Inland Andalucia on a Budget



We have all seen the programmes on television detailing peoples lives moving abroad to start a new life. All of these programmes in some shape or form hold a certain degree of interest for potential ex-pats to be. For us though things were different, and although we watched these programmes religiously nothing we saw actually applied to us.

The bare truth is that in 2004 we had €25,000 to begin our new life and a 2 year old son too so we had to plan very carefully. Problems began in the UK as most of our equity was in our property - to move to Andalucia we had to sell.  After a flying visit to Spain we had made up our minds. We first found cave houses on the internet a year prior and became interested after a phone call to an agent. The house in England however had still not generated any interest so we waited... A few months later an offer was accepted on our UK home and we got prepared - first on the list was to place the deposit to secure our cave in Spain, once this was done we bought a caravan (which was to be our accommodation for 3 months in Spain), pet passports, selling of unwanted items etc etc. Suddenly it was 28th of July, cars fully laden, caravan in tow we set off.

Upon arrival we had a sense of both fear and adventure - how was this unreformed wreck ever going to be our home? Over the coming months we forged relationships with local tradesmen, the village, builders yard and we got stuck in doing most of the work ourselves. At this point I must say that renovating a cave at first seems daunting, later it seems quite easy - a balance between the two would perhaps be more accurate. Deliveries of bricks/blocks/cement and plaster ensured several days work ahead and eventually the cave was habitable 3 months later.


2 years on.... the cave is finished and all within the budget, YES we have had to find work which is difficult in this area but the ability to speak Spanish helps tremendously. We are in the same position now as where we were in the UK but with some major differences a) mortgage free b) healthier lifestyle c) no stress and d) the challenge of immersing into a culture which we have fallen in love with.

So, programmes on TV? everyone seems to have masses more surplus money - don't let this put you off. Caves are still very reasonable and fantastic places to live. We did it for under £20k and at this time (July 2006) renovating a cave is still an open realisation to those with no major capital/pensions or savings, if you have equity in your home and a desire to make a new life its defiantly worth investigating...




 

Article contributed by Cave Renovator




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