Originally Posted by amideislas

Yes, of course, Cman.

Everybody knows everything is much easier here:
http://thisisspain.info/help-advice/...th-bureaucracy
http://www.citymayors.com/politics/s...orruption.html

nobody ever gets swindled or ripped off
http://www.spanishpropertyinsight.co...d-in-alicante/
http://www.thespainforum.com/f341/sp...-spain-185657/
http://www.globaledge.co.uk/news/spa...state-cor-3513
(I could post 1000's of links to endless stories, but really, what's the point?)

fraud is virtually nonexistent:
http://www.recyclingportal.eu/artikel/26735.shtml
http://www.barcelonareporter.com/ind...rd_data_compr/
http://www.lawbird.com/wordpress/vic...anks-to-court/

And the government stays clear of any fraudulent or corrupt activities:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011...-fraud-scandal
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/30/wo...ainjuancarlosi
http://www.economist.com/blogs/charl...ain_so_corrupt
http://corruptioninspain.blogspot.com/

the rule of law here is completely fair in always in favour of the victim:
http://www.eyeonspain.com/spain-maga...-in-spain.aspx

and neither the government nor privileged businesses such as utility companies exhibit any signs of corruption, greed or deliberate fraud, as I have repeatedly claimed (these kinds of things only happen in the US, apparently), and of course, nobody has ever experienced such things in Spain (I made them all up):
http://www.theolivepress.es/spain-ne...shocking-bill/
http://www.wix.com/pimparealwoman/shocking
http://www.euroweeklynews.com/news/m...ath-over-bills!

Naturally, the nonexistent economic crisis in Spain was caused by the US:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/23/bu...pagewanted=all

and despite all the blubbery about some bollocks "Eurozone crisis" the truth is, it's all just the Americans trying to make Europe look bad (or deliberately caused it, if it really does exist at all)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16301630
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/debt-crisis
http://www.economist.com/node/21524378

And anyway, don't worry, the European leadership has it all under control:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012...l?ref=eurozone
http://www.periscopepost.com/2011/10...rozone-crisis/
http://global-security-news.com/2011...ion-and-power/

And I'm sure you believe you're right - so far, I haven't yet been able to produce one shred of evidence to suggest that anything I've ranted about here bears any creedence whatsoever.

Naturally you know all of this because you don't live anywhere else, have never been anywhere else, don't pay attention to the news, and for god's sake, you would never want to live in any of the other shitholes on this planet that are in far worse condition. Besides, you get your info from internet forums or hear it from some nutter at the coffee shop, which makes it all very credible.

So, anyone wondering if in the current economic climate, there's anything special to consider when considering moving to Spain, well, at least according to Cman, not much that you wouldn't consider in your own country. It's basically the same everywhere, except here you won't have anywhere near the same problems you would elsewhere.

Adios.

Originally Posted by cricketman

It is very humid up near Barcelona and Valencia (well, at least in the cities from my experience), but there is hardly any humidity in the Costa del sol, the heat is very dry

It is more comfortable at night in Cádiz province. However, I wouldnt recommend Tarifa, the wind would drive you crazy! A high proportion of the time it is difficult to even walk on the beach

Gran Canaria is known to host World Wind and Kite surfing championships. Asturias on the North Coast is also good for surfing and wind surfing. You would get a great "Spain experience" because you would have to speak Spanish up there, but the weather isnt always sunny (which I see you are seeking)

However, there are lots of good places all over Spain,it depends what you are looking for.

If sun and wind surfing are the most important than Gran Canaria, although as a foreigner it could feel live living on holiday for the years you are there, rather than being part of the wider culture. And it is a small island, not a great cultural experience for your kids

In my opinion, if you want a cultural experience for your children, then stay away from the areas where the millions of tourists go every year, otherwise they will end up like an American I know who has lived here for 2 years and thinks scampi and chips is Spanish food. Go to one of the cities within an hour drive of the beach, so you can go there at the weekend. Seville and Granada for example would be good choices in the South, expecially if you could escape Seville in July and August and camp out on the beautiful Cádiz or Huelva coast

Originally Posted by amideislas

That is one of my few peeves about the Americans.. they often seem to have little understanding of the rest of the world, or how good they have it. Always complaining about how terrible everything is in their beautiful country, yet at the same time enjoying a better standard of living, lower taxes and other burdens, lower unemployment, with stronger and more effective rule of law than most of the rest of us.

Another common misrepresentation is the "internet speed", which, certainly you can make the mistake of ordering 8Mb service, but you may find out that the highest speed the local infrastructure can deliver is about 600Kbps. Sorry, too late.. You are now roped into Europe's most expensive internet package for one year. You won't be able to change it until your contract expires, regardless of the fact that the provider can't possibly deliver the service you're paying for. Your fault for being so naive.

The OP's nationality and all things associated with it are framed as the world's least desirable, the demeanour of the OP's nationality is said to be "snobbish", whilst at the same time wholly dismissing the widely-famed snobbish character of the nationality of those making such claims, and all of their previously posted implications of superiority in virtually all things compared to those greedy, unrefined and daft American "snobs".

And that, my friends, speaks for itself. Welcome to the refined and noble English character. I for one, have become increasingly reluctant to even admit that I'm English.

Originally Posted by bostonlady

Hello,

Just reading some threads and information about the current economic state of Spain. My family has been planning a move to Spain since 2009. We are planning to go in June of 2013. We even have the contractors lined up to spruce up the house prior to it going up for sale.

My husband is employeed, and his company will relocate him to a place where they have a presence. (2 year max) He is an senior software designer. So we have a steady income. Our children are 4 and 7.

Curious, on how bad and depressing is Spain is right now? From what I read it does not sound as grim as Greece, where the trash is not even being collected. It sounds like things will be very tight with the projected 30 bn needed to be collected over the next 3 years. I can not envision any boarded up businesses or restuarants or any lack of "life", that spirit of the people that make us want to live there.

The U.S. in no picnic right now. I have lived here all my life and have never seen it as bad as it is now. And that includes the years when George W. Bush was president...

Any thoughts or comments? If you could move to Spain (Valencia) or Tenerife in the year to come would you? If not where would you live?

Thanks

Originally Posted by bostonlady

Hi CricketMan,

While we were in Spain we spent only 2 days in Cadiz,I absolutely LOVED it. It has such a wonderful feel to it. I thought Tarifa was a little unappealing. We spent 2 night so my husband could windsurf and I did not find the area to safe. IN MY OPINION. We really loved Sevilla. Had some wonderful conversations with some Germans and Japenses folks. Its a very nice area. Full of history.

We spent a month with the children in 2009. We drove from Madrid to Segovia, to Cordoba, Seville, Cadiz, Tarifa, Malaga to Grenada and back to Madrid....

I was really impressed with the amount of wind farms. Does Spain get a lot of their power from alternate sources?

Originally Posted by bostonlady

Hi CricketMan,

While we were in Spain we spent only 2 days in Cadiz,I absolutely LOVED it. It has such a wonderful feel to it. I thought Tarifa was a little unappealing. We spent 2 night so my husband could windsurf and I did not find the area to safe. IN MY OPINION. We really loved Sevilla. Had some wonderful conversations with some Germans and Japenses folks. Its a very nice area. Full of history.

We spent a month with the children in 2009. We drove from Madrid to Segovia, to Cordoba, Seville, Cadiz, Tarifa, Malaga to Grenada and back to Madrid....

I was really impressed with the amount of wind farms. Does Spain get a lot of their power from alternate sources?

Originally Posted by cricketman

It also has the highest unemployment in Europe and an important gypsy community so that may lead to it maybe feeling a little unsafe, due to the desperate need for people to get money anywhere they can.

However, Spain in general is very safe, the highest recorded crime in Europe and a murder rate over 10 times better than New york. But, a lot of the crime here is tends to be pick pocketing or mugging. Especially if you stand out and are speaking English in a touristy area. However, in 5 years here I've never had any problems except that I got robbed on my first day in Lisbon, probably because I looked like a tourist there - lost, maps out and dragging luggage. It's not unusual to be robbed if you look like a tourist or a foreigner. http://www.travelinginspain.com/safety.html

Yes, Spain is the (third world?) world's third (the US being the leader) in alternative energy, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy_in_Spain although Spain continues to grant a licence to its monopolistic energy companies to be the sole providers of that energy, making Spain's energy among the highest priced in Europe, in addition to routine overcharging with legal impunity, while offering the least reliable service in Europe, http://www.spanishpropertyco.com/Ele...,%20water.html http://www.theolivepress.es/spain-ne...shocking-bill/ while well, maybe along with Germany who recently has decided to halt and decommission all nuclear and other forms of alternative energy and rely solely on fossil fuels for the foreseeable future, largely due to the influence of the Russian gas and oil lobby http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_in_Germany http://oilandglory.foreignpolicy.com...in_russias_arm.

My sister in law is an engineer of wind farms here, a growing source of energy in Spain, nonetheless we are still far from the leaders in this field http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_power_in_Spain. There is also a lot of hydro electricity in the North and a number of solar farms in the middle. It's important to Spain as they have no oil resources of their own and very few nuclear plants (which do not have the backing of public opinion)

Originally Posted by amideislas

CMan, I took the liberty of correcting your mistakes, and even gave you a few links to clarify.

You can thank me later.

Oh, and I also, I added your ROFL icon.

Ami

Originally Posted by cricketman

Oh I thought you'd gone never to return

Spain is the 3rd biggest producer of renewable energy, but given that the population is a small fraction of Germany's and the US's then the proportion of total energy that is renewables is much higher

Obama asked Spanish companies to come to the US to teach them about renewable eneergy

Now can you go annoy someone else. TROLL

Originally Posted by cricketman

Spain is already the world leader in green energy.

Originally Posted by chrisjolly

Although the economy is in a poor state, on a personal level where ordinary people just get on with their lives its still as great as ever it was. Spanish people, Spanish lifestyle and the climate make it still one of the best places to live in Europe...where can you go into a bar, have a drink and end up dancing the Flamenco, making new friends and enjoying the best tapas in the world..it only happens in Spain or Spanish speaking countries. They are fantastic and if you have the right personality to join in with people then you will never regret it...

Originally Posted by bigglesworth

Bostonlady, we have just (one year ago) left Spain for France. We spent nearly two years in one of the less known parts of Spain - Galicia.
It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas in Spain, although admittedly wet. People are genuine, generous and welcoming. Beaches are absolutely fabulous. Wooded coastlines, some super local wines, marvellous seafood, masses to see and explore.

We only left because I have to return to the UK once a month for work. Flights can be a bit infrequent, this was compounded by the two volcanic explosions.
But we still miss it, returned last year for a month to see the wonderful Spanish friends we made. It felt just like going home, and we will do the same again every year.

Sound or silly? Well, if your other half has a two year contract, what have you got to lose? The only other advice we would give (and sorry if you have already answered this, but it is a long thread) - DO learn Spanish. It makes life so much easier. And Incidentally, for all the horror stories we were told about Spanish bureaucracy, we found that so long as we communicated in Spanish, everyone was very helpful indeed. (For the record, we have found that in France as well.)

Originally Posted by bostonlady

Thank you. We are all learning Spanish now. The adults are in "conversational Spanish" while my children are taking lessons an hour a week. We have a lot of things labeled around the house in Spanish and the English word beneath it. We hope to be able to get along well and make some Spanish speaking friends.
It would be nice to be able to walk to a cafe and see the same faces, etc. I would love to be able to use public transportation to get along and not require a car. Have access to seasonal produce. ANd yes, escape the ice cold weather. .

Thanks for the post. Where abouts are you in France. My husband spent some time in Montpellier before we were married. He still loves it!