Two months in Spain this coming winter. Suggestions.

For people who do actually go away for some winter months? What do you guys do with your own property? Heat, post, maintenance, security, etc? Won't be long now until we start hearing of heating oil being stolen, same with any solid fuel and the likes.
 
noproblem said:
For people who do actually go away for some winter months? What do you guys do with your own property? Heat, post, maintenance, security, etc? Won't be long now until we start hearing of heating oil being stolen, same with any solid fuel and the likes.
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They in my experience leave it empty and have family " look in " .

Its been a while, 7 years, but there was a time that going to the canaries, paying rent for 3,4,5 months and living with the thrift that most of us grew up with, was a profitable experience, even on the state pension.

I know of one pub in the canaries that stored the bits and Bob's for free over the summer in a 40 foot container and he reckoned that he still made money from beer and food when they returned in October. He has rte, horse racing, and he ran a book .

Everyone gained from the experience rent was €450 to €475 a month for 2 people....

It's incredible that this was only 7 years ago.
 
I am considering 1-2 months in Spain / Portugal next March/April/May and looking for suggestions on recommendations for finding rental accomodation (best websites etc) and also area suggestions (will have relatively young kids with me). I did find a place on Airbnb but they wanted payment upfront (free cancellation and refund).
 
Cervelo said:
Another thing to remember guys is you don't have to do it all consecutively, if your normal holiday routine is one or two weeks, suddenly increasing that to two or three months might seem like a great idea but you might regret it after three or four weeks for a whole host of reasons that you might not have thought about. It might be a better idea to break it up into two or three smaller trips maybe even to different areas each time
eg. first three weeks of January in Malaga, two weeks at home to feed the cat and walk the dog then last three weeks in February back in Malaga or somewhere else
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Cervelo. Have you had any further thoughts about the coming winter?

I like the idea of two/three weeks in the Malaga area for January, then a further two/three weeks maybe in Valencia area late February in to March.

However, only booking the second break "after" I return from the first break......just in case I don't like winter in Spain. No point in booking months in advance as there will always be last minute flight sales and availability of places to stay.

Not looking forward to a cold winter in Ireland with energy shortages. It might be similar in Spain but at least there should be some sunshine during the day?
 
Odea said:
Cervelo. Have you had any further thoughts about the coming winter?
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For me up until end of May my thinking was that I might give Spain a miss this year, mainly along the lines of cost, weather and Covid
I was just feeling that everything for the next couple of years is going to get very expensive and it would really annoy me if the weather was as bad or at least I felt that it was bad for what I wanted to do and then the fact I'm still covid free and haven't had the Flu or a cold in at least 10 years so am a little anxious about the incoming Covid/ Flu season :rolleyes:

But having said that, about mid June I finally got back to a level of fitness on the bike that I'm happy with and is still improving
So over the last couple of weeks I have been thinking a little about winter training and Spain

So to answer your question No I haven't really given it any thought but it's early days yet!!
 
Odea said:
Cervelo. Have you had any further thoughts about the coming winter?

I like the idea of two/three weeks in the Malaga area for January, then a further two/three weeks maybe in Valencia area late February in to March.

However, only booking the second break "after" I return from the first break......just in case I don't like winter in Spain. No point in booking months in advance as there will always be last minute flight sales and availability of places to stay.

Not looking forward to a cold winter in Ireland with energy shortages. It might be similar in Spain but at least there should be some sunshine during the day?
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Just remember you will still need to have heat in your own place while away, otherwise you'll come home to more than the cold and rain :oops:
 
noproblem said:
Just remember you will still need to have heat in your own place while away, otherwise you'll come home to more than the cold and ra
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I just turn off water at the mains and drain the tank and leave attic door opened so air circulates through the house. I have never had an issue with damp or mould and I'm often away for weeks at a time over the winter months
 
Certainly thinking about this now. We are doing a tester rental in 2023 in a location that we stayed in before, just to see if we can actually blend in with the local way of life rather than just rush about as a tourist.
We have often rented apartments but never really used the kitchen facilities, maybe the microwave but nothing much else.

Weather is still in the high teens in Spain at the moment.
 
If you are thinking about spending winter/spring in Spain, ensure you do your homework truthfully otherwise your experience there may be less than you hoped.
1. Costa del Sol is not the driest or warmest place on the Spanish mainland. Costa Almeria is.
2. If your accommodation is in the shade you might as well stay in Ireland.
3. You need to occupy your time intelligently and physically.
4. Work out what is efficient for you. Do you need a car? Local transport is important.
5. If you want your Colmans mustard or Kellogg cornflakes or Weetabix expect to pay dearly. The Spanish equivalents are good and much cheaper. Forget about your sliced pans too.
6. I’m getting fed up typing. We’re an hour ahead. I’m off to the sunny terrace for lunch and of course a bottle of red wine (@€3,00 - €32.00 in Ireland). I’m not missing the cold, rain, frost, ice. See you in late January or February.
7. A ground floor apartment is usually colder than one on first floor. And you’ll have less plumbing noises away from ground level.
8. Electricity is not cheap in Spain, but you use much less there. Our monthly electricity bill (heating, cooking) is working out less than €50.00.
9. I’ll have a later siesta today or visit the local Spanish bar for a pint @ €2.50.
Lep
 
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Leper said:
If you are thinking about spending winter/spring in Spain, ensure you do your homework truthfully otherwise your experience there may be less than you hoped.
1. Costa del Sol is not the driest or warmest place on the Spanish mainland. Costa Almeria is.
2. If your accommodation is in the shade you might as well stay in Ireland.
3. You need to occupy your time intelligently and physically.
4. Work out what is efficient for you. Do you need a car? Local transport is important.
5. If you want your Colmans mustard or Kellogg cornflakes or Weetabix expect to pay dearly. The Spanish equivalents are good and much cheaper. Forget about your sliced pans too.
6. I’m getting fed up typing. We’re an hour ahead. I’m off to the sunny terrace for lunch and of course a bottle of red wine (@€3,00 - €32.00 in Ireland). I’m not missing the cold, rain, frost, ice. See you in late January or February.
7. A ground floor apartment is usually colder than one on first floor. And you’ll have less plumbing noises away from ground level.
8. Electricity is not cheap in Spain, but you use much less there. Our monthly electricity bill (heating, cooking) is working out less than €50.00.
9. I’ll have a later siesta today or visit the local Spanish bar for a pint @ €2.50.
Lep
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sounds like a nice way to spend your time, enjoy!
 
@Leper Agreed, was in Cabo de Gato in September, even the locals were hiding from the sun and heat. Can you recommend any rental websites for Almeria, other than Airbnb?
Enjoy your time away
 
Nordkapp said:
@Leper Agreed, was in Cabo de Gato in September, even the locals were hiding from the sun and heat. Can you recommend any rental websites for Almeria, other than Airbnb?
Enjoy your time away
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I’m not inclined to recommend holiday home websites as I’ve seen too many people scammed by add-ons after deposit has been paid. If I were to recommend one, it would be DoneDeal. Whoever you deal with ensure the price agreed is the total amount payable. Don’t fall for the ol’ Cleaning wasn’t included trick or Internet is extra stunt etc.

Warning:- Get total price and conditions at your first point of contact.
 
Some places in Spain are dead during the Winter if you like hustle and bustle, one youngish couple went to fuerteventura in august a few years ago and had a great time, then they had a brain wave why not come back for 3 weeks around Christmas, completely different, Without the tourists and the hustle and bustle it was as dead as a door knob. They were bored out of their tree and didn't know what to fill their days with and were also missing the fun around Christmas back home. Of course for the retirees on this blog maybe thats not such a big issue
 
joe sod said:
Some places in Spain are dead during the Winter if you like hustle and bustle, one youngish couple went to fuerteventura in august a few years ago and had a great time, then they had a brain wave why not come back for 3 weeks around Christmas, completely different, Without the tourists and the hustle and bustle it was as dead as a door knob. They were bored out of their tree and didn't know what to fill their days with and were also missing the fun around Christmas back home. Of course for the retirees on this blog maybe thats not such a big issue
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I hadn’t meant to spend too much time on the forum on the subject, but the title reads “Two Months in Spain This Coming Winter” - You’re not on holidays, you hope the place is quiet and without hustle and bustle. The last thing you need is heavy traffic, crowds, Karaoke and traffic jams and Joe Duffy. If you want a holiday go to Ibiza or Lanzarote or Tramore.

Many here are English speaking and retired and from the UK. The Spaniards don’t want vast hordes around either. Pace of life is slower, quality of life is better, people are living happier and cheaper than in Ireland. It’s shorts and tee shirts during daylight hours. Mrs Lep and I cycle most days for about an hour at sea level, read on the terrace, participate in walking groups, paint landscapes, take the odd tour bus trip, etc. we even sold some paintings here.

Next year we hope to take our car to Spain availing of the new ferry service from Cork.

Downside so far:- (a) We’re running out of Barry’s Tea - Serious Stuff and (b) We’ll miss Dancing with the Stars - Woo-Hoo!
 
Leper said:
Many here are English speaking and retired and from the UK. The Spaniards don’t want vast hordes around either.
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Is it a bit like "bargain loving brits in the sun" the channel 5 program. I think its set around benidorm but many of the retirees have cheap caravans in caravan parks on the outskirts. Basically it's a very cheap lifestyle for the retirees but hard work for the younger ones that are trying to live and work there. Money is hard earned, that's why you can get your cheap 2euro pints in the bars, the bar staff earn very little and work hard
 
Sorry, Joe, I never saw that programme. Mrs Lep said she viewed about a minute of one of its series and thought it appeared to be some sort of soft porn and so changed channel. Apologies, I can’t answer your question fully.

I haven’t seen a trailer park in Spain, but no doubt some exist in some places. The cost of labour is around €4.00 per hour in the hospitality sector. Commercial Property rental is relative cheap too compared to Ireland. Tipping is a huge culture too and the industry and not confined to students.

Spain is losing much of its Brit population due to Brexit. The people who wanted control over their borders now have many illegals in Spain.

I hope I have answered some of your question and feel free to ask any question and I will try to answer honestly.
 
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