Re: better quality of life
 

Lynn lives and works in Spain, why wouldn't you listen to what she says?

Re: better quality of life
 

If you have to work here I don't see how your "quality of life" can change. A friend works here in a shop 10-2 and back again 5-9pm. Thats 2 journeys to work on a busy road, 25mins travel each way. There are good and bad aspects in all countries. Don't burn all your boats, you can be out here a few years before reality sets in!

Re: better quality of life
 

what you have to consider here is the fact that

living in Spain can be great

working in Spain can be very hard

end of story

I dont know who you have spoken to but what impression have they given you re work ? thats its easy to find ? you will be inundated with job offers ?

the same bulls**t was told to my dad, he met a guy in a bar in Javea (the kind of been there done that person) knew all the ins and outs of living in Spain, was full of advice on what and when to do it and how great it would be and how much work there is about

WRONG

Having lived here the short time we have we have realised that sometimes people just talk for the sake of it, spilling a load of old crap - for no particular reason

another thing you have to be very wary of is why these people are giving you this info - "come and live in Spain, I can get you a job, oh and I will also sell you a house" righto - you only become wise to this and these types of people when its too late

Re: better quality of life
 

taking you up on the working issue, I have also noticed that while they will tell you that there is loads of work and its a doddle to make money, they guard their work and defend their area to the death, competition is not welcome.

Re: better quality of life
 

exactly and if you have kids too

our lives are pretty much the same as in UK - work, school, homework etc etc etc expect we are in a sunnier place and mortgage free (which of course helps) - but without the support network of close friends and family, that can be too much for some people and that pushes them back to England

Re: better quality of life
 

yes thats true

and its not like that in Uk is it - no one actually cares what others do for a living

down in Torrevieja all the pool companies seem to be competing for work, prices are being slashed ( which is good for the customers) but are they actually making any money ? and are they cutting corners so they can make money ?

was speaking to a satellite installer here a last week, he said a few years back the large dishes were going in for 1600€ now there are so many others all doing the same thing, again prices being slashed and installation now down to a low as 900€ - he said how can he run a legal and proper business making 100€ a time :confused:

so who will be the winners of this ? the dodgy illegal workers who you have no comebacks with when your system goes wrong or falls of the roof, same with plumbers, builders etc etc etc :curse:

Re: better quality of life
 

Thats the problem isn't it? It goes on to an extent in the UK, but because the Brit population is so intensified in Spain its is high lighted more starkly.
Even when I was out there the cutthroat nature of some of the Brits just blew me away, I was eternally thankful that I lived and dealt mostly with the Spanish.

Torrevieja is a perfect example of what I am talking about.
Some people love the place, but it was that damn place that helped me decide to leave Spain, I hated it, and couldn't convince my OH to leave it. I saw things there I never thought I would see in Spain, and its the memory of that I think that has stopped me from returning for so long.

Re: better quality of life
 

yes but those moving to Spain cant see this - or they dont want to. They seem to think Spain is some kind of paradise when the reality is a lot different

and when you try to tell them they say you are negative :curse:

Re: better quality of life
 

ive been listening rugbymatt ! what gets to me is everyone keeps putting downers on this thread about spain i said this time and time again at the end of the day we know spain is far far from easy and is nothing like the uk, some of the things people say just dont add up :confused:! if its so bad there and they are struggling why stay there in spain why dont they come back to there beloved uk :D

Re: better quality of life
 

I dont think anyone has said they are struggling pjj

people who live here are just stating facts

of course if was was that bad (for us or anyone else) we/they would go back

thats not the point I and others are trying to make

jeees there is just no helping some people

pjj - maybe start a new "quality of life" thread, I will reply how fantastic it is living here, there are no downsides and you will live happily ever after - how about that :eek:

Re: better quality of life
 

but I've lived & worked here nearly 4 years, & don't want to live anywhere else

BUT IT IS NOT THE PARADISE THAT THOSE WHO HAVE NOT LIVED & WORKED HERE THINK IT IS!!:curse:

Re: better quality of life
 

just trying to give a reality check

we stay because we prefer it here

but is not perfect

Re: better quality of life
 

you'd burn your bum cos your pants would be alight;)

Re: better quality of life
 

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Re: better quality of life
 

We have kids in the local spanish village school. They are settled in and enjoying their time here. Class sizes are about 10-15 instead of 30+.
I believe they have a better quality of life here living in the campo than in the UK.
But for us parents it's the same as being in the uk - work, kids, homework, work, kids, homework.
There are many downsides to life in Spain and some real good points to living in the UK. The weather is the obvious one.