Work / Life balance ?!?!?!?!

[Suenneil]

As a lot of you already know I live in Estepona but work in Malaga City centre .... and use public transport! .... so 5 hours each day travelling!

Now I moved to Spain for a better work/life balance! yeah right .... that worked! as we all know if you need to work in Spain (and I do NEED to work) then you have to be prepared for very long hours! with the added travel my days are loooooooooooooooong!

So for the past couple of months we have been looking to move closer to Malaga to get the balance right ... somewhere on the train route (from Fuengriola onwards...) and we did find somewhere and were about to pay a holding deposit last week.

mmmmmmmmmmmm guess what ? Ive changed my mind! Im staying here in Estepona!

We absolutely love living down here - its suits us perfectly - our apartment is in an enviable location and we are getting to know more and more people as each month passes .... it feels like "home" .. and this is the first area in Spain that we have lived where we have felt like this.

So yesterday we took the plunge and have agreed another 11 month contract on our lovely apartment .... and I will continue my epic journey each day to work!

WHY ????? because the work / life balance is practically impossible to achieve .... if we move to Fuengirola, yes I can get to work faster and therefore spend a bit more time at home in the evenings,,,, but Fuengirola isnt Estepona ... and it isnt where I want to actually live (personal choice - apologies to any Fuengirola residents!)

I dont want to keep moving to "follow" work - I want to be happy and settled at home .... so for me at the moment .... work / life balance means enjoying the place I live and loving my life there .... so Im staying put! The travel is a big price to pay ... but for me its the only answer.

Am I mad ? probably ...... time will tell!

Does anyone else have to compromise to achieve the best work / life balance here ?

Watch this space .... I could die of fatigue in the next couple of months! (or at least develop more facial lines from lack of sleep! lol) ....

Sue x

[Chica]

Hey Sue, the holiday makers will be all gone soon. Will that make it easier for you?? This soul searching is catching on!

[Suenneil]

Originally Posted by Chica

Hey Sue, the holiday makers will be all gone soon. Will that make it easier for you?? This soul searching is catching on!

Sadly not ..... are you referring to the holiday makers in Estepona, fuengirola or malaga ??

To be honest Chica .... when it came to the crunch I just couldnt bring myself to leave what we now call home - even though it would save me an enormous amount of travel time each day. Yes, that would be a big plus .... but to achieve that it would mean leaving somewhere we love to compromise and move to another area just for convenience.

Convenience is fine - but its not life is it ? I wake up every morning and can see the sea from my bed! I walk on the beach every morning with the sun coming up with my dog .... when I get in on Fridays we dont use the car again until Monday morning - cos everything we need in Estepona is within 10 minutes walk of the apartment. The chiringuitos here know us pretty well and Tasha our dog! so do people in the bars, shops and restaurants .... and some of our neighbours too.....and I cant bring myself to choose convenience over a pretty good life once Im home

As I said maybe I will change my mind after another Winter of travel and dark nights! who knows .....

Sue x

[Chica]

Originally Posted by Suenneil

Sadly not ..... are you referring to the holiday makers in Estepona, fuengirola or malaga ??

To be honest Chica .... when it came to the crunch I just couldnt bring myself to leave what we now call home - even though it would save me an enormous amount of travel time each day. Yes, that would be a big plus .... but to achieve that it would mean leaving somewhere we love to compromise and move to another area just for convenience.

Convenience is fine - but its not life is it ? I wake up every morning and can see the sea from my bed! I walk on the beach every morning with the sun coming up with my dog .... when I get in on Fridays we dont use the car again until Monday morning - cos everything we need in Estepona is within 10 minutes walk of the apartment. The chiringuitos here know us pretty well and Tasha our dog! so do people in the bars, shops and restaurants .... and some of our neighbours too.....and I cant bring myself to choose convenience over a pretty good life once Im home

As I said maybe I will change my mind after another Winter of travel and dark nights! who knows .....

Sue x

It's about sprouting roots as well isn't it?! When you keep moving it never feels like a home. I moved 5 times before I settled in this appartment but it is still not perfect. I'm pleased you have decided to settle there. It shows you are happy with what you have even tho' the travelling is a bore!! Can you find some way of amuzing yourself whilst travelling. I expect you take a book with you?! Maybe teach yourself spanish cd's to listen to?

[scharlack]

Originally Posted by Suenneil

As a lot of you already know I live in Estepona but work in Malaga City centre .... and use public transport! .... so 5 hours each day travelling!

Now I moved to Spain for a better work/life balance! yeah right .... that worked! as we all know if you need to work in Spain (and I do NEED to work) then you have to be prepared for very long hours! with the added travel my days are loooooooooooooooong!

So for the past couple of months we have been looking to move closer to Malaga to get the balance right ... somewhere on the train route (from Fuengriola onwards...) and we did find somewhere and were about to pay a holding deposit last week.

mmmmmmmmmmmm guess what ? Ive changed my mind! Im staying here in Estepona!

We absolutely love living down here - its suits us perfectly - our apartment is in an enviable location and we are getting to know more and more people as each month passes .... it feels like "home" .. and this is the first area in Spain that we have lived where we have felt like this.

So yesterday we took the plunge and have agreed another 11 month contract on our lovely apartment .... and I will continue my epic journey each day to work!

WHY ????? because the work / life balance is practically impossible to achieve .... if we move to Fuengirola, yes I can get to work faster and therefore spend a bit more time at home in the evenings,,,, but Fuengirola isnt Estepona ... and it isnt where I want to actually live (personal choice - apologies to any Fuengirola residents!)

I dont want to keep moving to "follow" work - I want to be happy and settled at home .... so for me at the moment .... work / life balance means enjoying the place I live and loving my life there .... so Im staying put! The travel is a big price to pay ... but for me its the only answer.

Am I mad ? probably ...... time will tell!

Does anyone else have to compromise to achieve the best work / life balance here ?

Watch this space .... I could die of fatigue in the next couple of months! (or at least develop more facial lines from lack of sleep! lol) ....

Sue x

Hey Sue,

If you allow me to opine I am with you on your decision. I think the best is what fits you right... and if you feel Estepona is the place then Estepona it is!

Of course, as time goes by you could change your mind. For now, enjoy home!

I have an 1.15hr (each way) ride to work. It's not bad and makes me think about it when I see people who live in Toledo, Ciudad Real, etc commuting 2.5hrs each way, just like you do.

I guess the secret is to learn how to use the commute time wisely. I try to mix up leisure reading (Spanish) with work reading (Software manuals - English)... and by the time you get back home you are truly done for the day! BTW, today I almost missed my train station as I was entertained by my new book

Cheers!

[Suenneil]

Originally Posted by scharlack

Hey Sue,

If you allow me to opine I am with you on your decision. I think the best is what fits you right... and if you feel Estepona is the place then Estepona it is!

Of course, as time goes by you could change your mind. For now, enjoy home!

I have an 1.15hr (each way) ride to work. It's not bad and makes me think about it when I see people who live in Toledo, Ciudad Real, etc commuting 2.5hrs each way, just like you do.

I guess the secret is to learn how to use the commute time wisely. I try to mix up leisure reading (Spanish) with work reading (Software manuals - English)... and by the time you get back home you are truly done for the day! BTW, today I almost missed my train station as I was entertained by my new book

Cheers!

Hi S!

Well thank you for your input - it makes me feel that Im not completely mad!!

I did try to listen to my Spanish learning tapes on the bus - but felt an idiot when I realised I was talking out loud trying to say the words! (amazing how your voice is always much louder when you have headphones on! lol)

I do read ... usually a couple of novels a week - but so far these havent been educational! I think I may need to revisit the learning idea .....

When I am on here through the Winter moaning and whining about how long my journey takes me ... please just tell me to be quiet and remind me of why I chose to carry on doing this !

Sue

[Tallulah]

Originally Posted by Suenneil

Hi S!

... please just tell me to be quiet and remind me of why I chose to carry on doing this !

Sue

A good comment Sue - and it works on SO many levels! I think we all need a little reminder now and again!!

xx

[XTreme]

My life is all work.....nothing else!

I have to build a business and secure the family's future here....so that's the price I have to pay.

[Tallulah]

Originally Posted by XTreme

My life is all work.....nothing else!

I have to build a business and secure the family's future here....so that's the price I have to pay.

No regrets though, right?

[Suenneil]

Originally Posted by XTreme

My life is all work.....nothing else!

I have to build a business and secure the family's future here....so that's the price I have to pay.

mmmmmmmmm I know you work hard X .... and Im sure for the right and very best of reasons.

But you also have your animals and land dont you ? I know these are also hard work (looking after and being responsbile for them is hard work Im sure!!!) ..... but Im assuming that even though its hard work its also a pleasure and part of your real, family "life" ??

So it forms part of your work - life balance ,.. one brings in the money and the other probably costs lots of money but brings you pleasure ???

I agree there is a price to pay .... so my 25 hours travelling each week is my very own ... it means I can keep working and therfore keep earning and therefore keep living in Spain and specifically in Estepona !!

Sue