[katy]

The USA is now the top place Britons want to retire. Seems a bit irrelevant seeing as you can’t just do that (I would be there if it were possible) Anyway there you go, I suppose it’s as reliable as all the other press releases coming out of the property sales agents 🙄

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/10142162/Retiring-Britons-fall-out-of-love-with-Spain-and-France.html

[Anonymous]

Are there no circumstances under which you can get a residency permit?

[angie]

katy is right, very difficult to get in to the States unless you’re an illegal immigrant then in you go and melt into the population.

We looked into this subject years ago, and could have done it by way of a 10 year wait and climb up a points table having relations there, buying a business for something like £500k in one of 5 deprived areas and renewed subject to turnover and employment of Americans, or marriage to an American

No retirement visas as far as I know, and investing in a home as Spain is trying is still not an option I believe 🙄

If it was as easy as elsewhere, I’m sure 1000’s of Brits would move there 😉

[Anonymous]

Hello there, I would not mind the States either. One of the issues though is the health care. You really need a private insurance in the states, unlike here ,if you are a pensioner and resident you get it for free.

[Anonymous]

Its a pity about this but I have a Spanish property and I like to read about how to make the best of lifeand things there -and if possible to improve things there by discussions talking to people there particularly agents lawyers MP’s and by writing. Also by motivating our UK euro MP’s to take up some complaints with the other euro MP’s at the European Parliament.because thats what its for.. I find it irritating to keep reading from people who don’t have a property there and don’t want one there. Why not set up a US Property Forum ! Nothing personal about this at all and I can understand people who have holidays there feeling frustrated they are not willing to buy if actually they could and find it easier to travel to.

[Anonymous]

I do have a property there & I love the country. However spade has to be called spade. The MP’s or MEP’s can only do so much. If the Spaniards are not willing to take action on situations that are well documented in all formats.

The owners or people with experience has to bring this to the fore. I appreciate that people may have their agenda. Once this is taken out of the equation the fact remains.

[Anonymous]

I do have a property there & I love the country. However spade has to be called spade. The MP’s or MEP’s can only do so much. If the Spaniards are not willing to take action on situations that are well documented in all formats.

The owners or people with experience has to bring this to the fore. I appreciate that people may have their agenda. Once this is taken out of the equation the fact remains.

[Anonymous]

Fair commnt shakeel.

[Anonymous]

@Ptr: glad we agree.

[GarySFBCN]

While I acknowledge that law, a solid process for justice/remedy and leadership are lacking in Spain, and that certainly did contribute to some being disillusioned, I wonder how many ex-pats didn’t do their homework and jumped into a new life in Spain thinking that life would be just as advertised?

I’m trying to be kind but there is no way to say this without appearing to be unkind: When it comes to thinking things out, the majority of people are lazy. Not that anyone deserves to be swindled or lied-to.

[Anonymous]

I think Gary some are a bit impulsive and some like me have fond memories of when you could get off the train at Port Bou and buy a coffee for 7 pesetas and get a train to Girona for 21 -these WERE the days !! But in later years some of us do get sick in the winter in UK and sometimes go out and just buy within our budgets to try and avoid this in the future. Its sad when Spanish cannot take a more forward looking approach -that its good to look after and encourage good customers and not to be greedy -the retirement trade is good business but NOT TO BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED !!!

[Anonymous]

Its time to move when the hand that feeds one gets bitten by them who are fed.

[Anonymous]

The reasons Brits move to Spain not Germany are the climate and lifestyle, which you just don’t get in Deutschland. Nothing is going to change that.

[Anonymous]

THat is one of the reasons the Germans move to Spain !!!

[Anonymous]

@shakeel wrote:

THat is one of the reasons the Germans move to Spain !!!

Yup. German buyers up 17pc last year, though they have now fallen into 4th place behind the Brits, French and Russians. Not living up to their potential when you consider how big and rich Germany is.

[Anonymous]

@shakeel wrote:

THat is one of the reasons the Germans move to Spain !!!

Yup. German buyers up 17pc last year, though they have now fallen into 4th place behind the Brits, French and Russians. Not living up to their potential when you consider how big and rich Germany is.

[katy]

We have a friend who works for a German company, firstly in London then in Singapore. he has now been transferred to Germany and dislikes it so much he is looking into early retirement. However, at the present time for a young family Germany versus Spain, Germany would come out tops…Weather is not the be and end all of everything…What difference is the lifestyle in Barcelona and London in winter? I would imagine there are lots more things to do in London. Spain may be ok. for retirees but if you have to work it’s 10am to 8pm and 2 hours for lunch…some lifestyle!

[katy]

We have a friend who works for a German company, firstly in London then in Singapore. he has now been transferred to Germany and dislikes it so much he is looking into early retirement. However, at the present time for a young family Germany versus Spain, Germany would come out tops…Weather is not the be and end all of everything…What difference is the lifestyle in Barcelona and London in winter? I would imagine there are lots more things to do in London. Spain may be ok. for retirees but if you have to work it’s 10am to 8pm and 2 hours for lunch…some lifestyle!

[Anonymous]

In my experience. The Germans are extremely prudent and do not like taking any kind of risk at all. They believe in saving & detest paying interest. So for Germans to buy in Spain or wherever else it is totally out of their grain.

Katy’s friend would find it difficult to live anywhere as he has got the taste of ex pat life style and with low taxes, no capital gains & no inheritance tax in Singapore. Who can blame him. In so far working in Spain & having two hours lunch break in my book is insanity. All day is gone, two hours of lunch a very high percentage of the time is spent on the road and it not a relax family ambiance to have the lunch in. A lot of hours are spent at work with no corresponding efficiency achieved.

[Anonymous]

In my experience. The Germans are extremely prudent and do not like taking any kind of risk at all. They believe in saving & detest paying interest. So for Germans to buy in Spain or wherever else it is totally out of their grain.

Katy’s friend would find it difficult to live anywhere as he has got the taste of ex pat life style and with low taxes, no capital gains & no inheritance tax in Singapore. Who can blame him. In so far working in Spain & having two hours lunch break in my book is insanity. All day is gone, two hours of lunch a very high percentage of the time is spent on the road and it not a relax family ambiance to have the lunch in. A lot of hours are spent at work with no corresponding efficiency achieved.

[Author]

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