Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

Ain´t that the truth! I have "Binman" on my ignore list so mercifully don´t have to read his childish, predictable ramblings, but if I had to be broke, I´d prefer it to be in UK. I can live without the sun, but it´s hard without money. Agree with previous comments about using UK as a safety net, many do so willingly, and many although they don´t even want to go back, find it impossible to soldier on in Spain without any financial support. I have always said Spain is a great place to retire to, if you have sufficient money not to have to worry about exchange rates. :) Those people are still enjoying a great life (well, apart from the rain, but that should change this week!;)) but many of the less fortunate are struggling. These are hard times for some.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

I agree with you about the legitimate benefits, but in saying that I dont know anyone Spanish living in the UK, that has exported any benefit whatsoever from Spain.
I am not aliking a pensions because that is a different matter.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

Out of curiosity, would returning Spanish to Spain after many years out of the country be able to claim any similar benefits? :confused:

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

To be honest I dont know, all the Spanish I know who have returned had cash saved to open a business, a job, or a pension from abroad.

But taking into account how long it takes to process and be paid benefits in Spain, not to mention the load of paperwork that you have to show when trying to claim, I think the claimant may have starved to death....

A payment would be minimal if any, with the amount of rent the claimant would have to pay not even being taken into account.
Housing benefit does not exist as far as I knw.

I know that the over 52s get a payment as long as they have paid into the system, the amount is 400 odd euros a month (i think), but if you have to pay 400 rent, tough....

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

That is true, I have a friend who although she was born in Holland is now a Spanish citizen, and this is what she gets, (she is 58) but she does have to do a certain amount of community work to remain eligible for it.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

I also seem to remember seeing an interview with a Spanish couple, both having lost their jobs, and they had the dates of when their dole money dole stopped (2 years?) firmly in their minds. After that period, they would be pretty much on their own.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

I have noticed that the opportunities for working moms is limited here in Spain.

When they have children they have two options. Either to return full-time after just 4 months (I think) or not. There is no consideration for them to return to work part-time.

Many women are reluctant to give up their careers totally (most studied a long time for their qualifications) and most cannot afford to give up a second wage, so its a tough choice.

The UK has provisions for both working moms to carry on working in their jobs part-time. Also many companies are willing to hire women to work just school hours.

I know a few spanish moms who would love the opportunity to bring in a few bob with a little part-time job and still have their time with the children after school.

Hopefully it will change to offer a better work/children balance for working moms.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

I agree that there are more opportunities for part-time work in the UK.

You even get childcare paid for (via tax credits) under some circumstances.

The UK is better all round if you are poor.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

Why not? It's a legitimate reason. What you are doing is giving all your responses and then saying it isn't alright for people to give theirs. People don't want to be litteraly skint and in the street with no money but they do tend to mean that they would prefer to live on a little money over here than a little money over there. Or is it ok for you to give all your responses and hush any opposing reason before it arises. Whatever dude, that's crack bang out of order, you should be an mp. I'm off this discussion now, if you can't accept what people say and open your mind to other peoples thoughts then what's the point.:thumbsup: As for getting back into the system in the Uk without much hassle.. Well have you tried.? I have and got nowt my mate. I would've got something if, I had have been in prison and not been away from the country. For some reason it seems acceptable to be a criminal and get free money after leaving prison for whatever crime.
Not, oh I've saved and paid all my taxes up to date and been away for a while, now I have a wife and child, what help can I have whilst I try to get a job..?? Nothing my friend, unless of course I was from another country entirely which I found even more interesting as they had been out of the country for far longer than I. (never been in it actually) However you will be given over 100 pounds a week, a car, a mobile and a house, I know these facts as I was told them and have seen them first hand. I was sat next to a Ukranian who was informed via a translator what exactly he could have for nothing. So don't tell me that it is easy to get back into the system and that the British system is fair. It ain't. Keep it. Lick it and stamp it. I will go back from time to time to visit family. That's it. I love the country, hate what it is becoming.

Well I wonder who he means.:confused: Childish indeed?:rofl: O.K. Maybe you have ignored me because you are not liking the facts when they are shoved in your face. If you can't handle the truth or even people disagreeing with you then you should not make statements that are so bold and dreadfully wrong.:thumbsup: I have my own theories and experiences to draw from and expect nothing from anyone. I also am liable to change my mind if enough facts are given to me.
There is an old saying that a wise man may change his mind, but a fool never will. I know I am no fool, but it seems that if you ignore someone who has a difference of opinion then you are not willing to listen when a change of mind is called for.:thumbdown::cool:

This is my last post on this subject as all the points have been made for both sides and I understand that the Spanish government will not feed me forever for free should I lose my job. However I do think something is coming to the UK that will be quite awful. I don't like the thought of it and it is why I work like a badger over here to keep me and mine as well informed and happy as possible. JLFS, I do agree with some of your statements too.:thumbup:

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

That 50 cents wine really works doesn't it:rofl:

There are lots of things wrong with the uk but this is a Spanish forum for topics related to Spain. I am sure if I was on a UK forum I would have plenty of whinges about the place. Some people really ought to let go and concentrate on the life they have now.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

[QUOTE=Lushdaddy;8424325]Why not? It's a legitimate reason. What you are doing is giving all your responses and then saying it isn't alright for people to give theirs. People don't want to be litteraly skint and in the street with no money but they do tend to mean that they would prefer to live on a little money over here than a little money over there. Or is it ok for you to give all your responses and hush any opposing reason before it arises. Whatever dude, that's crack bang out of order, you should be an mp. I'm off this discussion now, if you can't accept what people say and open your mind to other peoples thoughts then what's the point.:thumbsup: As for getting back into the system in the Uk without much hassle.. Well have you tried.? I have and got nowt my mate. I would've got something if, I had have been in prison and not been away from the country. For some reason it seems acceptable to be a criminal and get free money after leaving prison for whatever crime.

I think my words were "please lets not have any Id rather be skint in the sun comments"
ask the poor Africans, what it is like to be skint in the sun. Then you will realise how stupid it sounds, blazing sun does nothing for grinding poverty.

It is hardly in the Saddam Hussein Super Dictator league is it?????

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

Seems to me one of the good things about being in Spain at the moment is the distance from the impending doom of a general election and trying to decide which party leader's wife to vote for.

You can call me Al.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

You mean "smiley binman"?

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

Thanks, I like that more than just binman.:thumbup:

You still wrote it down though, that's what it means and that's what you wrote. As for swooping to Africa, we weren't on the topic of Africa so why would you bring it up? Africa has nothing to do with this.:p
No you may not be in the super dictator league but they all started somewhere. Maybe on forums, who knows..:thumbup:

[QUOTE=jackytoo;8424525]That 50 cents wine really works doesn't it:rofl:

QUOTE]

Yeah, great shot.:zzz: That was a fact that I brought up, I didn't say I drank it, I merely stated that it was cheaper than in the UK. I would hazard a guess that you drink more cheap wine than I do because I don't drink alcohol. Another thing that you have misinterpreted..

Seriously, that's it from me on this..:eek:

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

[QUOTE=Lushdaddy;8424778]



I don't see the logic in that statement...I drink more cheap wine than you do...yada yada