There seems to be quite of you around here who have made the step to move South after retirement. I wonder if the expectations you had materialized? How do you deal with (grand-)children and family back home? Would you do it again or what would you do differently?

Garp, watching with interest. Added question: how many who've done it kept a home base too?

CG

1) Born in England.
2) Worked in Germany 1968-1993.
3) Retired to Catalunia 1993, selected because they have a German approach to work but the weather is better. Oh and the language is easy for English to learn. And France is nearby if you want good cheese.
4) Never regretted it, quite the opposite.
5) Have no other home-base.

OK ?

I made the move before full retirement and do not have the slightest regret. I still work part time and find it a great way of getting to know the people, the language and the culture.
My wife and I have no family or dependants so it may have been easier for us, our many friends find no difficulty in visiting us here.
We have not kept a base in the UK as it would be too much bother to look after, and the return on investment would be pitiful.
Moving to the Med has been a disaster for many with reality falling way below expectation. The plethora of TV programmes have given a romantic view of what can be a very stressful exercise for the unprepared.
Ten years of "reconnaissance" was carried out before our move, and it has paid off. People we know sometimes piss me off by coming out with the phrase "you are lucky to live in a place like this," as if forty years of hard work had nothing to do with it!
If someone asks if they should do the same I would only say no, because I have seen too many failures. If they are still determined, and have the right outlook, then good luck.

Ofso / Siti

Thanks for replying....

Plan is to be in South of France within 5 years, kids can attend secondary school and preparing by lots of visits and slowly learning the language.

Under no illusion that
1.) will lose some friends
2.) will gain some friends
3.) it will be hard work for first 30 years or so but hell staying in UK will be even harder work with crappier weather and food.

Born and worked in Australia for 35 years.
Moved to a foreign country (the UK) for the last 10 years (easy to learn the language)
Will probably not retire here ... ;)

" 3.) it will be hard work for first 30 years or so but hell staying in UK will be even harder work with crappier weather and food."


Plus the French are unlikely to allow the introduction of Sharia law.....:ok:

Not really retirement, I was only 40 something and not S of France, (they do speak some French here!) However, a couple of things:

1) Burn the bridges behind you. Leaving an 'out' is a self fulfilling prophecy.

2) Deliberately involve yourself in local society and activities AND make an effort with ex pats. Ifd either don't work out then you will have the other.

3) Embrace local cooking and eating. Shop local style. Use UK things as occasional luxuries.

4) Resist the homesickness after a year. (We didn't have any at all!) So many of our friends go home and a month later they are paying to come out again.

5) As said here. Better to visit and stay before you make the actual decision, and not just once, go back and see if the place still meets your expectations a third and fourth time.


We think it was actually easier than expected. No more difficult than moving down the road.

Plus the French are unlikely to allow the introduction of Sharia law....
No, but something I admire about them is that they are very good at turning a blind eye to pragmatic solutions that work. I doubt if they'd notice a few criminals walking around with a hand or two missing!

Tx for the input guys but how about children and grand-children. Is/was the partner ok with leaving them behind.

Kids/Grandkids? Well, that's what things like Skype were invented for. The interwebs makes things so much easier to keep in contact, and visits can become more "special" due to the distance as a visit becomes a vacation or mini-break. That, of course, works both ways.

In my case, although I ain't retired or in Southern Europe, moving here was the best move I ever made. I have a decent job, a decent woman (despite her problems), decent healthcare, etc, and I don't expect to take a single cent from UK PLC when I retire (IF I retire). Things could be better, but that goes for everyone everywhere as you ALWAYS aspire to greater things, but the best part is that I am over here and my family is not.

Works for me!!

Not yet a retiree myself but I pass on the experience of a friend whose parents retired to South of Spain. I have also heard about this problem through my work, of folks retiring to the sunshine. Decide in advance what you are going to do about old age.

Work out if you are likely to have enough money and language skills to cope with old age, illness, doctors and carers. For example:


The woman (70 something) needs to be rushed to hospital
Her husband does not drive, so dependent on taxis to and fro (€€€)
Their children a minimum of 12hrs away but both working so have to get time off - cannot just pop over for an hour each day)
Their friends locally do their best, of course
She and husband speak little of the language, Doctors and nursing staff do their best to explain.

You get the picture. Many folks give up and come back - for a variety of reasons - one woman I know who has lived in Italy most of her life says that she has no intention of growing old in Italy because she has seen it at first hand.

I suggest that the language is of paramount importance.

how about children and grand-children.

Live cheap but slum it: live near a Ryanair airport.
Central London 3hrs from north of Spain/south of France, under €150 return including suitcase. Chavs and Sharons included plus arguments about luggage and immigration delays. And add an hour to check in and collect luggage from the conveyor belt.

Live expensive but in luxury: live near a TGV station.
Central London 9hrs from south of France, around €300 return first class PREM (meal - and wine ! - included). Defined luggage size: "you must be able to lift two cases yourself onto the train and each must be not more than one metre long". Practically: nobody checks.

I suggest that the language is of paramount importance.

Very true, and coming to Catalunia, speaking the right one - no matter how badly - gets you a smile. Speak the wrong one and you're "just another b--- tourist."

Good advice from all.......and thanks OFSO:ok:

To me if you don't speak the Lingo and make no effort then WTF would you want to live there ?

Enough people on JB complain about non brits coming to UK and not fitting in while seeing their own do exactly the same.

Speaking language is a prime requirement as otherwise you always an outsider, even speaking it poorly gets you known, maybe not for the right reasons but people love a trier.

I suggest that the language is of paramount importance.

Very true, and coming to Catalunia, speaking the right one - no matter how badly - gets you a smile. Speak the wrong one and you're "just another b--- tourist."


Indeed true but if it's Catalunia you're considering for retirement and you intend to explore the country (Spain) you'll find the Catalan language about as useful as a chocolate fireguard.
As mentioned before, integrate as much as possible and get yourself into the Health System as soon as possible. In some places like parts of the south it can be pretty iffy but in areas like Catalunia and the Basque Country it is second to none.
Presumably you intend to buy a home, make sure all the i's are dotted and Ts crossed. I know of a retired Brit pensioner couple who bought in a new developement. Their builder went broke and came looking for more money. I think they were the only ones to refuse to cough up. As a result, several years later, they are still without running water and electricity.

My own decision was easily made as I married a local while on contract here in the early eighties and SWMBO already had an apartment. Learning the language came naturally as none of my new in-laws spoke any English and while travelling around on other contracts I got used to writing letters in Spanish. For 20 years prior to retirement we lived in the UK but the plan was always to return to Spain.

Good luck whatever y'all decide.

Presumably you intend to buy a home, make sure all the i's are dotted and Ts crossed.

Words of great wisdom and deep import !

And remember:

There's a world of difference between buying a "holiday home" from a trader who just deals with tourists and a residential home from an established estate agent.

Sorry to have to say it, but all those estate agents "of your own nationality" to whom you go for that reason will rip you off - for that reason. Old established firms who employ locals won't. At least usually.

Never never buy "off plan", (it will stay that way), anything unbuilt (it won't be), or unfinished (it won't be), or with "planning permission for an extension" (it hasn't).

Get a loan to buy it from a reputable bank. No matter if you don't need a loan, get a loan: because they will send someone to assess the property and also make sure all paperwork is in order. They will not advance you money on a bum deal.

Notaries in Catalunia must have someone present at the signing who speaks your language. Notaries don't work for the vendor or the puchaser, but are there to make sure all formalities are complied with - and no more.

Check locally how much you should declare for tax purposes: in my area it's twice the last rated value (which is about half-ish of what it is really worth or what you paid).

Local people know what to do - you don't - get to know a few and they will tell you.

I could go on writing on this subject for hours........

One mistake many make is buying a holiday property in a certain area because Ryanair, Easyjet or any of the other LoCos fly to that convenient little airport close by.
A lot of people have done just that, only to find that a few years later the airline pulls out, leaving them with long drives to the nearest airport. Ryanair have regular spats with government bodies, and if they do not get their own way they move somewhere else.
Also, their schedules change by the season making forward planning a bit of a gamble, and if they have to cancel a flight for any reason you could end up with a big bill and a long journey to find an alternate. They say they will transfer you to the next available flight, but that could be next week!

You will also find the local estate agents will have a catalogue of the property they have for sale usually left outside the shop for you to help yourself to, it will give you an idea of what you can get for your money and translating it will help you with the language.

We moved from the UK, out of the Rat Race, to life on a remote Greek island 13 yrs ago. No regrets at all. There was a book about our experiences published 2 months ago which has become very popular. I wonder why! We now also live 6 months a year in Botswana. Again it is wonderful. Even with the problems in Greece if you are remote it is not a problem. A high standard of living in Botswana is not expensive. We own our house in Greece and rent for the whole year in the bush outside Maun.

With both cultures you have to be pretty laid back to survive. Also, our advantage was not having a family. We could take the risk.

Our biggest mistake: renting out our house in the UK. Now sold and income invested.

the local estate agents will have a catalogue of the property they have for sale

And - in France - the mayor of the local village. Make friends in the bar at night, or take him half a botle of whiskey (in your briefcase, not openly), and look through his records with him.

In the south of Italy there's another group in power whom you can visit and see if they need anything or would like to come in on a deal. Contrary to what "The Godfather" portrays, they can be quite helpful.

Our biggest mistake: renting out our house in the UK. Now sold and income invested.

A mistake that many seem to make is to sell up and bugger off to shores afar and then regret after a few years when the reality isn't as the dream imagined and are stuck in reduced circumstances when back 'home' as the mad property market has carried on inflating as fast as is decent. It takes either bravery or commitment to sever all ties and go off, that said, Genghis Khan seemed to profit from this all or nothing strategy. ;)

Without commitment to integrate on ALL levels it won't work and if there's kids or parents/family the chances of disruption are sadly higher. As long as the movers are a 'unit' then the world is yer oyster.



SHJ

the local estate agents will have a catalogue of the property they have for sale

And - in France - the mayor of the local village.

Don't you mean the Notaire, as they do property sales as well as the legal bumph?

Although a Maire may have his ear to the ground in a small commune, the Mairie normally only becomes involved when the "Compromis de vente" has been signed at the Notaires, by the buyer and seller. This is the ceremony where the price is fixed and all the legal work can proceed. In certain zones the Notaire must offer the property to the Ville at the agreed price, so that it can be bought for social housing.

A number of "under the table" deals have come unstuck because of this law, leaving the greedy seller out of pocket, and the Ville getting a bargain.
What happens is that the seller wants, say, 500k for a property. The two parties agree on 300k on paper, and the 200k balance is to be passed under the table when the Notaire takes a "comfort break" during the final act.
But the Mairie, having been notified of the agreed price, spots the bargain and exercises its right to buy.
It doesn't happen often now, but I know of one deal recently where a closed town centre hotel was snapped up by the Ville for 1.2 million, the buyer and seller having agreed to put 400k of the 1.6 million under the table.

The Ville now has a smart new Mairie in the centre of town with part of it having been converted into a tourist office, and three apartments created for locals.

The Notaire also, but in a small place the Mayor generally has his ear to the ground.

I've mentioned it before: in a small village some English friends who bought a house, despite being nice folks and speaking good French, were generally ignored other than "bonjour" or "bonsoir" as appropriate, until P drove his car into the ditch outside his house on Saturday night. Coming past on his tractor the next morning, the Mayor pulled the car out. Next night the word had spread "those English aren't stuck up, they are as stupid as we are at getting home pissed at night" and it was drinks all round at the bar that evening. Never looked back.

Next night the word had spread "those English aren't stuck up, they are as stupid as we are at getting home pissed at night" and it was drinks all round at the bar that evening. Never looked back.

Its the old People like us...............village people (er no not that Village People) want newcomers to be people like them that fit in and don't upset the balance in a community hence brash outsiders flaunting wealth etc get nowhere.

Remember many years ago reading newspaper about family who had given up UK farm and bought in France. Their 3 kids made local school viable and not liable to shutting, guy was just about to reach 40 when grants/loans for agriculture become harder to get and he found French bureaucracy helped by Maire who hounded them doing crazy things to get him in under the deadline.

2 years past this they couldn't believe the contrast where they were part of community rather than feeling isolated on their farm especially during the UK Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001. They told reporter they felt at home which having given up family farm after 4 generations with family heartache he never felt was likely to happen.

OFSO wrote: [QUOTE]And - in France - the mayor of the local village. Make friends in the bar at night, or take him half a botle of whiskey (in your briefcase, not openly), and look through his records with him./QUOTE]

Do you also own property here in France as well as Spain? Do you speak from any 1st hand experience? Whilst I accept that there are many French mayors and other public officials suseptible to be corrupted, I doubt that a 1/2 bottle of Scotch would be enough to do the trick. You do the French a grave injustice matey, comparing them to vulgar Panama Canal customs officials, happy to "bring you off" for a carton of 200 Marlboro cigarettes and a full bottle of JW Black Label Scotch?! :confused:

What on earth are you talking about ? Who mentioned bribery and corruption ? I also doubt that "a 1/2 bottle of Scotch would be enough to do the trick" in fact I'm darnn sure it wouldn't.

In my little world it's common to take a present when you go to see someone. Or do you think the chocolates I hand out to some officials at Christmas here (such as the ladies who work in the post office) constitutes "a bribe" ? Or the bottle of wine to my insurance broker when I go to negotiate a new contract ?

To me it's just being friendly.

Just being friendly...

BBC News - US charges eight in Siemens foreign bribery case (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16166354)

BBC News - US charges car firm Daimler with violating bribery laws (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8584158.stm)

BBC NEWS | Business | US Siemens fraud probe formalised (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6594969.stm)[/URL]

Being "friendly" is handing over a carton of 200 Marlboros to the average customs official worldwide (ports & shipping related).

Being "abusive" consists of handing over an opened bottle of Scotch with 1/2 remaining..."anywhere").

^^^^^ wierdo^^^^^ :E

I think OFSO's well wrong with his 1/2 bottle of Scotch.....................a bottle of Absinthe would be much better. But he is right about befriending the Mayor, with him on your side getting things done is very much easier.

A slightly differant spin from us in that we have both just retired, Mrs SFFP at 52 always emphasises hers was early where as mine at 54 is from having done my time in the RAF.

We are going to have a couple of gap years travelling, currently doing Europe for 3 months in our Motorhome with quite a lot of other trips planned over the next 12 to 15 months.

In 2014 we plan to move to somewhere sunny but the one thing we are certain of is we don't know where and we don't know for how long. With that in mind we will never sell up. The rent from the 2 properties we have in UK will more than cover the small mortgages on each and the balance will enable us to rent somewhere very nice in most locations we might choose abroad.

Not saying this is the way to go but for us this method means that should we fall foul of the sort of disaster that makes for a great TV documentary we will only ever be out of pocket for a few months rent as opposed to our life savings.

Since booze has been mentioned a few times, that is one area a number of retired expats seem to find themselves in.
My wife and I refer to the "Britpack" who have nothing to do all day but meet up in various cafes and bars to shoot the breeze over a glass or two (three, four, five) becoming even more obnoxious as the day wears on.
The only common thing they seem to have is their language, but alcohol provides a gelling force. Around early evening they all tumble off to their homes for dinner and a good nights rest, ready to start the next day off in the same manner.
Expats the world over will recognise them, and the sensible ones avoid them like the plague.

If that is the lifestyle they have chosen to live and if they are enjoying that lifestyle I am not sure I can see where the problem lies......... or maybe I can :=

I can see the psychology of selling up in the UK if you are committed to living abroad.

But from the financial view is it not better to rent out your UK house rather than sell it, given rental income even after management costs will give a return that would exceed that from selling up and reinvesting the money?

the sensible ones avoid them like the plague.

That's another sensible piece of advice: don't pick your new friends from ex-pat circles because they are ex-pats, pick 'em from everywhere.

Alcohol: doesn't go with sun. And if you live alone (like I do much of the time) don't keep spirits in the house. Or chocolate eclairs.

would exceed that from selling up and reinvesting the money?

Depends where you invest it. You need VERY sensible advice from long-established firms that deal with expats and know financial, taxation, and legal rules in the country that you are going to*.

*Obviously not Barclays, RBS, LLoyds TSB, Halifax, Santander......

Our situation is that we’ve lived in Belgium for years and have pretty much ‘gone native’ (including naturalisation) and have very few ties with UK. We would be happy to stay beyond the now-very-imminent end to our working lives, but the recent string of cold winters and wet summers has been pretty dispiriting. Neighbours recently moved to Southern Spain and bought a villa with granny flat, pool etc for more or less the same as they got for their rather pokey little terraced house. We’re not rich by any means but our property is worth almost double theirs.

So while moving South is not Plan A, the germ of the idea has been planted …

Apart from the upheaval of leaving friends behind, though, it always comes back to the same thing: healthcare. The standard of Belgian healthcare can’t be bettered and for various reasons Mrs SSK and I have been seeing an awful lot of it recently. Not life-threatening but life-quality-threatening.

Any hints or opinions? For reasons not entirely rational, Portugal – but not the Algarve – appeals more than Spain. Inland more than seaside – although Malta has also caught our attention. France (we both speak the language) but avoiding the expat magnets. Italy, Greece and Cyprus don’t appeal and while ex-Yugoslavia has many attractions, ideas of living there permanently would be a step to far.

Your thoughts and suggestions would be most welcome.

Our situation is that we’ve lived in Belgium for years and have pretty much ‘gone native’ (including naturalisation) and have very few ties with UK. We would be happy to stay beyond the now-very-imminent end to our working lives, but the recent string of cold winters and wet summers has been pretty dispiriting. Neighbours recently moved to Southern Spain and bought a villa with granny flat, pool etc for more or less the same as they got for their rather pokey little terraced house. We’re not rich by any means but our property is worth almost double theirs.

So while moving South is not Plan A, the germ of the idea has been planted …

Apart from the upheaval of leaving friends behind, though, it always comes back to the same thing: healthcare. The standard of Belgian healthcare can’t be bettered and for various reasons Mrs SSK and I have been seeing an awful lot of it recently. Not life-threatening but life-quality-threatening.

Any hints or opinions? For reasons not entirely rational, Portugal – but not the Algarve – appeals more than Spain. Inland more than seaside – although Malta has also caught our attention. France (we both speak the language) but avoiding the expat magnets. Italy, Greece and Cyprus don’t appeal and while ex-Yugoslavia has many attractions, ideas of living there permanently would be a step to far.

Your thoughts and suggestions would be most welcome.

I think Spain or Portugal is simply too far from here (we live in the same country) since I like the idea of driving just one day. If you really want a more or less certainty for good weather and you limit yourself to France than you have to head to the South East. While the whole of France has been suffering from bad weather recently, that very area was still bathing in the sun.
Other areas of France might be much more appealing in terms of prices and friendliness of people (Perigord, Gers etc) but the weather can really suck there unfortunately. Nothing worse than moving South and realizing that the weather is about the same as back North. :{

The standard of Belgian healthcare can’t be bettered

IMHO, having been treated in the UK, France, Germany and Spain, the latter is tops. We have private insurance, but once Mrs OFSO was taken into the public hospital in Figueras, was seen right away, place was spotless and - listen to this, Englishers - everyone working in the hospital spoke English !

having been treated in the UK, France, Germany and Spain, the latter is tops. We have private insurance, but once Mrs OFSO was taken into the public hospital in Figueras, was seen right away, place was spotless and - listen to this, Englishers - everyone working in the hospital spoke English !

On a trip to Normandy over jubilee weekend (mentioned previously re Billy D Harris) one of the littlies fell down stair at the pool with knee / arm / hand and head injury (all superficial).

Clinic was spotless and we were seen with enough speed that ensured everything was done in a smooth and polite manner. They rounded up a nurse who spoke English but even that wasn't necessary as we would have got by. We were there for 3 hours but they were apolgetic as Radiologist was away having lunch for 30 minutes, we got forms, xrays and a letter in event littlie needed further treatment. Cost €67 which haven't claimed on insurance on as felt let it stay as a cost we could have avoided.

Contrast this with a visit to NHS hospital in last week with one of the other littlies with something in foot, in for same time but you got depressed at the state of the building and having loads of people around but not figuring what they were doing. May have been free but depressing.

Do you also own property here in France as well as Spain? Do you speak from any 1st hand experience? Whilst I accept that there are many French mayors and other public officials suseptible to be corrupted, I doubt that a 1/2 bottle of Scotch would be enough to do the trick. You do the French a grave injustice matey, comparing them to vulgar Panama Canal customs officials, happy to "bring you off" for a carton of 200 Marlboro cigarettes and a full bottle of JW Black Label Scotch?!

Would see it in the same way as breaking bread with someone that you showing some respect as they are the official representative of the people.

I thought about Southern Europe, but opted for Canada. Winters will be spent in the southern US (with 1 million other Canadians).

Had to go into hospital with a hernia a couple of months ago. Within 3 hours I'd seen the specialist, been offered several op times, including immediately. Four hours later I was on a spotless surgical ward with the operation done, and the staff busy but not overworked. I was out next day, total cost $15 for the antibiotics prescription. Removing the staples 10 days later; Appointment at 1730 hrs to suit my work. All done by 1731 hrs. And my province is the second worst in Canada.

Do you also own property here in France as well as Spain?

I see I didn't answer airship's question. No, not now, but I did, for nine years, Haute Savoie. But I could only go there for a few weeks each year, so I can't claim to have got to know the ins and outs. Nice village folk, though.

OFSO wrote: The standard of Belgian healthcare can’t be bettered

IMHO, having been treated in the UK, France, Germany and Spain, the latter is tops. We have private insurance, but once Mrs OFSO was taken into the public hospital in Figueras, was seen right away, place was spotless and - listen to this, Englishers - everyone working in the hospital spoke English !

That is from someone who very regularly denigrates "the EU" in various threads across this forum. Did you ever attempt to explain that you indeed held "private heath insurance", before simply walking away (and saving your private health insurer a small fortune) from the public hospital...?! And so many others here complain about illegal immigrants benefitting from free medical treatments etc. in UK...?! :}

I can understand that the Spaniards in certain towns and cities provide "free heathcare and emergency services to mainly Brits" who regularly fall into an alcohol-induced coma during a night-out there. It's all "part of the service" when holidaying in Benidorm for example, financed by the Spanish municipalities and regions ,now crying out for emergency hand-outs, just like many Spanish banks apparently.

If Spain was in the hands of the small UK nazis in power today, they'd perhaps insist that the comatosed (Brit?!) passed out on the street produced his EUHC card (formerly the EU511 form) before being collected / treated by the Spaniards...?! Of course, it's rarely the medical professionals in whatever country who complain, just all the little nazis, wherever they are...?! :ugh:

Sometimes it's like talking to KAG: I wasn't in an "EU hospital" because there is no such thing. I was in a Catalan/Spanish hospital, staffed by Catalns and Spanish.

I don't like the EU as a political entity but I like the many and varied inhabitants of the Member States where I've lived and worked.

Did you ever attempt to explain that you indeed held "private heath insurance", before simply walking away (and saving your private health insurer a small fortune) from the public hospital..

If you read my post - carefully - you will see I was commenting on the quality of care & cleanliness the public hospital offered. Without any other information, you assume I "simply walked away", implying I didn't pay their bill and benefitted from free treatment.

For the record, they were recompensed in full.

Think before you post accusations for which there is no basis in what I have written.

Just ignore him, OFSO, after a while he'll fall back into a comatose state and you won't have to put up with the incomprehensible drivel

Since booze has been mentioned a few times, that is one area a number of retired expats seem to find themselves in.
My wife and I refer to the "Britpack" who have nothing to do all day but meet up in various cafes and bars to shoot the breeze over a glass or two (three, four, five) becoming even more obnoxious as the day wears on.
The only common thing they seem to have is their language, but alcohol provides a gelling force. Around early evening they all tumble off to their homes for dinner and a good nights rest, ready to start the next day off in the same manner.
Expats the world over will recognise them, and the sensible ones avoid them like the plague.

We are very fortunate that on our island we only have a handful of ex-pats, we have to socialise with the local people which is far more enjoyable and informative. We occasionally go to Paros or Naxos where there are exactly the groups as mentioned above. When encountered we speak to each other in Greek to try to avoid being detected. Bl:mad:y awful people.

For the record, they were recompensed in full. Thank you, we have your word for it.

I did read your post quite carefully, If you read my post - carefully - you will see I was commenting on the quality of care & cleanliness the public hospital offered.. What you said about the Spanish public hospital was: ...once Mrs OFSO was taken into the public hospital in Figueras, was seen right away, place was spotless and - listen to this, Englishers - everyone working in the hospital spoke English ! The last phrase particularly, about everyone "speaking English" being most noteworthy. Nowhere did you re-question your previous opinions as usually expressed here in JB concerning the EU generally and "free public hospitals or treatment" or whatever. The "place was spotless" - was that in terms of paint finition of the walls, or also in terms of the overall qualities / qualifications and experience of the medical personnel there...?! Who am I (or you) to be able to judge?

Why didn't you simply insist that Mrs OFSO be immediately transferred to a private clinic though?! :confused:

Exascot
You remind me of my father!
When driving through France in 1961 we stopped at a small village for lunch and: - shock, horror, there was another family in the vicinity speaking english.
On hearing this dreadful noise my father stated that "He did not come on holiday to fraternise with such people" and we consequently drove away.

I thought then that it was elitist snobbery and I still think so now.

I thought then that it was elitist snobbery and I still think so now.. I recall once watching a youtube video a few years ago, where the tourists stopped to ask directions from a French local. Except the "local" was not French, but a "Brit". The rest was quite hilarious...

I understand that in 2012, there are 2 types of tourism:

1) The general kind.
2) What's generally called "voyaging" - this usually occurs in areas of the globe not usually served by charter airlines and far from airports as we know them (woohoo - at last, a post related to PPRuNe (aviation)...?!)

UK tourists in 2012 (simply spending their summer holidays elsewhere in the EU), should ensure that they have their EUHC cards or EU511 form before wandering about Europe without private health insurance...?!

Or else purchased the usual inadequate insurance available at the departure terminal...

airship

You're getting weirder.

If Spain was in the hands of the small UK nazis in power today, they'd perhaps insist that the comatosed (Brit?!) passed out on the street produced his EUHC card (formerly the EU511 form) before being collected / treated by the Spaniards...

Firstly emergency treatment is available to everyone without reference to nationality ( in UK and believe most other European countries )

Secondly reciprocal medical treatment arrangements pre-date membership of EU for many countries.

And so many others here complain about illegal immigrants benefitting from free medical treatments etc. in UK...?!

Certainly . They are illegal and the law says they should pay for treatment, just like the medical "tourists" who breeze in because they have no confidence/don't want to pay in their own country.

I have previously asked you airship on another thread- reply still outstanding - if you believe there should be any limits on immigration and will now ask you the same re medical treatment to non-qualifying visitors.

OFSO: Sometimes it's like talking to KAG
Hi there what's up?

Retiring to Spain? Not a bad idea. After a nap the afternoon, some tapas, than the beach :ok:

How about the houses price now?

How about the houses price now?

How many do want KAG?

Business-wise, I'd never trust a Spaniard (from past experience) ever again. Should have known better, after what all the central and southern Americans experienced at their hands (or am I confusing the Spanish with the Portugese)?

Business-wise, I'd never trust a Spaniard (from past experience) ever again. Should have known better, after what all the central and southern Americans experienced at their hands (or am I confusing the Spanish with the Portugese)?


Easily done when you're that confused.:confused:

Of course there are other reasons for not moving to a hot dry windy climate. This was the view from my terrace half an hour ago. TGV, autopista and main road into France have all been closed by the fire at La Jonquera.

http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/ROBIN_100/fire.jpg

KAG - answer to your house question: come and ask an estate agent and he or she tell you the same exorbitant price they have for the last ten years. Come and stay for a bit and get to know some foreign owners desperate to leave and you might get a bargain.

I know one right now, Germans getting old and desperate to sell up & return to Der Vaterland.

With the very low sterling/euro exchange rate (1.28 when the Bourse closed on Friday) I expect some British to start buying soon.

With the very low sterling/euro exchange rate (1.28 when the Bourse closed on Friday) I expect some British to start buying soon.

If they can get a loan, of course.

Well folks - see the picture I posted above - we've all being warned. I have the document box to hand, my suitcase, and my passport, and when the local siren blows I'm out of here.

Don't forget to take the house insurance policy . . .

. I have the document box to hand,

I think that covers it, G-CPTN

when the local siren blows I'm out of here

That's no way to talk about the missus....

Well folks - see the picture I posted above - we've all being warned. I have the document box to hand, my suitcase, and my passport, and when the local siren blows I'm out of here.

One of the hazards of living in a hot dry climate. The Canadair waterbombers were wheeling over the top here yesterday tackling a big fire on the outskirts of Cavaillon, (rumoured to have been started by pikey kids) and somewhere close again today in the strong winds. The drone of their engines makes one nervous and adds another dimension to the experience of moving to a foreign clime.

The main fire has a very wide front and is travelling at 6 kph. Try getting away from that on foot.

Three fire-related deaths so far, one heart attack related to smoke inhalation, two in a car accident loking at nearby fire (off road and into sea from what I hear).

A secondary fire has been described as "entering the phase of control".

Yup, goes with the locale.