Ulla JacksonA real free market capitalist society wouldn't last a month. No free education, no National health service, every road a toll road, no unemployment benefits, no state pensions. What we have is a mixture of capitalism and socialism and that is how it should be.
David HollandThe rough areas still exist in Palma, believe me, but they are not in the centre any more.
NedWhat's happening is that Mallorca is growing up, while some others are (unwittingly?) aspiring to nostalgic past glory, viewed through rose coloured glasses. It's uncomfortable to think of a future that isn't just like "the good ol' days". But the future never is like the past. And never has been. Somehow, I doubt many will be avoiding the future Mallorca, despite your rosy nostalgic remembrance. It'll be too attractive. Especially for those still living in 1970.
NedThis about joining a club is for me just a peculiar way saying you should join the "residency club". If it's not a free market no matter where you are, it's a kind of controlled government interfering, which is in my view never going to be healthy. It means it's going to be money handed on the side or under the table. That's happened in other countries when the government has been interfering. Either you have a free market or kind of a communist style. I do not believe Majorca will be a St Tropez or alike. There are clusters of extreme wealth but that's not all over the island at all. To be honest prices have been going up just like they have in all other countries. Even the locals will and want improving their lives with better pay and better jobs. Thinking Majorca should stay as they were "before" is not possible. Just look at the cars the locals are driving, long ago it was bashed old cars, now it's new smart car in abundance, so that has of course changed the island's structure. I still feel it's just too easy "blaming the foreigners" only. Life improves in all countries and Majorca is no difference including house prices going up.
Ulla JacksonYes, if the cost to a non-resident goes up enough they may sell. And yes, it is still too expensive for an average resident to buy. If a “market correction” is what is desired then a mass sell off is required… not a slow dribble of additional sales. To be clear I am not demonising “the foreigner”. I am a foreigner myself. Those I would like to do that to are the low value buyers, the investors. Don’t forget, overall property price, irrespective of who is paying for it is pervasive is the costs of everything. It is easy to say “free market” but at some point your local bar owner will be subject to that and your daily menu will cost 30€ rather than 12€. High property prices affect everything down to a cortado and that your cleaner or supermarket checkout person pays as well. That then affects wages and that inflationary death spiral goes out of control. If you price property like say London everything will be priced that way as well. The question is, do we want Mallorca to be for everyone or like a Venice or Saint-Tropez that totally isn’t. I am not saying non-residents shouldn’t be allowed to buy nor should they be forced to become a resident. Rather, altering the cost basis of doing so as they are the ones that are pushing prices up through a free market. There’s nothing wrong with encouraging people to join a “club”. I have joined many clubs and have memberships in order to buy and do things on a different cost basis. This is also the free market at work. How is joining a “residency club” any different? The Mallorca’s did much of it to themselves for sure but the times of the pre-2000s is now well in the past. Something can be done about preventing the current trajectory… or not. Saying "they did it to themselves" isn't right to me as everyone is affected if no action is made.
David HollandYes I remember the old airport very well, the very first time I came to the island to visit my parents 54 years ago. They had bought small house which was basically a shell and nothing more. My parents were not in anyway wealthy but with hard work and sacrifices they transformed the house to be a decent place to live when they came twice a year or more for at least 3 months at the time. That's why I fiercely reject it's necessary to be resident or pay more IBI. This house could easily been bought by a local but none was interested at the time. As you say how times has changed.
Ulla JacksonWell yesterday was always better. But as someone who can remember Palma airport with no air bridges. And only one departure hall. I remember when Palma had …shall I say faded character. I could say it was rough , where even sailors feared to tread in some parts. But private money has changed all that . But some do love the old ways. Apparently.
NedIf they increase the tax for foreigners they might sell up, but it still won't benefit the local population as is still too expensive. Why do you need to be resident, it's a free choice how a property is used, you still have to pay tax etc. After all who sold the properties to the highest bidder? The locals! It's always easy to blame others rather than build properties the locals can afford. Too complicated for the government obviously. Many areas have been gentrified, where properties were cheap and no locals were too keen to buy there. Now its nice areas and government is complaining no locals can buy. You can't make it up. To force residency is in my view ludicrous, no other European country as far as I know have that condition and Majorca better be wary to change the tax system. IBI reflect very much the value of the properties anyway.
oouoo oouooYeah, it's the commies behind it. There's so many of them nowadays. Blimey, most of the (rest of the) world is being run by isolationist autocrats, seeking to reclaim lost glory. And surely they can only be commies (or some shit like that) . Good job we left that mess, eh? 🇬🇧
Zoltan TeglasThis was about properties, nothing else. Not about schools, not about health service, not about pensions, not about unemployment benefits. Do not mix apple and pears. It was about wether the government should interfere in house prices - and my answer is no The reason is that have seen in other countries, with money handed on the side, which I do not is healthy, neither for the buyer or the government. That's only my view.