in your opinion...??

[jojo]

In your opinion, what is a better quality of life??
You often hear it listed as one of the reasons why people want to move to Spain, but what is it?? Is it the climate, the open spaces, freedom, slower pace??? And indeed, is the "quality of life" better in Spain?

Well I think so, altho its not easy and for me I sometimes wonder if, what I have here is worth the hassle and anguish its caused, altho I wouldnt change it for the world. But I cant really put my finger on why its better and I wonder if those that are searching for it know what they mean and what theyre looking for?

Looks like I'm having one of my "profound" moments again - sorry

Jo xxx

[SteveHall]

I can think of a million reasons why Spain is right for me - I can think of a million reasons why Sweden/Norway would be right for me BUT I can equally think of a lot of reasons why Spain/Sweden/Norway would NOT be right for many.

Those who do their homewrok are always those who will have the best chance of prospering.

[Suenneil]

You have taken the words more or less right out of my mouth Jo ! I often have the same thoughts ...... the thing is there are plenty of things in Spain that I believe are better than in the UK - and therefore thats enhances my quality of life ... but at the same time there are things in Spain that drive me insane or that I dont have that I knew I had or could get in the UK ... so therefore my life is of no better quality.

I dont have an answer Im afraid ... I just know that at the moment Im happy here and have no plans to leave. I dont think anywhere ticks all the boxes - so as with most things in life you make compromises and enjoy the positives ....

If I think of anything remotely profound Ill let you know !!!

[jojo]

Originally Posted by SteveHall

I can think of a million reasons why Spain is right for me - I can think of a million reasons why Sweden/Norway would be right for me BUT I can equally think of a lot of reasons why Spain/Sweden/Norway would NOT be right for many.

Those who do their homewrok are always those who will have the best chance of prospering.

Its not just about prosperity and whats right for those thinking of coming to Spain for their "better quality of life" and Spanish lifestyle. I just wondered what it is that we're all looking for...I'll stop, I'm definately on one of my "what is the meaning of life" weird moments... I'd better go and sit on a beanbag and chant for a while

Nice to see you back on here Steve, I thought you'd got the sack lol!!!!


Jo xxx

[SteveHall]

No sitting in an internet cafe again - waiting for my next instructions again.

[Chica]

Originally Posted by jojo

In your opinion, what is a better quality of life??
You often hear it listed as one of the reasons why people want to move to Spain, but what is it?? Is it the climate, the open spaces, freedom, slower pace??? And indeed, is the "quality of life" better in Spain?

Well I think so, altho its not easy and for me I sometimes wonder if, what I have here is worth the hassle and anguish its caused, altho I wouldnt change it for the world. But I cant really put my finger on why its better and I wonder if those that are searching for it know what they mean and what theyre looking for?

Looks like I'm having one of my "profound" moments again - sorry

Jo xxx

Hmmm. I, too, loved it out here for the first say 5 years and they would have to take me back to the UK kicking and screaming!!! So, now that I'm out of love with Spain I ask myself your question.
Thinking physically, during my time here, so many people I know have developed heart problems. We now call it coronary country. The emergency care has been brilliant, but follow-up care abysmal.
Psychologically, after all this time I can't really say that I belong here. I have seen many people come and go and met many from different walks of life but still feel that I am on the outside looking in. My spanish is reasonable but I find the locals not that inviting. That's possibly because I have given up now and have become very choosy who I spend my time with as you do when you get older?! or maybe it's because I have learnt to go pebble hunting on the beach, turning them over and finding the good from the bad....the sincere ones and the ones that just want to make money from you.
Workwise, if you are lucky enough to earn decent pay for a decent days work and receive holiday pay then quality of life is greatly improved. You then have time to enjoy the open spaces and fiestas, etc.
So, in a nutshell, if you are fit, have a reasonable job with paid holidays or enough pension and like the outdoor life then I would say the quality of life here is better than in the UK. If you have a health problem, can't find a decent job that covers your outgoings or doesn't allow time off to join in the many fiestas etc, then the only quality there is is the sun, open spaces cheap fags and booze.

[Suenneil]

Originally Posted by Chica

Hmmm. I, too, loved it out here for the first say 5 years and they would have to take me back to the UK kicking and screaming!!! So, now that I'm out of love with Spain I ask myself your question.
Thinking physically, during my time here, so many people I know have developed heart problems. We now call it coronary country. The emergency care has been brilliant, but follow-up care abysmal.
Psychologically, after all this time I can't really say that I belong here. I have seen many people come and go and met many from different walks of life but still feel that I am on the outside looking in. My spanish is reasonable but I find the locals not that inviting. That's possibly because I have given up now and have become very choosy who I spend my time with as you do when you get older?! or maybe it's because I have learnt to go pebble hunting on the beach, turning them over and finding the good from the bad....the sincere ones and the ones that just want to make money from you.
Workwise, if you are lucky enough to earn decent pay for a decent days work and receive holiday pay then quality of life is greatly improved. You then have time to enjoy the open spaces and fiestas, etc.
So, in a nutshell, if you are fit, have a reasonable job with paid holidays or enough pension and like the outdoor life then I would say the quality of life here is better than in the UK. If you have a health problem, can't find a decent job that covers your outgoings or doesn't allow time off to join in the many fiestas etc, then the only quality there is is the sun, open spaces cheap fags and booze.

Thats interesting Chica what you say about the follow up care after illness - because our own personal experience has been truly the opposite. Without going into massive detail my husband who is only 50 now had a stroke 2 years ago - complete shock and out of the blue no warnings etc ..... - was in the costa del sol hospital for more than a week and they were fantastic .... and 2 years on the doc sees him every 3 months and the consultant at the hostpital sees him every 4 - 6 months - he gets a thorough check up each time. He has been on medication since the stroke and they check the dosage every time they see him and change where necessary .... we seriously have been astounded at how much care he has received, and continues to receive!

Sue

[Chica]

Originally Posted by Suenneil

Thats interesting Chica what you say about the follow up care after illness - because our own personal experience has been truly the opposite. Without going into massive detail my husband who is only 50 now had a stroke 2 years ago - complete shock and out of the blue no warnings etc ..... - was in the costa del sol hospital for more than a week and they were fantastic .... and 2 years on the doc sees him every 3 months and the consultant at the hostpital sees him every 4 - 6 months - he gets a thorough check up each time. He has been on medication since the stroke and they check the dosage every time they see him and change where necessary .... we seriously have been astounded at how much care he has received, and continues to receive!

Sue

Blimey Sue, that's totaly different to our experiences. MOH, after his heart attack should have been called back for 3 tests and checkups, he was only called to 1. His GP has never taken his blood pressure which he has a problem with. I can tell you of so many instances where follow-up care has been terrible. You have been lucky or maybe it's this area that admin is so disorganized?!

[Suenneil]

Originally Posted by Chica

Blimey Sue, that's totaly different to our experiences. MOH, after his heart attack should have been called back for 3 tests and checkups, he was only called to 1. His GP has never taken his blood pressure which he has a problem with. I can tell you of so many instances where follow-up care has been terrible. You have been lucky or maybe it's this area that admin is so disorganized?!

Im thinking we should consider ourselves really lucky then Chica......! Obviously the Costa del Sol Hospital is our "local" hospital, but in the past two years we have moved apartments 3 times - to three different areas so had to re register with a new GP - and the quality of care for hubby hasnt faltered even with the changes. I also had a bit of a scare a few months ago and the speed at which they sorted everything was so fast it scared me into thinking I had something really serious! lol luckily it wasnt!!! ....... I suppose its like the UK ... what do they call it ? " a postcode lottery " ??????

[jojo]

Originally Posted by Chica

Blimey Sue, that's totaly different to our experiences. MOH, after his heart attack should have been called back for 3 tests and checkups, he was only called to 1. His GP has never taken his blood pressure which he has a problem with. I can tell you of so many instances where follow-up care has been terrible. You have been lucky or maybe it's this area that admin is so disorganized?!

I've gotta say Chica, you're possibly the first person I've heard of who hasnt been more than satisfied with the emergency care here - especially compared to the UK, which in my opinion is horrendous. I'm actually getting involved in a family members ordeal right now over in the UK and I'm utterly shocked by the treatment thats being given and this is a life or death illness and quite frankly, if I could I'd bring her over here, cos I KNOW she'd have a better chance.

Jo xxx