Who would you recommend comes to Spain to live now, and why?

[Solwriter]

One thing only on one persons list at the moment is family ties. But it's the one that got me.
If you have a family back in the UK that you are very close to, you are going to miss them a great deal when you live in Spain.

In the heat of the moment, you may say 'we'll buy or rent a property with extra rooms and they can visit us any time they like'. Or you may think about commuting on a regular basis back to the UK to see them.

But the first idea relies upon your family having the money and the time to visit you. Not that easy in the present economic climate and with school attendance to consider.
And the second relies on you having a continual source of money to visit them. And that means extra income after all of your increasing living expenses are taken out.

[mrypg9]

Originally Posted by Solwriter

One thing only on one persons list at the moment is family ties. But it's the one that got me.
If you have a family back in the UK that you are very close to, you are going to miss them a great deal when you live in Spain.

In the heat of the moment, you may say 'we'll buy or rent a property with extra rooms and they can visit us any time they like'. Or you may think about commuting on a regular basis back to the UK to see them.

But the first idea relies upon your family having the money and the time to visit you. Not that easy in the present economic climate and with school attendance to consider.
And the second relies on you having a continual source of money to visit them. And that means extra income after all of your increasing living expenses are taken out.

You are of course quite right.
But in our case we see much more of son and dil since we left the UK. They, especially my dil, visit their house at least once a month and as their place is a five minute drive from here we spend a lot of time together.
When I fly to the UK for a conference etc. I make a point of staying with them in their house in Surrey which is equidistant from Heathrow and Gatwick Airports.
We never seemed to be able to get together that often when we were in the UK.

[Pesky Wesky]

Originally Posted by jojo

It used to amaze me that when I spoke to other expats in spain and I'd tell them I'm not a drinker, they would often say to me "well why did you come to spain if you dont drink???" and be totally baffled!!

Jo xxx

There are some very silly people out there, aren't there?

[jojo]

Originally Posted by Solwriter

One thing only on one persons list at the moment is family ties. But it's the one that got me.
If you have a family back in the UK that you are very close to, you are going to miss them a great deal when you live in Spain.

In the heat of the moment, you may say 'we'll buy or rent a property with extra rooms and they can visit us any time they like'. Or you may think about commuting on a regular basis back to the UK to see them.

But the first idea relies upon your family having the money and the time to visit you. Not that easy in the present economic climate and with school attendance to consider.
And the second relies on you having a continual source of money to visit them. And that means extra income after all of your increasing living expenses are taken out.

Hhhhmmm. I find that I probably spoke to my daughters more when I was in spain. They lived in my UK house and we skyped and phoned often. Now I'm back and just up the road, the novelty has worn off and they usually only call me if they want something

Jo xxx

[Solwriter]

Originally Posted by jojo

Hhhhmmm. I find that I probably spoke to my daughters more when I was in spain. They lived in my UK house and we skyped and phoned often. Now I'm back and just up the road, the novelty has worn off and they usually only call me if they want something

Jo xxx

I think it very much depends on circumstances.
The need to have enough money (and then some) has been noted again and again. But I would guess that a very large number of immigrants already here do not have a large source of income. And if they did once, it's all gone now.
Plus, we cannot ensure that the family we leave back home will continue to have enough to get by.

I have a large family in the UK. All of them are struggling right now, even those who have reasonably paid jobs. So even things like the cost of renewing passports may soon become prohibitive when bills have to be paid first.
And as to phoning them regularly, as our internet connection is very poor, we cannot use skype and we have to limit our calls according to whether we think we can afford the telefonica bill each month.

I do agree, when I'm in the Uk for a long spell, the novelty of seeing me (and me seeing them) wears off a bit.
But that feels at it should be.

[jojo]

Originally Posted by Solwriter

I do agree, when I'm in the Uk for a long spell, the novelty of seeing me (and me seeing them) wears off a bit.
But that feels at it should be.

I'm ok with it!! My daughters work in the airline industry and are busy and very typical "20 somethings" who are always off doing something. I know they are glad that I'm back in the UK and there just in case..!!!!!

Actually out of interest and changing the subject completely. They work for Thomas Cook, who a few months ago were in trouble, so both my daughters took voluntary reduncancy. They have now both received letters informing them that Thomas Cook is now doing fine and would they please withdraw their redundancy offers and take a financial reward and keep their jobs??!!

Jo xxxx

[Alcalaina]

Originally Posted by Solwriter

One thing only on one persons list at the moment is family ties. But it's the one that got me.
If you have a family back in the UK that you are very close to, you are going to miss them a great deal when you live in Spain.

So true. Of the ten retired Brits who lived in my village when we moved here (2008) four returned to the UK because they missed their grandchildren and three more would like to but can't sell their houses. They spend a fortune - more than they can afford - flying back to the UK at Christmas laden with presents.

I only know about life in rural Spain outside the Brit-zones (the term "real Spain" makes certain hackles rise but perhaps am I allowed to say "España profunda"? ). It is not everyone's cup of tea. But if you have an open mind and sense of adventure I would still recommend it, provided you don't have to work.

[Pesky Wesky]

Originally Posted by Alcalaina

So true. Of the ten retired Brits who lived in my village when we moved here (2008) four returned to the UK because they missed their grandchildren and three more would like to but can't sell their houses. They spend a fortune - more than they can afford - flying back to the UK at Christmas laden with presents.

I only know about life in rural Spain outside the Brit-zones (the term "real Spain" makes certain hackles rise but perhaps am I allowed to say "España profunda"? ). It is not everyone's cup of tea. But if you have an open mind and sense of adventure I would still recommend it, provided you don't have to work.

To go back to the old argument, anything that is in Spain is Real Spain, and that includes Benidorm, Baeza, Burgos and Bilbao. I think what you're making a distinction between is coastal resort Spain and other parts of the country.

Anyway
There may be sense in looking at those other parts of the country if you're looking for work. Of course the weather might not be as warm as in the south, but if you're looking for work and a possibly better standard of life, it's not all weather bound, is it?

This map clearly shows that unemployment is worse in the south of the country. (Map from 27th Jan 2012 from the Instituto Nacional de Estadistica. See here for more info paro españa 2011 — idealista.com/news/)





Here's a link to another map with more detail

investorsconundrum.com – El Blog para el Inversor con Ideas Propias – Donde Invertir en Bolsa hoy » Mapa del paro total y de jóvenes en España, Europa y Estados Unidos

On the other hand, if you really are looking for work and you're coming from the UK, the US, Ireland, and even Greece , I would question the wisdom of your choice given the information that is at our fingertips. If you want WORK it looks like Norway, Denmark or Switzerland would be your choice within Europe. And English is much more widely spoken there than in Spain. The following graph is from a year ago. Unemployment in Spain has increased since then.

[mustlovedogz]

listen to you lot... moan, moan, moan.... I would much rather be skint, out of work, miserable and WARM, than looking out onto these horrible grey dull wet and FREEZING cold days here - there are NO great jobs in the UK either these days. I loved every minute of living in Spain the last time even although I was completely broke and very, very alone. For me, a little sun makes everything seem slighter better - even though I know its not. And I don't even sit out in it. Or drink for that matter.
(Please don't all shout at me at once now for that wee outburst .... , from the comfort of your sunny, mild and calm, warm, blue sky above your head, balconies)

Originally Posted by mustlovedogz

listen to you lot... moan, moan, moan.... I would much rather be skint, out of work, miserable and WARM, than looking out onto these horrible grey dull wet and FREEZING cold days here - there are NO great jobs in the UK either these days. I loved every minute of living in Spain the last time even although I was completely broke and very, very alone. For me, a little sun makes everything seem slighter better - even though I know its not. And I don't even sit out in it. Or drink for that matter.
(Please don't all shout at me at once now for that wee outburst .... , from the comfort of your sunny, mild and calm, warm, blue sky above your head, balconies)

You're hilarious. It's currently 15 degrees in my flat and 6 degrees and foggy outside. It's been cold and either snowing or very cloudy for about two weeks now. OH is working 1/3 time and I'm working full time and paying the bills. It's February 10th and the government still hasn't paid me yet. I would live in the arctic if it meant I could have a good, happy, night's sleep without lying in bed worrying.

Who should move to Spain? Any sort of religious figure who can work miracles. We kind of need it.