Living in Spain - Ex-patriate Information
For the vast majority of ex-patriate residents, living in Spain means an escape from grey skies, traffic jams, stress and restaurants which charge you a day's wages for a second-rate meal. The year-round sunshine, the relaxed way of life and the relatively cheap cost of living make this country a paradise for the thousands of people from northern Europe who have made Spain their home.
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But it's not all sunshine and sangria, so if you're considering moving to Spain it's important to be aware of the some of the drawbacks which are serious enough to send some people running straight back home after a disastrous venture into the Spanish property market.
One of the biggest problems encountered by most ex-pats (especially women) is homesickness. When members of your family are driving you mad, it can be tempting to put as much distance between them and you as possible! You picture yourself lounging by a pool in the sunshine with a gin and tonic at a safe distance from all the stresses and strains of daily life in your native land. But be warned - after a few weeks on your sun bed you may find yourself missing all the "problems" you left behind (family members, nosy neighbours, a stressful job, even the English rain).
Many people move to Spain to escape problems in their own country - only to find themselves confronted with a new set of problems which are even worse than the ones they left behind. The Spanish have a different way of doing things than most Europeans, the language can be a problem in certain areas (unless you take the trouble to master some basic Spanish) and some people just can't cope with the summer heat of the southern coastal resorts even though sunshine was probably the biggest factor in their decision to move to Spain.
Women who leave behind grown-up children to retire to Spain (especially women with grandchildren) normally suffer greats pangs at being parted from the family after an initial period of euphoria. So it's a good idea for retired couples who don't have work commitments to rent a property for a few months to see how they like the lifestyle before they commit themselves to buying a house in Spain.
One of the most endearing things about the Spanish is their wonderfully relaxed "mañana" attitude. If you don't have enough cash to pay a bar bill in rural areas of Spain the owner will normally just shrug his shoulders and tell you to come back tomorrow. That's great - unless you're a businessman who wants something done in a hurry at a specified time of day. That's when Spaniards can drive you nuts!
If you're planning to work in Spain you need to be aware that job opportunities are fairly limited, especially if you don't speak fluent Spanish, and wages are much lower than in north European countries.
The key to success is to test the water before you make a long-term commitment to moving to Spain which could cost you dearly in terms of both money and emotional trauma.
For those who make a success of life in Spain, the country is a wonderful cocktail of cheap food and wine, non-stop fiestas, freedom from the "nanny-state" and a year-round outdoor lifestyle with like-minded souls who believe life's simply too short to spend in a grey London office block.
Spain Guide
