Just curious - would you sell your house.........

[IreneD]

.........in Spain if you could, and return to the U.K.?

We bought our house in Spain a few years ago by mortgaging our house in the U.K. It seemed like a good idea at the time (our vague plan was to 'save' by buying property, to top up our state pension, rather than put what was at the time surplus money into a savings account for instance - our business was doing well at the time of purchase) but unfortunately we got in a financial mess and were forced into the position of selling a house. We decided, even though the housing market was pretty dire in both countries, that we'd sell our U.K. house. It seemed 'easier' as we are in the U.K. so on the spot, so to speak.

We sold our U.K. house a year ago, we were very lucky to get a reasonable price for it, in a very bad market, bought a caravan to live in until we retired and the plan was to then move to Spain. In our case, living in a caravan has worked out quite well so we now plan to spend time both in the U.K. and Spain.

The thing is, if I'm absolutely honest, I do regret buying in Spain. Don't get me wrong - we love our little town house in Canillas, and have had (and I'm sure will continue to have) great times there, but our hearts are in the U.K. and even though we are fine in our caravan, the lack of space does become an issue! For instance, if I am cooking and my OH wants to get past me to go to the loo, I do glare at him! Lol!

I think, if things had worked out and we'd been able to meet the mortgage repayments and ended up at retirement having two houses bought and paid for (which WAS the plan) we would probably have sold the house in Spain - if possible - and have had a reasonably healthy retirement pot to add to the state pension. But the best laid plans etc.......

I'm not grumbling, honestly!! We made the decisions we made of our own free will, no-one held a gun to our heads, so it's just the way our particular cookie has crumbled.

Just curious about some of the rest of you who may be - like us - not really 'comfortable', financially speaking.

[Paula]

I would sell everything we own in Spain if I could! We don't need to sell property in Spain to return to UK as we have property in UK. But we have too much property in Spain and it was a dumb thing to do. The monthly outgoings on it all are ridiculously high, like you I don't blame anyone else Irene, our decision entirely. We are not in financial problems or anything, but it is a lot of money tied up and I could think of better things to with it.

[princess peach]

YES YES YES...I most certainly would.
Spain was never permanent for myself and my family,and over the last year i have come round to the idea of going back home to UK.The only thing that is keeping me here is my son aged 14 in spainish school,its a really bad time to move him back to UK and back to a secondary school where he will be taught a completely different way.
I wish id never bought my house here 2.5 years ago,and wished id gone when i was quids in after selling the apartment id had before this property.
The plus side here in spain,is my hubby has loads of work,but im really beginning to hate this country,im sick to death of worrying about what rate the euro will be,what unexpected bill will be arriving thru the door,and sick of plodding on in this boring godforsaken place.
if you probably havent guessed already..im feeling rather fed up.

[pigs-might-fly]

Yes -our flat is on the market now!
When it will sell is anyone's guess, of course, (I should live so long!), all I know is, that we are asking about 69,000 euros LESS than it owes us.
We have no mortgage, but just think the time is right for us, personally, to return to the U.K.

[frank]

[quote="princess peach"]
,but im really beginning to hate this country,
[/quote]
That's why we have only ever holidayed there, I have said many times, living there would frustrate the life out of me! The weather doesn't cure all ills unfortunately.

[pigs-might-fly]

Frank, I agree with you.
To those of us used to living in Britain, where most things do work, despite the failings we all know about, Spain can be intensely frustrating. The older I get, the less I feel I want to put up with rubbish customer service, pettifogging and grossly inefficient bureaucracy, the total self absorption with family above all - manifested in the utmost contempt for other people's comfort and convenience and so-on.
We will miss the weather and the friends we have made here, but going "home" beckons more strongly every day.

[frank]

I bet they wish they could sell these quickly! ;-)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/oc ... -uk-buyers

[Miro]

"The agency Interealty, which is selling Banana Beach flats......."

Are they still going?????!!!!

[scotty]

Jeez.......... It looks like I'm the only non spanish person not trying to seel their property in spain . I have been coming to spain for over twenty five years and accept all its short comings but there really seems to be a pattern emerging here. I do feel sympathy for any of you the "need" to sell.
Princess Peach again I understand your problem with the teenager & moving back to the UK, but if your hubby has work then why are you concerned by the sterling rate ?

[campo babe]

I think PP's husband works in Gib, Scotty.

And, yes, we too would move back if we could. Our house is up for sale.

[katy]

I would seriously consider bailing out and we have had a place here for a long time. Let's face it, not the place it was. I know some who are selling and do not care to admit it (some on this forum) and I know so many decent people who have left and not just because of the exchange rate. Think the sinking pound was just the last straw. Personally I don't like being treated like a Pakistani although I am sure many wouldn't notice this or worse laugh it off....cloth caps are in!

Just a thought, maybe peachy's OH gets paid in sterling.

[Scot]

Katy - are you related to Anton du Beke by any chance?

[markwilding]

House not for sale and I'm not thinking of moving back

[katy]

Katy - are you related to Anton du Beke by any chance?

Just googled him and I have to say how crass....you just don't get it do you

[crazyred]

I would sell our properties in Spain but, not to return to the UK. It was always our intention to move to the campo and live 'the good life' being self sufficient etc... I also was following the same plan, trying to top up the pension pot. We bought a 1 bed flat to rent out and then borrowed against that a couple of years later to buy a 3 bed to live in. Things were good then and we borrowed about 60% of the total assets. Selling both properties at todays prices I will be lucky to pay the mortgage off Couple that with a stream of non paying destructive tenants, OH unable to find continuous work & the crashing sterling rate (work in Gib earning £'s), we've ended up with some hefty financial problems. On positive days I feel that things can only get better but, when things are getting me down I really feel like handing the keys back to the bank and renting somewhere.
But no, I'm not tempted to go back to the UK. Apart from the finances I'm very happy here and I doubt that my very outdoorsy kids would adapt very well to being back there.

[Scot]

Nope Neither does my part Pakistani cloth cap wearing other half

[Julie]

I spend time both in uk and Spain, like both equally, as my life style is the same in both places, but if I was in a postion were I had to choose I imagine I would keep property in the uk and not Spain, and holiday some place warm, probably not Spain as I don't think it has the best winter weather.
I imagine that when people only have the one property, that they could become unhappy in Spain and long for their roots. I used to think that Spain was the be all and end all, but time changes ones opinions. I do socialise more in Spain, thats down to the weather I guess.
Most people like PP stay positive and do what they think is for the best, and thats the right way to go in my eyes.

What the pakistan thing ? I am I missing something Lol !

[katy]

OK. How do you know that I may be actually empathising with Pakistanis Is the word now barred from normal conversation...what do we call them Some Gentleman coming from Pakistan It is a fact that Pakistanis are not well received, I made no comment on this whether it may be right or wrong! I said that we British in Spain are often treated like Pakistanis FFS. If you are puzzled so blóódy well am I

Nothing like distracting from the topic is there by a bit of PC

[masterob]

To those of us used to living in Britain, where most things do work, despite the failings we all know about, Spain can be intensely frustrating. The older I get, the less I feel I want to put up with rubbish customer service, pettifogging and grossly inefficient bureaucracy, the total self absorption with family above all - manifested in the utmost contempt for other people's comfort and convenience and so-on.
We will miss the weather and the friends we have made here, but going "home" beckons more strongly every day.Frank, I agree with you.

pigs-might-fly, I couldn´t have summed up our own feelings any better. No regrets in moving here 5½ years ago, it has been an interesting experience but like you, now very ready to move back if only the housing market would enable us!. Living here has certainly made us appreciate just how great the UK is, warts and all!

[IreneD]

Thanks for your honesty, it seems there are quite a few A.Com members who are disillusioned with Spain, for one reason or another and would sell up and come back to the U.K. if they could.

Some very interesting replies - I can relate to what you are saying, Paula - it's the money being tied up when we could really use it, that's my concern, too. PP - how frustrating, I can see how you must be pulled in two directions. If you were to move back, you'd have the worry of your son possibly not settling well into a U.K. secondary school and your OH might have problems finding work...... you must feel so trapped though, no wonder you are fed up. As Julie says, you do make the best of things - I often read your posts and think what an upbeat sort of person you are - it is the only way to be isn't it? Very hard at times to be cheerful, though, I'm sure.

It seems that it isn't only the financial side of things that have got people disillusioned with life in Spain. Katy, I do see what you're saying and you're not alone, that's clear. I suppose I don't see that side of Spain and the Spanish people - yet! Up to now, we've only spent probably 6 weeks in total in any year in Spain, so the frustrations talked about in this thread haven't really impacted on us. I am still fairly open-minded though, so will see how we fare when we spend more time at our house. We reckon, as long as we pull our belts in, we won't HAVE to sell up for 5 or 6 years (more, if my OH or myself can find work in our retirement to add to our meagre coffers!). I just feel a bit sad that we can't have the sort of retirement we would have liked, but that's no-one's fault, it's just the way things are.

Thanks again for the replies, really interesting.