When Spain conquered Europe at football last summer the newspaper headlines proclaimed that 46 million people were thankful. Spain’s population when I was studying was stuck resolutely at 38 million with the second lowest birthrate in Europe. Almost eight million people have moved into the country in little over ten years. Many are packing up their bags and heading back to their nation of birth. However those here require housing and services. The housing pyramid base is still strong then as any price reductions bring more potential purchasers including immigrants into the equation, if the banks will actually lend which is the main criteria currently. Lost confidence in the banking sector reflects the lemming like way they lent without regard for income multiples before the crash.

An increase in signings has been reported by notaries in Valencia recently especially since the Banco de Santander opened up the floodgates just a little. Other banks follow the Santander’s steps in Spain. In Northern Spain where the overdevelopment of the Costas has not happened prices are holding up. Yes they will get caught up in a ripple effect but not in a maelstrom.

Sagunto, a town to the north of Valencia, is a good example. It is not the most beautiful place in the World in my opinion. It is however OK as it has a beautiful Moorish/Roman fort at the top of the hill and the old Jewish quarter is lovely. The largest freeport in the mediterranean is being built and it is expected to create 40-70000 jobs in the long term. Demand will outstrip the supply available and price drops if any will be minimal as more and more people come into the area. Prices have reduced in this area but by a smaller amount than elsewhere and they continue to hold their values well.

Spain is a home from home for British people so they will always be attracted by the cheap beer, satellite TV and being back in the UK in a couple of hours if needed. The young professionals that can work from anywhere due to the internet will still look to bring up their families with bilingual children in sunnier climes and less perceived crime. Fuel bills are cheaper and generally the lifestyle here is cheaper, not so much as in previous years but enough to make a difference and therefore people will continue to want to retire here.

And to finish off being a tad controversial, what is wrong with those who offer nothing to the Spanish economy being forced out because life is getting too difficult for them. Those same people spend all day back in the UK complaining about excessive immigration and those pesky foreigners taking our jobs etc… Come to Spain, learn the language, bring a profession, add something to the mix and mix with the Spanish, they are extremely friendly.

Come with a good plan of action for your life and do some work on it and Spain will work out for you

The decision has been made to relocate to a new city. When the original excitement wears off, you are most likely experiencing mixed feelings. While you are excited by the prospect of moving to a new city, the dread of the unknown can be nerve racking. It can be a challenge to locate the right neighborhood in a town you do not know particularly if you are taking the plunge and purchasing a home. To help you make the best decision as to the right neighborhood for you and your loved ones, here are a few tips for you. 

Determining the kind of house that attracts you will be your first step. Are you searching for a detached home, a condominium, or a townhome? Do you want to live downtown or do you prefer the suburbs? Is closeness to parks, restaurants and shops crucial to you and your family? The amenities you need close to you and the type of house you wish to purchase should be decided right from the beginning. It will help you discard a selection of neighborhoods. Keep in mind that certain areas, such as Mississauga real estate can offer the conveniences of downtown living with the quieter neighborhoods of the suburbs.

Once you limited your search to a few possible neighborhoods, take the time to call the local police department to find out about the overall safety of the area. General statistics related to the number of sex offenders living in the area, the crime rate, drug trade, etc will be available through them. If feasible, take a drive at night in the areas that interest you. Once the sun goes down, some neighborhoods can have a completely different feel. 

If you are relocating with your family and have kids, you should look into the local school system. Do the neighborhoods that interest you have good schools in or around them? Are they within walking distance or will your kids have to driven or take a bus to school? What is the positioning of the schools in your area? This information is obtainable online via the local school district or specialty papers and magazines. You may not have kids now, but if your move is a long term commitment, you should still evaluate the school system. This status may be different in a few years. Also, remember that neighborhoods with good schools have greater property values and homes sell more easily. You should keep this in mind to help preserve your investment. 

The commute to your office should also be examined. For example, twenty miles from potential Mississauga homes to your office can become an hour of travel in rush hour traffic even though on a map, the distance of twenty miles seemed close. You may want to drive from an area of interest to your future office in rush hour traffic if the travel time is important to you. This will give you a good indication of your potential travel time. 

Despite the difficulties of relocating to a new city, finding the perfect home does not have to be a stressful process, particularly if you take your time and enlist the help of a real estate professional. Do your research, drive in and walk in the neighborhoods, and visit as many properties as you can. Your interests will be protected if you follow these suggestions.

Most people pack up and move very infrequently, so they never really become skilled at organizing and packing. Here are few simple things that you can do to make your move easier.

Don’t Procrastinate

A common mistake for somebody who is moving is that they don’t pack early enough The logic used to defer packing is, “ I need to use all my things so I can’t start packing yet.” The reality is that most people only use a tiny fraction of their possessions. Start packing the vast “rarely used” majority. An example would be to organize your sweaters, winter-wear, and holiday decorations first if you are moving in the Summer. Save yourself the time consuming task of searching for cheap moving boxes by shopping on-line. MovingDayBoxes.com delivers to most addresses in the country in one to two business days, and offers free shipping on all orders of moving supplies, inlcuding wardrobe boxes. Browsing the web for moving boxes will shave two or more hours from your move time.

Take More Time and Don’t Rush
You’ll likely need far more time than you think. There are hundreds of little things that pop up that you won’t anticipate. If you are short on time, little things popping up will be frustrating and quickly put you behind schedule and stress you out. Moving is stressful, adding to the stress by not allocating enough time will make the experience very unpleasant.

My Mover Quoted Me a Really Low Price
There are a lot of dishonest people in the moving business, if a quote on a move is very low compared to several others that is a red flag, not a deal. Investigate if your prospective mover is a memeber in good standing with the American Moving and Storage Association, and check their record on the Better Business Bureau web site