Roche or Chiclana?

Hi Nigel,

We live in and enjoy very much Chiclana for 181or182 days each winter, travelling from Canada. (originally from UK). The number of days are important, 183 or above in twelve months, you will be deemed a tax resident, it can become an expensive extra two months. 

Hope this helps a little.

Mike & Lana

Thanks, does this apply to people from the EU too?

Many thanks Nigel

Hi Nigel,

Yes, regarding the tax being applicable. I travel here on my UK passport and received the benefits of being a UK/EU member when we began our 6 month visits, in 2018. 

Regards, Mike & Lana

Hi Nigel,

Choosing between Roche & La Barrosa is really down to personal preference. It is true that Roche is quieter during the winter months, whereas La Barrosa is always livelier, especially around the paseo maritimo (maritime pass) even during winter.

Both offer a good selection of properties, and being close to the beach, the prices are a little higher than homes that are a short drive away.

In terms of activities, Roche has the large pine forests for dog walks, and the tennis courts within the urbanisation. La Barrosa too has the Barrosa park and the Melilla/La Loma Pine forest, and tennis facilities in Novo Sancti Petri, together with horse riding, and of course the Marina in Costa Sancti Petri etc.

Do keep in mind the tax implications as mentioned by Mila (Mike & Lana) if you are planning to stay longer than 182 days a year.

Hope this has helped.

Kind regards, Jamal

Hello,

This may be a little late in replying. I thought I might give you an insight into our lifestyle having retired from Canada and now happily settled in the Costa de la Luz. Jerez de la Frontera.

Most British expats are looking to retire along the coast and I agree that living by a beach and watching beautiful sunsets and sunrises, sipping wine on the balcony is idelic, however I find that during the high season months it becomes crowded and intrusive. Unless of course you have the luxury of having a villa with beautiful sea views and away from the crowds the converge to the coast.

Jerez de la Frontera is famous for three things. Horses, wine and flamenco. It is has a feeling of “This is home” a place where after a visit away, it is always a place I feel excited to come home to and glad to be back. Jerez offers cultural event, shops lovely high end restaurants, bars, museums, a local market and a large Shopping center on the outskirts of town. ShoppingLuz. In any direction within a half hour or more you can escape to the coast. There is an airport within minutes by taxi or a walk to the main station. Seville is an hour an an hour away and Malaga airport in a 2and a half hour drive. In any direction there are hidden gems.

Portugal is 4 hours to the border and across the ferry from Algeciras to Morocco is a lovely weekend getaway to experience the charm and mystery of Tangier and Marrakech.

To get a taste of British fish and chips, Gibraltar, Morrison’s is a place to get ones full of “British” produce. So, just to give you an insight as to why I call Jerez “home” Spanish and Expats have fast found friendships, learned the language and the weather is what most seek, sun, sun and more sun in the summer, when in fact most people as of past summers have found it extremely severe due to climate change and have run to the coast for relief only to find it bumper to bumper umbrellas and sunbathers. But there are long stretches of beaches to accommodate. 

I work in the UK as a Live-in Carer on a 4 week rotation as the need grows and although retired find that keeping active and calling Spain home is all that I had imagined. I was very fortunate that the process of getting residencia happened 5 years ago and that jumping through the hoops today is more demanding and pains taking with COVID and Brexit impeding the process! 

For those still looking at spending some months in Spain I say, keep at it, do the paper work and you will enjoy the fruits of your labor. Having travelled back and forth to the UK, yes there are some lovely areas to visit and will do now that I have seen more of the beautiful country sides, quaint villages and coastal areas but I am always excited and fortunate to come back to Spain and call Jerez de la Frontera “Home”

Hi  lellyowl,

I was very heartened to read your post as that is exactly how we feel about the Jerez/Seville area. 

We're currently renting in Costa Blanca - we came here first because a friend offered a rental and we felt that there was more infastructure to support 'newbies' and to give us time to improve our Spanish. 

We're now waiting for the regional restrictions to lift so we can really start the search for a home in western Andalucia. Any specific location tips would be welcome, as would be recommendations for a good lawyer, and pet (cat) boarding facilities while we search.

Thanks in advance, 

Laurian

Roche is dead in winter, nothing open nothing to do.

As for a lawyer recommendation, I can highly recommend temple cambria in Conil. We worked with them, they did a great job, English speaking.