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Just returned from Malaga after staying with friends and noticed some things have changed and some have not (but could be) to improve Spain’s image.
I think the most noticeable was far less ‘Se Vende’ signs displayed, does this mean they’ve sold or is it that people have taken properties off the market? Methinks the latter as prices were still too high, same properties on market after 7 years in some cases.
There was no buzz on the Golden Mile nor in La Canada, and El Corte Ingles etc I thought it was very very quiet, sign of the hard times maybe?
Country restaurants very quiet too, sometimes only us four eating at lunch, few locals around, prices higher, not the once great value it used to be.
Malaga has a great vintage motor museum but hardly anyone there.
Played twilight golf at Lauro, 40 euros, still far too expensive, can play twilight at numerous UK courses for £12-£15. When will they learn?
Malaga airport, good to look at and easy to arrive at, but getting away is dreadful. Long hot (no air conditioning) queues to get to gate via Security with miserable gits in their kiosks, young chaps who should be more grateful to have jobs despite the mundane nature, the alternative would be part of the near 25% unemployed. Then ridiculous slow queues down ramps to planes.
Still lots of wandering stray dogs (and cats) that have been dumped by owners.
Graffiti everywhere though, even in smartish areas, could really damage chance of re-sales, far too much compared to UK.
Lots of smart smooth new roads no doubt helped in part by UK EU funding, puts UK roads to shame though.
I would be bored stiff in some hot urbanisation with no chance of re-selling, I know various people who are just that and resigned to staying indefinitely.
All in all though, I was glad not to own property there anymore and despite UK problems, quite pleased to be back to UK despite the rain, now if there was some way of merging the two country’s plus points and weather 🙄 🙄 🙄
Ole! Ole! 😛
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although i would agree on the far to much graffiti i like the spainish stuff far more than the stuff we see in the uk which really is just a load of scruffy tags where as the spainish is far more artistic and interesting to look at.
No graffiti would be the best out come but if your going to have it would rather have artistic pictures than tags -
Although I mentioned Spain’s roads compared with those of UK, I have to say that many of those in the S. E. of UK are somewhere between roller coaster and bomb sites compared to the mainly ultra smooth Spanish roads around Malaga, UK’s are a disgrace especially in this Olympic year. The athletes and tourists won’t know what’s hit them after travelling on them.
Spain wins there, (apart from Ubeda’s speed humps) 😉
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I’m sure you are right there katy, most of these super roads in Spain, Portugal, France etc was by way of EU money but I believe a lot of it was from the UK as part of their EU contributions, ironic really that our roads are so bad now 🙄
Many of Kent and Sussex roads are somewhere between a bomb site (pot-holed, uneven cambers) and a roller coaster so I’ve bashed off emails to Minister of Transport, Highways Agency, KCC, MP’s etc to remind them what a showpiece they will be in this Olympic year, Hilarious 😆 No doubt they will all be fixed by end of next week 😆
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@angie wrote:
Just returned from Malaga
Wondered where you had got to!
I think the most noticeable was far less ‘Se Vende’ signs displayed, does this mean they’ve sold or is it that people have taken properties off the market?
This is interesting, because when people read the forum you would think that everything was up for sale. It isn’t, far from it, in my view we have a chronic shortage of supply of the right properties at the right price. As folk just realise it is not their time to sell, so they won’t and don’t.
Played twilight golf at Lauro, 40 euros, still far too expensive, can play twilight at numerous UK courses for £12-£15. When will they learn?
Yep that is stupid alright, golf courses never learn though, but I was invited to play Cabopino last week at €15 a round, now OK not the best course on the coast but the price was right! I still can’t see why €30 wouldn’t be a standard fee and then see what it brings.
Malaga airport, good to look at and easy to arrive at, but getting away is dreadful. Long hot (no air conditioning) queues to get to gate via Security
I think you were unlucky there on departure, I fly in and out 20 -30 times a year and mostly it is just great the new airport but the queues down the ramp are down to the carriers I think, best to book an aisle seat and just wait for the last call and chill out airside.
All in all though, I was glad not to own property there anymore and despite UK problems, quite pleased to be back to UK despite the rain, now if there was some way of merging the two country’s plus points and weather Ole! Ole!
Ever the conundrum that is, my kids will be all done with school this summer and I can’t make up my mind now, do we become resident here again, or stay in the UK? This place has been on its knees for a good six years now Angie, and you come back and see some good stuff still, it ain’t all bad, and crushing recession and desperate economic considerations in UK and the rest of Europe aside, it has always had something that brings everyone here still.
Nice that you see the good and the bad. I first came in 1989 post a boom and right into dire times, but… I had a brilliant time for the next 20 years. For some, it is the best of times and others the worst of times. Just depends on the individual.
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I think perceptions and views change over time Chris, IMO it will be better for Spain not to be a proverbial hot spot for property but more of a lifestyle choice if that’s what people want. I preferred this visit because there was less ‘in your face’ advertising by agents and developers, no more Ehm Agh Eye boards, less people around so less bling even on the Golden Mile.
Because of other priorities now, I prefer not to buy in Spain or anywhere abroad, maybe a lottery win would see me invest in either the South of France or San Diego my favourite City and area anywhere.
Our experience of Malaga airport was identical to our last a few months ago re queues to leave unfortunately, maybe bad luck, but needs addressing, and both were late evening flights out. Even my wit couldn’t force a smile out of the lucky employed Spanish passport checker out, I thought ‘get a life, eat more Pil Pil’ 😆 We are Spain’s bread and butter visitors, I might sack him next time he doesn’t smile 8)
Whilst the weather is great in Spain, due to a cold I had, playing golf at Lauro was a bit tough and hot, but will be back playing in UK tomorrow. I used to sit in the sun a lot but now prefer to see it from the shade with a G. and T. in my hand, or cold glass of vino blanco 😀 Still prefer Summer days in the UK though 😉
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angie you are so right about kent’s roads i hit a pothole last year and it broke my suspension and punctured a tyre,it wouldn’t of been so bad but i was on the main road going from the m25 up through Dartford and it was just before a junction.I ended up stuck in the middle of the road,the council paid for all my repairs over £800 a quick repair would have saved them this cost as it was repaired 2 days after my accident.
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@shakeel wrote:
How did you manage to convince the Council that your suspension went due to the pot hole & in particular the one that you refered to.
In so far as getting it repaired. The Council dont have to work on prevention after all it is not their money.
i took pictures of the hole and as i came to a stop in the middle of the junction the police came and a tow truck so it was easy to confirm that it was that particular hole and it was a big hole and they just paid up.If i hadn’t of hit it i doubt it would of gone as it was the actual spring that snapped due to impact and that went through the sidewall of the tyre.
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@shakeel wrote:
How did you manage to convince the Council that your suspension went due to the pot hole & in particular the one that you refered to.
In so far as getting it repaired. The Council dont have to work on prevention after all it is not their money.
UK councils have to pay for any damages due to potholes, personal or vehicle. So they do have to work on prevention as it IS their money
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@peterhun
Only if one can prove it. Can you explain how it is their money ??? -
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It is all about the individuals perception for sure.
I spent time from the end of Sept to end Nov last year back in the UK and what a bunch of miserable people the British are (present company excepted). Everyone scurrying around moaning about each other, work and travel. I was intrigued to see how expensive it is to just exist in the UK and at my age all I would get workwise (assuming I get accepted) would be to stack shelves in the local supermarket! All that would do is pay towards extortionate bills.
I rented a room, which cost me £100 including bills luckily but hey thats a lot of money – I pay less for rent and bills here for a 3 bed apartment!
The people I spoke to with regards to work either cant afford to come off benefits to earn OR cant be bothered!
I was due to come home mid december but by 19th Nov I had had enough, the damp weather starting to take a toll on my chest, my skin looked grey and I certainly hated it being dark by 3pm.
The only entertainment seems to be going to the pub – a no no for me out there on my own whereas here I can happily sit in the sun – or the rain – at a local bar drinking a coffee with no feeling of hassle.
I feel safe here, I didnt there and the weather doesnt compare at all.
Im glad I went as it was in my thoughts about going back for maybe a year to get things off the ground thee, but no way Pedro. It really opened my eyes to the opportunities here, there is work if people are prepared to do it and there is a lot more than when I first came here in 1995.
Luckily my business means I can run it from anywhere and here is definitely home.
Still, I am looking at the Caribbean for my next adventure 😉
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Can’t argue with much that you say about UK Inez, there are indeed many miserable faces here and the weather is not good.
Just a counter argument though is that when we visited Spain, those we were with popped in to Iceland Fuengirola to get some Waitrose essentials so we had a look in there, and what a surprise, they were all Brits stacking shelves young and old, all Brits buying and you’d think you were back in Blighty, plus quite a few miserable gits as in the UK. Now I suspect many of them are happy to have jobs because their Spanish benefits have run out, they probably cannot sell their Spanish properties, and they have no savings either.
UK is in a mess, the Coalition has lost touch following Labour’s debacle, but let’s face it most countries are in dire straights.
France is possibly in a worse position than Spain, those French are likely to boot the Napoleonic dwarf out in protest and then Hollande is going to untie France from Merkel’s strings and all hell may break loose in Eurozone, dodgy times ahead for all.
Yes, the weather in Spain is good, yes your skin improves, but long gone are the times when Spain is a property investment hotspot, more a keep your head down lifestyle and make ends meet, but just my opinion maybe 😉
Caribbean could be good though 😀
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Inez, I think most of your perceptions are wrong. Yes, Uk rents are more expensive but that is because there is no oversupply like Spain with thousands of properties empy. Also UK wages are higher and people with a low wage can get housing benefit.
Having kept a house in both places there is very little that is cheaper in Spain, except cigs and booze. Internet, white goods, electricity are all considerably cheaper in the UK. We do spend more than in Spain but that is because the temptations are greater, like theatre outings and other events. just been to M&S and got 2 meals for a tenner, nothing to compare in Spain.
Pub culture..don’t do it except for cheap meals but what is the difference between a pub or a bar in Spain. You are usuall sitting under plastic in Spain in winter anyway! Weather is relative, I hate winter in both countries, Spain is not exactly tropical and the houses are colder than the UK. We was in the caribe in Feb…ideal climate for me but wouldn’t want to live there.
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All true but then Im not using Spain as an investment hotspot – there never was such a thing, just good and bad speculators. Im here for the health and lifestyle reasons and to give my kids a healthier upbringing.
Im not involved in property – I sold before it got bad – writing on the wall was there from 2004 if people looked.
I know what you mean re Iceland, I dont shop there as its the usual frozen crap food, I prefer raw and make my own anyway, mind you great for cream for sauces mmmm 🙂
Luckily Im more than surviving, there are opportunities but it means working for it and not expecting it to fall into ones lap anymore – not that it ever did for me 🙂
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Well Katy, yes there is more to rent here but to get a nice one you end up paying a little more. UK wages may be higher, but it goes on the bills and costs travelling to work etc. You can get it right here, and you cant get housing benefit or any benefits here unless you have been paying into the system for ages. I have survived all these years without.
Again I wouldnt buy prepackaged foods any way, and the raw foods in the UK are more expensive and of inferior quality
Each to their own 🙂
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@Inez wrote:
Im not involved in property – I sold before it got bad – writing on the wall was there from 2004 if people looked.
That’s a huge volte face when you were pushing property on here for years 😆
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According to the andalucian press the weather was so bad over the May day holiday the hotels only managed around 50% occupancy. When I was at business school that wasn’t even break even point so something has to give. Watched the golf on TV from sevilla yesterday, bucketing down, really unusual for this time of year. Bloody cold here too and I am away for the weekend 😥
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Is it just the Costas and Andalucia that have “cold houses”? I’ve been in plenty of places in Madrid and the north where the central heating is fine and people survive the (longer) winter just fine. Worked two years in Madrid, so I know there’s no problem with cold interiors – well the one exception I came across was a rich client’s villa in Somosaguas that was perishing in February.
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@Inez wrote:
Yes its been showers and on and off all week! Im about to get the aerosols out!!!
Hmm, over in Poland we have had 2 weeks of up to 32C weather. The same system must have been causing this in UK/Spain and Central Europe.
Its cooled down now, thank God, I am not a hot weather person and didn’t step out the door during daylight hours. -
We know friends who live in a town house on a Spanish golf course which they say is always cold. Unfortunately they’ve got to the stage where they can’t afford to put any heating on.
I think this kind of new build was intended more as holiday homes in the Summer, they can’t cope with an Andalucian Winter sometimes, off the Coast and higher up, people don’t always realise how cold it can get in Winter when they buy these properties 🙄
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@angie wrote:
We know friends who live in a town house on a Spanish golf course which they say is always cold. Unfortunately they’ve got to the stage where they can’t afford to put any heating on.
I think this kind of new build was intended more as holiday homes in the Summer, they can’t cope with an Andalucian Winter sometimes, off the Coast and higher up, people don’t always realise how cold it can get in Winter when they buy these properties 🙄
I also think people need to use a bit of brain power sometimes as well. Stone/marble floors are not exactly ideal for insulation during colder months.
you can’t leave window open all day and then complain about cold evenings.
If you want to keep the eating on all day so the property stays at 20/25ºC like you would have back home, then see about using an efficient system.Also having lived through winter in the UK, norway, Switzelanrd and Spain. Southern spain winter are no where near as cold and although insulation might not be the priority in the down here as it is in other locations, the properties get no where near as cold.
But then again every evening I have my lounge doors open. if i’m a bit cold, i put socks on. And during the ‘artic/siberian’ weather this year for a week i put a heater on in my girls room on a low setting during the night. -
@Fuengi wrote:
@angie wrote:
We know friends who live in a town house on a Spanish golf course which they say is always cold. Unfortunately they’ve got to the stage where they can’t afford to put any heating on.
I think this kind of new build was intended more as holiday homes in the Summer, they can’t cope with an Andalucian Winter sometimes, off the Coast and higher up, people don’t always realise how cold it can get in Winter when they buy these properties 🙄
I also think people need to use a bit of brain power sometimes as well. Stone/marble floors are not exactly ideal for insulation during colder months.
you can’t leave window open all day and then complain about cold evenings.
If you want to keep the eating on all day so the property stays at 20/25ºC like you would have back home, then see about using an efficient system.Also having lived through winter in the UK, norway, Switzelanrd and Spain. Southern spain winter are no where near as cold and although insulation might not be the priority in the down here as it is in other locations, the properties get no where near as cold.
But then again every evening I have my lounge doors open. if i’m a bit cold, i put socks on. And during the ‘artic/siberian’ weather this year for a week i put a heater on in my girls room on a low setting during the night.Gah don’t go and use common sense now. 😆
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