Moving to Spain living in Spain in 2023

Moving to Spain living in Spain in 2023.
In this video, Barry gives you food for thought, about moving to Spain and living in Spain in 2023.
Thanks for watching our videos about life and living in Spain.
👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Connect with us here -
​👉 / barryjlivingstone
👉 / ketowith_kj_2022
Useful links:
👉 scottishcouple... - Spain
👉 www.buymeacoff...
​👉 freedomworklif...
Camera - amzn.to/3SV8rw6
Go Pro - amzn.to/3c1aUo8
DJI - amzn.to/3dBVXcO
Apple - amzn.to/3wak7S2
Drone - amzn.to/3K2Y8SA
travel essentials - amzn.to/3pqnKQc
See more of our life in Torrevieja, Spain in future videos from the warm sunshine - Subscribe, it's free!
See All Our Videos of our life in Spain in one place -
👉 scottishcouple...

[@kevinomalley1521]

Moving to Calpe in early 2024 with our 3 year old daughter. We've fallen out of love with the UK. Calpe has a nice balance of busy/quiet between seasons and Benidorm only 20 mins away if there's any need for madness, surrounded by quiet villages and mountains for more contrast. Can't wait.

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Beautiful place! Good luck with the move. You’ll love life here in Spain, I’m sure!

[@5wiSSa5]

Mas claro..el agua. Una correcta y realista reflexion. Hay pueblos de veraneo y hay pueblos para vivir. La fiesta es solo en verano😅..o irse a una Ciudad mas grande...Malaga,Valencia, Barcelona.. O irse al Norte,menos sol,mas lluvia y mas vegetación..Galicia,Pais Vasco..

[@spanish_realms]

If you move to an area which is dependent on tourism, seeking perpetual "sun, sea and sangria", the downsides highlighted in the video are inevitable. It is in Spain, in Cornwall UK where I come from, dead as a dodo except for eight weeks. and many other tourist destinations. Which was why although a long time Spanish resident I choose not to live in such an area. I live in a typical Spanish, or to be exact, Catalan town, where there is something going on all year round, particularly if you involve yourself in the community. The patio deck chairs are away, the tanning lotion stashed in a cupboard, but there are still stunning mouintain and nature reserve walks to be had, and sea and sand are just 20 minutes away, the mediterranean waves wilder and much more interesting now. Unlike the UK where summer sometimes feels like a blip between winters, once it arrives it stays beyond September. Today, where I live, even as it approaches xmas, it was 21C.

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Yes, exactly this. We really didn’t realise just how much this area was based around solely tourism and holiday homes… this winter has been a bit of a wake up call. Another move planned… 😁 thanks for your comments, hugely appreciated. Thanks for watching!

[@Sarahlee358]

Would you share where do you live? Sounds wonderful

[@spanish_realms]

@@Sarahlee358 Thanks for your interest. Nowhere's perfect, but it's not bad where I live, Terres de L'Ebre, which can be found on the southern tip of Tarragona province, Catalonia, an area of considerable natural beauty with rugged mountains, a stunning coastline, and a cathedral city, Tortosa, which dates back more than 2000 years.

[@clarky2751]

I fully agree with your comments regarding the quietness of Torrevieja and the surrounding areas during the months leading from October to April...but in reality its pretty much the same in the UK during these months.. There is the lead up to Christmas then after Christmas the unrelenting wait until April.. Pubs and bars in the UK are quiet during January / February / March. The warm weather is a massive plus and if you are working just like in the UK, social life is conducted at the weekends. I know where i would rather be ☀☀☀😎... Many thanks for you thoughts on Spain though. Its good advice for those who don't know.

[@justustwo5975]

We just watched this video.. have to say that you may have filmed it in the afternoon when all the the shops and bars have shut so they can all sneak off home for a kip..also we are in punta prima where it never shuts..there's always something going on down the new strip,even in winter the bars have bands on.

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Yes, Torrevieja shops and many bars has a traditional siesta time usually around 1 or 2 until 5- ish. Filmed in the morning, before that though. Punta Prima is lovely, we spent a lot of time there when we lived in Playa Flamenca. Different world from the city. Still too quiet for us though. Great for the holiday lifestyle and the entertainment but not much culture or traditional Spanish lifestyle or history. Thanks for watching!

[@usmanchoudhry7346]

Excellent Vlog as ever. Very honest and open which is refreshing to hear. We brought a holiday apartment in La Mata in 2004. My Father used to use it a lot more but he never liked the winter. January in particular can be difficult. We would put rugs on the floors to make it less like a fridge. We used to come with the kids in February half term and generally had an enjoyable 6 days. Not much time spent on the beach but it was still a nice break from the deep freeze in the U.K. Torreivija and La Mata have always been dead for most of the winter period. However as a holiday home between April and mid November it’s brilliant.

[@phillipsalvadorlee188]

I don't mind the winter, definitely better than -5°c weather have here. Can't wait to return in the spring.

[@browntroutfisherman]

Thanks for the video, good on you for taking time out on a regular basis to share the Torre area. Within 20-25 mins drive inland from Torrevieja there are a lot of Towns and Villages that are working towns and not normally prone to seasonal variations that can offer traditional Spanish life and/or more cosmopolitan life (Brits/Dutch/ Scandinavians etc) depending on the town but still pretty close to the sea. Towns in this area like Torrevieja, La Mata, Guardamar Del Segura etc do get super busy in the summer and looking for a parking space becomes an olympic sport but they get much quieter in the winter. Spain is such a large and diverse country that there is no one-size fits all and even just on the Med coastline from north to south the lifestyles, culture, cuisine, dialects, weather, etc are very varied. South Costa Blanca is a lovely region to live all year round and I would recomend it to anyone thinking of retiring to Spain BUT... do your homework and in addition to all the sea, sun and sangria aspects, also think about the mundane stuff like public transport availability, location of shops and facilities, proximity to hospitals, doctors surgeries etc.

[@benmarshall5235]

Only subscribed this morning, but binge watching your stuff. Spot on about the resorts in the winter. Although Benidorm, perhaps becuase of the influx of Northern Spanish seemed pretty lively the last time I was there around Christmas. Alicante, being a working Spanish town, can be pretty full on around Xmas. This is one of the reasons we decided to buy there. Benidorm came a close second, but ultimately we settled on Alicante city centre as it offered us the sort of life we enjoy all year round. Luckily we both speak Spanish, cos the downside of Alicante is that it's not nearly as easy to navigate with just English. Thanks again for your excellent work

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Thanks for watching & subscribing! We love Alicante… We are actually considering a move there for similar reasons as you’ve mentioned 👍🏼

[@benmarshall5235]

@@ScottishCoupleInSpain Wow, that's ace. We love it. We are back in June, if you guys fancy a couple of sherberts then let us know. We are very familiar with the property market there, and although you're doubtless way ahead of us, we'd be happy to provide tips. We also know some very good builders. Maybe you have some pertinent tips on how to make the big move post Brexit? Anyway thanks again for such great video's. Have a wonderful day 🙂

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

@@benmarshall5235 that would be great! Give us a shout in June! 👍🏼

[@benmarshall5235]

@@ScottishCoupleInSpain Will do, enjoy your day

[@rhianhead6744]

Thanks for the video, a thought provoking perspective as usual. We are still U.K. residents with a holiday home in Villamartin. We actually quite like the differences in seasons - in the winter months and shoulder seasons, we enjoy cycling and walking, including with a walking group, something we wouldn’t contemplate in the hot summer months. We would only rent a boat and go for a gentle pootle in the summer, as we’ve only just obtained our licences ( Torrevieja marina) so we are novices. When we first bought in the area (2018) we didn’t go to Torrevieja much as it seemed so busy and touristy - but we only saw it in the daytime. However, we’ve come to love it in the evenings for a nice meal and a stroll at all times of the year. Yes, the canaries might have good all year weather, but it’s nowhere near as interesting or authentic as mainland Spain. (4 hour flights and expensive property not so attractive) Southern Costa Blanca has a surprising charm, and I’m sure we will continue to enjoy the coast and explore the inland villages for many years to come. Keep up the videos highlighting new places to try 🥂😀

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Great feedback, thank you. And thanks for watching. Have a great Christmas - Barry & KJ

[@coachkeith56]

Yes we agree, pretty quiet just returned from Torrevieja! we went to Calpe for the first week Stunning place but dead as a dodo. Torrevieja was very quiet on the Monday but much livelier in the week especially late afternoon say after 5 ish. We also spent a few days in Benidorm, nightlife 50/50 busy, the promenade was very busy, its such a wonderful walk to the old town along the front.

[@asho8128]

Head up the road to Punta Prima in the winter and most of the bars and restaurants are open all year round. A very different vibe to the centre of Torre.

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Yip it’s a holiday resort, not really the real Spain we are looking for after more than two years now.

[@asho8128]

@@ScottishCoupleInSpain probably need to head inland for real Spain unfortunately

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

@@asho8128 Yeah defo. Alicante city is lovely and there’s some nice Spanish villages inland around there too. Love Punta Prima and all those places for a night out. Or the odd afternoon lol always something going on to keep you entertained.

[@Mumujalego]

There are many coastal towns that enjoy a lot of activity in summer but are not abandoned in winter. It is only knowing how to choose a real city and not those sectors focused on tourism. For example, on the Costa de la Luz, in Huelva, Isla Cristina and Islantilla are urban centers of the same municipality. Isla Cristina is a fishing village with 21K (60K in summer) of permanent inhabitants, while Islantilla goes from 100K in summer to 0 in winter.

[@aquilaxxi7953]

Well, fortunately, this is a real country, not a holiday resort. We have many different places and activities, a normal and average life like any other european country. Spain is NOT "sun, sea and sangria", as many foreigners use to think.

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

We know and agree. That’s why we live here. It’s very diverse and we prefer the cities and countryside.

[@PeterZetar]

Thanks for your honest review. I plan to live in spain in Winter time and for the summer time come back to my home country. Currently, i am doing a research just as you said: changing places, renting short term and comparing. Torrevieja is nice but pretty empty on the evenings. I didn't like Benidorm but in Calpe I found a great fish market during the day and a few bars for the evening. Next month i am flying to Malaga area to check!

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Malaga is a great City, slightly more expensive than Alicante.

[@tobyo99]

Not a strange video at all. I thought it was very informative. 👍

[@georginahoyle15]

Very interesting aspect. I hadn't realised the difference between the two seasons was so extreme.

[@MrDynamicMedia]

If you go prety much any where in the Malaga area its not where nera as dead and if your like 30 mins drive from Malaga it also still very cheap! My Dads been there for 17 years and and he loves it and so do i!

[@manjitgumman1872]

Good advice, realistic thanks

[@gweedoreone4877]

on Sundays, everyone goes to the lemon Tree Market ... check it out

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

We’ve been a few times, love it!

[@barryoneill-ec9zz]

Thank Barry, Your a real good communicator, been watching your journey to Spain from the start, I sold up my house van but kept my tools back in Ireland and came to Estapona, but find this place very lonely, There isn’t any sense of community here at all with Brits or Irish, That’s why I’m coming up to Torrie soon to check it out ,as a permanent residence, but your post has sort of scared me about the place, Appreciate the warning

[@scottish-m3]

Some brilliant advice there. 👏🏼

[@chrisbranchett4586]

Cornwall is dead in the winter too, and really wet and windy ! Lots of holiday homes , so villages are without shops etc .

[@KraftyUk]

We will be moving to Spain in the near future, we live in a coastal town in Cornwall and it gets really quiet in the winter. The only difference is the weather.

[@petersilie648]

Don't really care if its empty in Winter likely comparable to living on the countryside, yet still warmer and more Sunlight.

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Lots of people love the peace and quiet before Christmas and in the new year too. Weather is glorious today.

[@MAKAKA2024-b7y]

I live in a.Prague.Except city centre,there are no people on the streets at all.So depressing,especially with combination with claudy grey skies.Come on,Torrevieja during winter time is better than most of the cities in Europe

[@hydra586]

I agree.Souhlas.

[@tomm5228]

Holiday home in Arboleas, didn’t want the hubbub just the sun and visits, explore

[@RobRoyNV]

we are considering Spain for semi-retirement, maybe buy a small posada or something like. Everyone who we know who's moved there, have told us it's better to be 10 or so miles inland in a small town with a year-round full-time community, with of course an Irish or British pub nearby, and hopefully a lower league footie team. Add to that the cost of living away from the coast seems cheaper, what do you think ? cheers mate love the videos

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Everyone that's been in Spain for years says the same, you start off at the coast. Then move inland, yes move value and more Spanish inland, do as much research as you can before. It's better to rent in an area first. Barry

[@aquilaxxi7953]

We don´t use posadas since the 19th century. Decade more, decade less.

[@TeresaMarlena]

I love Benalmadena, but the prices are twice as high as in Torrevieja.

[@hydra586]

I like your honesty. So now you will move...I wonder where.

[@ashatmashortz9690]

Hi, great videos. I’m moving from Scotland to the Murcia region next year and wondered about the cost of moving my furniture over by a removal company (van not sea). Do you have any “rough” costs guides ? Companies to use ? What was your experience? Who did you use ? Etc. Many thanks.

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Unfortunately we can’t recommend anyone because we did it ourselves in our old van. We subsequently sold the van here in Spain shortly afterwards. I would have a look at Facebook for any reviews and Google reviews as well. Good luck and thank you for watching!

[@italianstallion9170]

if you have the money and don't have to work for a living I'd say live in Spain. However between November and March the Northern med is cold and wet and not that warmer than UK, although it only snows in the mountains.

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Well it's not 19 degrees in the UK today that's for sure. 😉

[@deetusk]

Great video... I must admit I do like how less touristy it becomes. I'm. Just wondering though its called a city or is it a large town? There are lots of cars always about and the shop do be open, we have never been stuck for food, drink and a chat no matter when we have been. Compared to La Mata & Guardamar now they are totally dead and the same out the other direction playa flamenca/cabo Roig. Torrevieja is a good base to go and see surrounding areas Alicante being 1 its only 40 mins away. There is a good bus company that will take you to lots of places for approx €12/15 return journey or rent an Air B&B so many good options for a few €€s. We bought bikes and have had a blast cycling through the streets finding little boutiques /coffee shops /tapas bars something I know i would ever do in Ireland especially in November/December/January. All in all I'm still in love with Torrevieja and can't wait to make a more permanent move in a couple of years, although I will always go back to Ireland for July/August. 4 days and counting can't wait. P. S I totally appreciate yous live and work there that will always have a different slant on it. Xx ❤️ 🇪🇸😎

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Totally agree with you. I think this year has been far quieter than it was last winter and we got a bit of a shock. We absolutely love the place, we do, it’s got everything we need on our doorstep here, and Alicante is amazing. Takes about 45 mins in the car so we’ve been going a fair bit lately. Big contrast to walk down busy streets there with the hustle and bustle all around, and then the peace and quiet here at this time of year xx

[@janres9540]

Really, with the cultural and landscape diversity of Spain, it is a pity that only Benidorm, Torrevieja, Mazarron is known... they are tourist beach towns, but I would not choose them to live. A very good option is the interior of Spain, large expanses of nature, much more historic towns and cities, it may have rivers or reservoirs nearby for the summer, good gastronomy and services, but you must be fluent in Spanish.

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

We agree. 💜

[@norgetilspania]

This is our only thought about moving soon as well.. we went to torrevieja and didn’t see more than five people under 65… We’re really worried as we’re looking for a full time living or at least 6 months.. and that’s the six in wintertime.. it’s not an easy task for sure..

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

There are people here of all ages, and nationalities. It is really down in the town centre, around the seafront where it gets very quiet. Go further into the town and that’s where the locals are. The seafront is more expensive to eat and drink so locals stay away. It’s not all bad, the weekends are busier. It depends what sort of lifestyle you want but in the English speaking community, the majority seem to be retired people enjoying the warmer climate etc.

[@deborahswan1226]

What about Brexit how does it affect citizenship, loss of NHS and giving up state pension from Britain, looks really peaceful and quiet, lovely place.

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

It doesn’t! You do not lose your British passport. We have paid national insurance for most of our working lives so we are entitled to our UK state pensions. We are also entitled to NHS as well IF we return to the UK as residents again. But we don’t intend on doing that. We are now entitled to Spanish public healthcare and will receive a Spanish pension after paying into the system here as well. We moved before Brexit as well so we have freedom of movement protected in the EU.

[@deborahswan1226]

@@ScottishCoupleInSpain thanks 👍

[@ffi1001]

@@ScottishCoupleInSpainyour freedom of movement is not protected. Your right to live in Spain only is protected. You only get a Spanish pension if you contribute for 15 years and only get a full uk pension if you have contributed for 35 years.

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

@@ffi1001 we can move throughout and work anywhere in the EU, and if we wanted to get residency elsewhere we can do. It’s not likely we will do that though but we have the options. I’m talking about travelling etc. we work remotely and pay our tax in Spain. We are also aware of the pension requirements and we’re good! 👍🏼

[@shaygold943]

Thanks 🙏

[@norbanddiana]

Hi Barry. What are your other KZbin channels?

[@martinquinn9007]

Thanks I'm 56 and that's to quite

[@bruceketcheson4877]

What did you expect? Winter in Paris is not exactly Paris in the spring either..... Not sure if you were having a bad day or what but the video really said more about you than any area of Spain. You share 'moving to spain' but talk about one town filled mostly with UK expats? Makes no sense

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

Hey Bruce you need to go listen to Short Relaxation Female Voice videos. ;) Barry

[@ScottishCoupleInSpain]

How can you compare Paris to the Med? That make no Sense?

[@stuartwallace7536]

Must admit, i've been in Torrevieja for 3 weeks now, and i wouldnt return tbh. I didnt know what to expect when i arrived as never been here before, but find it to be .... 1) More cosmopolitan than i thought (more Spanish than i thought, which is a good thing) - however, Torrevieja i find a bit soulless (maybe the wrong word) - and not very 'picturesque' (also looking for a different word). One thing from your vid is the amount of Graffiti is horrific (as you seem to highlight in your vid) , and seems to be a Spanish plague ( along with dog sh1t just left around), i am always looking down at the pavement, cos of the amount of sh1t that is just left on the floor. However, the way i look at it is ... 1) the weather is still fabulous ..and 2) the Spanish people are still fabulous. But i would look to go to somewhere like Mojacar - much more scenic, and more of a relaxed atmosphere and a better climate because of the mountains that shround it). Also, one thing that i keep wanting to mention is the difference between Spain and UK, is that walk down the high street of any UK town and you get the food options of Mcd,Burger King,Greggs,Spoons,KFC - its all the same shit in every town, all caused by landlords charging rents that only big chains can afford, but walk down any street in Spain and you get wonderful local and varied choices. I love Spain, and the Spanish, but maybe not so enamoured with Torrevieja.

[@hydra586]

Nice point of view.

[@skimmyskemmed]

It's busier than rotherham

[@davewalkden9978]

This is why we bought 20 minutes inland in San Bartolome. It never gets rammed in Summer & because it's not a village that relies on tourism, everything's still open in Winter. That said...we're selling up & have bought a new place halfway up a mountain in Andalusia for when we make the permanent move over at some point in the next few years. The Costa Blanca's great but between June & September, if you're not parked up by the beach by 8am, forget it. Most of the beaches are standing room only & that's not the Spain we want to live in permanently.

[@stephenhayden2586]

Great vidio you have shown exactly why we avoided the coast, we live very inland Spanish language is essential and our village has classes for us and they are free. To be honest we wanted to get as far away from boozy loud Brits as we could