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'It is a fact that many ex-patriot residents living in Spain have decided to escape from the grey skies of Britain, and also from the cost of living that seems to rise daily.
Many restaurants and bars in London for instance, charge what for some is day's wages for a meal, whereas in inland Spain, in the Cantoria area for instance, the cost of eating out is still relatively cheaper, and one can still enjoy a wide variety of foods for a fraction of the cost of similar in the UK. The all year-round sunshine, and for some, the relaxed way of life makes Spain a paradise for the million or so people from northern Europe who have made Spain their home.
For many of the million or so Britons who have made the transition, there have been problems related to the property market, and although care was taken in choosing a property, and legal advice was sought and used, many have still had bad experiences and lost their home due to fraudulent practices.
In the Andalucia region and specifically in the Almanzora valley, and the Albox areas, approximately 8,000 homes were built and the new owners, who had paid on average ?200,000 for a new build, and taken all of the legal advice that was available to them during the period 2002 to 2003, have only afterwards found some of their properties to be illegal one way or another. Many new owners have suffered as a result of demolition threats and the legal expenses that they have incurred because of this.
It is therefore important when choosing a property, that a buyer should not only seek legal assistance, but also to speak to local residents and council officials who can provide them with more details of who originally owned the property, and even give contact information to the families who originally owned the property, so that the buyer can satisfy themselves that a claim on the property will not be made at a future date. Local Internet forums are easily accessible, and a lot of information is available, as well as contact with other expats who will readily agree to explain the situation within their areas.
Even though such advice has been sought and the legal matters and licences put into place, some families have had their homes demolished.
If the property is a new build, then the same thing applies. The ownership of a piece of land should be verified, and full consent should be assured before the build commences. Once again, it would be prudent to find as much information as possible about the situation in the area of choice, and to also visit the local forums for that area, and this can be done by searching on the internet and using the correct search terms such as 'Spain property fraud victims' and selecting the result that are produced in that search. Also to seek out other British expats in the chosen area and to ask about any possible problems that might exist.
It is so important that all of the legalities are take care of, so that one can then relax and enjoy the great Spanish weather, and to then enjoy the local activities without the fear of waking up one morning to find a letter in the post box ordering them to move out as the property is illegal and is about to be demolished.
Many people move to Spain to escape problems in their own country - only to find that they are confronted with a new set of problems which are even worse than the ones they left behind.
The Spanish have a different way of doing things than most Europeans; the language can be a problem in certain areas although there are many ways to learn the differences in dialects, and there are lots of local tutors eager to help for ?10 to ?15 for each lesson.
All is not doom and gloom though, as for the majority of British expats; there have been no problems, but always the thought in the back of the mind that perhaps they too would be contacted by the local junta at some time in the future.
For the most part, it has been sunshine and Sangria, and the fun of the local festivities and markets that the Spanish people have built a reputation for providing.
Some people just can't cope with the summer heat of the southern coastal resorts even though sunshine was probably the biggest factor in their decision to move to Spain. This does take time to adjust to, but after a while, one realizes that as long as you live as the Spanish people do and take the mid day siesta, and drink lots of fresh water, they can become more acclimatized as time goes by.
One of the most endearing things about the Spanish is their wonderfully relaxed attitude. If you don't have enough cash to pay a bar bill in rural areas of Spain such as the Cantoria area, the owner will normally just shrug his shoulders and tell you to come back tomorrow. That's great - unless you're a businessman who wants something done in a hurry at a specified time of day. That's when Spaniards can drive you nuts!
There is always the issue of leaving close friends and family in the UK, but the air fares and boat crossings are so very affordable these days, reaching home base within the UK is not a problem, and family and friends can always visit.
Making Spanish friends is not hard at all, and it all depends on having the right attitude towards the local peoples. The old saying of 'when in Rome do as the Romans do' works very well, and as long as we realize that the Spanish people are cautious about making new friends due to bad press in the past, we should always make a special effort to make allowances for that, and foster good relations by setting better examples of ourselves.
If you're planning to work in Spain you need to be aware that job opportunities are fairly limited, especially if you don't speak fluent Spanish and wages are much lower than in north European countries. If you are a younger person looking for work, then it is important that you seek advice from a person who is locally called a jester. This person will help you to put all of the legal issues into place, so that you can work without the fear of being asked to leave because you do not have the correct documentation to support your rights to live and work in Spain. Changing to the Spanish system can be quite expensive, and it is important that good health insurance is taken in order that you are fully covered if you require medical assistance.
The key to success is to visit different areas a few times, and to try it out before you make a long-term commitment to moving to Spain which could cost you dearly in terms of both money and emotional trauma.
For those who make a success of life in Spain, the country is a wonderful cocktail of cheap food and wine, non-stop fiestas, freedom from the poor weather in the UK, and a year-round outdoor lifestyle with like-minded souls who believe life's simply too short to spend in a grey London office block.
There is nothing better than an adventure, and moving to a new country is certainly that. Life is for living, and it can be so rewarding to try something completely new before one reaches a time when it is too late to give it a try.
With the right attitude, and by seeking the proper assistance from the legal angle, the transition can be smooth and very rewarding.
The Spanish people are usually very friendly, and after a short time, you will be greeted warmly by everyone that you meet. Where there might be some resistance, this makes it a challenge to prove to the Spanish people, that you are there to join in and contribute to the overall living experience, and in time, even those who might resist, come around to the conclusion that you are there to be a part of their lives, and to add benefits rather than to take away what is considered by them to be theirs.
Living in Spain is a wonderful way to enhance your life, and you will never know how good it is unless you give it a try.
