Bienvenidos

It was never our intention to move and actually live in a foreign country some six years ago when we first purchased our small holiday villa on the Costa Del Sol. In fact it was only a culmination of events in the year prior to our move that gave rise to the decision and enhanced the impetus to get away from it all' and start over.

We had a happy family life living in a beautiful home in Weymouth. Dorset, in our opinion (as mentioned in an unconnected feature in an earlier edition of the Echo) is to us the most beautiful county in England.

We had lived for many years on Portland because of my connection with the Royal Navy, only moving to the other side of the Causeway in 1999 mainly to cut down on commuting and to broaden the opportunity of better schooling and work for our two teenage sons.

In the summer of 2002 we decided, having a steady combined income and established a stable home life, that the idea of a second property could be an attractive proposition. The era of cheap and affordable housing was coming to an end, especially in the South West, and we did not have the funds to invest in something close to home. So a foreign property purchase looked more of a logical investment, at least it may be within our budget.

I had travelled extensively in the forces and had come across many places in the world that would be ideal as a regular holiday destination. Florida, Greece, North Africa, Central Europe, even New Zealand was considered in our search for the ideal getaway, no matter how far and wide.

But that is where logic and common sense factors had to prevail. Our initial criteria was pretty basic. It had to be near enough to be but a short hop from one of the local airports. Convenient enough for us to get regular use. Cheap enough so as to not over extend our funds and warm enough to be able to forget the cold six month winters of home.

After trawling the internet (which certainly wasn't as expansive in content on such things as it is today) and browsing local estate agencies to glean their limited holiday home manifestos, and after having visited some of the many expositions in hotels and halls associated with foreign home ownership, pheeww! Rose and I decided to book a cheap holiday for two in Malaga with the dual intention of soaking up some of the late year Spanish sunshine and to tentatively explore the property market first hand in this foreign place far from home.

A week was booked with a local travel agent on an all-inclusive basis, BB.EM for £200 a room, cheap but functional which suited our needs, a hotel near a beach in the heart of tourista downtown Espana'. After checking that our passports were all in order and that Mum and Dad would have the kids, we made plans and talked of very little else of what we were actually looking for. Next stop, the search.

Top hint: Although there are many property companies in the market offering cheap deals and tours giving great discounts on flights and hotels, it usually transpires that these offers are only available as long as the client views and visits a number of properties and developments associated with that particular or associate company.

Many of these are bona fide and give good initial investment ideas and opportunities, but the choice can be limited. There is now, more than ever, a glut of properties on the market in all price ranges all over Spain and especially on the Costas which, if sourced from local agencies, can still supply a bargain or that ideal property to suit you. It may take a little more legwork, but as we found out, the range of choice is significantly greater.

Top Tip: Do as I say, not as I do! As we found, there are a multitude of experts' who can offer and give advice about moving abroad, holiday homes, buying and selling, money matters, type of food, type of people, too hot, too cold, or who knew someone who said it was the best or worst experience of their life. Take it from me, I listened to them all and was still no better off. Look for yourself, research the area you are initially interested in, visit , as we did, to see it, try and find someone locally who has done it or been there. Soothsayers are plentiful, especially those who believe they have your best interests at heart. Still, look for yourself.

Spanish fact: In 1975 Spain became a democracy in favour of a dictatorship where power, after the death of Franco, was handed back to the Monarchy.

Population is Approx 40 Million (UK Approx 70 Million) Area is Approx 500,000 sq kms (UK Approx 240,000 sq kms) Almost 50% of the population live on the coast. Twice the size of UK, half the population, Spain is big.

Useful phrase: Hola mi amigo, puede ayudarme y habla ingles?
Pronounced: Ola me amigo, pweday ayudarmay e abla inglays?
Meaning: Hello my friend, can you help me and do you speak english?

Next week The man from Del Monte arrives in Spain searching for his dream home but lands with a bump? Until then, hasta luego.