Re: People Going Back To UK
 

I have been really lucky in Spain. I have worked in many sectors ie. bar trade, real estate(office based), retail, security(fitter for Securitas Direct) and now in the golf industry. i can pretty much turn my hand to anything. I think sometimes it is more of a change in direction as well as the other factors i have mantioned. New challenge etc.... I have taken on board a lot of the posts on here and we are going to have a real think in the new year. We are also going to visit my parents for 1 week in January so that will give me the chance to do some fact finding with citizens advice etc... The other thing is that i have seen so many 40 somethings who may not have done their homework, but are scrapeing around for work. I would hate to be in that situation. The other thing is that i am now 33. So if i want to get back into work in the uk i don`t have that much time.

Re: People Going Back To UK
 

I had a job within three weeks of getting of the plane and I`m 35, so I don`t think things are as bad as alot of UK wannabe Expats make out.

It is true you need to experience both sides of the coin before you can decide good or bad.

I`m currently discussing returning to the UK permenantly with my family at the moment, it looks as if that is the way we will go, as i don`t feel secure starting Autonomo in Spain in 2008, if it goes tits up my wife hasn`t been able to find a job worth doin in Spain, so security is goin to be a major issue.

Having been self employed before you soon realise you need a plan B and in Spain thats even harder.

Re: People Going Back To UK
 

We looked back at our photograph collection, and we'd forgotten how many times we'd been to Spain in order to plan our life here. Every other month for almost two years!

Yet some friends visited us recently. Their first trip to mainland Spain, stayed less than a week. On that basis they've decided that they'd like to live out here, and believe it would be both easy and profitable for them to run a bar :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

I remember reading a warning somewhere in a report on ex-pats returning to the UK that 'people don't change', very much along the lines of RM's poem. Many run to the sun believing that things will somehow be better. Broadly speaking, if people are struggling to make things work out in the UK - then they'll struggle just as much making things work in another country, only probably more so.

Re: People Going Back To UK
 

We are buying a bar :p

Re: People Going Back To UK
 

I have always wanted to do the same but I have only ever served behind one and no nothing of the paperwork etc involved in running such a biz either in the UK or in Spain. I would imagine however that one of those courses in bar management might be a good thing to do prior to starting such a life.

I am aware that the sister of a friend owned and ran a cafe in majorca and rememebr being told that the hardest thing (after getting staff that wanted to work!!) was dealing with people like the police as, obviously,everything was conducted in spanish.

Having taken the thread of course....I'll get me coat.

Re: People Going Back To UK
 

Getting a bar is easier in Spain than buying chocolate.

The problem with bar work is there always goin down the toilet.

Too many doing it and most only last a year if there good at it.

I once did a favour for a friend who had a contact who had a bar on the pasaeo in Fuengirola, his glass washer had broke and he didn`t speak Spanish and needed it repaired quicker than manana.

He was out of business by the time I got the parts from the UK.:unsure:

That bar has had three new owners within a year of him leaving.:huh:

And thats in the middle of guiri landia.

Re: People Going Back To UK
 

[QUOTE=lee8;5719637]Getting a bar is easier in Spain than buying chocolate.

Only too true. We moved over in August and there were so many available. I am so glad we didn't have the capital to buy immediately because we could/would have made a big mistake. However, we know the area well now and have found a bar we want. Actually it's my OH who will be running it because I already have a reasonably well-paid job here. We know there are risks involved but if he doesn't give it a go we will never know. And there's only so much Jeremy Kyle he can watch while I'm at work!

Re: People Going Back To UK
 

Well, I managed two bars for a time as a student and getting up for an 8am restock after the rowdy night before is no laughing matter!

Our friends on the other hand are basing their entire investment decision on the basis that they are experienced bar go-ers - so how hard can it be? :rofl:

Re: People Going Back To UK
 

well, my spelling mistakes aside.
I imagine it's very hard, otherwise I'd be out in Marbella owning and watching my theme bar making my fortune:D

Re: People Going Back To UK
 

If you like a drink, a family life or getting to bed before 3am...

Really think hard about running a bar!

Unless you are 'the special one' it is the last train to nowhere with all your money.