avalonmpk2,
You seem to know a lot about me and what I will do - when you know nothing at all
We came to Spain in the year 2000 - having decided then that there must be more to life than Working & Living in the UK and struggling to make ends meet - as we had been over the previous 10 years - I had been Self Employed since the age of 21 - So early retirement at the age of 59 to Spain was our decision.
So we sold up Lock Stock and Barrel in the UK - bought a large Caravan for all the belongings that meant anything to us and set off - a big move because we had never been to Spain for 22 years - and we got off the Ferry at Santander - drove to the South Coast of Spain.
There we sat facing the Sea - and we actually tossed a coin to see whether we went Left or Right from that point.
How many people do you know who have done that - how many do you know who would have even considered doing it - would you move to another country without careful planning where you were going ?? to us it was just another ' Lets Do It ' adventure !!!!!
That gives you the idea of what type of people we are - so a little hiccup like what is happening over here at present will mean nothing to us.
Firstly - We do have Spanish Citizenship and we pay our Taxes over here -
We do not get the Winter Fuel Allowance - I am one of the minority that think it is not necessary - even though we lived in a cold area in winter - Most years our total Gas Bill was less than what we were paying in the UK for 3 months supply - and over here Gas was used for Cooking / Heating Water / Heating the House.
Ever since we came out here in 2000 our living expenses have always been a lot less than they were in the UK and it is only this last year when our living expenses have reached 50 % of our income. So the Spanish Cost of Living will have to rise considerably before we start feeling the pinch - and Spain according to the latest report is still the second cheapest place to live in the EU.
At present without going into to much detail - after being here for 12 years - We now have more money in UK banks - than we had when we came out to Spain.
We also have a healthy Current Account out here & Investments in Spanish Banks which pay a regular monthly income equal to half my Wife's Pension - which actually is more than mine.
All the above also includes over £ 10,000 we have sent to our Son in the UK who has been struggling for the last 2 years to keep his head above water
All this goes to making it a long time - before we would even consider moving back to the gloomy weather that the UK can give.
The only downside to our current situation is my health - it is only due to the wonderful Spanish Health Service that I am alive today - having been battling against spreading Cancer since 2009 - I know I will die in Spain.
My Wife who will then be my Widow - because of the good Life Style we have had for the last 12 years - intends staying here until her health starts to suffer - then she will return to the UK to live with our Son - but she will not be a drain on the UK economy.
So get your facts right before making statements on which you know Nowt !!!!!
