Wanting to move to Andalucia

Do you have a query about moving to Andalucia and buying property in Andalucia. Find out by posting questions and reading about other peoples experiences.
Want to move
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Wanting to move to Andalucia

Postby Want to move » Thu Jul 26, 2007 1:12 pm

Hi all

I`ve just found this website and have gained some knowledge of Andalucia through the forums.

My husband and I are looking to re-locate to the Andalucia area with our 5yr old son and dog.
We have looked at Iznajar, Jaen and Corodoba to name only a few but I have now seen mentioned a few other places inland Malaga.
As we are looking on the internet we can`t really get a feel for the areas and was hoping that some of you would be kind enough to give a little advice.
We would like to be no more than 1hrs drive to Malaga, semi rural with a good local state school for our son and hopfully would like to set up a B&B for a real spanish experience and being self suffient off the land and animals.
I am a photographer at present in the UK and my hubbie works in IT (one reason to leave UK) but my background is in hospitality.

Can anyone please give a little advice as to regions for us to focus our attention on.

Many Thanks

Vicky :roll:
Vicky

Want to move
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Any one with any advice

Postby Want to move » Thu Jul 26, 2007 2:53 pm

can any one please give some advice on areas inland
Vicky

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peteroldracer
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Postby peteroldracer » Thu Jul 26, 2007 3:18 pm

Patience, Vicky! You are looking for responses within an hour and a half, when everything in Spain takes at least two days - plus it is over 30 in the shade here and some folk will be kipping! :wink:
I used to cough to disguise a [email protected] I f@rt to disguise a cough.

Want to move
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Wish I was

Postby Want to move » Thu Jul 26, 2007 3:25 pm

thanks peteroldracer

I wish I was instead of being stuck here in torrential rain and lucky to hit 18c.

Do you think we have a chance with what we would like to do?

Vicky
Vicky

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peteroldracer
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Postby peteroldracer » Thu Jul 26, 2007 3:41 pm

I have held back from responding to your posting because in the past when I have suggested that people should be very careful about taking such a step, I get accused of being negative! In essence, my opinion is that if you have succesfully run a b&b or similar in the UK, and are fairly fluent in Andalucian Spanish, and you have visited different areas in winter, spring, summer and autumn and you are prepared to risk everything you have, then go ahead! We live only half an hour from the coast, and have friends who do b&b, and they all struggle. Spain is a wonderful country to holiday in, but the much-increased costs here and the wider horizons people have, have taken the holiday trade elsewhere - Africa, Far East and so on. Try looking for a package deal to the Costa del Sol on Teletext - there are few or none - just the odd winter week in Benidorm, then look for rural b&b or self-catering, and look at the rates - and just as important, the availability. The prices are in my view below or at cost, and there is loads of availability - not a good scene.
Stand by now and watch the critics slay me! I believe that a dose of business cold water (the other sort frequently cut off 'cos it's summer!)could just save you making a very expensive mistake. Get some up-to-date books on moving over, take account of the need to pay social security of 238 Euros per month to get health cover as self-employed, that you must pay this for 15 years before you get a pension, meanwhile you will have stopped paying in to the UK social security so will have little or no pension should you choose to emigrate to the UK after a few years.
I used to cough to disguise a [email protected] I f@rt to disguise a cough.

Want to move
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thanks

Postby Want to move » Thu Jul 26, 2007 3:52 pm

many thanks peteroldracer for your comments

This is exactly why I am on this message board, to find out what people living in spain think of our idea, whether it is achievable or no better than what we`ve got now apart from the weather.

Our main aims are to live a relaxed lifestyle based at home and to dedicate more time to our son, and ideally helping visitors to enjoy the lifestyle whilst they are with us by arranging a few tours.
Vicky

Nicks
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Postby Nicks » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:09 pm

I have to agree with the comments - I think it is very sensible advice. There are soooo many people who have moved to Spain to open up B&B's etc that the market at quiet times of the year is very saturated.

Personally, I would never take the risk of selling up everything in the UK to start a business in Spain, especially not knowing the language. Legalities of doing this are also a minefield - so easy to get burnt... I would only consider it if the following was possible:

* keep a place in the UK to rent out in case things go belly up
* be able to buy a place outright in Spain
* have enough income to live off if there were quiet months with the B&B
* still be able to afford to send my kids to an independent school in Spain should the local school not work out.

In a nutshell - you need a lot of cash to be able to achieve this list, but the risk of losing everything which has happened to many others is very real.

So I agree with peteroldracer - I too may sound negative, but you can't make such a big decision through rose-tinted galsses...

cani
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Postby cani » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:18 pm

Whilst looking for houses we have been shown a few where the 'selling point' was that it operates as a B&B. We were not looking for a B&B but 3/4 bedrooms all en-suite. All these houses have been on the coast and when we heard what the 'income' for the year was we were shocked. I would never consider it a business proposition. Inland the occupancy will be a lot less due to the colder winters. If lucky you could maybe eek out a living. Don't do it.

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peteroldracer
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Postby peteroldracer » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:20 pm

Remember the old adage: you can become a millionaire by opening a business in Spain - the snag is that you must start by being a multi-millionaire!
I used to cough to disguise a [email protected] I f@rt to disguise a cough.

Want to move
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Location: South Coast, UK

Many Thanks

Postby Want to move » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:32 pm

many thanks for all your replies

I`m not looking at your replies as negative, you are out there and know what it`s like for real. One thing we don`t want to do is jump out of the frying pan into the fire.

We are quite steady at the moment and my business is looking good so it may be worthwhile putting it on hold for now instead of rushing into things.

I think it`s got to me more since May whilst the weather has been bad here.

Once again many thanks for all your replies, I`m back out to work now.

Vicky
Vicky

wendyakemp
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Postby wendyakemp » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:36 pm

I dont know much about selling up so please excuse me if im way out. I think that you should look for a cheap inland holiday home, come over whenever you can and get a feel for the area. Then, in time, you should be able to see where the best area is should you still wish to try your new venture.
I think that about 60% of those who sell up to try a new business in spain go home within 2-3 years. They are obvioiusly worse off than when they came because they didnt stay in the u.k. market.
Also, you must come and look around yourself......and remember YOU WILL HAVE TO WORK IN THIS HEAT, NOT LAZE ABOUT LIKE ON HOLIDAY.

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concorde
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Postby concorde » Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:57 pm

I know someone who has just opened a new small B&B, and the logistics are quite frightening, There are so many rules and regulations that must be followed, especially disabled access etc.
This is a pain in England so imagine what it is like in a foreign country, which seems to pride itself on bureaucracy.
Plus I'm sure the public liability insurance must be quite high, which actually makes me laugh as if you could see the state of our streets, every outing is like an obstacle course/minefield.
Being in the hospitality trade is very hard work and as owners you are never off duty.
As a side line to stop being bored and meeting people perhaps, but I would not like to try and make a full time living out off it, anywhere.

katy
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Postby katy » Thu Jul 26, 2007 5:01 pm

Peter, I think your post was very sensible and honest, as are all of the others on this topic.

BENIDORM
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Postby BENIDORM » Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:15 pm

I would agree wholeheartedly with the replies to 'Want to Move', and if they should look back in earlier postings they will find much more interesting advice and comments about this subject.....
It is also refreshing to see that the poster was gracious enough to thank the members for their responses, quite often on here members go to great lengths to offer advice and the original posters don't even bother to acknowledge or say Thanks..... :wink:

MarkF
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Postby MarkF » Thu Jul 26, 2007 8:51 pm

I'd say, don't do it! You have been given some good, sensible advice here and unless you have some bright idea for a niche market, then forget it.

Have you or your partner ever run your own business? Generated your own money? If so, then you will know how hard it can be at times. :(

Try and set up an internet based business, I did it so anybody can do it. :D They cost peanuts to start up and test the water, your outlay and potential losses are minimal.

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Miggy
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..

Postby Miggy » Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:04 pm

MarkF wrote:Try and set up an internet based business, I did it so anybody can do it. :D They cost peanuts to start up and test the water, your outlay and potential losses are minimal.
Completely agree! :D :D :D

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silver
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Postby silver » Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:09 am

Inland...no more than 1hrs drive to Malaga.... Coin..Alhaurin el Grande, Alhaurinde la Torre..Guaro...Ojen..Monda...Cartama...Campanillas..Pizarra...Almogia..Casabermeja.. Colmenar..Antequera..Villanueva del Trabuco ..Loja...to name a few.

a good local state school for our son...your son would have to attend the school nearest to your home..so if you moved inland in most cases this would be your local village school...in some villages only one school...

set up a B&B....there are many doing this..so it is possible..I know some who manage to make a living...pay the bills...but not able to save.

being self suffient off the land and animals..this is possible but takes up time and work..if you have animal...think of the smell of them for your guests and the flies...animal attract flies...

There is not a great choice available of houses large enough for this purpose...unless you reform a place...this would mean a few months before you could get any income...
so it really depends on how much cash you have...how much you would need/want to earn..
If you are under 50 I would recomend that you wait...
No muerdes la mano que te da de comer.

Want to move
Tourist
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:21 pm
Location: South Coast, UK

Many Thanks

Postby Want to move » Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:40 am

Many Many Thanks to you all for all your advice and comments.

BENIDORM - Thank you for your kind words, I like to treat people as I`d like to be treated and I was borm with manners. I know a lot of people forget them here in the UK.

MarkF - Yes I am a self employed Mobile photographer at the moment so I do know that it can be hard work to get a constant income. What is your business line?

silver - A lot of info for me, many thanks.

All - I get the impression from other forum`s that life can be as expensive as the UK (health cover, utilities etc), is this the case?
We definately can`t afford to keep a house going here aswell as abroad so we would have to sell up completely and now after reading all your comments I`m not sure if that is a wise decision.

Once again many thanks and i appreciate your comments
Vicky

Want to move
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Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 3:21 pm
Location: South Coast, UK

Back soon

Postby Want to move » Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:43 am

Just to let you know I`m going out on business for the afternoon, but will respond to your comments on my return.

Many Thanks & Kind Regards
Vicky

olive
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Postby olive » Fri Jul 27, 2007 7:08 pm

My Two Pennyworth.

I think you could make a go of it but you need to do your research first. In my opinion the Spanish Costas B and B type business have been done to death. Andalucia included inland or coast.

You need a hook. Specialist holiday in specialist area( YOUR specialism).

e.g. Guide tours -Teruel shortly to become a world heritage site
e.g Central Spain Bird watching holidays to see Great Bustards mating.

that means lots of time/expense visiting areas OFF the beaten track (i.e. not within an hour of Malaga but a day) to find a suitable convenient property. Of course the weather will be less equitable in those places but probably still preferable to the UK. It is 38C in the shade here at the moment and hot at night.

Allow loads of time to get permissions for any work/business licences.

Good luck, I say go for it. If you don't you will always regret it.

olive

PS You would need to learn Spanish quickly.


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