Retiring to the island

maximus · February 03, 2014, 12:16:55 PM

Hi My name is carol. My husband and i are looking to retire in 2015. We would love to chat with others that have already taken the step.We are thinking of renting for a year prior to selling our house in the uk. Also we have two small dogs we want to bring with us Any advice please. Carol

bridlife · February 03, 2014, 13:27:05 PM

My wife and I retired here 7 years ago, and love it. House prices have dived in that time, and most people have lost, at least third off what they originally paid for their properties. But the euro was good at the time.

I would usually, always advise people to rent first. There is a fine balance at the moment because you can get some real bargains , when buying now . Many of these properties are selling fast, especially around Tamaragua (La Capellania).

In relation to the dogs, you can fly them, which is very expensive. Many people drive here from the UK, a trip I have done twice. Then they bring there dogs on the 2 ferries you have to catch to get here. Unless you come via the tunnel through France and you only need one ferry. Brittany Ferries from the UK, allow dogs in the cabins, and also have outside kennels. Portsmouth or Plymouth, to Bilbao or Santander. Acciona Ferries , have less favourable dog kennels, They come from mainland Spain to here (Cadiz) , drop you off 11pm at Lanzarote, and then you need to come, next day, on the local ferry , across to Fuerteventura. Armas have also started a new crossing from Huelva in Spain to get here. The trip takes about 5 days, depending on if you stay overnight, strongly recommended, during the long drive through Spain.

SheilaW · February 03, 2014, 23:04:45 PM

Doesn't cost of flying dogs depend on how big they are? If they're really tiny I think maybe they can go under your seat - I know cats can. The problem, and expense, comes if you want to take them back into the UK, I think. They have to be treated as special cargo then.

Houses are certainly cheap at the moment. You can get a 3-bed bungalow in Tamaragua for around 100,000€, and small ones from 68k€.

Globetrotter · February 03, 2014, 23:50:10 PM

Yes I agree, rent for a year then you will get an idea if the move is right for you, also check out the new residencia rule just implemented regarding income, employment, health care, they have tightened up the criteria a lot compared to what it used to be.
https://www.gov.uk/residency-requirements-in-spain

TamaraEnLaPlaya · February 03, 2014, 23:57:42 PM

Quote from: SheilaW on February 03, 2014, 23:04:45 PM
Doesn't cost of flying dogs depend on how big they are? If they're really tiny I think maybe they can go under your seat - I know cats can. The problem, and expense, comes if you want to take them back into the UK, I think. They have to be treated as special cargo then.

I think you'll find that dogs are treated as 'special cargo' both in and out of the UK on flights, so mega bucks.

It's my understanding that if you fly from one of several mainland European airports that you can get good deals for your pets including very small ones travelling with you in the cabin.

bycroft · February 04, 2014, 00:40:43 AM

Rent first to see if you enjoy living here. I would be very wary of buying in the present climate.
Have you thought about renting out your UK property and the proceeds can fund your rental here.
Once you buy you are stuck with it, if you get bad neighbours etc or as in El Cotillo a couple of Penthouses with views of the South Beach now have an " Exclusive " Bus Station being built straight opposite.That certainly would not be on the radar when they were being sold.
Please remember it is oh so easy to buy ,but if you need to sell well that's another matter. Do think hard before you commit yourselves.

bridlife · February 04, 2014, 08:07:23 AM

My understanding is that all pets have to go into the hold when flying from the UK. You can also use Woodside trading who will transport your dogs for you in their vans.

Spike On Q · February 04, 2014, 10:52:18 AM

Dogs travel in a special hold that is heated and pressurised with lights and is very comfortable. Sadly due to the UK government rules it can be expensive. I've met a few dogs and cats that have flown here, they never even knew they had been in a plane

Brightspark · February 04, 2014, 16:23:24 PM

Quote from: Spike On Q on February 04, 2014, 10:52:18 AM
Sadly due to the UK government rules it can be expensive.

I would rather have those rules than worm infested walking rabies machines.

Spike On Q · February 04, 2014, 16:58:57 PM

Here we go - no rabies has been present in the EU since the inception of the Pet Passport. [two cases have been reported in the last five years in animals smuggled into the EU from Africa] If the UK government spent more time on catching illegal immigrants and illegally smuggled animals the UK would be alot better off

In case to didn't know it is illegal here in Fuerteventura and you will be fined up to 2000.00 Euros if your dog is not chipped and inoculated again'st rabies - is that the case in the good old UK?

SheilaW · February 04, 2014, 17:44:40 PM

Quote from: TamaraEnLaPlaya on February 03, 2014, 23:57:42 PM
I think you'll find that dogs are treated as 'special cargo' both in and out of the UK on flights, so mega bucks. It's my understanding that if you fly from one of several mainland European airports that you can get good deals for your pets including very small ones travelling with you in the cabin.

Righto; thanks for the heads-up. Everyone always sounds off about the enormous rabies risk - surely that can't be the reason for these special measures when leaving the country? (Don't bother to answer, anyone - it's off topic).

TamaraEnLaPlaya · February 06, 2014, 00:51:02 AM

Hello Carol
Couple of things to consider: (I'm not asking you to post personal info/replies here, just things for you to think about!)

1. You say you are looking to retire. If at least one of you will be UK state retirement age (pensioner) then hopefully you will both qualify for reciprocal healthcare. If instead you are both retiring early, can you afford private healthcare out here?
2. Consult a UK tax advisor now and preferably one with ExPat experience. Don't get too far advanced in your plans and have your hopes dashed. For example, make sure you understand the possible tax implications of selling your UK property, like Capital Gains Tax. If you have ISAs will they still be tax free if you are no longer a UK resident or will they be liable to tax in Spain or can you even still have ISAs?

For all I know you have oodles of money and don't need to worry about such things, but it's better to know what you are facing financially with your UK assets as well as the costs of living out here!

Good luck - I hope it works out for you.

Brightspark · February 06, 2014, 02:13:58 AM

Quote from: Spike On Q on February 04, 2014, 16:58:57 PM
is that the case in the good old UK?

No Spike it isn't because we have good old expensive rules that protect us more.

Brightspark · February 06, 2014, 02:23:24 AM

Quote from: Spike On Q on February 04, 2014, 16:58:57 PM
Here we go - no rabies has been present in the EU since the inception of the Pet Passport. [two cases have been reported in the last five years in animals smuggled into the EU from Africa] If the UK government spent more time on catching illegal immigrants and illegally smuggled animals the UK would be alot better off

In case to didn't know it is illegal here in Fuerteventura and you will be fined up to 2000.00 Euros if your dog is not chipped and inoculated again'st rabies - is that the case in the good old UK?

oh and just to clarify, I was simply pointing out that those rules were there for protection, not that the UK were any better than Fuerteventura (learn to read the comment before you post)
And also, yes, well aware of the fines in place on the island, I still have my dogs passport along with all his SPANISH inoculations.