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

Episode 75: Marie, Who Purchased In Alcalali

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Episode 74: Brian, who purchased in Vera Beach

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Episode 73: Joanne who purchased in Mil Palmeras

Episode 72: Debbie who purchased in San Juan de los Terreros

&nbsp;Intro&nbsp;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.I’m Beth Davison and today I’m speaking with Debbie, originally from London, who purchased her dream home in San Juan de los Terreros, in Andalucia.I love this chat because it centres on the idea of re-evaluating what’s important, and how sometimes those plans for the future should actually happen right now.Debbie worked with estate agent Grupo Platinum Estates to find her dream home.Check out the show notes at kyero.com/podcast to find links and resources mentioned in this episode.&nbsp;Body of TranscriptDebbie: Hi, I’m Debbie. I’m solicitor over my own practice, a small practice in East London. I have purchased a three bedroom, three bath townhouse in San Juan de los Terreros, which is on the Costa De Almeria coast, in Spain. I’m really happy. I sorted out about two years ago.I’m probably like a lot of people. I have always had that idea that when I was older I’d be able to split my time between having a small property in the UK and probably renting out somewhere in another part of Europe and go there to keep warm during the winter.I think what happened was, about two years ago (two years in February) I had an accident and I had a little bit of time off work and that gave me time, really, to re-evaluate. I started about, really, then.I started watching A Place In the Sun and actually realised that that was actually something that I really, really wanted to do and I thought, “Well, why am I waiting? Wouldn’t it be better to have somewhere that I could go away and spend time now, rather than putting it off, and putting it off until I’m older and it might never happen?” So, it is really seize the opportunity then when I had a bit more time off to think it through.Beth: Amazing. You obviously watched that, got inspiration, and then did you jump straight online and start Googling places or did you go over there?Debbie: No, what happened was that I thought it through, and I realised that I was actually in a position to move. The original plan was to buy a two bed, two bath and, as everyone laughs, because this is what they say on A Place In the Sun, a “lock-up-and-leave”, because that is what they always say.So, my sister, who I work with, she and I did a lot of research online and looked at properties. She was more familiar with Almeria than myself. I didn’t really know the area at all. But to be quite honest, I looked at that.I went to one of the Place In The Sun property shows. I really did lots of homework on what was out there, what you could get for your money by the coast and inland, and in different parts of Spain.Because I don’t have a lot of time, I just thought we’ve got to get on and do this. So, we booked a weekend in June, and by that time my sister had really taken the lead on making connections. I think this is what is really important, is to make good connections with a couple of agents in the areas that you’re interested in.Then we set up a whole weekend and we had an appointment with Caroline, at Grupo Platinum Estates (who is brilliant) for one whole day. So, she set up appointments all through the day to go see various properties. She showed us around the area.Then we had another agent, the following day, and we had a completely negative experience with him. So, I think it’s good to have different people because you get to see a lot of the area.Then, fortunately, I found exactly what I wanted, there and then, and felt confident enough to make the offer... Well, it wasn’t an offer because it was a new build but to put the deposit down there and then.Beth: Amazing, so, what made a positive and negative experience from agents, since you mentioned the negative experience, what was so different and bad about that second agent?Debbie: The second agent was too full of himself. He spent far too long showing us properties that really wasn’t part of the brief, whereas Caroline really followed the brief.Funnily enough, what happened was, as I say, Caroline had been prepared with two bedroom, two bath, but we just happened to see these properties that were being built, and stopped, and looked, and were very interested.When we told the agent we were going with on Saturday we said, “Look, widen the search.” And when we told him what we’d seen the day before that we really liked, he likened it to a Council House. That kind of really put me on a bad footing with him. Then he promptly spent the rest of the morning, the following day, showing us properties built in the same style as the one he’d just dissed as a Council Flat.Beth: Interesting isn’t it, just different approaches, different personalities, and just one makes you feel really comfortable and one doesn’t. I think it’s important to know that. Yeah, so it sounds like you’ve got a very good sister.Debbie: Yes, she did a lot of the leg work for me. But, obviously, the payoff for her was that she gets to use the place. But she’s actually so pleased. I know with these things are very difficult at the moment but, hopefully, we’re not going to be stuck like this forever.Beth: No, we won’t.Debbie: And we will get back there and she wants to buy over there as well.Beth: I was going to say, so had she done anything similar? So, she’s not bought yet, but hopefully in the future.Debbie: No, but she continues, because where we bought is so lovely, and we’ve maintained contact with Caroline because at some point, in the future, I may consider (may but probably won’t) renting it out. So, I really feel confident that Caroline will follow through with that and do everything that we need to do to do it properly.Beth: Tell me about the place. Did you say it was two bed?Debbie: No, three bed.Beth: Three bed, OK, fantastic, so, paint a little picture for me. What type of place is it?Debbie: It’s a brand new, I think they call it the Ibizan style, which is the boxy white, with big glass windows, big glass doors, balconies and it’s got a wrap around garden and a pool. It’s just lovely. It’s all white and modern and chrome and glass inside. Yeah, it’s really nice.Beth: It sounds great. So, a pool, was that high on your priority list? Did you know that’s what you wanted?Debbie: It had been high on my priority list with a two bed, two bath to have a communal pool, and I wanted to be close to the sea. A good thing about where we are on the Almeria coast is that you get so much more for your money. You get more for your money than if you would go on the Costa del Sol, because on the Costa del Sol we’d be right inland and probably be lucky if I could pick up a one or two bedroom very small apartment. Whereas, for what I paid, I feel very pleased that I got so much more value for money in this area, and it’s much more unspoiled. Really, it’s a resort and an area where, yes, there are expats, they’re everywhere. It’s a place where Spanish holiday makers go.Beth: Oh, that’s nice. OK, so, there’s kind of a mix of people. Do you get a taste of a Spanish lifestyle? Is it a holiday feel? What kind of vibe is it?Debbie: It’s a really good mixture because you’ve got Mojácar, further down the coast, and Vera, and Garrucha, and places where there’s a much higher, sort of stock in holiday homes. But in San Juan De Los Terreros, yes, there are plenty of holiday homes, and a lot of them are empty most of the year. The place is never mega busy except in the month August, when the whole of Spain lands there, I suppose, and goes and lands in all the coastal resorts, the Spanish ones.It’s just so lovely because you see the large families going out, partying, and I think it’s probably quite nice. You have the British who go out at eight or nine o’clock, and then the Spanish go out at ten or eleven o’clock. I think the restaurateurs have the best of both worlds.Beth: Yeah, yeah, and how do you use it? So, you’re not there permanently, are you?Debbie: No, we try to go out there (until the lockdown) once a month, once every five or six weeks. I must admit, when we bought it I said to my husband, “I don’t want to end up not going anywhere else in the world.” Then we booked a two week holiday to Thailand, which, when we went we enjoyed, and we did lots of travelling, although we also had Covid 19 in the back of our minds. But the holiday itself was lovely but we said, “To be honest, we spent all this money here. We’ve got this lovely place in Spain. We can go and just explore there.” So, we’ve kind of resolved more, in our minds, that we want to use that place in Spain as a base and do some travelling around Spain itself.Beth: Yeah, I think there’s something to be said just for the ease of it, the familiarity and just having a lovely time, while you’re there, and it being equally as relaxing as a longer trip.Debbie: It’s equally as relaxing because you know where you’re going; you know what you’re going to see; if you have friends there, it’s nice to catch up with them. That takes a lot of the headache, I think, out of having a holiday. So, there are pros and cons, I think, for both arguments, one being, “You should buy and go back to the same place.”We love it because I can also take my work out there with me. There’s good WiFi access, so, I’m able to work out there as well.Beth: Great, so, if you want to take a longer trip, yeah, that’s an option.Debbie: So, if I go away for a long weekend I can still work. I can do everything remotely, over there, and that’s the payoff, really. Yes, I can get out there, I can do a couple of hours work, keep an eye on my emails, and then go out and sit in the sun and have a glass of wine at lunch time and then enjoy the sun.Beth: That sounds like a dream. So, a decent WiFi connection, maybe some space, not necessarily for an office, but to certainly set yourself up so that you’ve got a good work environment, so, that was important to you?Debbie: Not really, because I hadn’t really thought that part of it through. I didn’t go in there and say, “I must have a work space.” But there’s enough room so that, if I wanted to, I could make a room into a study. But I don’t need to. All I need is a laptop and a decent... I’ve got a huge breakfast bar, so, I can probably set myself up there and I’m very comfortable for what I need to do while I’m out there.Beth: Fantastic, so, how has the fitting into life over there, have you made any contacts, any friends? Or, when you’re there is it kind of holiday mode and then you’re home?Debbie: No, we are in holiday mode, but we’ve made some connections. My husband and I, we’re quite sociable people. When you’re out here, a British couple, you’re out chatting. There are people that you can talk to all the time.We’ve made a couple of friends that we actually make a point of keeping in touch with when we’re back in the UK. Obviously, the estate agent, Caroline, we maintain good links with her and her husband. They are a charming couple.Yeah, I think it’s just part of that’s what really made the difference for me, I think, was feeling really confident that we were in a safe pair of hands and, again, after that first negative experience, we went running back to Caroline.Beth: Yeah, but I think that’s great. So many people talk about trust when it comes to their agent, and it being really, really important.Debbie: You know, when you think it, you must be nuts otherwise. You’re going to go put all your money into a place in another country. You’ve got to have some confidence that it’s all going to be done properly. I just felt really confident, and I’m a naturally cautious person, but I felt confident enough in my discussions and engagements with Caroline and also with the builder and with everything else that everything was done properly.Beth: When you first saw it, how built was it, how much did you have to go off plan, how many pictures, how much of an idea did you have?Debbie: Yeah, my house hadn’t been built but it was one of nine houses and five of them had been completely finished and two of them were already being lived in. Two were nearly ready to being built and the last two was mine and number six and they were just to be built. They were still being done. So, we had a really good idea and because of the way it was explained to us about the payments and when the payments came in and what happened to the money, I didn’t feel too unsettled at all about transferring the money over.Beth: So, you mean when the payments came in from you to them?Debbie: Yeah, when I sent the payments over to Spain.Beth: Oh great, so, that was done in instalments?Debbie: It was done in instalments and there wasn’t any rush. I paid a nominal deposit when we got there and we said, “Yes, we want to go ahead with this.” So, we put the deposit down and it was only several months later that the builder then wanted a percentage of the payment and then another percentage, then a portion, portion, and then fifty percent on completion. So, it wasn’t like I had to send vast amounts of money out to Spain with nothing to show for it. Between the agent and builders manage they managed the [build of the] house. She was very good. She used to send us regular videos and photographs of the place as it was going up.Beth: That’s so exciting. It must have been so nice to see it developing.Debbie: Yeah, and we also went back again because I put the deposit down in June with an expected deliver date of mid December. We went out in August to pick tiles and confirm all the details and see how it was going. Effectively, from August to December I was just relying on videos and photos.They delivered on time. In fact, it was ready a week ahead. I think the only delay was actually getting some sort of building regulations where they have to come out and properly see to it, and make sure, before the sign off and give them the relevant certificates, that they can then sell it and finalise the sale.Beth: Wow, it must have been a great feeling that first visit - like a real accomplishment, a dream come true, that kind of thing, especially as you re-evaluated from when you thought you were going to do this or if you were going to do this, that moment when it was all achieved must have felt really good.Beth: Yeah, it took six months from mid June, when we went to put the deposit down, until mid December when it was ready. Funnily enough, another challenge was, when we were supposed to be flying out... Do you remember the drones over Gatwick Airport?Beth: Yeah.Debbie: We couldn’t get flights, our flights were changed, but we still managed to get out there on the day of completion to go and pick up the keys. It was all fun because, again, with the agent, Caroline, was brilliant. She recommended a solicitor.We could have gone and found someone myself, but it was fine, and we went along with the person, Miguel. He was pretty good. He was very organized; English speaking; he organized the going off to see the notary to go and formally register all the parcels and even sorted out the will. So, it was a really, really good service between the agent and the solicitor.Beth: Amazing, it sounds like it went like clockwork.Debbie: Also the financial... The company that I put the money through, the currency exchange, that all had to be sorted.It sounds like a lot, and it sounds daunting, but it’s not as long as you keep yourself organised with keeping little lists and you keep everybody copied in. Like I copied in the agent to everything with the builder, with the lawyers, with anything to do with the money and everything and everybody knew and kept me updated.I really can’t complain. I don’t know experiences that other people have had, but mine was a really positive experience.Beth: That’s so good to hear. My final question is always just for a piece of advice that you would give for someone thinking about doing the same thing, or maybe their thinking they’re not going to do it for decades. Actually, based on your story, doing it now if you can, that’s what it sounds like?Debbie: I think if you can afford it, do it now. Go to the best that you can afford, but, obviously, don’t over stretch yourself. If you’re not sure about something then pause. Don’t do anything without being one hundred percent. But, it’s not as scary, and it’s not as daunting as it might seem. Lots of people are doing it.I wouldn’t wait, either, because you never know what’s around the corner and you can enjoy it now while you’re waiting. Enjoy it now, while you can.Beth: Excellent advice, thank you so much for taking the time to chat to me, Debbie. That’s absolutely perfect.Debbie: Alright, thanks Beth, thank you.&nbsp;Outtro:&nbsp;Thank you for listening and thanks to Debbie for sharing her experiences and to Grupo Platinum Estates for making this episode possible.Again, we’ve heard how important it is to make those personal connections during the buying process. I’m so pleased that Debbie’s decision to bring the retirement plan forward has paid off and she’s thrilled with her dream home.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.This podcast was produced by Kyero.com and our mission is to connect you with estate agents and properties throughout Spain.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.comWe 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.And, when you’re ready, here are four ways we can help you:Ask a question by emailing Beth@kyero.com. We’ll try and answer them all in an upcoming Q&amp;A episodeGet a location guide by emailing Beth@kyero.com. We’ll reply with the latest data and information on the areas you are interested in.Calculate your budget. Simply visit kyero.com/budget, enter two numbers and you’re done!Be our guest. If you’ve already purchased your home in Spain, we would love for you to share your story on the podcast. Just email Beth@kyero.com and we’ll take it from there.&nbsp;Pre-introTune in next time when I catch up with Joanne from Manchester, who bought her dream home in Mil Palmeras, after quite a lot of Sangria – a woman after my own heart.I’m Beth Davison and you’ve been listening to the Kyero.com Spanish property podcast. I’ll see you next time!&nbsp;&nbsp;

Episode 71: Jan who purchased in Olvera

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Episode 70: John and Julie who purchased in Doña Pepa, Alicante

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Episode 69: Carol who purchased in Cuevas del Almanzora

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Episode 68: Damien who purchased in Íllar, Almeria

Episode 67: Allan who purchased in Lorca, Murcia

&nbsp;Intro&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Welcome to the Kyero.com Spanish Property podcast, where we interview people who recently purchased their dream home in Spain.</li><li>They tell us what worked, what didn’t and what they’d do differently next time.</li><li>I’m Beth Davison and today I’m speaking with Allan, originally from near Bristol, in the U.K. who purchased his dream home in Lorca, in Murcia.</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>One major factor to consider in his move was Allan's health. Just wait until you hear about what a difference the Spanish lifestyle has made. Also, as a thalidomide victim, Allan offers some invaluable advice about accessibility when it comes to buying abroad.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>He worked with estate agent 4everSpain to find his dream home.</li><li>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.</li></ul>Body of Transcript&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; My name is Allan. We live in a villa, or we bought a villa back in June, 2018. I live near Lorca, between Lorca and Puerto Lumbreras, in the Murcia region. We moved out due to health purposes and the fact that I am a disabled gentleman.&nbsp;&nbsp;I'm a thalidomide victim where I was born with no arms and badly deformed legs. A lot of the reason that we moved out was for health reasons. In a sense, we moved out because a lot of the time I was taking pain killers, in the U.K., with regards to my hips and legs and whatever. Since moving out to Spain I'm not even taking any pain killers now - no tablets at all, even when I go back to the U.K. I feel fantastic.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; That's an incredible difference. Did you suspect that that was going to be the case when you arrived in Spain? What first put you onto the idea that perhaps, for health reasons, the Spanish climate would be better for you?&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; Well, a friend of ours has been living out here for about ten, twelve, or thirteen years and she invited us out to come and see what she was doing and whatever, on holiday. We stayed for about ten days, and that ten day period I just felt that my health was better. I found I wasn't taking as many pain killers at the time when we were out here.&nbsp;&nbsp;We then came back out, again, to see her Mum because her Mum, we knew, was a neighbour of ours and I had taken her Mum out to Spain. We came out to see her Mum and how she was getting on, in Spain, and her health was an awful lot better as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;Again, we came out for about maybe ten days or a fortnight at that time. Again, I felt really quite good. So, we started looking around and Di introduced us to a lady called Carol who runs 4everSpain, the estate agents and whatever. We had really, really had gotten involved with her and she took us around and showed us some houses.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some of the houses weren't really appropriate. Quite a lot of the houses, actually, were built off the ground with steps, and I'm unable to manage any kind of steps at all. So, Carol kept us in contact on a weekly basis, telling us what was happening, send us things. Then we came back out again and started looking at signing paperwork and things and I was a bit concerned that the issue of my disability would be a problem. Carol assured me that that wouldn't be the case.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; So, just to talk a little bit more about your disability, you were obviously looking for very specifically accessible properties. Did you find that they had lots on their books, or was it more that they were showing you things that could be adapted to help with your disability once you had moved in?&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; I think more adaptive or whatever.&nbsp;&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; OK.&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; A lot of houses are actually built off the ground for obvious reasons. If you get floods, or if you get any heavy rain. It had been so dry out here that when it rains the rain just lies on the ground and eventually soaks away. So, that’s fine, they were all needing adapting on everything that we looked at.&nbsp;&nbsp;Accessibility in the house [is important]. I wanted to be able to move around well, which I do. All the doorways are wide enough. I use an electric wheelchair occasionally and the doorways are all wide enough to get the electric wheel chair through. So, these were the types of things I was looking at in the house, and outside the house I knew that we would have to either build a ramp or some kind of access by lift or whatever.&nbsp;&nbsp;Carol was fantastic with builders and we've got an absolutely fantastic relationship now with a builder. Some of the builders don't speak English, but I can get my words over or I can get things over, and sign, and sort of make them understand different things that they've never come across before.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, totally. How is your Spanish? (Laughter) I can hear a laugh in the background there.&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; We're getting there slowly and, obviously, we pick things up. We're not doing lessons or anything, but there are a lot of people out here that are interested in you and I think it's important to try and speak their language, and they do speak some English as well.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, and so, communication wise, you're fine. Were you surprised by how helpful Carol was with looking at things specific to your disability? Were you expecting that level of commitment from an agent?&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; Not from her, no, it was really, really quite amazing, really, how well she accepted and just started to understand all the different things that may need to be done or did need to be done. She's an absolutely fantastic woman, absolutely.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Well, I'm so pleased that you managed to find the right place for you and that the right things have managed to happen since you moved in. When you first saw this property, what were your first thoughts when you walked in, how did you feel?&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; Well, my wife told me that I was buying it because she loved it and I looked around and made some mind boggling things about where we wanted to put things and then when we walked away, when we were back at our friend’s house, we sat down and discussed things. Then we phoned Carol and asked her was it possible to do what we wanted to do. Then Carol would come up with some suggestions or come up with some ideas.&nbsp;Anne:&nbsp; I thought it was ours from day one.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; That's Anne in the background. Hi Anne, what did you say?&nbsp;Anne:&nbsp; I thought it was ours from day one, as soon as I walked through the gate I said, "This is mine. This is what we're buying."&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; That's such a good feeling.&nbsp;&nbsp;Anne:&nbsp; "I don't care, this is what I want."&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; (Laughter) OK, so you were the driver in this situation I think it's fair to say?&nbsp;Anne:&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; What was it about it, for you, that made you go, "No, this has to be ours?"&nbsp;Anne:&nbsp; I don't know. It just said, "Buy me."&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Wow.&nbsp;Anne:&nbsp; We went and looked at some others and Allan was looking around one that he really liked and I went, "I don't know why you're bothering, I don't like it."&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; (Laughter)&nbsp;&nbsp;Anne:&nbsp; I didn't know why I didn't like it, I just didn't like it. Then when we came into this one I hadn't even gotten up the steps and I went, "This is what I want. This is mine."&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; So, paint me a bit of a picture of the property then. What's it like? What are the views out of the window? What sort of positioning does it have in comparison to other properties around it?&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; We've got mountain ranges on both sides of the property. I think where we actually live is an agricultural farm area. There are a lot of fields around where the farmers plant their crops, although there are a group of houses that we live in. I think there are about twenty houses all in the same area.&nbsp;&nbsp;We live in a valley. It's not like a narrow valley, it’s wide, It’s just nice to get out and have a look at the mountains outside and we never really have got very many clouds either. It's always a nice blue sky except when it's bad weather, obviously, but we don't get very much of that. I think being in the valley, the weather is much nicer.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Lovely, and what about lifestyle differences for you, in Spain, in comparison to where you were before? What's your daily life like?&nbsp;&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; It's a bit more. The village is only about a ten minute ride in my electric wheelchair which gives me a bit more independence. Although I am disabled I am able to drive my own car as well. I have got a specially adapted vehicle which I bring out with me when we stay out here.&nbsp;&nbsp;The difference is in it being dryer. I don't have any more pain killers. I don't take them anymore. I can walk an awful lot more. If we go shopping I don't rely on my wheelchair nearly as much as I would do in the U.K. Here I can get out of the car and have a walk around.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, and what have friends and family made of this, because it just sounds almost miraculous in a way?&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; My step daughter loves us being out here. She thinks, eventually, we won't come back home again, although we do go home every now and again. She thinks that we'll probably maybe sell up in the U.K. and just come out here and live.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; And do you think that too? Is that sort of what your long term goal is?&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; Long term I honestly don't know because of my disability I can't become a resident in Spain because of needing medical issues with regards to my legs like dressings, callipers and boots, and things like that to be able to get around. I still think I'd probably need to stay as a U.K. resident and go back and forwards as often as I'm required to go back and forwards. I don't really want to go home when I go home because I don't feel as well as I do out here.&nbsp;Beth: Interesting, and if you can’t get residency in Spain, because of your disability, does it mean that your healthcare is compromised over there if you do need to use it, or do you still receive great medical care in Spain?&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; That we haven’t really looked into at the moment, Beth. We’ve not really been out here long enough. We’ve only been out, maybe, on and off, eighteen months. We still go back to the U.K. six months of the year or whatever. And medical problems, I don’t know whether I would get any medical insurance. The problem we’ve got is my wife, she would start to become a residence over here. We could get medical insurance for her, and then I would just have to go back and deal with whatever I would need to deal with.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, so maybe actually the kind of six months, if that turns into three months of the year the U.K., and nine months in Spain, that balance might actually work really well for you long term.&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; At the moment it’s working extremely well mainly because, although for the last three and a half years before we came out here I was on pain killers over the wintertime, especially, because of the dampness. I was on eighteen pain killers a day, something like that and I don’t take any more, and I feel an awful lot better. I don’t have stomach cramps. I don’t end up in bed for like a day or so because I don’t feel well. I’m up and around all the time when I out in Spain.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; It’s an incredible change to quality of life and it’s amazing to hear about. The process itself of buying, did you find that fairly... What were your expectations going into it and did you find that it matched that? Was it easy? Obviously it’s been worth it for you because it’s meant such a big change but the actual process to get to this point, how have you found it?&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; The process of buying went through very well. Carol was absolutely fantastic and supportive. We did have a couple of issues with a bank that was out here. I don’t know what was going on, and Carol immediately found that there was a problem and swapped it around and went through somebody else. The market was more or less all together with two or three months.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Wow, so, it all sounds really straight forward, which is fantastic.&nbsp;&nbsp;My final question, as always, is if someone is out there listening and thinking that they might want to do the same thing as you, or, equally, if they have health conditions or a disability, what would your advice be to those people if they were thinking of doing the same thing?&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; Talking about health issues in my aspect, but for health issues I would definitely think about doing it. It might be a big issue with regards to them, but bear with it and try your best because it’s a fantastic area, it’s a fantastic country, and the weather is just made for issues like that. My wife probably would have a different aspect because she loves it out here. She doesn’t like to go home at all.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Yeah, I can hear that.&nbsp;Anne:&nbsp; I would just say, “Do it!” It’s the best thing we ever did.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Amazing, and it sounds like it’s gone so well for you guys. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat to me today and for being so candid about your health and everything to do with that, Allan. I really, really appreciate it, and I hope it continues to go as well.&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; Yeah, thank you very much. It’s been a very much enjoyable situation talking to you as well.&nbsp;Beth:&nbsp; Thanks Allan. Alright, have a great day. Bye Anne!&nbsp;Anne:&nbsp; Bye!&nbsp;Allan:&nbsp; Thank you, bye.&nbsp;Outtro&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Thank you for listening and thanks to Allan and Anne for sharing their experiences and to 4everSpain for making this episode possible.</li><li>It’s great to hear another account of how much difference having a positive relationship with your agent can make. I’m sure Carol was thrilled to hear such glowing reviews.</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 is 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, whenever 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;Pre-intro&nbsp;<ul><li>Tune in next time when I catch up with Damien from Dublin, who found his dream home in Illar, in Almeria.</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>This purchase is little bit different because it was bank repossession. So you can hear Damien tell me what difference that makes to the buying process.</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;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Episode 66: Lyndon and Sheena who purchased in Lorca, Murcia

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