“We missed our families and the English culture,” says Kathy. “We just weren’t ready for full-time leisure — although I don’t think we would ever go back even when we are. Personally, I’ve had it with Majorca, but we were lucky in that we were able to come back. We’ve often met retired couples there who would love to come home but just can’t afford to.”

Kathy describes how an 84-year-old British woman does airport runs and cleans linen in order to survive. “I think the gap between the dream and reality can be quite extreme,” she says. “There are people there having a wonderful time, buying boats and big villas, but there are a lot of retired people living hand-to-mouth, still having to work well into retirement, which I don’t think they imagined.”

These expats may still be working, but they won’t have to wait to see a doctor when they get housemaid’s knee. Spain’s healthcare is 80% private, so there is proper funding provided you have an E111, the form that means that the bill gets sent to the National Health Service. “A lot of English surgeons work out here,” says Michael Evans. “They love it because they work with the latest equipment and the clinics are all state-of-the-art.”

Fit or not, people who have settled successfully advise potential expats to investigate their region of choice before committing themselves. Hanratty recently met a couple who moved to the Costa Blanca without ever having been there. “I thought it was rather foolish,” she says. “My advice is to come out, rent, and see if you like it.”

It is vital to sort out the legal side before moving. Margaret Thompson advises using a UK-based lawyer who deals with Spain, such as Cornish & Co. It is also important to plan the tax implications of such a move. “People thinking of moving must speak to somebody well-versed in Spanish taxation laws,” says Jeffrey Quirk. “They are going to have as big a sum of cash with them when they move as they are ever likely to have, from the sale of their house in the UK, savings, pensions, etc. If they’re not careful the taxman will take a huge portion. They need to get it into a tax-efficient package before they move.”

Finally, don’t buy unless you will be getting an escritura for your property — a legally binding document that details all ownership history — as often country people hand down houses from generation to generation without legal proof of ownership.

Once you’ve overcome these hurdles and found a suitable house in Spain, you’re ready to do as the other expats do and amuse yourself by watching the Sky News weather reports to see how much rain is falling on your friends and family stuck in the British Isles.

Blevins Franks (financial and tax planning), 020 7336 1111, www.blevinsfranks.com; JQ International, 0118 952 6919, www.jqin.co.uk

On the market

Majorca, £750,000
This restored finca in Bunyola, 17km from Palma, has four bedroom suites (the master has its own spa bath) and a large open-plan living and dining room. It also has a sauna and a pool. Hamptons International, 020 7589 8844, www.hamptons-int.com

Andalusia, £380,000
Set in 2.4 acres of almond and olive groves, this restored country house has four double bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sitting room, and pool. It is less than an hour from Marbella and Malaga airports. World Class Homes, 0800 731 4713, www.worldclasshomes.co.uk

Costa Blanca, £150,000
Three-bedroom, three-bathroom properties with a pool and parking, such as the Villa Rosa, on the Monte Corona development near Gandia, start at £150,000. Valencia airport is 40 minutes away. European Villa Solutions, 01223 514 241, www.europeanvs.com

Marbella, £120,000
Within walking distance of the beach, this two-bedroom ground-floor flat between San Pedro de Alcantara and Puerto Banus has an open-plan living room. There is a communal pool. Ocean Estates International, 00 349 5281 1750, www.ocean-estates.com

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