1.Preface
2.Making The Decision
Our Decision; First Of All, We Thought About France.; Then We Thought About Italy.; We Then Considered Greece.; And How About Islands Such As Cyprus Or Malta?;
3.Choosing A Location
The Costa Brava; The Costa Blanca And The Costa Del Azahar; The Costa Calida; Andalucia; The Costa Tropical; The Costa De La Luz; The Costa Del Sol;
4.Finding A Property
Town Or Country?; On The Beach?; Deep In The Countryside?; Near The Coast?; What About The Nearby Land?; In An ‘urbanisation’?; What Kind Of Property?; Orientation To The Sun; Our Final Choice;
5.Property Case Histories
The New Apartment; The Beach-Front Apartment; The Finca In The Hills; The Villa With Investment Potential; The Village House; The Country Property; The Villa With A View; What Did We Buy And Why Did We Buy It?; Buying Off-Plan;
6.Legal Matters
Should You Have The Property Surveyed?; The Conveyance; The Purchase Contract; Completion;
7.The Actual Removal
Near-Disaster; A Nightmare Experience;
8.Settling In
First Impressions; The Practical Side Of Things; Gas; Electricity; Telephones; Insurance; Local Authority Taxes; Community Charges; Opening A Spanish Bank Account; Credit Cards; Taxes; The Postal Service; Television; Computers; Day-To-Day Living; Driving I
9.The Lifestyle
Relaxed Pace Of Life; The Weather; Shopping; Eating Out; Home Comforts; Getting Around;
10.The Cost Of Living
Living Well And Cheaply; What Costs More?;
11.The Hidden Delights Of Spain
Civic Pride; Day-To-Day Pleasures; The Wonders Of Nature; Fiestasandferias; Peace And Quiet;
12.Gardening In Spain
Planning; Planting For Colour; Roses; Plants For Scent; Climbing Plants; Bushes; Sculptural Plants; Trees; The Spanish Patio; Finally...;
13.Healthcare In Spain
State Provision; Private Health Insurance; Hospitals; Ambulance And Paramedic Services; Healthcare Case Histories; Other Healthcare Services;
14.Are There Negatives?
The Expatriate Community; The Free Holiday; Holidaymakers; Household Building Or Repairs; Style Of Construction Of Your Home; Shopping; Theatre, Cinema And Concerts; Exchange Rates; Development; Finally . . .;
15.Happily Ever After?
Our Future; Your Decision; Conclusion;