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

 Why they chose to move from Turkey to Spain

 How their Spanish relocation was different to Turkey

 Where Martin found all the information he needed to be a resident in Spain

 Why they chose an authentic Spanish location

 What they have done with the land already

 Trials and tribulations of siestas

 Advice on buying in Spain

 What he loves about the Spanish culture the most

Episode 14: Martin who purchased in Montroy, Valencia

&nbsp;<h2>Intro</h2>Welcome to the Kyero.com Spanish Property podcast where we interview 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 Martin, originally from Verwood in Dorset, who along with his wife Sharon purchased a villa in <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/montroy-property-for-sale-0l53462">Montroy, Valencia</a>.This is their second property abroad but this time around Martin and Sharon were keen to have more land, due to both their love of gardening and to have space for their pets! Just wait until you hear the all the differences in planning when it comes to a permanent relocation.Martin and Sharon worked with estate agent <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/spain-property-for-sale-0l55529?agent_id=2231">Azahar Properties</a> to find their dream home in Spain.Check out the show notes at <a href="https://kyero-production-advice.herokuapp.com/en/podcasts">kyero.com/podcast</a> to find links and resources mentioned in this episode. &nbsp;<h2>Body of Transcript</h2>Martin: &nbsp;My name is Martin and myself and my partner, Sharon, we are retired, and originally from Dorset. We bought a property in Montroy, which is about twenty-five kilometres from Valencia City. It’s a three bedroom bungalow with a two thousand square metre plot.Beth: &nbsp;Lovely, so how did the whole process start for you?Martin: &nbsp;Well, we owned a property in Turkey for seven and a half years. At the beginning of last year we decided it was time to move out of Turkey.We like sunshine and Montroy, this area, has three hundred days of sunshine, so that ticked a box. We wanted similar to what we had in Turkey – a bungalow type villa with a pool, etc. but we wanted a bit more land.So, we just started to look on the Kyero website and we came across Azahar Properties who are based in Montroy. They had quite a few properties that needed some love and attention, which is what we were looking for, really - something that we could put our mark on. We contacted Azahar Properties, a guy called Simon Creed, and met up with him.Beth: &nbsp;It’s great that that didn’t scare you then. The idea of a bigger project was kind of exactly what you wanted. You wanted to get more stuck in this time around.Martin: &nbsp;Yeah, the problem was that the house in Turkey was a new build. It was brand new. And it was very lovely, but it was very clinical and after a fashion you haven’t really got much that you can do to it.We’re after a bit more land as well, because we’ve got pets and we just wanted a bit more garden. So, it’s just something that we felt we’d like to do – modernise and put our own mark on it rather than having a very clinical finish like it was with a new build.Beth: &nbsp;Absolutely, so, this for you was a permanent relocation if you were going to the pets over there, or was this a holiday?Martin: &nbsp;No, this is a permanent relocation. We lived in Turkey for seven years.Beth: &nbsp;Oh, fantastic, so that was permanent as well. Oh, exciting! So, why Spain then, was it always Spain from Turkey, or did you look around at other European countries?Martin: &nbsp;Well, Spain originally was the country we wanted to go to before Turkey. But, at the time, the times were all regarding house prices, etc. and affordability for what we were looking at and in Turkey, the cost of property was very, very, cheap. So, we decided that we’d go there, and the standard of living is very good.Then when we decided, seven and a half years later, that it was time to go, we went back to our original plan. As it happened, because of the Spanish property market slump we got into a position where we could afford to buy in Spain where we couldn’t before.Beth: &nbsp;Fantastic, yeah, that makes perfect sense. So you had done the relocation seven and half years previously. So, all of that initial leaving Britain stuff wasn’t really relevant for you at this point. How was the second move different?Martin: &nbsp;Ah, it was rushed, unfortunately. Well, unfortunately and fortunately because it forced us to get a move on, really. What happened is that we sold the property in Turkey. Although we were sort of ready for it, and we had all the pet passports and stuff set up, it was a bit of a shock when the second person to look at the house bought it. We negotiated, when he bought it, that we could stay there for two months. So, we basically had eight or nine weeks to find another property which is a bit scary.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, totally. So what were you looking at? How many viewings did you go on? How speedy was this process?Martin: &nbsp;It was very speedy. We originally contacted I think it was three different agents and it was in the region of between nine and ten properties that we had earmarked to see. We came over and we saw the first people. It was what we were looking for, but just not quite right. Then the second person that we met was Simon Creed of Azahar Properties.He showed us four or five properties that we had earmarked, and yeah, he was very good. He told us about the good and the bad side of the properties - what would need to be done to them, etc. So, he didn’t keep us in the dark. He said that this would need doing and that would need doing, and it was very good.Beth: &nbsp;I presume that that amount of transparency was really important for you.Martin: &nbsp;Yes, and since I’ve gotten to know him, he’s a very trustworthy person. As I’m sure you’re aware, when you go into any house purchase, especially in a foreign country, you have to be very careful or try to be. He made us feel very relaxed and is a very nice guy. He answered all of our questions.Then what happened is that we shortlisted, after the first two days of looking, we shortlisted. We went back for a second viewing that Simon had on his website. Yeah, we decided it was the right one.It’s a bungalow. It’s got two thousand square metres of land. It’s all fenced in so our cats are happy and, yes, we’ve been here since November the ninth we moved in.Beth: &nbsp;Fantastic. I mean it’s still really new then, you’re still settling in.Martin: &nbsp;It’s amazing what we’ve got through, as well, in that short space of time. We’ve now got our residency – our residence here. Simon helped us with getting our padron. He took us to the council to get our padrons so we’re now on the council register.He introduced us to local tradesman. So, we’ve had our electricity upgraded. We’ve had double glazing put in. He’s helped us all the way along. At the end of the day, in this area of Spain, the local people don’t really speak a lot of English, so he’s been very, very helpful. I’ve got very pigeon Spanish, so Simon has been helping me out, no end, with that as well.Beth: &nbsp;I’m sure that will improve over time, as well, if you’re in an area where you’re being forced to use it a lot.Martin: &nbsp;Yeah, yeah, my intention is to learn to speak Spanish. The year we decided, the beginning of last year I decided we were coming I started to learn the basics so at least I can say hello and goodbye.Beth: &nbsp;With those things like the residency, and all of that, those are things that I just don’t think about, but actually there must be a long list, if you want to be a permanent residence in Spain, of things that you have to go through. Where did you find the initial information for that? Was it all Simon?Martin: &nbsp;Some of it was Simon. A lot of it we got from Citizens Advice Bureau Spain, and off the internet as well. There’s an awful lot of information available on the internet. It’s just about finding the correct information. So, CAB in Spain are very good.Beth: &nbsp;I just wanted to ask a little bit about the area. You said that it’s very Spanish, no tourists or minimal tourism, was that the aim for you, originally?Martin: &nbsp;Yeah, so twenty-five K from the seaside, so it’s not a holiday place. There’s quite a few Expats here. We haven’t gotten involved with any of them yet. It’s probably too soon. We’ve been too busy.We wanted the Spanish feel. Like you said earlier, it will force us to try and integrate and speak the language, so that’s something that we wanted. We love the countryside and we love the sunshine.The place is spot on. The area is in Montroy and it’s got three villages: Real, Montroy, and Montserrat. So there’s quite a nice spread and we’re about three kilometres away from the nearest town.Beth: &nbsp;Lovely, and with that additional land what kind of stuff have you done with it at the moment?Martin: &nbsp;Well, we’ve cut the trees down because they were very tall. So they’ve come down to a decent height. We just seeded some grass which is now starting to come up and is quite satisfying. There’s quite a lot of the front garden that is going to be grass and we’re going to grow our own veg, hopefully, next year once we’ve renovated the house a little bit.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, perfect. I was going to say that you’re a keen gardener. You sound green fingered.Martin: &nbsp;Well, yes and no; I am. It’s on the list of things that need to be prioritised. We just thought we’d get the main garden grassed, at the front, and the driveway done. Then, I can proceed with painting the house and stuff like this.It wasn’t in disrepair, the house. The guy who owned it had looked after it. It’s just that it needs to be brought into the twenty-first century. That’s basically it.Beth: &nbsp;Right, fantastic. Do you get lots of people visiting? Have you got friends and family who come over?Martin: &nbsp;Not, yet, not yet, we will once it gets into May time. My parents and my children will come over. So yeah, people will come and visit us, yeah.Beth: &nbsp;For the sunshine.Martin: &nbsp;Yeah, we’re just trying to make sure that it’s OK for them when they come over.Beth: &nbsp;So, of the whole process, which parts did you find the most challenging?Martin: &nbsp;I don’t want to be disrespectful to the Spanish, but they love the siesta here and that’s quite frustrating when you want to make appointments, you’ve got a limited amount of time to do things, and then they say, “Well, come back at five o’clock.”Beth: &nbsp;That’s long isn’t it, their break in the middle of the day?Martin: &nbsp;Yeah, two to five, and that’s very frustrating. This is a different thing dealing with Azahar because Simon is British. He doesn’t do siestas, so I said to him, “Would you be OK with seeing me at two o’clock?” He said, “Yeah, no problem.” I sort of explained to him and he said, “No, we don’t do siestas. We’ll get on and show you what you want to see.”That’s another side to it, another bonus to it. We were, we had eight weeks, nine weeks, to get this sorted out.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, so if you take out a chunk in the middle of every day I’m sure that can be really stressful.Martin: &nbsp;Yeah, but then it’s their way of life, and you have to accept that. Now that we’re here we do accept it. If you want to buy something, if you go to a shop, you’ve got to make sure that you’re out in the morning to get what you need, or come back later. It’s a very relaxed way of life. I like that. It’s nice.Beth: &nbsp;Totally, and what advice would you give to friends or family who, if they were saying, “Yeah, we’re thinking about buying in Spain,” what would be your advice to them?Martin: &nbsp;Try and make sure that you pick the right area. This area is not everybody’s cup of tea, so you need to make sure that you’ve got the right area. If you’re not prepared to integrate, if you’re looking for more like a holiday home, then you need to find exactly the right area. Don’t just jump into it.We had an idea of where we wanted to be because it took us about eight or nine months of looking on the internet; just many of hundreds and probably thousands of properties. So yeah, investigation is the key and to make sure it’s the right area.Beth: &nbsp;And for you the agent sounds really important.Martin: &nbsp;Yes, the agent was. Although each Spanish agent that we used, they spoke English and they helped us, but he just came across as exactly what we wanted. The other bonuses were that, Azahar Properties, as a purchaser, doesn’t pay commission, so we saved some money there as well, which was, at the time, very helpful.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, fantastic. Lastly, then, what is your favourite bit about Spanish culture? We’ve talked about siestas, what else do you like the best?Martin: &nbsp;Well, we love the food: Paella, and all the Spanish food. We love seafood, so prawns and muscles. We love the sunshine and we love the relaxed way of life here. As we say, because of the siesta you have a relaxed way of life. As long as you accept that and don’t want to be rushing around expecting the Spanish to do the same, it’s fine, it’s fine.Beth: &nbsp;Sounds lovely to me. It’s been snowing here this week so I’m very jealous.Martin: &nbsp;My children, they live in England and it’s full of snow. I don’t miss the weather at all.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, fantastic. You know, that’s all of my questions. Thank you so much for chatting to me today, that’s perfect.Martin: &nbsp;OK, that’s great. It was nice to speak to you.<h2>Outtro</h2>Thank you for listening and thanks to Martin for sharing his experiences along with Azahar Properties for their help to make this episode possible.I particularly like the sound of all that land, and how sweet it was that they prioritised their pet’s needs during the property hunt!Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.This podcast is produced by Kyero.com and our mission is to connect you with estate agents and properties throughout Spain.Whether your dream home is a rustic farm house surrounded by olive groves or a lock-up-and-leave apartment on the seafront, you’ll find everything you need at Kyero.comIf you’ve enjoyed this episode, we’d really appreciate your 5 star rating on iTunes. &nbsp;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:<ol><li>Ask a question by emailing <a href="mailto:beth@kyero.com">beth@kyero.com</a>. &nbsp;We’ll try and answer them all in an upcoming Q&amp;A episode</li><li>Get a location guide also by emailing <a href="mailto:beth@kyero.com">beth@kyero.com</a>. &nbsp;We’ll reply with the latest data and information on the areas you are interested in.</li><li>Calculate your budget. Simply visit <a href="https://www.kyero.com/budget">kyero.com/budget</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. &nbsp;Just email <a href="mailto:beth@kyero.com">beth@kyero.com</a> and we’ll take it from there.</li></ol>Tune in next week when I speak with Kal originally from Temperley.He purchased an apartment in Fuengirola, Malaga and, having bought off plan, is slap bang in the middle of the building process as we speak!I’m Beth Davison and you’ve been listening to the Kyero.com Spanish property podcast. I’ll see you next week!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

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