Expat Stories Spain - Kevin and Eva Elliot
Kevin and Eva Elliot's Story
Hi Mark,
Have read your website articles with much interest. We are planning on moving to Spain and are in the process of buying an off plan new build south of Torrevieja (near San Miguel de Salinas). Having done the obligatory inspection trip with one of the largest property companies we got to see many properties in the region south of Alicante.
We did a five day trip which only cost us £89 for two people including hotel and all food. Despite my cynicism we were not pressured or hassled at any time and our guide was very knowledgeable about anything we asked.
We then hooked up with a guy who is a friend of a friend has his own property franchise based in the area. We came out for two days after many emails and a good many conversations, narrowing down what we were after, what we liked/didn’t like. In those two days things were very intensive but at the last minute we found a house that fitted the bill.
I’ve noticed many similarities when reading your story, compared to our life! We are fed up with working our shirts off for little reward only to be stuck with poor weather (we live in Brighton), unreliable public transport and overloaded social systems. There must be another way – and Spain looks like it could be the answer.
As you rightly say if you don’t try these things then you will probably look back and regret. Whats the worst that can happen – having to come back home?
One concern we do have at the moment is the reports of organised crime which seems to be worst around the Torrevieja area (capital of crime?), particularly the use of violence and lack of solutions due to an overworked, under resourced police force. The lack of new people signing on the padron means that official population figures are not high enough, which in turn does not qualify areas for additional resources like hospitals, schools, police etc. Newcomers to an area are shooting themselves in the foot by not signing on.
Also we are concerned about property prices and which way they are going to go – it could be that we are buying at the peak and could lose out. I think though that the answer to this is that property should be looked at as a long term investment, at least 5 years, not one or two. As long as you buy in the right area and of good quality then you should be ok - location, location, location – its true! Over any ten year period property has never lost out, not in the UK anyhow.
We will be checking back to see how your site grows – good luck with it and good to read your views. You can use this email or parts of it on the site if it will be of any use.
Best regards, Kevin & Eva Elliott
Mark's (website owner) reply:
Thanks for sharing your story, it's very informative and full of intelligence. You are buying and moving here for lifestyle and not investment. That's the best way because then you can switch off to some degree from the property prices. There is no point stewing over them now you have bought - you just have to make the most of it now you have made the commitment.
Spain is not as easy as many people think so there are plenty of other things to concern yourself with. Like me you were not happy with your life in the UK and this is as different as it gets, albeit with many things we are used to i.e. other English people, TV, newspapers etc.
With the amount of new buildings going up there must be many places up for long-term rentals and this is perhaps the best option for those who are not too sure if they will adjust and like it here.
Crime is a concern but I'm sure it's overplayed. It is at least something the authorities could do something about - whether they will or not we don't know but it could be tackled which is a positive.
It sounds like the Spanish are not really involved, much is blamed on the Eastern Europeans and Africans. Now surely if you and I can spot these people a mile off then so can the police.
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