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!
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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.
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