big expat communities.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, yeah.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Here, for us, we've started to get to know a few people. There is a couple that we met from New Castle; we met them last October; they've been here; they've been absolutely fantastic: really partial for us. They've introduced us to other people, guided us in the right direction with regards to building materials and things of that like, so.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; People always say that, actually, the connections that they make are really lovely and people have built really nice friends out of it - similarly minded people who have left the UK and moved full time. If you're making expat friends then, actually, it can be a really nice way to meet people.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Absolutely, yeah, I think it all sort of depends... it is a nice way to meet people, but I think it all depends, also, on what people have come here for. We're just a basic working family and we've come out here to... We still have a house in the UK that we rent out which pays for everything out here. We're sort of living as we would do at home sort of thing. There's no flash cars or anything like that.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, yeah.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; We live the way we are. I think there are a few people here [like that], but there are also a lot of people that have retired out here that have got money. So, there are different people, different things, whatever, but everybody that we met, so far, were really lovely. I'm sure there are people here, Like there are at home, that whatever. Our Spanish neighbours and whatever are fantastic: really nice, really polite, who want to be helpful and all that, whatever. [They say], "They're there, give us a shout."&nbsp;&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; That's nice, yeah, that's really lovely. How do you find managing the property back in the UK? How do you find that process? Is that smooth from Spain, or do you have to pop back?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; One of our sons is one of the renters, so.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Oh, fab, OK, fine, so it's within the family.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, pretty much, yeah.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Amazing. Well, I know that you said that you found the process fairly straight forward, but what were the main challenges for you? Is there anything that sticks out that you'd do differently if you were going to begin the process again?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; You know, I just think it's important to have the right solicitors and people like that. He sorted everything for us - everything we had. When we first came here, the first week we were here, the electric was going on and off. We couldn't understand why it was going on and off. So, I phoned him at half past eight in the evening, the week we completed. So, we completed on the Tuesday and on Wednesday night the electric was going on and off, on and off. I phoned him at half past eight and he picked the phone up straight away and said, "What's the matter?" He said he was going to call the electricity board and comes back and says to us, "Alright, that's resolved at the moment." They were fantastic.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, just available, that's what you need. You need someone who picks up the phone, don't you, really?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; You really do. That's so, so, vitally important, I think. At the end of the day it was our decision to come here, but you obviously want to have the right things in place, the right people around you, and stuff like that, so that you don't feel like you've made the wrong decision.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, yeah, yeah, I understand totally.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; We're looking at setting up a mountain bike experience thing come the new year.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; That would be amazing! As in for people to come and book an experience and spend however long mountain biking with you guys?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, yeah, and then come and have breakfast with us; come and have dinner with us; or hire the bikes out during the day and go off in the mountains and give tours and things like that.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; That would be such a great thing to do. So, you're going to become business owners, not just the move to Spain?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Absolutely, yeah.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; That would be great. I think I could fully see that appealing. Also, you would get to show them your favourite parts as well? You need someone who knows it and someone who loves it to kind of inspire other people?&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yes, so, we're going to kick it off probably in the new year now because it's just...&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, everything is up in the air.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, everything is a real challenge at the moment.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Oh, but mountain biking would be perfect: outdoors, you could keep socially distanced. That might work really well.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, we do have got quite a lot of cyclists out here as well. Literally, from our house we are a ten minute bike ride, from the house, into the mountains.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; It's perfect. It sounds like you did really well to find somewhere that was sort of the best of both worlds: you're close when you want to be close to other people or you want to be close to bars; but also you've got the mountains and the countryside on your doorstep.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, we've got a couple of local pizzerias down the road from us, a ten minute walk, which is exactly what we wanted. We've got our own swimming pool, which is what we wanted.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Well, it all worked out perfectly. I'm so pleased. That sounds like it was a really straightforward experience for you, which is great. That's what we like to hear.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah, yeah, it was good.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Amazing, well, thank you for taking the time out and just talking me through it. That's absolutely perfect.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; OK, no problem at all.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Have a great rest of your day. I hope the building work goes well.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Yeah.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Good luck, all right? Cheers Lee.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Alright, thanks.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Bye.&nbsp;Lee:&nbsp; Bye.&nbsp;Outtro:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Thank you for listening and thanks to Lee for sharing his experiences, and to 4everspain.com for making this episode possible.</li><li>It's so good to hear that despite some of the bureaucracy it was all plain sailing for Lee.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>And massive good luck to him and those mountain bike adventures.</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>Remember, if you like what you have heard you can search this agent's properties and more on Kyero.com and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.&nbsp;</li><li>This podcast was produced by Kyero.com and our mission is to connect you with estate agents and properties throughout Spain.<ul><li>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</li></ul></li><li>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. Your feedback, reviews and ratings help us reach and connect more people with their dream home in Spain.</li><li>And, when you’re ready, here are three ways we can help you:<ul><li>Ask a question by emailing <a href="mailto:Beth@kyero.com">Beth@kyero.com</a>.&nbsp; We’ll try and answer them all in an upcoming Q&amp;A episode.</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.</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;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-intro&nbsp;<ul><li>Tune in next time when I catch up with Lewis, from Lincolnshire, whose dream was to buy a Spanish property before he turned 60.</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>Find out if he met his target in the next episode.</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>I’m Beth Davison and you’ve been listening to the Kyero.com Spanish property podcast. I’ll see you next time!</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Episode 88: Robin, Who Purchased In Oliva

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Episode 87: Glyn, Who Purchased In Vera Playa

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Episode 86: Bob, Who Purchased In Orba

&nbsp;Intro&nbsp;&nbsp;Hello and Happy New Year! I hope 2021 is treating you well so far.&nbsp;Welcome to the Kyero.com Spanish Property podcast, where we interview people who recently purchased their dream home in Spain.&nbsp;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 Bob, from Bath, who purchased a townhouse in Orba, on the Costa Blanca.&nbsp;This is Bob's second Spanish Property. Having lived around the world he knows a thing or two about moving your life abroad. So, this one is full of great advice.&nbsp;&nbsp;He worked with estate agent Olea Homes to find his dream home in Spain.This episode was recorded back in October of last year. So, just to give you some context, we were in-between lockdowns one and two here in the UK. At points in this chat we reflect on the global pandemic and life in lockdown.&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 episode.&nbsp;&nbsp;Body of Transcript&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; We came over in 2008. I retired early. I was in retail in the UK with department store superstores and I went to Saudi for six years. That, obviously, was very good. Sandra, my wife, teaches. So she was a teacher out there. We actually bought a place in Tenerife which was sort of the bolt hole. We had that for eighteen years. Then we, obviously, ran out of places to go in Tenerife.&nbsp;&nbsp;The thing is that when you have been abroad you actually find it very difficult to settle. So, we decided to buy in Spain. My wife said she wanted somewhere where there were seasons. You didn't tend to get that in Tenerife. So, we both retired early; Sandra from teaching, me from retail. In fact, when I came back to England I became an audiologist. Then we decided to retire and we came over to Spain.&nbsp;I think you just make the effort when you get over here. We bought, and then we bought what's called an old finca, which is called La Ruina. Somebody had done some renovation on it. We spent five years finishing it off with stone walls and wooden beams.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Oh nice, so, it was a bit of a building project as well?&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; Ah yeah, it was, it was to actually make it comfortable for us and add value. I always thought that, in England, if you're going to do improvements it was always 50% to the value was for you and 50% was the value when you wanted to sell it on. So, that worked in the UK when we sold; when we moved from Bath and came over here.&nbsp;Then we quickly got involved in the community. We both joined the U3A, which is the University of the Third Age. My wife also joined Jalón Valley Help, which is a local charity. So, she is on both committees. I'm president of the U3A and we have (I believe) forty groups and we have social activities. We meet once a month and we're involved in that. So, that takes up quite a lot of time.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, how did you find the move? So, did it feel quite big? Obviously you'd had holiday homes before, and you'd been in Saudi, so, maybe the move to Spain didn't feel like such a huge thing.&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; Not really, if you think about it, it's only two hours on a plane. It would probably take you two hours to get to London. So, no, it wasn't a big deal. The language, I think, is still a bit of an issue. I do speak a bit of Spanish if I'm forced.&nbsp;&nbsp;We have private medical and we also have State medical. So, that gives us a balance. If you go and see a doctor, I always think it's worth paying ten Euros to take a translator with you. I think it's a respectful thing because you're not there to get the medical expertise to try and practice their English. You're there to find out the information. Although a lot of the doctors do speak English, they're more comfortable speaking in Spanish. So, you get by with that. It's ten Euros well spent to take somebody with you. I think that they appreciate it, to be honest.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Do you find it easy to find translators and to find help with things like that?&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; Yeah, again, you've got people over here who have been here thirty years. The lady who is the translator for us, she is Scottish and she's been here for about thirty years. So yeah, it's very easy to find somebody. If you're in a situation all you have to do is you phone them up and then you hand the phone over to the person who you are trying to communicate with.&nbsp;We had a coffee morning, the other day, because we are in this music group. We went to the caves to try and book that and the guy was happy for us to book the caves to sing in but his English wasn't good. So, you make sure that you get the definitive of what you are after with a translator. When you speak and you say, "What's good for you is good for me." You'd like a little bit more meat on the bones than that, you know.&nbsp;So yeah, it's strange because I still have Arabic in my head more often than not. I haven't been in Saudi for six years, but that sticks as your long term memory. But Spanish... I did two years of German. I did French. The area that we're in is not just Spanish, to be honest, because it's Valenciana and Valenciana is a bit like it is with the Welsh. They try to hang onto their old language and they've resurrected it, so, you just see a bit of changing of street signs and changing of...&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, totally, I know Catalonia best and the language there is very interesting. You see 'X's where there aren't normally 'X's and things like that. Did you know about a lot of Spanish heritage, a lot of Spanish history before you went or is all this stuff that you have picked up whilst you have been there?&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; Well, you pick it up. I think when people come to Spain and they go down the Costas it's there for tourism. But Spain is a very big country. When you go inland it's very, varied.&nbsp;&nbsp;I think one of the reasons that Spain has coped with this COVID is so well is because when they isolate it's such a big country. So, you haven't got colonisation that runs from one city to another, like you have in the UK.&nbsp;&nbsp;When they say that they're going to enforce a lockdown... I mean the lockdown that we had here, from March, was a lockdown. We had to wear masks if we went out. You could only have one person in the car. If you went shopping you had to wear masks and you had to wear gloves and you did that. It eased up when you were allowed to have two people in the car; it's a husband and wife and it made it a bit easier. Even now, if you go out, we're going out on Thursday to get some more documentation which is called a TIE card, which is like a residencia card with Brexit coming in and we'll be in the car. Because there are two families there we will wear masks.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Let's talk a little bit about the U3A because it's so interesting and it seems a really lovely way for people to be able to socialise and make friends when they arrive, if they're coming over kind of permanently. Has that been OK during this pandemic? Have you gone online?&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; Well, we had our EGM in March which we managed to do before we had lockdown. Where we are we have, probably, eight villages where as places&nbsp; like Denia town, Calpe or Oliva but we're spread across a number of villages and we use the facilities. So, we have what's called a polivalent which is like a big social hall. All the civic buildings were in lockdown, so we couldn't use that. You couldn't have more than ten people together anyways. So, we didn't operate between March, April, May, and June. We stop, anyway, for July and August and reconvene in September.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Right.&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; Before that we kept communications going because we had what's called a lockdown newsletter. So, if you looked on the website, which is U3A Vall del Pop (23avalldelpop) it brings up the webpage which we invested quite a lot of money in, for communications, about two years ago. Also, on there you have all the activities; you have all the groups; and a lot of groups have started to reconvene, a lot did it like a discussion group - they did that on Zoom. So, they're moving ahead again. We also have a newsletter. So, we had a lockdown newsletter which we have a good editor, so, she puts like a 19 page newsletter together each month. It's probably worth having a look at that and probably you'll get a bit more background on the U3A Vall del Pop.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Is it often expats? Is it often people who want to... is it Brits mostly or how does it work?&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; Mainly we have some Dutch; we have some Spanish; and expats, but generally it's Brits. Very often when people gather an estate agent (because we've gotten leaflets), it's one of the selling point, "Well, how do I get involved in the local community?" They say, "Why don't you join the U3A." So, people join.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah.&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; People pay five Euros a year to join. It has gone up to seven. They're able to socialise and you gravitate towards people that you get on with.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, I think it's a lovely idea for people. I think it probably works really well.&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; It's pretty universal. As I say, it started in France; it's quite big in Australia; in Spain there are quite a few down the Costas, in Oliva, Denia, Javea, Calpe, Marina Baixa. In the area down towards Torrevieja, they've got one. They're not affiliated to the U3A in the UK. So, that's it. There are always things going. We're going out to a social thing tonight which is a hog roast and there will be a number of people there.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Nice.&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; There are plenty of things to do.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; You touched on estate agents, briefly. I just wanted to ask a little bit about your experience with agents and with buying the property. How did you find the buying process in Spain?&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; Well, the way it works, in Spain, which is different to the UK, you can find a property for sale (this used to be the case) and you'd find that you could look on another site and see the same property at a different price. I think the reason that happened is that if somebody wanted to reduce the price, one estate agent would reduce it and the other one wouldn't.&nbsp;&nbsp;Again, you get to know the estate agents. The one that we bought with in Orba, Olea Homes, was slightly different because we bumped into somebody's daughter whose mother is in the U3A. It just happened that they had something on the books that we were looking for and she said, "Oh, there is something." So, we did it that way. So, it was a different sort of process. We did that May of last year, which was a property which was in a block of flats. The idea, really, was to get something that we would most likely move into in about five years or so when we don't want the maintenance of a property like this.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, totally.&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; But, having got it at a reasonable price, and having looked at it a couple of times, we then put the deposit down. Jackie was the one who really eased us through this. Then, being sort of a blank canvas, we were taken to sort out doors, designs, kitchen designs, tiles (at two different establishments). It was obviously in our budget to do this.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; I think just trust when you've got a good relationship with them.&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; But the finish is really good - the quality of workmanship. They take pride in what they do. As I say, they've got lots of interest in Orba. The building... the founder of the business, I think he's a lawyer. He's got two sons: one is an architect and the other one is a builder and they work well. Obviously, within the business, they've got their own areas of expertise and they are very professional in what they do. Jackie, who is the one who liaises is very good for that business. If you WhatsApp saying you've got an issue, she'll come back to you; or you phone her up and she'll always come back. Then the office manager is where she is based. I heard, generally, that they have a very good reputation and the quality of their workmanship is good.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, brilliant. Well, it sounds like it was a pretty straight forward process for you. My final question to people (as always) is, if someone is thinking about doing what you have done and moving permanently to Spain (perhaps early retirement and moving permanently), what would your advice be? Would you say 'yes' to it, or is there anything that you would have done differently?&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; I think that what's not a bad idea is to come and rent in an area for maybe six months just to get the feel of an area and then do it from there. You need to get all of your paperwork in order. So, you have this TIE card which is like an identity card and you will have your fingerprints taken and then that's like an ID that you can carry around with you. That's coming in, but it doesn't stop you from coming over here. Then you have a padron, which means that when you're in a property you should register with the Town Hall. It doesn't cost you anything. The Town Hall gets central government to pay so much for that person who is on the padron. The thing is, if you started off from fresh in England, you'd have to get your paperwork in order. So, that's really it, really.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Fantastic, well that is great. Thank you so much. That's really useful advice and it sounds like you're very knowledgeable about life in Spain and that it has really worked out for you guys. So, I'm pleased to hear it.&nbsp;Thank you so much for taking the time out to talk to me.&nbsp;Bob:&nbsp; Not a problem, OK.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Alright, bye Bob, have a lovely weekend.&nbsp;Outtro:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Thank you for listening and thanks to Bob for sharing his experiences, and to Olea Homes for making this episode possible.</li><li>We've talked about the U3A, previously, on this podcast and it's great to hear that it's still serving people so well.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>What fantastic advice about hiring a translator to overcome language barriers in those crucial moments.</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>Remember, if you like what you have heard you can search this agent's properties and more on Kyero.com and don't forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.&nbsp;</li><li>This podcast was produced by Kyero.com and our mission is to connect you with estate agents and properties throughout Spain.<ul><li>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</li></ul></li><li>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. Your feedback, reviews and ratings help us reach and connect more people with their dream home in Spain.</li><li>And, when you’re ready, here are four ways we can help you:<ul><li>Ask a question by emailing <a href="mailto:Beth@kyero.com">Beth@kyero.com</a>.&nbsp; We’ll try and answer them all in an upcoming Q&amp;A episode</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.</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><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 <a href="mailto:Beth@kyero.com">Beth@kyero.com</a> and we’ll take it from there.</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pre-intro&nbsp;<ul><li>Tune in next time when I catch up with Glyn, from Cheshire, who was looking for relaxation from his lock-up and leave apartment.</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>Going through the process about a year ago, he had to contend with storm Dennis and the global pandemic in order to find his dream home.</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>See how he did, next time.</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>I’m Beth Davison and you’ve been listening to the Kyero.com Spanish property podcast.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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