Spainly Living

Michelle Sanches

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Move lighter. Settle sooner. Live Spainly.

5d ago

My Kids are Thriving in Spain

Join our community at www.spainlyliving.com Find Shaun here: https://www.solvstream.io/about In this episode of Spainly Living, Michelle speaks with Shaun Richardson, originally from Cape Town, South Africa, about moving to Spain with his wife and children after living in the UK and Romania. Shaun shares his family’s journey from Cape Town to the UK, then Romania, and finally to Elche, near Alicante, where they have now been living for a year. This is a warm, honest and practical conversation for anyone thinking about moving to Spain with children, relocating to Alicante, living in Elche, applying for Spanish residency, renting in Spain, choosing schools in Spain or building a more relaxed lifestyle as a remote worker (autonimo) or self employed person. Shaun explains why his family chose Spain, why Elche became the right place for them, and how their children have adapted. He shares how his teenage son moved from Romania with no Spanish background, started public school in Spain, learned Spanish quickly, made Spanish friends and became passionate about football. He also talks about how the outdoor lifestyle, parks, beach access, clean air and relaxed daily rhythm have benefited his younger child. Michelle and Shaun discuss the practical reality of moving to Spain as a family, including residency paperwork, the NIE, the difference between the white NIE and residency documentation, the value of using a trusted local adviser or gestor, and why the Spanish admin process can be difficult to manage alone if you do not speak Spanish. Shaun shares his experience as a British and South African passport holder married to an EU citizen, and explains how his wife’s Romanian EU citizenship helped with the relocation process. He talks about applying for residency, waiting for his card, dealing with appointments, travelling to Denia for police appointments and learning to accept that Spanish bureaucracy does not always work in a straight line. The episode also covers renting in Spain, including why landlords can be cautious with foreigners, why it can be harder to rent without a Spanish employment contract, why having someone on the ground can help, and why families may need temporary accommodation while waiting for a long term rental to become available. Michelle and Shaun also discuss schools in Spain, including the public school system, private school options, concertado schools, language immersion, school catchment areas, points systems, oversubscribed schools, kindergarten places, matriculation paperwork and what parents should know before moving with children. Shaun also shares his experience of becoming autónomo in Spain, accessing public healthcare, applying for the SIP card, running an online AI business, teaching English remotely and building a working life that allows him to enjoy the Spanish lifestyle. This episode is full of practical tips, real life lessons and honest reflections on the emotional side of moving to Spain. Shaun talks about the frustration of paperwork, unexpected obstacles, shops closing on Sundays, restaurants closing in the afternoon, different routines for children, Spanish nap culture, and the need to go with the flow rather than fight the system. Michelle and Shaun also reflect on the positives of life in Spain: better weather, more time outdoors, healthier routines, friendlier daily interactions, a calmer lifestyle, beach access, family time, safety, fresh air and the sense that the hard first year is worth pushing through.
Aug 17

Buy Smart in Spain

Join our community at www.spainlyliving.com Find Hector here: https://es.vidalmarinabogados.com/nosotros In this episode of Spainly Living, Michelle speaks with Hector Vidal, an Alicante based lawyer with experience in law, business economics, real estate and immigration, about buying property in Spain safely and confidently. Hector explains what international buyers need to know before buying a home, holiday apartment, investment property or relocation property in Alicante, the Valencian region or elsewhere in Spain. This episode is especially useful for buyers from the UK, US, EU and other countries who want to understand the Spanish property purchase process before signing contracts or transferring money. Michelle and Hector discuss when to speak to a lawyer or gestor, what checks should be carried out before buying, and why property purchases in Spain can feel very different from other countries. Hector explains key Spanish property documents and checks, including the nota simple, land registry, catastro, city council position, energy efficiency certificate, community of owners certificate and community debts. They also cover legal due diligence, technical property checks and why an architect’s report can be valuable, especially for rural properties, older homes, renovated apartments, high value purchases or properties affected by planning issues, damp, mould, hidden defects, infrastructure problems or community rules. The episode walks through the main stages of buying property in Spain, including making an offer, paying a reservation deposit, signing the contrato de arras, preparing for the notary appointment, paying the balance, signing the purchase deed, receiving the keys, paying property transfer tax and registering ownership with the land registry. Hector also explains the risks of paying a reservation deposit too quickly, what to check before transferring money, why refund rights should be clear, and what red flags to watch for when dealing with estate agents, agencies or private sellers. Michelle and Hector discuss the main costs and taxes when buying property in the Valencian region, including ITP property transfer tax, VAT on new builds, notary fees, land registry fees, gestor fees, IBI property tax, rubbish collection tax and the 3 percent withholding where the seller is a non resident. They also explain why buyers should budget beyond the purchase price and should not assume that a cash purchase will be simple or instant. The conversation also covers resale property versus new build property in Spain, including different tax treatment, staged payments, developer contracts, community rules, warranties and why new builds may not yet have the same documentary history as existing homes. For non Spanish buyers, Hector explains why an NIE is essential, why a Spanish bank account may be needed, why anti money laundering checks matter when transferring funds into Spain, and why mortgage conditions can differ for residents and non residents. This is a practical and reassuring episode for anyone dreaming of buying property in Alicante, relocating to Spain, purchasing a holiday home, investing in Spanish real estate or simply trying to understand how the Spanish property process works. It will help you understand what to check, what to ask, what to budget for and when to get professional help before buying property in Spain.
Aug 3

Why Wait for Retirement?

Join our community at www.spainlyliving.com Find Leticia here: https://masteryourfinances.co.uk/leticia-fonseca/ In this episode of Spainly Living, Michelle speaks with Leticia Fonseca, a Brazilian born financial adviser, financial educator and founder of Master of Finances, about leaving London after 21 years and moving to Alicante, Spain, in search of work life balance, geographic freedom and a more intentional life. Leticia shares her journey from Brazil to the UK, building a career in financial advice and education, and realising that the life she had created in London no longer matched the person she had become. After years of working, studying and helping people make better financial decisions, she began asking: why wait until retirement to live the life you want? Michelle and Leticia discuss “semi-retirement” before retirement age: not stopping work completely, but designing a life where work fits around living. Leticia explains how she and her husband tested remote work and slow travel in Portugal, Brazil and Spain before choosing Alicante for its city life, beach, infrastructure, transport, sunshine and quality of life. This episode is useful for anyone thinking about moving to Spain from the UK, becoming a digital nomad in Spain, relocating to Alicante, working remotely from Spain, buying property in Spain or planning for financial freedom abroad. Leticia gives an honest account of the Spanish digital nomad visa process, including HMRC delays, proving income, private health insurance, translations, notarised documents and upfront costs. She explains why the Spanish visa process was relatively quick once the paperwork was ready, but why the UK side created delay, stress and expense. Michelle and Leticia also talk about the hidden costs of moving to Spain, including upfront health insurance, holding two properties or mortgages, rental deposits, translations, professional support and why people should budget an extra 30% buffer. Leticia shares why learning Spanish made a huge difference, why getting a Spanish phone number early is essential and why everyday tasks such as opening a bank account, setting up internet, receiving deliveries and dealing with local services can be difficult without the language or cultural context. They also discuss renting property in Alicante, working with a local property consultant, avoiding expensive mistakes and how support on the ground helped Leticia with the NIE, bank account, mortgage, negotiations and area knowledge. As a financial educator, Leticia shares insight into money, retirement planning and financial freedom. She explains the difference between financial advice and financial education, why many people cannot access traditional financial advice and how learning to invest, build wealth and coordinate pensions, savings, property and retirement planning can create more options. This is a practical, honest and inspiring conversation for anyone dreaming of moving to Spain but wanting to understand the real process behind the lifestyle. Whether you are a remote worker, digital nomad, business owner, future retiree or looking for better work life balance, this episode will help you think clearly about money, visas, property, language, lifestyle and starting again in Spain. Moving from London to Alicante, Spain: digital nomad visa, HMRC A1 paperwork, hidden relocation costs, Spanish banking, property buying, remote work, financial planning, investing, retirement, work-life balance and finding your why.
Jul 20

Choosing Spain over Harvard and the American Dream

Join our community at www.spainlyliving.com Find Carlos here: https://averiguar.org/en In this episode of Spainly Living, Michelle speaks with Carlos Romero, a New Yorker, former Harvard University education technology strategist and AI education consultant, about moving to Spain with his wife and young children in search of a more values led, family centred life. Carlos shares his journey from New York to Boston, working at Harvard and living what looked like the American dream, to choosing a different kind of wealth: time with his children, safety, sunshine, community, nature, good food and a slower rhythm of life in Spain. This episode is especially useful for families thinking about moving to Spain, parents wondering whether they can relocate with children and anyone questioning whether career status, long commutes and financial success are worth it when family life feels squeezed. Carlos explains how Spain had been in his imagination for years, partly through his family history and Latin American background. After first visiting Spain in his twenties, he felt an immediate cultural connection. Years later, he and his future wife walked the Camino de Santiago together, travelling from Paris through Spain, completing the Camino Primitivo and reaching Finisterra, where Carlos proposed. That journey deepened their love for Spain and planted the seed for a future move. Michelle and Carlos discuss the practical reality of relocating to Spain from the United States, including saving money, financial planning, preparing documents, getting birth certificates apostilled, applying for the non-lucrative visa, attending the Spanish consulate appointments and organising the move step by step. Carlos also shares why his father’s advice “make a spreadsheet” became one of the most practical tools for turning a dream into a plan. Carlos and his family tried different areas of Spain before settling in the Alicante region. They lived in Mallorca, Sevilla and the coast of Granada before identifying Alicante as the best fit for their values: access to beaches, mountains, schools, services, transport, healthcare, an airport, international connections and a strong family lifestyle. Carlos gives honest insight into the challenges of moving to Spain with young children, including letting go of belongings, starting again, building a new network, finding community, navigating Spanish bureaucracy and understanding what documents and systems you need in place. He also shares one of the biggest practical surprises for Americans moving to Spain: a US driving licence cannot simply be exchanged, meaning many Americans may need to start again with the Spanish driving test, including learning to drive a manual car. This conversation also goes deeper than paperwork. Carlos and Michelle talk about leaving behind professional status, shedding material possessions, rebuilding networks, choosing values over prestige and doing the inner work required to make such a major life change. They also discuss entrepreneurship in Spain, AI education, starting a business as an expat, building value in a new market and the opportunity Alicante offers as a dynamic international city that still retains its Spanish character. This is a thoughtful, practical and deeply human conversation for anyone dreaming of moving to Spain but wondering whether they can really make it work. As Carlos beautifully says in the episode, moving to Spain may not make your bank account bigger straight away, but it can make you “rich in soul”.
Jul 6

Keys to Costa Blanca

Join our community - www.spainlyliving.com Find Olga here: https://www.cleesvogel.com/ In this episode of Spainly Living, Michelle speaks with Olga, a Costa Blanca property expert who moved to Spain in August 2020 and now helps international buyers find homes across Costa Blanca. Olga shares her personal story of relocating to Spain with her family after COVID changed their perspective on life, work, health and the importance of enjoying the sunshine before retirement. She explains why her family chose the Alicante region, how she moved into real estate after buying her own home and how her property agency grew from helping friends from Luxembourg to supporting international clients from across Europe. This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone thinking about buying property in Spain, relocating to Alicante or searching for a second home, family home or short-term rental investment on the Costa Blanca. Michelle and Olga discuss what foreign buyers need to know before purchasing in Spain, including how to choose the right area, why you should never buy a property purely from online photos, what to understand about tourist rental licences, why not every area allows short-term rentals and why working with a knowledgeable local agent can help you avoid expensive mistakes. They also cover the hidden costs of buying property in Spain, including the 10% property transfer tax, notary costs, lawyers, gestores, architects, NIE numbers and the importance of checking paperwork before signing. Olga explains the difference between buying a resale property and buying a new build, why mortgages in Spain can take longer than expected and why cash buyers often have a simpler process. This conversation also explores the realities of renting in Spain, including deposits, Airbnb, long-term rental risks and why many landlords ask foreign tenants for several months’ rent in advance. Olga explains why deposits in Spain are often a source of stress for tenants. For families moving to Spain, Olga gives especially valuable advice on choosing an area close to schools, understanding school options, thinking about teenage children, public transport, driving distances and the importance of imagining your real day to day life before choosing a location. In this episode, you will learn: How to choose the right area in Alicante or Costa Blanca What to know before buying property in Spain Why you should visit properties in person before making a decision How tourist rental licences work in Spain Why some areas no longer grant short-term rental licences The difference between short-term rentals and long-term rentals What hidden costs to budget for when buying a Spanish property Why buyers need an NIE number before purchasing How the Arras deposit contract works in Spain Why mortgages can take around three months or longer The difference between buying a new build and a resale property Why foreign renters may be asked for several months’ rent upfront What families should consider when relocating to Spain How to choose a location near schools, transport and daily amenities Why Costa Blanca is attractive for lifestyle, safety, food, sunshine and family life Whether you are dreaming of a holiday home in Spain, planning a permanent relocation, considering a short-term rental investment or looking for a family-friendly place to settle on the Costa Blanca, this episode will help you understand the Spanish property market with more confidence.
Jun 19

Spain Wealth Sorted

Join our community - www.spainlyliving.com Find Josh here: https://ambient-wm.com/ In this episode of Spainly Living, Michelle speaks with Josh from Ambient Wealth Management about one of the most important, and often overlooked, parts of moving to Spain: getting your finances, tax position, pensions and investments organised before you relocate. Josh moved from the UK to Spain over ten years ago and now works with international clients, especially UK nationals, who are moving to Spain or already living in Spain. Together, Michelle and Josh unpack the real financial questions people need to consider before becoming Spanish tax resident, from NIE applications and post-Brexit bureaucracy to pensions, ISAs, property sales, inheritance planning, wealth tax, self-employment costs and the realities of starting again financially in Spain. This episode is especially useful for anyone planning a move to Spain from the UK, US or another country, whether you are a retiree, family, remote worker, digital nomad, business owner, self-employed professional or someone considering buying property in Spain. Michelle and Josh discuss why timing matters so much when relocating, particularly around selling a main residence, taking pension lump sums, realising investment gains and understanding how Spain treats financial products that may be tax efficient in your home country but not necessarily tax efficient once you become Spanish tax resident. They also cover the hidden costs of moving to Spain, including property purchase taxes, regional differences in wealth tax, the cost of becoming autónomo, the limitations of Spanish banking, building credit again from scratch, the high cost of cars in Spain and why doing your research early can prevent expensive mistakes. Josh explains the importance of having a plan before you move, why financial products such as UK ISAs and pensions may need to be reviewed, how Spanish-compliant investments can work, why estate planning matters and how proper structuring can make life much easier for surviving spouses and family members. In this conversation, you will learn: How moving to Spain can affect your UK pensions, ISAs, investments and savings Why you should understand Spanish tax residency before relocating The biggest financial mistakes expats make when moving to Spain Why selling your UK property before or after becoming Spanish tax resident can have major tax consequences What UK nationals should know about post-Brexit relocation planning How Spain treats foreign investments and pensions Why Spanish-compliant investment structures may be useful for some residents What to consider before becoming self-employed or autónomo in Spain How the Digital Nomad Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa and Beckham Law may affect planning Why cars, mortgages and credit ratings can be more complicated after moving How Spain’s autonomous regions differ on wealth tax and other tax rules Why it is important to plan for inheritance, death and access to assets Why moving to Spain in August may create unexpected practical challenges This episode is full of practical, real-world insight for anyone dreaming of a life in Spain but wanting to avoid costly mistakes. Whether you are still researching your move, already packing boxes or settling into Spanish life, this conversation will help you think more clearly about money, tax, pensions, property and long-term planning.

6 Episodes

Move lighter. Settle sooner. Live Spainly.

Creator

Michelle Sanches
Years Active

2026
Episodes

6
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Michelle Sanches