Thread: The start of my dream!!

So let me explain, feel free to help on any aspects as this is the first start to implementing my dream instead of it remaining, forever more, just the dream.....
I want to move to spain, maybe malaga (people living there already maybe able to give me the low down on the good and bad area's?) I have a house in the uk which i am not sure what to do with do i just rent it out whilst i try it all out in spain which creates initial start up cost problems or sell up in a low housing market and say what the hell?? I think rentin is the way to start in spain and i have dreams of renting a 2/3 bed apartment/duplex/house and also renting a cafe/wine bar and running tha, something i have never done but been in sales for many years and fed up with the rat race and thgink i have the personable skills and determination to make it work.(Help and advise needed on both bar and house rent please)
On a personal front I am a single mum of two children aged 17 & 13 the 17 year old will continue his studies here in the uk for a year and then maybe join me and the 13 year old will come with me so need schooling(More help needed on this one) None of us speak a word of spanish at this stage but are quick learners and keen.

So please will you all help with anything and no at this point i dont have much of plan or a timescale but i had to start somewere.......

Nico xx

Good evening and welcome to Absolute Spain. Our members will hopefully have a wealth of sensible helpful information that you can utilise. Personal experiences, pitfalls and surprises. You have a mountain of reading in here that will be essential in planning any move. Lots of research and planning are the keys. Good luck.

Thanks, I really hope it will give me the encouragement to take the next step.

Nico x

Hello Nico & welcome.

A bar ?, think on girl as most established ones are struggling & they know what they are doing !

A dream ?, think on again as when you "live" here the realities will soon put a damper on that.

Rent first ?, now you are thinking as this "is" the route to take.

13 ? well it ain't easy for a child to change schools in the UK, so just imagine how hard it will be for a 13 year old.

Sorry to be negative, but take your time & with the right attitude and aforethought you will enjoy life in Spain. All you need to do (IMO) is avoid making mistakes & that is what we are here for mate

Brian

Hi Nicoletta,

Welcome to the Absolute Spain Forum, I hope you enjoy your stay.

Starting a bar in Spain is something hundreds if not thousands of expats have tried. Many fail... Which doesn't mean you shouldn't pursue your dream, it just means you need to ensure you do your homework. I am an expert in the hospitality industry and have written extensively about running a bar/restaurant/... in Spain in my ebook: Survive the Crisis in Spain.

If you are serious about achieving your dream, I cannot recommend it enough.

For the rest of your questions, I'm sure many of our members here have great advice and tips for you...

Hi Nico and welcome.
There are English bars near us, closing at a rate of one per month. The reason being, they cannot make ends meet. People are not going out so much any more because they are not earning as much. Most of the bars have an average life expectancy of 1 year to 18 months occupancy and the only person who makes any money is the Spanish landlord.
You will have plenty of bars to choose from at the moment but I really would advise you to think of some other way to support yourself here. As a single person, you would have to employ someone else to cover the hours you could not be at work.
We have run a bar here in Malaga so I am talking based on that experience. I am sorry to sound so negative - only trying to help you.
Renting for 6 months is a very sensible idea and rents are lower now so you should be able to negotiate a good deal, many places are empty, just waiting for a tenant to come along, so again, you will have plenty of choice.
Come and try but if you can manage to keep your house rented in the UK, it would be far more beneficial to you and provide you with an escape route if you don't like what you find a year down the line.

Hi

thank you for your resonse all be it a little negative I appreciate your honesty, made enough mistkes in my life already dont want to make another one which is my reason for asking so many questions and ensuring i get it right.

What in an IMO??

Nico

Hi Nicoletta,

My advice to you would be don't sell up in the UK, we did in 2000 and now regret it. Had we kept the house it would be worth twice as much now and the money invested has made little over the 8 years, certainly not the 8% pa tax free promised by our financial adviser.

Also if things in Spain continue to go badly for ex pats you have an exit strategy.

Hope this helps Eric

Hi Nico

IMO - In my opinion (Just one of the things I learned on this forum.)

You may also see IMHO - In my humble opinion.

Take care.