New beginnings in Spain

Have you made the move and taken the decision to up sticks and live in Spain, or is it something you just think about? Either way this collection of expat experiences ‘New beginnings in Spain’ might be of interest to you. It’s free and downloadable and tells the story of how four couples left their homes and families in the UK to try their luck in Spain.

Download 'New beginnings in Spain'

The cost of buying property in Spain

We all know there are hidden costs out there. Buying and selling is never just about the cost of the property itself. But how much will it cost you exactly to buy a property in Spain in addition to what’s on the price tag? In this article we include a breakdown of the fees involved: 

The cost of buying property in Spain

On the bodega trail

We are always keen to receive feedback from our readers and new ideas for articles to write. Thanks to Bob Bray for his suggestion that we write about bodegas in Spain. Hopefully this will inspire a few to find out more about these very interesting places to visit that often combine history, tradition and a very special little tipple:

Exploring bodegas in Spain

Applying for your residencia

David Ruiz has many years experience of helping people apply for residency in Spain. In this first of four articles, he explains the general principles of applying for residency and the paperwork you need:

Mini guide to Spanish residency - an overview

In this second article he talks about specific issues related to applying for residency as a pensioner:

Spanish residency for pensioners

For Picasso fans

If you love Picasso’s work then this could be the perfect opportunity for you to see many of his paintings brought together in one place.

Madrid's Reina Sofia museum is set to stage a Picasso exhibition that will feature many of his major works. The exhibition is due to open on April 4th:

Madrid to hold major Picasso exhibit for 'Guernica' anniversary

Are you a giggling guiri?

We recently made reference to Eddie Izzard’s interview by El País in English. His stand up tour may have finished now in Spain but he’s bound to be back and he’s not the only international comedian that you can see here. Particularly, if you can travel to Madrid or Barcelona.

For continuing updates on international comedians visiting these two major cities you can visit the Giggling Guiri facebook page:

Giggling Guiri Facebook Page

Again in Madrid, Diamond Comedy’s Facebook page is another opportunity to keep in touch with English standup comedians in Spain:

Diamonds Comedy Facebook Page

UNESCO sites and weird museums

We like to think at The Word on the Street that we give our readers ideas about places to visit in Spain and things to do. The Local website is particularly good in helping us do that. This time they give us 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites. That should keep you busy in 2017!

17 of the most amazing Unesco World Heritage sites to visit in Spain

Also from The Local, you may not be running off to actually visit any of these but this list of ten unusual museums does make interesting reading: 

These are Spain's ten weirdest museums

Somewhere different to ski

Most people are aware of the Sierra Nevada and Andorra as areas in and around Spain where you can ski. But had you heard of Valdelinares ski resort? It is a small ski resort with 10 pistes located in the Sierra de Gudar in the Spanish region of Aragon. It can be particularly good to combine skiing with some site-seeing too as this is a lovely part of Spain that many people have not visited before. 

It is also considered to be good value as it is a little off the usual ski tourist trail. Although it may not be challenging for the expert skier it is definitely worth visiting for those wanting to learn or practise their skills for a few days in pretty surroundings.

Statistical information and snow forecast:

Valdelinares Ski Resort Guide 

More information is available on these different sites:

Valdelinares Ski Resort in Spain 

Love IKEA but hate shopping there?

If this is you, then you might like to read this very interesting article from Money Saver Spain: Top Tips to Save Time and Money at IKEA. It has lots of ideas for making the IKEA shopping experience just a bit more enjoyable:

Top Tips to Save Time and Money at Ikea

Tips for a long life

It’s common knowledge that life expectancy in Spain is towards the top of the world league. But how did its centenarian’s get there in the first place? It’s a short article and I’m not sure you’d want to replicate their tips but it’s still an interesting read:

Spain's oldest people on how to live until 100

Donation tax continues to be a good option

We’ve written before about the benefits of donating your property rather than bequeathing it. In this article we find out that donation tax is still a good option if you want to avoid excessive inheritance tax bills for your inheritors:

Donating property in Spain is still a good option

Photographs that capture Barcelona

It’s surprising what you can discover at a flea market. The Local tells us about an extraordinary find of some fascinating photos in Barcelona. The photos are old and tell a story of life in the city as it used to be. If you’re interested in photography, traditional Spain or just curious, it’s worth a look:

IN PICS: Exquisite images of bygone Barcelona discovered by American tourist at flea market