Live Stoner Chat Retirement to Spain.

[Mossy]

Use kyero.com for a Look around..look at "Land" too..that is how we Found ours.....chalets and large static caravans are often not listed as houses because they are portable.
You could live in either year 'round in Spain.

 

[Feenix]

Ah..here in time for the good weather..you will See it at it's best.



Beware pickpockets..apparently Barcelona is the worst place in Spain.



12 acres too big...?...

https://www.kyero.com/en/property/3295981-country-house-for-sale-miravet

Just get yourself a large static caravan or cabin like ours to live in while you take your time doing the house up..



Yeah..geared up for it..



Yeah..but unfortunately in a pivotal position for the middle east trouble.
Especially when they are willy waving with Putin.

Something is wrong with Malaga
I may have jumped the gun on the dates. On Malaga at all. I just saw that the date I picked was based on 2015. And every link that I have found kicks back to 2015. I hope that they are not having problems with the conference. I'll have to do more research.
Having just missed Barcelona, My trip may not be canna related at all if that is the case. Peculiar.

I may just change the purpose of the trip to just looking at property and Paella. If thats the case, I will bring my wife and fly into Bilbao, meet up with my friends and tour some of the properties. Then spend the last couple days in Barcelona and depart from there.

My kid lived there for a couple years.The pickpockets are well publicized. I trick them with thick rubber bands woven into the bottom of my pockets to secure my belongings. They may get a hold of something but not without me knowing.

The first property looks great.

12 acres would be fine. Being on the Ebro would be fine. I will look into the flood history and canna regulations, crime statistics and such of the area.

Yeah, tweaking Putins nose is not smart.

Over here we have a fool , who may end up "fearless leader", who promises mass deportations, torture, and reprisal killings of families, and the crowds cheer. Not my style so its time for me to leave.

 

[Yozhik]

Beware Spanish bureaucracy and LOVE of paperwork and red tape.
These guys have taken it to a whole new level.
When relocating, be sure to pack an extra suitcase full of patience and serenity.

Banking in Spain?
Meh.
I'm not a fan of it.
They charge for E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!
Use an ATM to check balance? They charge a fee.
Then want to withdraw money after checking balance? They charge a fee.
... don't even ask about the fees they charge for converting currency ... makes me livid.

Cost of living - compared to the UK - is awesome.
BUT ... cost of electricity - not so good.
Which is CRAZY when you consider how much solar power Spain could generate.

Fuel costs (95 unleaded) are lower, compared to both France and the UK.
Example: in January 2016 ... UK £0.99/litre, France €1.34/litre, Spain €1.15/litre

Weather?
Friggin awesome.

Water quality?
Shit.

Telecommunications?
Patchy, at best.
Urban areas no problem.
Rural areas? Good luck.
Example: I live 'en campo' (the countryside).
Last time I checked, it was 2016.
We have no landline telephone here and no mobile signal.
Internet is via WiFi, which also includes a virtual landline.

Something else to get used to ... shopping hours.
Siesta is between 2pm and 5pm.
Believe it or not, in this consumerism fed world, shops are closed during this time.
Yes - even on weekdays.
Sunday shopping? Nope.
When you first arrive, this is a big culture shock.
No more popping down to the supermarket to get some supplies on a Sunday.

It's just the 'little things' that can catch you out, but once you know about them, it's all good.

 

[Feenix]

Beware Spanish bureaucracy and LOVE of paperwork and red tape.
These guys have taken it to a whole new level.
When relocating, be sure to pack an extra suitcase full of patience and serenity.

Banking in Spain?
Meh.
I'm not a fan of it.
They charge for E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!
Use an ATM to check balance? They charge a fee.
Then want to withdraw money after checking balance? They charge a fee.
... don't even ask about the fees they charge for converting currency ... makes me livid.

Cost of living - compared to the UK - is awesome.
BUT ... cost of electricity - not so good.
Which is CRAZY when you consider how much solar power Spain could generate.

Fuel costs (95 unleaded) are lower, compared to both France and the UK.
Example: in January 2016 ... UK £0.99/litre, France €1.34/litre, Spain €1.1/litre

Weather?
Friggin awesome.

Water quality?
Shit.

Telecommunications?
Patchy, at best.
Urban areas no problem.
Rural areas? Good luck.
Example: I live 'en campo' (the countryside).
Last time I checked, it was 2016.
We

It's just the 'little things' that can catch you out, but once you know about them, it's all good.

Hi Yozhik, Just checked your grow. Awesome setup.
Thanks for the detailed info.
Red tape and bureaucrats can be a pain. I've found that a $20 discretely placed under the first page of most paperwork when its submitted helps lighten the aggravation factor with that particular person. Mordid is alive and well in every language. It is easy to say you were told there was a fee, sorry, my mistake, with your hand out for it back. Saves time and avoids the awkward moment involved with blatant bribery offers. I have never had an official get indignant. I've had them say no thank you, its my job. I have acquired certified documents in a an afternoon that usually took weeks at least.
I can be as patient as the track in a turtle race when need be and it seems that the more lack of urgency shown with some clerks, the better the results.

Those bank fees are probably none less than a Euro each I bet. The gonifs. It's getting that way every where.

Edit: That is another thing bad about the cartels in Mexico, Now the clerks scoff at anything under a C note.

 

[Mossy]

Beware Spanish bureaucracy and LOVE of paperwork and red tape.
These guys have taken it to a whole new level.
When relocating, be sure to pack an extra suitcase full of patience and serenity.

Amen..

don't even ask about the fees they charge for converting currency ... makes me livid.

We go through a currency exchange now not the banks..you get a much better rate and much faster..

Weather?
Friggin awesome.

Water quality?
Shit.

Example: I live 'en campo' (the countryside).
Last time I checked, it was 2016.

Something else to get used to ... shopping hours.
Siesta is between 2pm and 5pm.
Believe it or not, in this consumerism fed world, shops are closed during this time.
Yes - even on weekdays.

What about closed down for all of August..?...
When we first came there were quite a few places that did siesta closing..but most don't now..but then you are campo and I'm in a touristy trap..

It's just the 'little things' that can catch you out, but once you know about them, it's all good.

Yeah..moan as we do..we are Living here...and enjoy Most of it....certainly 50% of the UK would gladly swap places with us.

 

[Feenix]

About Malaga, the only thing that I can figure is that they held back details to take the Malaga or Barcelona choice away from those on the fence. Boosting Barcelona attendance. A smart move. If so, they should announce details shortly so I can finalize my plans. Which ever my final plan, it is really Paella that sets the pace. If I stumble across Paella heaven I might just plant my flag there.

I like the vinyard in Asco and that it is on the river. I'll look for something similar on the north coast.
On the water like that I can make a living with a small 18' or so boat either fishing charters or even a water ski school. (last choice but doable.) The beauty of the web is I don't have to rely on locals or get them mad by taking from their customers. I'm used to bringing in my own. If you can sink a line in it , folks wanna fish it.

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[Mossy]

I like the vinyard in Asco and that it is on the river. I'll look for something similar on the north coast.
On the water like that I can make a living with a small 18' or so boat either fishing charters or even a water ski school. (last choice but doable.) The beauty of the web is I don't have to rely on locals or get them mad by taking from their customers. I'm used to bringing in my own. If you can sink a line in it , folks wanna fish it.

Google the Ebro..they land those Giant catfish there...gotta be a fishermans dream..

 

[Feenix]

Google the Ebro..they land those Giant catfish there...gotta be a fishermans dream..

Notice no line coming out of its mouth. They must be catching them by hand. It is done often over here. They call it Noodling. They must be in the shallow holes. They didn't even get their hats wet.
Picture this with big sharp teeth. They have them in the mountains of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and in the Himalayas.. They take people often. Called Gunch. Much more dangerous than most sharks and used to human flesh. They hang out at the funeral pyre sights. Wood is scarce and expensive so when what they have is gone , the shove what ever didn't burn into the river. The fire is usually more ceremonial than efficient.

Y'all need some big hush puppies to go with those cats.

For fresh water fishermen, one of those would be the fish of a life time. I'll have to break out the marlin gear that I never thought I'd use again. Anglers would come from around the world for them if they aren't protected. I would only do catch and release. No reason to kill them, there are plenty of other pan fish there.

​

 

[Feenix]

Amen..
Yeah..moan as we do..we are Living here...and enjoy Most of it....certainly 50% of the UK would gladly swap places with us.

Mossy, what don't you like. there has to be some warts besides red tape?

 

[GCase]

Hello Old Stoners and all stoners. For years my wife and I had planned to retire to Mexico from the US. We had made preparations to use every advantage including an "Anchor Baby" . (Before you shake your heads in confusion, it brings big advantages in owning instead of leasing and in regards to health care.)
Our choice of location has always been the beautiful old colonial town of Merida on the Yucatan to be close to our beloved fishing and diving. However, once the drug cartels started dropping bodies all over the country, we deemed it too dangerous and have to change plans. Sure there are other Central and South American countries, but the political climate, past and present, leaves something to be desired in most of them and the rest lose the financial advantage due to their long time popularity. Costa Rica is a good example of being priced out.
So,
Since I have an up coming trip to Malaga and points beyond planned anyhow, we decided to take a serious look at Spain.

I would appreciate any tidbits on the where and how, pros and cons, do's and don'ts of expatriating to there. Anything that may save me some of the limited time I will have on the initial trip, and to adapt my itinerary towards that goal.. Thank you.

Feenix great plan.

Poor Mexico. Why is US and UN not taking action. Most are unaware of grotesque violence. See borderlandbeat.com

Came across a vacation report site for Mexico. Not only have vacationers from all over been victimized but everyone seems to be in on the crime--hotel innkeepers, taxi drivers etc.

I really like Mexico and would be there often and live extended periods.

So--Costa Rica is now not economically feasible or is it the property issues. Have family friend who married a local (internet meeting) and is building a house. Tropical,so house does not have to be a big thick insulated home--can see him on patio nice breeze and a bowl of fruit with lime.

I shall be on the look out for a safe and fun Spanish speaking country. Good luck or should I say--Hasta Luego.

PS--Fresh water trout in Northern Mexico. Wouldn't that be fun.