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• PRO

  Phil Voice May 12, 2012 at 6:12pm

  Hi Gary

  Good luck with your venture:)

  I don't run a maintenance business here but I am sure I know enough now to make it successful: either focussing on the ex-pat market or French (or both).

  Despite the continuing poor market conditions generally I think it remains fairly buoyant in our area of France. 

  I'd do a bit of research on how the recession has affected the area you're moving to. Spain now has 24% unemployment and I'd imagine there's massive competition both in the ex-pat and indigenous market. There will also be a rife black market...Europe seems to thrive on it.

  Local networking is one obvious way to put yourself about but there's a caveat. That same networking circle can also work quickly against anyone should there be a problem because word spreads like wildfire because it's so close-knit. I've chosen to avoid becoming too ensconced in the ex-pat scene and it suits me.

  I cannot advise on how to actually set up in Spain or how the tax system works.
• 

  steve lowe May 12, 2012 at 6:17pm

  We did the move to France 10 years ago. Different place, but at least its green! We look after holiday homes, change overs and pools as well. & days a week from April through to October, then nothing till April again :) Suits me down to the ground, however, we are off out yet again, and its the social life that wears you down!!!!!

  Will be back later to chat more

  Cheers

  Steve 
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  gary newton May 12, 2012 at 6:35pm

  we have been going to the same area on and off  2 /3 times a year for over 20 years and know the expat areas pretty well 

  you are right in what you say the black market is rife owing to the way the spanish self employment tax system works and people i know tell me work is gained by word of mouth and trust advertsing doesnt really bring in the custies as there is a lot of chancers out there

  but looking foward to a new life and challenge
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  Craig McGibbon May 12, 2012 at 6:37pm

  Hi Gary,

  I had a holiday property near Nerja in the Costa Del Sol for a few years. I didn't have a business down there but considered moving there.  My impressions of setting up a business were -

  The locals don't really have the same passion about their gardens.  The lack of garden centres l believe is evidence of this.  How's your spanish by the way?

  The local expats are often living on a very small income but will be interested in an English speaker tending their gardens (and other odd jobs by a handy man).

  English holiday home owners will be interested in a reliable english speaking tradesman to look after their outdoor space, yet again handyman stuff and pool maintenance and changeovers.

  I suspect you won't be able to charge what you would normally consider - but the bonus is the cost of living is  cheaper.

  Maybe worth looking at getting commercial hotel contracts but suspect this is a cut throat business and an fluency in Spanish would be needed.

  Good luck - can certainly see the attraction of relocating to Spain - the life style is fantastic.

  Craig
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  gary newton May 12, 2012 at 6:50pm

  thanks for your comments

  the lifestyle is great which is the biggest attraction 
• PRO

  Phil Voice May 12, 2012 at 6:57pm

  Same here.

  I've just done a 70 mile round trip through stunning countryside in temperatures of 24C to watch my son (win) in the regional rugby final.

  As far as my son's friends are concerned he is French and one of them. The friendship amongst the whole team and their families is so strong.

   
• 

  Ian Olpin May 12, 2012 at 7:23pm

  Gary,

  Lived and worked in hard landscaping for 6 years in the northern Costa Blanca, returning in 2009 only because of the dire economic situation over there at the time. I know it's not getting any better, but the exchange rate at least is healthier now.

  The ex-pat market is predominantly retirees on fixed incomes, therefore for disposable the exchange rate is the important factor.

  The national insurance equivalent is comparatively very high for 'autonomos' (self-employed) but you would be covered to use their excellent health system. Assuming you'd still be of working age, the cost of private health cover anyway is about the same as the NI contributions.

  Get yourself an English-speaking gestor, or a tax adviser through recommendation, worth the money without a doubt.

  As Craig rightly says, good idea to diversify..holiday lets maintenance, pool cleaning, handyman etc all of which I did too. The cost of living is becoming ever more expensive, but still a damned sight cheaper than this over-taxed little isle. Heck, you don't need a lot of money to enjoy an excellent quality of life, the weather, mountains and beaches are free!

  There is the general lack of greenery though, which is a downside, and most ex-pat gardens tend to be terraced in the main, with the ubiquitous terracotta pots, some alpine rockeries, palms and plenty of bougainvillea.

  Plenty of ex-pat press for advertising: RTN, Euro Weekly and CB News etc. But you'll know that from your visits.

  As you also probably know Quesada currently has a lot of Russians living there, and plenty more are on their way over. Scandanavians are buying up lots of property too, so prices might well not fall as much as expected because of this new demand. The big builders, like Masa, have roadside advertising signboards in Russian not English these days! No Claire Sweeney billboards anymore!!

  Very wise to rent for a year before thinking of buying, the winter can catch you out being colder than you'd imagine in some areas, especially once you've acclimatised. You will need the winter fuel allowance in time, believe me!!

  Choose which Spanish bank you decide to use very carefully, it might be gone tomorrow! Use the money transfer agents like HIFX or currencies direct, they beat the banks when shifting bigger sums.

  If you have any specific questions that I might be able to help you with, then please PM.

  Quite envy you actually, I'd move back there tomorrow if personal circumstances were different.

  Best of luck, you spawny get!! :)
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  gary newton May 12, 2012 at 8:15pm

  thanks ian

  i opened a bank account about 10 years ago with  inter  i think they are reasonably safe and they have looked after my interests as you rightly say i would be better off these days learning russian rather than spanish

  ive built / refurbished 3 large houses over there in the last 3 years for russians in la zenia along the front and a few friends earn a reasonable living working for the russian community

  thanks for your reply great bit of info
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  gary newton May 12, 2012 at 8:28pm

  where were you around denia / javea
  
  Ian @ redbarrow.com said:

  Gary,

  Lived and worked in hard landscaping for 6 years in the northern Costa Blanca, returning in 2009 only because of the dire economic situation over there at the time. I know it's not getting any better, but the exchange rate at least is healthier now.

  The ex-pat market is predominantly retirees on fixed incomes, therefore for disposable the exchange rate is the important factor.

  The national insurance equivalent is comparatively very high for 'autonomos' (self-employed) but you would be covered to use their excellent health system. Assuming you'd still be of working age, the cost of private health cover anyway is about the same as the NI contributions.

  Get yourself an English-speaking gestor, or a tax adviser through recommendation, worth the money without a doubt.

  As Craig rightly says, good idea to diversify..holiday lets maintenance, pool cleaning, handyman etc all of which I did too. The cost of living is becoming ever more expensive, but still a damned sight cheaper than this over-taxed little isle. Heck, you don't need a lot of money to enjoy an excellent quality of life, the weather, mountains and beaches are free!

  There is the general lack of greenery though, which is a downside, and most ex-pat gardens tend to be terraced in the main, with the ubiquitous terracotta pots, some alpine rockeries, palms and plenty of bougainvillea.

  Plenty of ex-pat press for advertising: RTN, Euro Weekly and CB News etc. But you'll know that from your visits.

  As you also probably know Quesada currently has a lot of Russians living there, and plenty more are on their way over. Scandanavians are buying up lots of property too, so prices might well not fall as much as expected because of this new demand. The big builders, like Masa, have roadside advertising signboards in Russian not English these days! No Claire Sweeney billboards anymore!!

  Very wise to rent for a year before thinking of buying, the winter can catch you out being colder than you'd imagine in some areas, especially once you've acclimatised. You will need the winter fuel allowance in time, believe me!!

  Choose which Spanish bank you decide to use very carefully, it might be gone tomorrow! Use the money transfer agents like HIFX or currencies direct, they beat the banks when shifting bigger sums.

  If you have any specific questions that I might be able to help you with, then please PM.

  Quite envy you actually, I'd move back there tomorrow if personal circumstances were different.

  Best of luck, you spawny get!! :)
• 

  Ian Olpin May 12, 2012 at 10:43pm

  gary newton said:

  where were you around denia / javea

  Not quite as far north as that; Aigues, near El Campello.

  @Duncan...Was never given a chequebook by a Spanish bank, or ever saw anyone use a personal cheque. They're not guaranteed by your plastic card. Cash is king, often passed under the table in a brown paper bag, although bankers drafts are quite common. ;)

  Desertification is a big fear in the south due to climate change.