Hi Sleeper,
just like to add my pennys worth, We bought a place 5 years ago in Tortosa, slowly doing the place up as money dictates, and hope to move out later this year. Just be carefull and get all the advice you can, and be positive, it's still a good place to live.
Read a book by Martin Kirby, " No going back- journey to Mothers Garden" and his follow -up " Shaking the tree ". Here is a man who tells it like it is, Hogs , warts and all, he has been here 10 years, living in catalunia, with his family. l recommend the book to everyone, a god read. Good luck hope to see you sometime. :)