Learning from the misfortunes of others

[Jules]

Today's NFS article about someone's rant about bad experiences of living in Spain raises interesting questions. As Ben has pointed out, some people have suffered as a result of throwing caution to the winds when carrying out the major step of moving to a foreign country.

But we have all read many of these stories and often wonder what the facts were & what we might have done in their place when disaster strikes. In some cases the victims thought they had taken all reasonable precautions.

Although I think Spain is a wonderfull country, I am sure that there are as may scams perpretated there as in the UK. In other cases there will be problems caused by misunderstanding of Spanish law.
It would be useful through this forum to discuss some of them & how people have been caught out & how to learn from their misfortunes ..

[teapotmonk]

I think Jules you have a good point. The recent wave of speculation scandals that have hit the headlines are not news to those of us that have been out here for some time. Having lived, worked, rented and bought property in Spain over the last decade, inland and on the coast Ive often had to learn the hard way. Buying a house with no escritura, and 12.000sqm of land with no escritura either (nor compra venta) from a guy who didnt even own it was one such nightmare. But there are more pot holes to look out for. Minimum parcela size for example when purchasing land to build on ( watered or riego one size, dry or seco another size). Which regions are more slack than others. Which are being cracked down on by the Junta. Where its still possible to find cash employment during the summer and where the inspectors travel to check out the bars. What can you sell in the rastrillos along the coast and inland legally? Can you still get away without becoming a resident and for how long? What about your Driving License? Trade it in for a spanish version and renew it every 5 yrs or keep quiet and stick with your Brit license that will last till 2050? All of this and a whole lot more could be of interest to anyone considering a move out here.
Or perhaps not?