Should i stay or should i go now

[DH1875]

After reading a lot of the threads I thought it would be interesting to find out how many people are planning or have moved to Spain in 2009.
Were you thinking about it but have been put off by the EXPATS?
We find it interesting that most expats advice not to come in 2009 when it turns out that most of them are in no hurry to return to Britain (No offence).

Disfrutar.

[chris]

have to say, intially was put off, everytime i read something it just looked worse and worse over their. The really good bit about the doom and gloom and ironically the economic crash is that i have rethought, everthing still coming over just 2 years earlier and not throwing caution to the wind, hubby stays, keeps the house the job, 16 year old stays here, for college, no private school for him, get the 5 and 6 year old in spanish school asap, and if it all goes pear shaped, can not survive out there, no hubby no money will be maintaining 2 houses now, then we come back with the minimal amount of damage done to the youngest 2s education and i can get over this obssesive idea that i need, must and want to move to spain and get on with the rest of my life, if it all works out i get to achieve another way of life for my family. Either way i win.

[chris(madrid)]

Originally Posted by DH1875

We find it interesting that most expats advice not to come in 2009 when it turns out that most of them are in no hurry to return to Britain (No offence).

The thing is it depends how long we've been here. I've had my NIE since 1994.

I have a Spanish wife - she's a "job for life" civil servant. I arrived on a HUGE salary and took my employers to court later for unfair dismissal - AND WON. My house is mine. As such I am financially secure here. And after so long here - it's my home. So why would I leave?

But I'll be the first to say that Spain is the only place I've found stable employment to be precarious. It's the only place I've ever had problems finding the work I want to do - to the extent I still do not. It still the land of who you know. I am a prolific network builder and speak fluent (bad fluent and heavily accented maybe) Spanish and German, but even so it is tough. And if you fail - there is near as dammit NO security net.

ime Spain is NOT a place to be if you cannot guaranty enough income to live on. Even the "working refugees" from poor 3rd world countries are leaving now.

I've never had a STRONG attraction for the UK as I was born outside and raised the first 8 years outside too. I left the UK at 30 for life outside - I left btw for money. I've now lived almost 2/3 of my life outside the UK. My only real ties there are my parents.

But would I come now, on the never never with no firm plan? - HELL NO. Not unless I was VERY young and had a route back. I've a mate in Germany (a Brit), a bit younger than me, who planned to come over about now - He's told me it simply is NOT WORTH HIS WHILE leaving Germany now. His Wife is ill and so he gets HUGE tax discounts and subsidies for her and his nippers. He also has a decent (though a bit heavy going) job with a massive dismissal period - about 5 years - so he'll retire there unless they go belly up.

I appreciate there are other circumstances. I've a mate in the UK who WILL be coming over as his wife needs a warm climate for her health. But he's prepared to accept near poverty and live in a trailer to do this. He has a fine house in the UK.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by DH1875

After reading a lot of the threads I thought it would be interesting to find out how many people are planning or have moved to Spain in 2009.
Were you thinking about it but have been put off by the EXPATS?
We find it interesting that most expats advice not to come in 2009 when it turns out that most of them are in no hurry to return to Britain (No offence).

Disfrutar.

Thats because we are here and we can see whats going on. Me, I'm an early retiree and have the funds just about to carry me through to retirement. I couldnt have done that in the UK.

Two or three years ago people would come on the forums and say they were thinking of coming to Spain to work, no plans, just enough cash to get them through a few months. It was doable with a bit of luck. Nowadays it would be foolish.

Now we can sit on here and tell people everything is fine, but that wouldnt be good advice. We tell it as it is, and people should make up their own minds.

[jojo]

The reason I sound negative on here is because 18 months ago I WAS like most of the potential expats who come on this site. I thought it would be easy, lots of sunshine, relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches and sitting in little street bars... I was told that there was no work out here (even then, before the credit crunch) and I read lots of negative stuff, but quite frankly, I was so desperate to leave the UK and I didnt think it applied to me - of course I could get a job, (I used to seriously believe those expats on the forum just arent trying hard enough), of course things were easier and cheaper in Spain, what do saddoes on a forum know??!!. If the decision to move here had been solely down to me, I´d have just done it! Sold the UK house and bought somewhere cheap over here and live off any equity til I got a job!!! Knowing what i know now, I´d have been sunk without trace, living in a shed or on the street by now! Fortunately my husband was/is extremely cautious - too much so sometimes and dispite lots of arguments, his caution won through and we decided to keep the UK house and he would commute until the time is right to possibly move his business over here. Now I´m here, I realise this would be hell on earth with no income or money. The sun doesnt make up for not having any money, especially when you have kids


I´ve been here a year now and I´m no longer blinded by desperation, this is how it is! Once the novelty wears off (and it will), its not really much different to being in the UK, especially in the winter. You, your family, your life and your attitudes come with you and its just the same sh!t, different place

Jo

[jojo]

....... in answer to the title of the thread... just do it!! you´ll not rest until you do, I know that feeling!!! JUST DONT BURN YOUR BRIDGES!

Jo

[owdoggy]

Originally Posted by DH1875

After reading a lot of the threads I thought it would be interesting to find out how many people are planning or have moved to Spain in 2009.
Were you thinking about it but have been put off by the EXPATS?
We find it interesting that most expats advice not to come in 2009 when it turns out that most of them are in no hurry to return to Britain (No offence).

Disfrutar.

We're coming over in April come hell or high water
We're both retired so work isn't a problem and we reckon we'll be ok financially as things stand or if it gets a bit worse (which seems to be the popular opinion). But we're renting first so we've got a getout if things go pear shaped.


Doggy

p.s. Happy St David's day to any Taffs on 'ere

[jojo]

I guess the biggest and most obvious question to ask really is why do you want to come to Spain? The answers to that are decision makers!


Jo

[owdoggy]

Originally Posted by jojo

I guess the biggest and most obvious question to ask really is why do you want to come to Spain? The answers to that are decision makers!


Jo

We want to sloooooooooooooooow down and living in the back of beyond in a country where everything is manana (can't find the squiggly thing to spell it properly) seems pretty good to us........ unless you need summat doing smartish in which case, as far as I can tell ...... you're knackered

.....and they love their motorcycle racing ......

...... and the weather of course......

...... and the food's bloody good as well ......

...... and it's a stunning country ....

...... did I mention the food?


Doggy

[XTreme]

Originally Posted by DH1875

We find it interesting that most expats advice not to come in 2009 when it turns out that most of them are in no hurry to return to Britain.

Like Stravinsky said....it's because we're here, and we see how things really are. We're not selling you a dream on a TV prog or hoping to line our pockets with a fat commission if you buy something from us.

So essentially we have no vested interest in saying anything other than the truth.

My personal situation is that I'm one of the few, and I mean very few who came over here, started a business, and survived.

However, I'd been doing what I do for more than twenty years in the UK, and I have the determination of a rabid pitbull.....so unless you're bringing those sort of attributes to the table you can forget it......because you'll end up just another victim.