Happy Spa Valley for the Over 50s

It was enough for the British silver brigade to choke on their over-priced free range eggs, habitually served with the Sunday newspapers... There was the news – it was costing pensioners 30% more to live than 10 years ago.

The official data, however, was not related to reality as pensioners and their families know it’s a lot worse than that in high-cost, going broke Britain, where just days before, Ministers and MPs voted to keep their unaccountable expenses pending the arrival of their index-linked pensions.

So for many pensioners and the over 50s of the land, it’s crunch time on where to weather out future inflationary years…

Another two years of McBrown bungles, followed by four or five of Tory trickery when they find the fiscal cupboards are empty could mean even more hardship for the silver brigade.

Conversely, Spain is doing better economically and has billions of euros worth of wriggle room to help out its citizens, coupled with a warm climate, a cost of living 30% below the UK and lower taxes and mortgages.

And, guess what, Spanish builders have already spotted the opportunity to tempt thousands of Over 50s with so-called “Active Life Communities” promising a heady mix of sports and medical facilities.

At La Encina Active Life Resort in a spa valley, Murcia, villas are on offer for around £150.000 and apartments for a lot less. A spa and medical centre is surrounded by homes, sports and cycle/buggy trails to keep the old heart beating strongly and when it needs a booster. helipad for a flight to the nearest A&E hospital.

Specialists, http://www.propertyinspain.net/ have brochures, videos and free trips for over 50s interested in quitting the uncertainties of Britain for a happy spa valley - but don’t all rush at once, this is mañana territory, remember..

Ups and Downs for Spain and Property

The ups and downs of Spain’s property driven economy were highlighted when Prime Minister Zapatero demanded that the European Central Bank help out by lowering the Eurobor interest rate but the ECB President told him to mind his own business and promptly raised it for the first time in a year…

The ECB wants European workers to bear the brunt of the growing economic crisis of rising energy and food prices, while the Spanish Government wants to protect the country’s construction industry that has been busy boosting the economy for the last decade and is now shedding high prices and jobs.

As 98% of mortgages in the country are linked to the Eurobor rate, Spanish households are in for some belt tightening – just like their counterparts in the UK and the US. Brit buyers seeking that dream home in the sun are going to be paying more if they need a hefty mortgage, but mortgage broker, Alberto Linares points out this is still a lot less than the rate they are paying on the UK homes.

With a wide choice of key ready homes to choose from, British buyers will still find it easier to buy in Spain than in the UK and specialist websites like http://www.propertyinspain.net/ are offering 30% discounts on completed homes and 50% on bank repossessions – and have official valuations to wave in front of eager buyers.

A case of seller’s downbeat despair becoming buyers upbeat delight…