Life in Gib

patmc · #1 (**permalink**) 9th March 2009, 05:23 PM

Im hoping to move to Gibraltar soon to live and work. Anyone have any comments on life in Gib?

Suenneil · #2 (**permalink**) 9th March 2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patmc

Im hoping to move to Gibraltar soon to live and work. Anyone have any comments on life in Gib?

My own experience and view ?? It does have its good points - some of the more historic sights, streets, buildings, customs etc....BUT as a visitor on rare occasions (we live up the coast in Estepona) ---- badly maintained roads! congestion, quite a few tacky shops, and often nightmarish queues to get in or out across the border (often determined by how officious the border guards are being that particular day!
But please please dont take my opinion as red! Im sure there are a lot more positive than I recognise by the people who live and work there themselves ... the benefit of course is that you are only 30 minutes drive away, or less, to some lovely coastal areas of the Costa del sol... best of luck with your move.

patmc · #3 (**permalink**) 9th March 2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suenneil

My own experience and view ?? It does have its good points - some of the more historic sights, streets, buildings, customs etc....BUT as a visitor on rare occasions (we live up the coast in Estepona) ---- badly maintained roads! congestion, quite a few tacky shops, and often nightmarish queues to get in or out across the border (often determined by how officious the border guards are being that particular day!
But please please dont take my opinion as red! Im sure there are a lot more positive than I recognise by the people who live and work there themselves ... the benefit of course is that you are only 30 minutes drive away, or less, to some lovely coastal areas of the Costa del sol... best of luck with your move.

Thanks for that. Any opinions are appreciated. What areas would you recommend in Spain for residence which would be close to Gib?

SteveHall · #4 (**permalink**) 9th March 2009, 08:45 PM

Sorry to rain on your parade but I agree with Sue. I have just never, ever seen the attraction of Gibraltar for anything other than legal/fiscal issues. Nice for a day if you live here and are desperate to get away from Spain ............... but if you want that you can go to Torremolinos, Plaza Mayor or Benalmádena Costa. Tacky shops, scruffy pubs, customs officers ......

If you have work there, congratulations. It's feeling the pinch too although I have not heard the word crisis there yet and today I was talking to an advertising rep who was saying that Gibraltar Businesses are still advertising whereas businesses in expatshire are entrenching.

If I had to work there to be honest I'd live there. The border crossing hassle twice per day would drive me suicidal.

Cazzy · #5 (**permalink**) 11th March 2009, 08:23 AM

My Daughter is moving to Spain in a month and staying with us for a while, she is thinking of looking in Gib for work and has done a lot of research. The wages in Gib are far lower than the UK, it is very hard to become a resident unless you have 'something to offer them' and you need a visa to work there. Also rental prices are very high.

patmc · #6 (**permalink**) 7th April 2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cazzy

My Daughter is moving to Spain in a month and staying with us for a while, she is thinking of looking in Gib for work and has done a lot of research. The wages in Gib are far lower than the UK, it is very hard to become a resident unless you have 'something to offer them' and you need a visa to work there. Also rental prices are very high.

Just wondering if your daughter made the move to Gib and what she thinks so far?

Cazzy · #7 (**permalink**) 7th April 2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patmc

Just wondering if your daughter made the move to Gib and what she thinks so far?

She isn't coming over until the 20th April, I think she is going to try Spain first. The whole living in Gib thing is proving to be a bit of a nightmare.

patmc · #8 (**permalink**) 7th April 2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cazzy

She isn't coming over until the 20th April, I think she is going to try Spain first. The whole living in Gib thing is proving to be a bit of a nightmare.

Thnks for that. Why is proving such a nightmare? Are you living there or in Spain. Which would you say is the best bet for 2 english speaking (i'm learning Spanish now) people looking for a fresh start.
Thanks again.
Pat

Cazzy · #9 (**permalink**) 8th April 2009, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patmc

Thnks for that. Why is proving such a nightmare? Are you living there or in Spain. Which would you say is the best bet for 2 english speaking (i'm learning Spanish now) people looking for a fresh start.
Thanks again.
Pat

We are in Spain, we have a B&B We didn't speak Spanish when we moved here, but as we are not on the coast we had to try. The locals in our village are very helpful and we manage fine!!

patmc · #10 (**permalink**) 8th April 2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cazzy

We are in Spain, we have a B&B We didn't speak Spanish when we moved here, but as we are not on the coast we had to try. The locals in our village are very helpful and we manage fine!!

How is the B&B business going? Was it difficult to get off the ground? How do you attract business, I presume its UK clients mainly? Is it possible to make a reasonable living from it or would you need to supplement your income by doing something else as well? Sorry about the interrogation but we're searching for a fresh start so its all very new to us.
Pat