Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
Hi,
My name is Richard and I'm new to this site and this is my first posting.
I moved to Melbourne from the UK over 30 years ago. Recently widowed and the kids having left to work overseas, I've decided to move back to the UK when I retire in 12 to 18 months because the rest of my family are there.
However, on the 3 occasions I've visited Spain in the past 10 years I've really come to appreciate their culture and lifestyle so before I finally resettle in England I thought I would spend 6 or 12 months discovering Spain.
My idea is to rent an apartment in Andalucia and base myself there while I travel around. And this is where I'm hoping to get a bit of advice.
I want to live within a close drive of the sea so that my family and mainly my nieces and their kids will visit (unfortunately no sea, no visit !) as well as hopefully friends from Australia and UK.
According to the various websites I think I can rent a nice apt with 2 bathrooms and 2 or 3 beds for around E 800 per month.
My difficulty is trying to find the right place to base myself in. To be honest I want to avoid the backpacker and heavy drinking crowd and live in a more cultured area which has a smattering of Brits for company.
My name is Richard and I'm new to this site and this is my first posting.
I moved to Melbourne from the UK over 30 years ago. Recently widowed and the kids having left to work overseas, I've decided to move back to the UK when I retire in 12 to 18 months because the rest of my family are there.
However, on the 3 occasions I've visited Spain in the past 10 years I've really come to appreciate their culture and lifestyle so before I finally resettle in England I thought I would spend 6 or 12 months discovering Spain.
My idea is to rent an apartment in Andalucia and base myself there while I travel around. And this is where I'm hoping to get a bit of advice.
I want to live within a close drive of the sea so that my family and mainly my nieces and their kids will visit (unfortunately no sea, no visit !) as well as hopefully friends from Australia and UK.
According to the various websites I think I can rent a nice apt with 2 bathrooms and 2 or 3 beds for around E 800 per month.
My difficulty is trying to find the right place to base myself in. To be honest I want to avoid the backpacker and heavy drinking crowd and live in a more cultured area which has a smattering of Brits for company.
Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
I realise that it may not be that easy for a mature single man who doesn't speak the local language but I intend to start Spanish lessons before I leave and continue them when I arrive there. Hopefully I will be able to make friends, as I usually do, which will help me to settle in and who will provide me with advice and information on where else I can visit.
I still have a lot to find out such as whether I need to re-register as a UK citizen etc and whether I buy a car there and drive it over instead of hiring.
Of course there is always the possibility that I will grow to love Spain so much that I will want to live there permanently. I think much will depend on whether I come to grips with the language. It seems from this site that any of you have made that decision without regrets.
Anyway, the main advice I need at this stage is where do I start to look for my first stage of occupation. If I don't like it after 3 months I could always move on. I quite like the Cadiz region from what I've read but I'm open to all suggestions - keeping in mind that it should be close to the sea and away from the heavy party going crowd.
Love to hear from you
Cheers
Richard
I still have a lot to find out such as whether I need to re-register as a UK citizen etc and whether I buy a car there and drive it over instead of hiring.
Of course there is always the possibility that I will grow to love Spain so much that I will want to live there permanently. I think much will depend on whether I come to grips with the language. It seems from this site that any of you have made that decision without regrets.
Anyway, the main advice I need at this stage is where do I start to look for my first stage of occupation. If I don't like it after 3 months I could always move on. I quite like the Cadiz region from what I've read but I'm open to all suggestions - keeping in mind that it should be close to the sea and away from the heavy party going crowd.
Love to hear from you
Cheers
Richard
- Julie
- Andalucia Guru
- Posts: 3534
- Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 4:47 pm
- Location: Andalucia & Greater Manchester
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
There are still lots of small villages along the coast, still very spanish but with Brits splashed around, so take a drive along the coast roads rather than the autopista and see if you find a place you like
Good luck and welcome to the mad house
Good luck and welcome to the mad house
No soporto ver la casa sucia, ahora mismo me levanto y apago la luz.
- fincalospinos
- Resident
- Posts: 1008
- Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:17 am
- Location: Caleta de Velez
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
Take a look at the area between Malaga and Nerja for your initial visit, it may not neccesarily be where you want to settle, but it is fairly central for exploring coastal Andalucia. Cadiz is approx 3 hours away, likewise with Almeria in the other direction.
Hardworking resident !!
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
Thanks Julie and Fincalospinos. I'll do some research in this area.
Richard
Richard
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
Just my opinion but I would stick to your first idea...cadíz. Anywhere from Tarifa to cadíz city is nice.
- fincalospinos
- Resident
- Posts: 1008
- Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:17 am
- Location: Caleta de Velez
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
wet and windy though !!katy wrote:Just my opinion but I would stick to your first idea...cadíz. Anywhere from Tarifa to cadíz city is nice.
Hardworking resident !!
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
True, you can't have it all
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
Katy I was getting quite excited there for a while until fincalospinos spoiled it all by saying it was wet and windy. Damn. Will have to look elsewhere where it's shaded from the wind.
- fincalospinos
- Resident
- Posts: 1008
- Joined: Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:17 am
- Location: Caleta de Velez
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
Borati, I wouldn't write it off, there are some lovely areas over there, and its great for wind surfing and sailing.Boratri wrote:Katy I was getting quite excited there for a while until fincalospinos spoiled it all by saying it was wet and windy. Damn. Will have to look elsewhere where it's shaded from the wind.
Thats why I suggested spending your first few months renting in a more central coastal location.
One other suggestion to research is a village called Maro, just outside Nerja, on the coast but not too busy.
Hardworking resident !!
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
Welcome Richard
If the sea and beaches are important for the children when they visit maybe you should go for the Costa de la Luz area, even though it can be windy as others have said? I have a thread titles 'beaches' which you might find interesting. I have fallen for a place called La Herradura, near Nerja but the beach is pebbles. That doesn't bother me, but children like sand of course.
Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best - we are also considering moving here and living in what is at the moment our holiday home.
If the sea and beaches are important for the children when they visit maybe you should go for the Costa de la Luz area, even though it can be windy as others have said? I have a thread titles 'beaches' which you might find interesting. I have fallen for a place called La Herradura, near Nerja but the beach is pebbles. That doesn't bother me, but children like sand of course.
Whatever you decide, I wish you all the best - we are also considering moving here and living in what is at the moment our holiday home.
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
Yes I like Maro, is it still the same? Haven't been for a few years.
I would take a look around the above, elviria, marbella area, vejer de la frontera on cadíz coast.
I do know that apartments asking 900 pm in elviria are now letting for 600pm. If you see anyhting you like make an offer
I would take a look around the above, elviria, marbella area, vejer de la frontera on cadíz coast.
I do know that apartments asking 900 pm in elviria are now letting for 600pm. If you see anyhting you like make an offer
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
[quote="katy"]Yes I like Maro, is it still the same? Haven't been for a few years.
[/quote]
Maro has never really excited me, nothing against it, just a place we've never rushed back to. Quite close to what is now the motorway, and with a so so beach. As Katy knows, we have been to Vejer quite a few times, and I'd much prefer it there. Certainly the wind can be a problem though. Not sure where the perfect spot is, to be honest!
[/quote]
Maro has never really excited me, nothing against it, just a place we've never rushed back to. Quite close to what is now the motorway, and with a so so beach. As Katy knows, we have been to Vejer quite a few times, and I'd much prefer it there. Certainly the wind can be a problem though. Not sure where the perfect spot is, to be honest!
Regards, Frank
No soy residente, simplemente un turista, ¿qué sé yo?
No soy residente, simplemente un turista, ¿qué sé yo?
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
Nothings perfect A friend lives inland near nerja and they have plantposts secured on the terraces. We had to cancel a few BBQ's and outside meals due to high winds in marbella. Wasn't called the windy coast for nothing!
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
Marbella is called the windy coast?
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
My understanding is that the Costa del Sol was originally known as the Windy coast, in Spanish.julian wrote:Marbella is called the windy coast?
It was renamed as the sunshine coast is more attractive to tourists.
Cheers
Gerry
Gerry Harris
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
Thanks everyone for your input. Lots to digest now. Actually I have a very good friend living in Ireland who is going to visit her friend in Vejer next month. So I will ask her to check it out.
Katy thanks also for the cue about negotiating the rent if I like something. Another reason not to buy.
Richard
Katy thanks also for the cue about negotiating the rent if I like something. Another reason not to buy.
Richard
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
I agree with Fincalospinos, between Neja and Malaga. The best climate is said to be around Torrox.
Re: Retiring in Andalucia - maybe ?
"I think marbella is on the CDS"
correct katy, it is. Marbella is as you say on the CDS ........(the Costa Del Sol, the sun coast)
correct katy, it is. Marbella is as you say on the CDS ........(the Costa Del Sol, the sun coast)
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 18 guests