Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

And on the whole, UK Benefits.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

Well, most of the posts about benefits relate to claiming them in Spain but point taken yeah.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

It's the nature of forums! :) Someone says something good, someone doesn't agree, and offers an alternative opposite view. If the thread were "Living in UK-the bad things" we'd probably end up talking about one of the good things, ie the benefits! :) Read any forum, they all tend to go off topic to a degree, and unless it's wildly off topic I don't see a problem there. The fact that people are writing and reading the forum is the important thing, without that the forum dies.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

I don't agree with that at all.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

Would you mind elaborating on the Internet Shopping please ??
IE: Are their companies in the UK, suppliers online that is, that'll ship to Spain?
I can't find any, other than the Paypal-Pay up-They white van it-You pay again for doorstop delivery...

I need v soon to get a load of decent electrical goods amongst other items, and would love to know of other Countries, or more specific Spanish online Sites that work good.
"Like the old Country"...

Thanks;
DSB.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

Not a personal recommendation, but I have seen people that are happy with these for electrical goods. (not sure whether you mean TV's etc, or electrical fitiings etc)
http://www.electroprecio.es/
Also recommended was http://www.kelkoo.es/ they deal with online companies, and Amazon Uk also sends a lot of stuff to Spain quite cheaply.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

I have been in Andalucia for 7 years ... if you learn a little Spanish you will have a much better time here .... I use my pool 6 months a year and eat outside for 7-8 months a year. The winters can be chilly gut never freezing. Visit a few times at different times of the year .... or come over and rent for a while and try it out ... Ben

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

Maybe that tells us something about the type of person who frequents these forums?

More seriously, I am split about the UK benefits system. On the first hand I am pleased that there is protection to make sure noone needs to go cold and hungry. But on the 2nd hand I feel Britain is very good at subsidising the poor, but then making sure they stay poor and on benefits rather than giving them a helping hand up the ladder so they no longer need subsidies.

Being on benefits and not working should not allowed to be a career option. Many British people feel that the state "owes them something" sinply for being British, well good for them I guess, but it is a strange attitude.

Giving that there is no safety net in Spain I am amazed that we do not hear stories of people starving to death. But then the safety net in Spain is the extended family and the church rather than the state. I am very much for families and friends taking responsibility for each other and helping each other out rather then help coming from a faceless state system.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

I have never drawn a cents worth of benefits in my life but I can see why someone would need to use it as a support network, luckily I have a large family around me, ok not around me but they are there all the same and they are always there in times of need but I honestly don't understand why people think its a good thing to stay on it, their self esteem must be absolutely shot to pieces!

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

This supposes that you have friends and family that are not in the same boat as you, that they are financially in a position to help you. I think it would test the greatest friendship if you continually expected friends to keep help bailing you out. The UK benefits system has lots of fault, is often abused, but IMHO is a far batter system than that operated my many other countries. Luckily, I have never been reliant on benefits, nor I doubt you have, but for those that need it, it is often a godsend. I have said before a very good friend of mine is severely disabled, spends 90% of his time in a wheelchair, and he wants for nothing. Nor should he, he deserves every penny, and although he teaches Spanish, I bet he's glad he doesn't live there and have to rely on the Spanish system of benefits. He has little strength in his arms, so the local education centre has a new computer setup for him, a white board and a computer he uses on his lap whilst in his mobility scooter to teach. He told me last night he's getting another new 7 seater car (to be able to take his hoist for his scooter) and although he will pay towards that, as he hasn't had a full time job for years and years, it will be from money he has received in benefits. We always hear of the abuse of the system, but for large numbers of people it's the only way they wil get any quality of life whatsoever. Certainly nothing that family and friends could provide.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

Of course disabled people should be supported and in Spain I believe they are. I'm not sure how it works though, whether it is through the state or through NGOs such as Once. Spain has a very good record of employing disabled people. I've seen a number of downs syndrome people here working in garages and fast food restaurants and many of the TV adverts boast how they have schemes for emplying disabled people.

However, I dont know the ins and outs of the systems in both countries to compare directly.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

What are expats without extended family in Spain going to do if they get ill/frail and unable to look after themselves properly?

Their neighbours may help them out with shopping and things like that, but they are not going to wipe bottoms, get up/put to bed or shower someone are they?

I wonder if many people ever make any arrangements in case this should happen?

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

Yes that is very important. The state will not look after you in Spain that is down to your relatives.

Just as a side point, we often speak on here as if Spain has no social benefit service. This is wrong, of course it does have. It just choses to give benefits out in a very different way to the UK.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

Nor me, but it would have to be good to equal or exceed what he gets in UK. Years and years ago we were looking at OU Spanish, and it's a very long 3 years course, and cost thousands, but it cost him zilch. :) Nice new extension built to house wetroom, with a toilet that washes and dries your bum! It's great to see it making such a difference to his life.

Re: Living in Spain - the good things!
 

And if you are a foreigner and have no relatives, what do you do?

Another good reason for maintaining a base in the UK.