Despite being bordered by only one other country (Spain), Portugal has an intercontinental feel. The culture, architecture, language and cuisine have all been influenced by centuries of global travel. Living standards are high due to the advanced economy, peaceful governance, and emphasis on moral freedom for its citizens. The weather is uniformly warm in the summer months, while temperatures in winter vary depending on location. For example, you’ll find snowfall in the mountains, mild microclimates by the coast and subtropical islands. But it’s the stunning variety of terrains that draws so many tourists and expats to the country. You can hike in the national parks, walk the cobbled streets of the historic villages, search the Atlantic horizon for glimpses of North America from dramatic cliffs or lounge on one of the many glittering beaches. The Portuguese have a hospitable nature and you can expect to eat freshly sourced ingredients cooked simply and served with a flourish. Fish, squid, smoked meats, olives, cheese, bread and local wines are plentiful and you’ll find produce markets and restaurants at every turn. Feasts are central features of many of the festivities but you’ll also find music, dancing and night-time revelries at the frequent celebrations throughout the year. The north of Portugal is rocky and rugged and famous for the port wine-growing region, the Douro Valley. Rising up from the rural interior are wild mountains dotted with hunks of granite and flowing from them, the wide, fertile Tagus, Guadiana and Douro rivers. Lisbon is the most densely populated city, closely followed by Porto, and the southern Algarve region is a tourist hotspot. The Madeira archipelago is made up of 8 volcanic peaks, only two of which are inhabited and there are 9 islands in the Azores offering pale beaches, thermal lakes, geysers and black lava fields. This land has been fought over by Celts, Goths, Greeks, Romans and Moors, each of whom have left their architectural marks. Modern property development tends towards spacious, open-plan homes with echoes of these historical styles. The people of Portugal revere a rural life and as a result, there are a lot of villas or plots of land for development available in the countryside. In contrast, the cities and coastal regions are filled with affordable apartments. The road networks are good, air travel is quick and easy from northern Europe and America and there are high-speed international trains from connecting cities in France and Spain. Children are legally required to be in education from six to eighteen years old and there is a range of schooling options for international students, from public state schools, private faith schools or international schools. There is a state healthcare system in Portugal too. EU citizens can access it for free once they’ve registered and received a healthcare number (cartão de utente).

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Beautiful weather, excellent food and wine, world-famous art and culture and low living costs are just some of the reasons you should pack up and move to Spain. Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe and also one of the most geographically varied. With some of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the world, breath-taking mountainous regions, fertile plains, and sun-drenched isles, there is something to suit every preference. Visit Spain and you’ll enjoy a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers, mild winters, with snow in northern and mountainous regions. If you love art and culture you’ll have much to discover in Spain, which is home to some of the finest architecture in the world. There are ancient marketplaces, Moorish palaces, and the fantastical structures of Antoni Gaudi, not to mention the Dali museum, Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim, Fundacio Joan Miro, and the numerous festivals which regularly take place throughout the country. Spanish food is as varied as its landscape; the Spanish are absolutely passionate about their local cuisine. Tapas is popular worldwide, and you’ve probably sampled at least one of these delicious little dishes. The variety of tapas offered in Spain is huge, and varies from region to region and also according to season. Spanish markets are abundant with huge fruits and vegetables, thanks to the long months of sunshine. The great news as a prospective buyer, is that food, like the cost of living generally in Spain, is very affordable and of excellent quality. Moving onto more practical matters, the healthcare system in Spain is ranked among the best in the world, spending 10% of its GDP on healthcare. There are also excellent transport links throughout the country, with modern metros, high speed trains connecting most cities, long distance coach services between major cities, and bus services in all major cities and towns. It’s no wonder that Spanish public transport is known to be some of the best in Europe. For those wishing to venture further afield, it’s easy to travel from Spain to other parts of Europe by plane, train or bus. And of course, with 36 international airports, it will be easy for friends and family from back home to come and visit!

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Are you looking for a change of scenery? &nbsp;If this is the case, France should be at the top of your list! This magnificent country is a treasure trove of stunning landscapes with a wide range of settings to suit everyone's tastes and a rich history that will captivate you. Starting with the southern part of the country, the warmth of the people will greet you at every turn. This region is well-known for its sunny weather, sun-kissed beaches, outdoor celebrations, vibrant markets, and music festivals. Over a glass of wine, people gather to celebrate life, exchange cultural traditions, and foster an environment that is warm and welcoming to visitors from all over the world. As a matter of fact, the <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/france/places-to-live/occitanie-0l58192">Occitanie</a> region in the southwestern part of France is truly a one-of-a-kind destination with its diverse offerings of landscapes and activities. With direct access to the Mediterranean coastline and the majestic mountains and ski resorts of the Pyrenees. &nbsp;Coastal cities such as Montpellier also offer a rich historical and cultural heritage, this region is an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy the nature, history and culture of France. A little further north, nature enthusiasts will find a peaceful haven in the renowned French Alps, known for their breathtaking alpine scenery and outdoor activities like downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and sleigh rides. With the largest skiing area in the world, the <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/france/places-to-live/auvergne-rhone-alpes-0l60750">French Alps</a> offer unforgettable experiences for all kinds of nature lovers, all year long. Finally, with their world-famous cuisine and vibrant arts scenes, French cities such as Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux offer an unforgettable experience that combines the best of urban living and cultural heritage. Regarding the cost of living, France is a great place to call home. Although prices have increased in recent years, it remains more affordable compared to other European nations like the UK. With a strong economy and an excellent quality of life, &nbsp;You can experience a comfortable lifestyle without overspending. Also, the French culture offers a more relaxed and laid-back way of life that will have you feeling right at home in no time. Why not seize the moment and fall deeply in love with a property in France? Start living your dream today by preparing for your move and reading our location guides on different regions and provinces in France. &nbsp;

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Buyer Stories

Linda’s experience of buying property abroad for the first time 

How the agents helped her find the right area in Murcia 

The moment Linda found the dream house 

Experience compared to selling properties in the UK 

On sticking to a budget 

Linda’s best advice for buying Spanish property 

What’s best about the Spanish lifestyle 

The perspective they get when returning home to the UK after a vacation in Spain 

How Linda is sharing the property with her family 

How the environment in Murcia has helped people start new careers and projects 

Episode 11: Linda who purchased in La Torre Golf Resort, Murcia

&nbsp;<h2>Intro</h2>Welcome to the Kyero.com Spanish Property podcast where we interview real people who recently purchased a home in Spain.They tell us what worked, what didn’t and what they’d do differently next time.I’m Beth Davison and today I’m speaking with Linda, originally from Hull, who purchased an apartment in <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/murcia-province-property-for-sale-0l30">La Torre Golf Resort, Murcia</a>.Just wait until you hear about how quickly it all happened and how the buying process led to contacts for Linda which would later help her set up her own business in Spain.Linda worked with estate agent <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/spain-property-for-sale-0l55529?agent_id=5890">Murcia Services</a> to find her dream home in Spain.Check out the show notes at kyero.com/podcast to find links and resources mentioned in this episode.<h2>Body of the Transcript</h2>Beth: So, if we start, would you mind just letting me know what you do, and how you came to be looking for a property abroad.Linda: OK, I’m partly retired, but I’m also an interior designer. We decided that, having to release some capital from sales of properties here in the UK, we would look in Spain. We did a lot of research and ended up with our eye on Murcia, in particular.That’s why we started to look because we felt that we would enjoy the sunshine, we’d enjoy the different lifestyle, and it would be good for the children and the grandchildren. That’s why we decided to purchase in Spain.Beth: Lovely, did you know the area already? Did you know Spain pretty well?Linda: I’d been to that part of Spain ten or twelve years ago on business, looking at properties abroad I was helping a company develop. I actually went to the site where we’ve actually bought and it was really, really, sold as being a luxury resort, etc. But I’ve actually never been on holiday in Spain.I’d only been across for business. So this is quite a big thing for me because I had never purchased property abroad and I had never been to that part of Spain or anywhere on holiday. So, it was a really big deal for me and it was… We’re comfortably off, but we’re not well off, so the money was important that we found the right property in the right place.Beth: Yeah, of course. So, where was it that you ended up? Tell me, geographically, where it is.Linda: We started to look around the Mar Menor area. We’d looked around Alicante / Torrevieja as well. We found some new properties that were for sale, near the Mar Menor, and decided that we’d go have a look.We contacted Murcia Services, at that stage, and from that moment on, yeah, we were quite, gosh, excited but also quite sort of, not concerned, but you know, wary because of all the stories that you hear and everything else. We made an agreement that we would pay our flight, but they would pick us up from the airport. They would put us up in one of their apartments. They would look after us.So, within a very short time, within a few days, we’d flown across and we’d got a taxi and then they covered all that cost and everything else and deposited us in this very nice apartment on La Torre Golf Resort.We looked at a couple of areas. What was nice about Murcia Services was that, although we were looking at properties that they had advertised, we had said that we had been looking around at Torrevieja and Guardamar and she said, “If you don’t find anything that we’ve got suitable, we will arrange for colleagues of ours (further up the coast) to meet you and show you some properties there.”So, it wasn’t just that they were looking after us to sell us one of their properties; they really did look after us. They listened to what we wanted. But, we had done our research so I think because we did our research we knew what we were looking for, but they really listened.We were staying on the Torre so I said, could we have a look at some on the Torre and that was… We arrived the Monday afternoon. We looked at things on the Monday afternoon and viewed other places that we’d asked to look at around Sierra Golf. Tuesday morning they took us to see properties around La Torre. They took us into the local villages: Roldan, Balsicas, etc and down to Mar Menor to show us the area so that we could see where we were looking.We found an apartment on LaTorre on Tuesday lunchtime, and they didn’t stop there, they organised for a local solicitor. They came with us on the Wednesday to meet the solicitor. They came with us to the notary and they sorted out the offer and we flew back on the Thursday knowing exactly what we’d bought, knowing it was all set up, and they helped us all the way through. They kept in touch, and it was completed within six weeks.Beth: That is incredible. So, the whole thing was four days, basically, Monday to Thursday?Linda: Yes, and they organised everything. We didn’t have to do a thing. They even took us down to the Mar Menor so that we could stay for lunch down there and have a walk and look and then came back and collected us. So, we knew exactly what was around.They took us into Roldan and Balsicas and by the time we got home, and on the Friday, it was all emails and that concern. It was absolutely fantastic and it doesn’t really stop there because Nick and Kay take a very active part in the local area as well.So, if you needed to know anything or got stuck with anything they were there to ask. They’ve been fantastic, absolutely brilliant, and now I’m hoping to work with them on my interior design business that I’m launching over there.Beth: Oh wow. So you kind of made proper friends, proper contacts in a kind of really business trusting way?Linda: Absolutely yes, Kay and Nick, they’re partners, but the staff are lovely and I think the thing is that they listen and they respond. You send an email or a message on Facebook, or whatever, and they instantly get back to you. You don’t feel that you’re in the dark.When you’re first time buying abroad and you’re investing a chunk of money and a chunk of your life, you want to feel that you’ve got somebody who is solid, that knows the area, knows people to contact and not just sell you a property, and that’s what Murcia Services do.Beth: Incredible. So, how did you know that the house that you saw was your dream house when they took you to it?Linda: We just walked in and I looked at Graham, my husband, and he looked at me, and I said, “This is just us.” He had not wanted an apartment. I had said, “I don’t want an apartment.” But, I said, “I’m willing to look at apartments.” I think that what was really good is that they showed us a wide range of them so we got a really good idea of what was available and at what price, so that when we walked into the one that we liked it was, “Great, this is it.”I don’t know, we just walked in and you know you get that sense of feeling that this is it. We just did. But I think the nice thing about it is that they weren’t obtrusive, they answered questions, they talked through things.I know for a fact, (from other people who had bought) that when they bought something like this and something comes up where that that’s not quite right. They (Murcia Services) will help them to see how it should look and they have got the team behind them to help them to do that as well.So, it’s not just the sales service, they do have people behind. When we bought we needed to get our boiler serviced, we just rang Nick up, “Oh, I’ll tell so and so to contact you.” And they contacted us and the boiler got serviced.Beth: So they just seem to care a lot more. There seems to be a level of care, it’s not just about money.Linda: No, it isn’t not just about money. You know, we had just sold two properties in the UK and we had gone through hell with it. We were really, really stressed out and the thought of, “Oh God, buying another property… but come on, let’s do it, let’s see what we can do.”And they made it such an easy journey and such fun! We had a good time; we had a good laugh when we went there. They made sure they took us to lunch and met up with us regularly and the whole team is like that, it’s not just Nick and Kay, the team is like that as well.Beth: Amazing. Tell me a little bit about the property itself.Linda: OK, the property is a two bedroomed apartment. It’s got a lovely sized and shaped sitting/dining area which is lovely, with patio doors out onto a really lovely south facing terrace.It’s got a fully fitted kitchen. It’s got a utility area. It’s got a lovely fitted bathroom with shower and everything, and the two bedrooms have got fitted wardrobes and there’s loads of storage space.The second bedroom has got the patio doors going out onto the terrace. It was in good condition and they were very honest about things. We looked at a couple that were a little bit you know… They were honest, they said. “Yes, it’s not as nice as the other one, but it’s got this and it’s got that going for it.”They were very fair I think that… They let you make your own minds up and you didn’t feel like you couldn’t say, “Oh God, I don’t like this.” You could say that, you know, this is not for us. There was one particular apartment where we just went, “Ugh, as an interior designer I know I could do with it, but it was ugh, no,” and they were fine with it.Beth: Fair enough though. I think it’s important that you can say that.Linda: We didn’t’ feel restricted or that we had to pretend it’s alright. We didn’t.Beth: Do mind me asking what your budget was? You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.Linda: We had a budget of £80,000. That was our budget and we came in exactly about £300 under budget.Beth: Oh wow, well done. See that’s impressive isn’t it?Linda: That was all our expenses and everything. They were clear about it. They told us what we needed to keep back to pay for taxes, fees, etc. So we knew, we had a good idea of what our top budget was when buying the actual property. Yes, we had a budget, but that budget had to include everything else.Beth: Yeah.Linda: So, that was absolutely brilliant.Beth: So, if you were giving advice to friends or family who were going to start the process from scratch, just like you did once upon a time, what advice would you give them?Linda: Do your research. Really look at the areas. Get on the internet; compare prices, knowing what you want. Do you want one, two, three bedrooms? Be realistic, get onto the internet and see what things cost.It’s no good going out there saying I want a three bedroom detached villa and I’ve got £60,000 because it’s not going to happen, and I want a sea view, and I want this, that, and the other, You need to be realistic, although there are some good bargains. Prices are still keen, at the moment; there appear to be a lot of people buying. So, you need to know what you want and where you want to be. Be clear with whoever you’re trying to buy through that this is what you want.Beth: Fantastic. Lastly, just talking about the lifestyle in Spain, what do you enjoy most about owning a property in Spain, and the Spanish culture, and all that stuff?Linda: The weather, even if it’s cool it’s usually bright and sunny, so one’s mood lifts, you instantly lift. It’s also, everything is much slower. People are very friendly. But, it’s just a much more relaxed lifestyle and you don’t feel that you’ve got to rush around here there and everywhere.People are generally very friendly and we’ve made friends already there. We’ve got two or three sets of friends that we’re going to get together on the New Year because we’ve made such good friends. People look out for one another. We get there and we just go, Ugh, this is nice. We get back and my husband says, within three days, “I need a holiday.”Beth: Yeah, you get too used to it. It’s lovely to have that option of just popping over for some nice weather.Linda. Oh, we are lucky. Again, I always said that I would never live abroad if we didn’t have the family and friends that we have here in the UK I’d happily live there.Beth: Well, maybe one day. I suppose you never know. You’ve got the option.Linda: When they all grow up. Well, they’re all in their thirties now. The grandchildren are there. What it does, when you come back home it makes you concentrate, the time that you’re here, and makes you realise that you want to see people, you want to be in touch, you want to be part of it. Then, when you go there, you can just relax and say, “Goy, it’s just us.”Beth: Totally, presumably do you bring them over for holidays and stuff?Linda: They haven’t been yet, but there will be. We’ve had one daughter go across with her family, and they loved it, absolutely loved it.Where we are, the facilities, we’ve got a gated community. We’ve got beautiful communal pools. Our communal pool is literally a two minute walk from our terrace.We’re surrounded by superb restaurants. There’s a great social life, but you don’t have to be inundated and do everything if you don’t want it. So, we just love that lifestyle.Beth: Lovely and when are you next heading out?Linda: Four nights on Tuesday.Beth: Very nice, avoiding the cold weather.Linda: Yes well, the thing is as well is that it’s not just about lifestyle. The word, from a lot of people that have gone out there, is that they’ve started new careers, they’ve started doing new things because suddenly you’re in sunshine and people are nice and friendly and there’s lots of opportunities. I decided, then, that I might actually look at doing some small interior design projects. It’s actually opened other avenues as well.Beth: Yeah, incredible. Well, I hope it all goes really, really, well. Thank you so much for chatting to me today. Enjoy your trip in a couple of weeks when you head back out there.Linda: Thanks Beth. I hope it’s been OK for you.Beth: It’s been perfect. Thanks Linda.Linda: Thanks Beth.Beth: Bye.Linda: Bye.<h2>Outtro</h2>Thank you for listening and thanks to Linda for sharing her experiences, and Murcia Services for their help to make this episode possible.I particularly liked the sound of her communal pool and how much her grandsons have been able to enjoy the property as well not to mention how exciting the interior design business sounds.You can search this agent’s properties and more on Kyero.com  .Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode  !This podcast is produced by <a href="https://www.kyero.com/">Kyero.com</a>, and our mission is to connect you with estate agents and properties throughout Spain. Whether your dream home is a rustic farmhouse surrounded by olive groves or a lock-up-and-leave apartment on the sea front, you'll find everything that you need at <a href="https://www.kyero.com/">Kyero.com</a>. If you've enjoyed this episode we'd really appreciate your five star rating on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/kyero-spanish-property-podcast/id1332034550">iTunes</a>. It helps us reach and connect more people with their dream home in Spain, and, whenever you're ready, here are four ways we can help you:<ul><li>Ask a question by emailing <a href="mailto:podcasts@kyero.com">podcasts@kyero.com</a>. We'll try and answer them all in an upcoming Q&amp;A episode</li><li>Get a location guide by emailing <a href="mailto:podcasts@kyero.com">podcasts@kyero.com</a>. We'll reply with the latest data and information on the areas you're interested in</li><li>Calculate your budget, simply visit <a href="https://www.kyero.com/budget">Kyero.com</a>, enter two numbers, and you're done</li><li>Be our guest, if you've already purchased your home in Spain we would love for you to share your story on the podcast, just email <a href="mailto:podcasts@kyero.com">podcasts@kyero.com</a> and we'll take it from there</li></ul>Tune in next week when I speak with Henry, originally from Scotland.He purchased a quad in Playa Flamenca, Alicante and I can’t wait to tell you all about how much Henry’s granddaughter influenced his purchase and, as they have now relocated permanently, for him it was all about finding a good school for her to go to.I’m Beth Davison and you’ve been listening to the Kyero.com Spanish property podcast. I’ll see you next week!&nbsp;

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Episode 11: Linda who purchased in La Torre Golf Resort, Murcia

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