British Expats - Happy St Georges Day - 2 Years since I left the UK!!

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Happy St Georges Day - 2 Years since I left the UK!!

Happy St Georges day - The Day I left!

Hi all,

Sorry I havn't been hugely active on this forum recently. But did want to make sure I pop back in, just to wish everyone a happy St Georges day, and to spread some good vibe on my own success story of moving out to Spain.

Some of the old timers will remember me from the thread "Adventures of Onlineamiga". For those that dont. Well On April 23 2007, I took a one way flight to Malaga to try a new life in Spain. It was a risk, as I had no job, and didnt know anyone down here either. Having only been a couple of times before to the area on holiday.

Things were not plain sailing by any stretch. The original intention was to drive. But a car accident two weeks before I was due to come out, had me change plans from a drive, to a flight. I was due to come out here and get things together, and then my girlfriend and her baby son to follow out afterwards. Unfortunately the relationship went down the tubes when I found out she cheated on me whilst I was here. :thumbdown:

However, on the up side. Despite the warnings of unemployment, within 7 days of landing, I had a job interview, and a job offer, doing what I do best. IT Support. I also got myself a lovely apartment in Estepona, overlooking the Marina. The job had me meet people who are now life long friends whom i'm still friends with even now. My social life went up through the roof and the money was good. The insurance money came through for the car, so I bought a new one. I made it up with the ex girlfriend, but just as friends. She stayed in the UK where she has since met someone new and is very happy. I felt it was a blessing as I dont think Spain would have been right for her, and it would have held me back.

A bump in the road occured in November 2007 when the company I was working for were having problems, and it was becoming evident that the security of the job was not what it once was. I was staring to see a lot of things I didnt like. They even tried to con me into another temporary contract when I should have had the indefinido. So in order to not loose eveyrthing I had worked for, i set my sights back on the job market. Having cleverly positioned myself in Estepona. I looked away from Marbella and by January 2008, I had started a new job in Gibraltar. Doing the same thing. IT Support. All my friends left Marbella in the end, and each of us found IT work in Gibraltar or nearby. So we are all still good friends to this day.

This year I have been promoted to senior technical support. And despite the credit crises, the company is expanding and we are really really busy! Something I am very greatful of!

I did move closer up towards Gibraltar. But found myself missing Estepona tto much! So at the beginning of 2009 I moved back there. Its is a bit of a commute every day. But as I sit here on my red hot balcony feeling at home typing this up. Its worth it!!

Estepona is my home now. I am a life away to what I was two years ago. As for the most, I'm feeling very settled. I do miss the days of working in Marbella. Its a far nicer place than Gibraltar to work. But at the moment I am very fortunate to have what I have, so I am not complaining.

I know I am lucky having secured the jobs I did. Which enabled me to stay here. But its not just about finding the right job. Its finding the right people. I have to thank British Expats, especially John and Heather (mr and mrsjdr) for their amazing hospitality and help. I've also met some very good friends out here. Who un be known to them, have really helped me come out of myself and be confident enough to have done all this.

I've had some amazing times and hope to continue to do so.

Some of you my remember the videos I was putting together. Since life became normal. There hasnt really been a great deal to video. Unless peopel want to see a video fo me going to work every day!

But I have, for old times sake, uploaded some of the previous stuff to my youtube account.

You can see everything on http://www.youtube.com/onlineamiga

Theres also a hidden video of me on youtube. Which happens to be the most embarassing one, especially as I was completely sober at the time in fuengirola. I'm not giving you the link. But I will tell you a clue "My friend Dave is not old but he likes West Life"

So there we have. Woo Hoo 2 years today since I took that flight on my own. And for me its all been a success! I hope others find some inspiration and reassurance that moving to Spain can work. I know i've had it easier in the sense that i havnt had to bring a family and are lucky enough to have I.T Skills. But yes moving to Spain can work,. and it is the best thing I have ever done. I have never been so happy and I have absolutely no plans to return to the UK.

So onwards for next year.. all I need now is a nice girl!!! (any takers?) ;)