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Today is the two year anniversary of our arrival to live in Spain.
So how has it been? Well, first and foremost, it is nothing like I thought it would be - NOTHING!
It hasnt been easy, it hasnt been without its traumas and it hasnt been too bad either - if that makes sense! When we first arrived, the exchange rate was good and we were full of optimism. My OH had plans that he would use his UK business as a platform to start up a sister company here. He has a friend here in Spain who does something similar and they were going to join forces. Unfortunately, his UK business partner had to leave and had to be bought out, so the money we were gonna use to fund "Spain" went! Then my father in law back in the UK died, the credit crunch arrived, the exchange rate plummeted, living costs were infinitely more expensive than we thought they'd be. So our plans had to change and they had to keep changing. We moved to a smaller, cheaper property, took one child out of international school (altho she wanted to go to a Spanish school anyway). My husband had to spend more time in the UK to keep the UK business in check, so I was left on my own with the children in Spain a lot more than anticipated.
But, we're still here, altho as I say it isnt easy. Sometimes I wonder whether it was worth all the hassle and upheaval. My daughter has never really taken to Spain and is desperate to go back, my son loves it, I love it, my husband enjoys it when he's here but hasnt ever really felt part of it. Its certainly put our marriage on the line thats for sure!
After two years, I dont think we can say that we feel we are here for the duration. We have our dogs passports up to date, just in case and we have our UK house that we can go back to. I have friends who say that we'd be better off if we didnt have the option of returning to the UK cos thats stopping us trying harder. But I'm not sure that trying that hard with no safety net is a good way to be!!???
Anyway, all that said. I love it here, I love everything about it - even the silly things that annoy me - the roads, the speed bumps, the driving, the rain, the cold houses, the mañana attitude, the heat in the summer, the Mercadona jingle............!!! I love it!!!! I've met some really good friends and I love the whole lifestyle. My grasp of the language is finally creeping up on me. The novelty has worn off and life goes on much the same as it did in the UK, washing, cooking, cleaning, school runs... But I could stay here forever. I'm one of a family of four tho, who are still divided.
The one thing I would say to anyone thinking about coming here for a better lifestyle - well make sure you plan very carefully and remember that a better lifestyle needs money - it isnt about sunshine or space, its about being able to do all the things you want to do. It soon gets very stressful and boring here without money - and the days of Spain being cheap are gone.
Hopefully this next year will settle us
Jo xxx
So how has it been? Well, first and foremost, it is nothing like I thought it would be - NOTHING!
It hasnt been easy, it hasnt been without its traumas and it hasnt been too bad either - if that makes sense! When we first arrived, the exchange rate was good and we were full of optimism. My OH had plans that he would use his UK business as a platform to start up a sister company here. He has a friend here in Spain who does something similar and they were going to join forces. Unfortunately, his UK business partner had to leave and had to be bought out, so the money we were gonna use to fund "Spain" went! Then my father in law back in the UK died, the credit crunch arrived, the exchange rate plummeted, living costs were infinitely more expensive than we thought they'd be. So our plans had to change and they had to keep changing. We moved to a smaller, cheaper property, took one child out of international school (altho she wanted to go to a Spanish school anyway). My husband had to spend more time in the UK to keep the UK business in check, so I was left on my own with the children in Spain a lot more than anticipated.
But, we're still here, altho as I say it isnt easy. Sometimes I wonder whether it was worth all the hassle and upheaval. My daughter has never really taken to Spain and is desperate to go back, my son loves it, I love it, my husband enjoys it when he's here but hasnt ever really felt part of it. Its certainly put our marriage on the line thats for sure!
After two years, I dont think we can say that we feel we are here for the duration. We have our dogs passports up to date, just in case and we have our UK house that we can go back to. I have friends who say that we'd be better off if we didnt have the option of returning to the UK cos thats stopping us trying harder. But I'm not sure that trying that hard with no safety net is a good way to be!!???
Anyway, all that said. I love it here, I love everything about it - even the silly things that annoy me - the roads, the speed bumps, the driving, the rain, the cold houses, the mañana attitude, the heat in the summer, the Mercadona jingle............!!! I love it!!!! I've met some really good friends and I love the whole lifestyle. My grasp of the language is finally creeping up on me. The novelty has worn off and life goes on much the same as it did in the UK, washing, cooking, cleaning, school runs... But I could stay here forever. I'm one of a family of four tho, who are still divided.
The one thing I would say to anyone thinking about coming here for a better lifestyle - well make sure you plan very carefully and remember that a better lifestyle needs money - it isnt about sunshine or space, its about being able to do all the things you want to do. It soon gets very stressful and boring here without money - and the days of Spain being cheap are gone.
Hopefully this next year will settle us
Jo xxx