Hello All

Hello to everybody.

Joined the forum yesterday as we are considering the purchase of a Cave House and this seemed like the right place to be.

So many questions at the moment, but it's early days and going to break myself in slowly and ask around a bit once we have had a chance to read what is already on here.

Having said that if there is any initial advice, that would be much appreciated.

Chillers.

Chille wrote:Having said that if there is any initial advice, that would be much appreciated.

Chillers.

Welcome Chillers!

The only advice I'd give is to not be shy. Nobody here bites (well, so long as they've had their breakfast).

Pete

Welcome to the forum and good luck in your research.

Welcome to here , You've found the right spot

The only advice I would give is don't buy.........yet. Rent for six months and find out what it's all about.

Welcome!

If you are considering living, or holidaying here it is always a good idea to spend time here as Ken says - caves are very unusual and can catch your heart from the first viewing - use your head too and keep looking at all the options.

This particular area is very high, weather can be extreme and facilities can be sparce, so think about what you need!

I hope you enjoy your search/research, you are certainly in the right place!

Caroline

Thanks for the messages, I guess there is a lot to think about really.

We kind of agree that renting for a while is wise, but it will just be fleeting visits for a few years, work seems to get in the way of longer ones.

We hope to come over in December to see what could be the worst of the weather situation.

Any recommendations on a good area to start off?

We have never stayed before, just walked the hills and mountains quite a lot after driving in from the coast.

Chillers.

Jan, Feb are worst.

Oh dear, don't like the sound of worst, but I guess we have time to try to experience all times of the year to some extent.

Long term plan is to be semi-permanent.

The last few years were odd say the locals, we were in uk for first 3 weeks of Feb 2 years ago and they say it went down to - 17 1 night, that was at the top of Galera. We have had no rainy season for 2 years. But we have sun most days even in winter and mostly dry snow only lasts 2 days here.

Hi Chille,we're "Newbies" too and not had our cave very long,but we have been to Galera in february and compared to a cold and very wet somerset it was loads better,quite cold and a few frosts but sunny days,I'm sure it differs at times but it convinced us to take the plunge!we didn't rent purely because we never know how often we can get out to spain,but it is a good time to buy at the moment if you're not looking for a quick return,and the money ain't earning anything sat in a bank at the moment.
Good luck.

Yes it gets cold but i still dont want to go back,, to live. My flowers manage to over winter, cross fingers they do again.

Not sure if this is the right place to pose this little question, it's about location really.

Has anyone any thoughts on the best areas for walking, we both like walking in the hills and to some extent the mounts and would like to be in an area where this is popular, partly because most of our friends would also like to come out and walk if the area is right.

I have read a little to try to tie this down, but thought I would throw it out to general comment.

Chillers.

Chille wrote:Has anyone any thoughts on the best areas for walking, we both like walking in the hills and to some extent the mounts and would like to be in an area where this is popular, partly because most of our friends would also like to come out and walk if the area is right.

There's the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] fairly close by. In fact there is a lot of reasonably flat, walkable, land on the Altiplano. And if youlike a challenge, there's the 1,600m Jabalcon by lake Negratin and La Sagra further north

Thanks Pete,

That gives me a bit of information for further research.

Chillers.

Hi Chille, welcome to the forum and the Altiplano! Re. walking - it's a brilliant area for walking with a choice of mountain ranges and lots of tracks in the campo for rambling about! The Sierra de Baza is lovely with lots of interesting walks, ancient trees and abandoned villages, and the views from the high points are amazing.
The Sierra de Castril is my favourite - a day's walk takes you through a huge variety of scenery. And there's the Sierra de Orce, the Sierra de Maria, and lots of places a bit further afield - Sierra de Cazorla, Sierra de Segura, Sierra de Los Filabres, Sierra de Nevada ....... There's several long distance routes too!
It's worth buying books with walking routes, at least until you are familiar with the area, and you can find the most popular walks detailed online. It's a pity that there aren't the equivalent of Ordnance Survey maps here - I've yet to find anything sufficiently detailed.  Happy hiking!

miron wrote: It's a pity that there aren't the equivalent of Ordnance Survey maps here - I've yet to find anything sufficiently detailed. 

There is something similar although not quite as detailed.  I have some of our local area. Theres a thread on here about it. Have a look via the search button, type in 'maps'.  

Quite right Dave - thanks for the reminder, I must get organised and order myself some!

Hi guys, and good luck with your search for the perfect place for you. Lots of choice and a very good idea to holiday and rent in different areas before you think about buying. For a good first spot try caverentals.com - Pauline and David have two caves for rent in Castillejar with fantastic views and easy access to village facilities - worth a look for a holiday. I'm sure there will be lots of advice for you here on the forum, everyone is very helpful whatever your queries. Hasta luego !!

Thanks all, map information particularly useful, had to hold myself back from just buying maps (a bit of a weakness of mine) until we have a better idea of the area we want to target.

We hope to get over towards the end of August, just a messy diary at the moment.

Looks like we are coming out to have our first look around at Cave Houses in a couple of weeks.

Have to admit to being just a little bit excited.

First visit done, feel like I have seen more Caves than a bat gets to see in their lifetime, but I guess that's a good thing.

brought up loads of questions/issues and lots of questions to ask ourselves too about what we really need at this stage.

Got it down to a couple of options, guess that's not bad for a first visit, now need to see if we can tie it down to one to put an offer in on. I am sure it is not supposed to be this complicated.

Had a really lovely stay though in a friend's spare cave.

Ok, in the process of buying and now need a little bit of advice in relation to Spanish banks.

Do I need a Spanish bank account and if so, recommendations.

We will not be living out there full time.

Hi Chille - Congratulations!

Yes, you would usually need a Spanish Bank Account for the purchase transfer funds and any direct debits, such as insurance. The Estate Agent will usually set this up for you in the town you are buying (or nearest one) and it is all very easy - NIE number, passport and all usual paperwork. Caja Rural are good.

Any other questions, ask away, I am sure someone will know!

Caroline

Chille wrote:Ok, in the process of buying and now need a little bit of advice in relation to Spanish banks.

Do I need a Spanish bank account and if so, recommendations.

We will not be living out there full time.

My suggestion would be to get at least 2 accounts with different banks (that way, if you ever lose a card, you aren't stranded - you'll still have the other card to get some monkey).

I don't know if it's still "the spanish way", but I opened my first account with a bank in Almeria, as that was where I was staying. However Endesa (the electricity company - gawd bless 'em    ) would not accept that for payment of bills by direct debit. So I had to open *another* account, this time in Benamaurel.

I'd also advise looking for banks with a wide network of cash machines and electronic banking - which they pretty much all have, these days, and make sure they will give you a debit card. At some point very soon, you'll also need to get an NIE number, as this will identify you to "the system" and there will be lots of things you can't do, house-buying wise, without it.

Cajamar is probably a good bet as a starter for €10   Caja Rural (a local outfit, but probably fairly solvent) is the other account I have