The Word on the Street

International Edition - July 2012

 

News and Information from Spain

 

Welcome to the July issue of 'The Word on the Street'. Your monthly news and information from Spain provided by Ábaco Asesores. In a couple of columns we hope to keep you in touch with the news, events and just a little bit of gossip.

Roman amphitheatre of Carthago Nova

Roman amphitheatre of Carthago Nova
Cartagena, Murcia

People still want to move to Spain

According to TheMoveChannel.com. Enquiries about Spain are still the most prevalent with 20% of all enquiries being about buying a property in Spain. This is followed by the USA with 11%, France with 9% and Portugal with 6%.

spanishpropertyinsight.com

Should I? Shouldn't I?

Are you one of the many people who are considering retiring to Spain? In spite of all the recent economic difficulties the article above on Spanish Property Insight does suggest that for many people it is still their dream.

The thread below from a local forum begins with the question, 'Is it safe to retire to Spain?' and there are two excellent, in-depth responses to this very important question. If you are contemplating a move yourself, do take the time to read it. If you're not, it's still an interesting summary of the good and the bad of making Spain your country of choice.

torreviejaforums.com

Quality articles

If you ever have a spare moment and would just like to read some good, up-to-date material about Spain, go to Iberosphere:

iberosphere.com

They cover a wide variety of subjects including:

Football

For example, find out more about the Spanish football team manager in this interesting article about Vicente del Bosque:

iberosphere.com/football

The economy

The website frequently runs reflective and varied articles explaining what's going on in the Spanish financial world.

This article makes interesting reading about Rajoy's austerity measures:

iberosphere.com/euro

Culture

One concern we sometimes hear from our clients is that they feel a little 'cut off' from the arts in Spain. Perhaps they visited the theatre more in their home country and felt more comfortable taking part in shows and concerts.

It's a shame, as Spain has a rich cultural foundation and still retains a very healthy respect and appreciation of the arts.

This article reminds us that the country may be struggling financially but has enormous cultural heritage:

iberosphere.com/culture

Incidentally, Iberosphere are gradually building their own expat section of the website:

iberosphere.com/expats

You might just recognise one or two of the articles there!


 

Ábaco update

Applying for residency

Spain is certainly tightening up on the enforcement of its legislation, tax rules and immigration requirements. One example of this we've encountered recently is when you're applying for residency.

The Spanish 'residencia' is the acknowledgment that Spain is your permanent residence. The new regulations require that you provide proof of your income when applying now to be a resident in Spain. You must also demonstrate that you will have full access to health care whilst you are here. For more details of what this might mean for you read our article:

abacoconnect.com

There is also information on the British Embassy website:

ukinspain.fco.gov.uk

High-speed train network - AVE Murcia

'We had enquiries from one of our readers about the route to be taken by the AVE link between Madrid and Murcia. As we understand it, and according to the 'Murcia Today' website below, the line is still planned to go ahead.

However, there have been some changes to the original route due to austerity measures. As a result, it is now proposed that the track will follow an existing line rather than laying a new line through the middle of the region.

For more information on the proposals:

murciatoday.com

BA are back in Alicante

From October they will be flying from selected London airports into Alicante. If you like a decent baggage allowance this could well be heaven sent for you. A checked baggage allowance will be included in the price.

A quick check on the BA website suggests that an outbound flight on the 2nd November from Heathrow to Alicante would cost you a total price of £ 80.05. There's the added advantage that you can take on a piece of hand luggage PLUS a laptop, briefcase or handbag. Your hold luggage allowance is 23kg! Luxury!

It's that book again

I knew something was wrong when I came across my daughter reading. Yes, reading. What book had so tempted her to drop the non-reading habit of a life time? You've guessed it, it's the book of the moment, 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. Since she first introduced it to me (and I haven't read it yet and don't intend to) I think it's popped up in nearly every conversation, book stand, beach bag I've come across since.

If you're blissfully unaware, don't rush out to buy it. I understand that's it's not a work of genius (maybe marketing genius though) and is best known for its 'intimate scenes'.

To find out a little bit more and how families in Spain will be hit by the increase in VAT read this blog:

spanishinsight.blogspot.com.es

If you'd like to read a good book and enjoy reading literature based in Spain I would recommend, 'La sombre del viento' or 'The shadow of the wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. It's set in Barcelona and has a compelling mixture of romance, mystery and perhaps provides some insight into life post civil war.

If you´d like to find out more about the book and its author, including his 'top ten things' go to:

carlosruizzafon.co.uk

It's available from Amazon and has been translated into more than 40 different languages.

 

Cartagena Roman festival

From the 21st September to the 30th the fiesta in Cartagena commemorates the conquest of Cartagena by the Romans. It includes the key ingredients of a Spanish fiesta including fireworks, marching and parades. There's the wedding of Hannibal and Himilce and a Roman circus.

cheapholidaysinspain.net

Whilst you're there why not spend some time looking around Cartagena itself. The city is full of history and even has its own amphitheatre.

This is a useful website that will give you ideas for places to go, things to see and do.

cartagenaturismo.es

Tired of the Olympics?

Seeing as we're bang in the middle of Olympic fever, we thought we'd put together a selection of articles all with a sporting theme. If you've just had enough of the Olympics already, move on to the next topic.

Rafa Nadal misses out on the London Olympics:

typicallyspanish.com

Londoners would like to miss out on the London Olympics:


nytimes.com

What's your verdict on the Spanish Olympic uniform?

guardian.co.uk

An ornate building stands out against the deep blue sky in Cartagena

An ornate building stands out against the deep blue sky in Cartagena, Murcia

Food Photos

This posting of a dish served up at a recommended restaurant in Torrevieja could be the first of a new wave of postings. Rather than describing what you eat at your favourite restaurant - why not take a picture instead:

torreviejaforums.com

It could even become a national site as happened with Martha Payne, a little girl in the UK who started taking photos of what she was being served up on a daily basis at school:

neverseconds.blogspot.co.uk

Sunset in Cartagena, Murcia

Sunset in Cartagena, Murcia



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