Dondurma

Costa Del Sol: The Last Brits Standing - the end of an expat dream? | Television & radio | The Guardian

bobd22

Yes I watched that program last night. It did give an insight on some of the worst sides of the experience of living in Spain. However didn't seem to go out of it's way to show the more positive side i.e. those happy with their lot and enjoying life. That is a pity as would have been a more rounded approach. A bit like the Winter Fuel payment though the British public or many of them will be quite happy to see those that tried to make a better life suffering, green eyed monster syndrome is alive and well unless of course they are getting a cheap holiday out of you.

Dick Dasterdly

Shame they concentrate this programme and a few others like it mainly around the trashy tourist areas.
There must be a hell of a lot of expats living contentedly in much more rural settings, but maybe that would be too boring viewing material.

Rosemary

I agree, if they came and filmed my life they would lose viewers because it is too ordinary for television but is suits me and I suspect there are a lot of people with similar lives.

Rosemary

mikelincs

Exactly, normal happy people just don't make good TV.

casa del sol

Living in the more rural areas means that only pop down to the beach or shopping places during the day. The cheap return bus service is very good for people who would prefer not to drive. I have never seen drunk and rowdy people when visiting the tourist areas, all very calm and collected. Must be a night time thing. Do listen to talk radio europe and bbc world service. Otherwise normal free Spanish TV, a really great way to pick up and learn the language


I do agree though that people that live in the smaller villages that do not have such a high concentration of expats do make more of an effort to speak the language and integrate, they have to, not a bad thing if living there permanently.

missile

Good news is no news. It has always been thus but seems to be getting worse. TV treats the public like idiots. News programs are now a compilation titillating repeated sound bites assuming the viewer has an attention span no longer than a gnat.

Neptuno

I missed it
How can I watch it on I player in Spain, on my Ipad

missile

You need something like tunnel bear > https://www.tunnelbear.com/ to fool iPlayer into thinking you are in the UK.

Neptuno

Is it free, and legal?

missile

There are a number of options, the cheapest is free. I feel sure BBC would not be happy and you are obviously breaking their terms and conditions for iPlayer, but AFIK it is legal.

EMR

I watched it, typical tabloid preconceptions of expats, the Costa del Crime character, the failed businessman living on his UK pension and the young girl working in a bar in a downmarket area etc etc.
Add in the comments from the Spanish taxi driver and you could have been watching the Spanish version of a UKIP party political broadcast.

Leper

Spain is the obvious choice for any Irishman/Brit in which to retire because of its sunshine, proximity to airports etc. Living in Spain is not cheap and not everybody can afford it. The dream must be worked on and lots of this work involves sacrifice of some sort or another.

It is no harm that the negative side of existing in Spain was shown on television. This and other forums have daily requests from wannabe expats to Spain. The reality is far from their reality. Even the package holidaymaker loses sight of what Spain is like today and with rose tinted glasses thinks a life in Spain is easily attained.

Of course, we know there must be several things in place before we can live the dream.

101wvd

Leper, as someone who is coming over to Costa Blanca shortly with a view to purchasing a home (we are retired) could you please give me some negatives as examples as this would be very helpful instead of reading all the glossy blurb of the Estate Agents. We had a holiday home in La Manga over 30 years ago but that was not 'living' in Spain. We have recently sold a villa in Florida which we stayed at around 6 months a year and also rented it out to Short Term holiday makers when we were not there.

It would be great if people who already live in Spain could give me their insight into the negatives so I can put them against the positives!! Many thanks in advance.

Leper

Spain like everywhere else has changed in 30 years, so while you are returning to the country where you once lived everything has changed. Those in search of the so called Real Spain are chasing the wind. But, you are no looking for work and perhaps this is your biggest positive.

I do not know what age you are but you are retired:-
Is it a good decision to purchase a home in Spain when you can rent in a good resort for €550.00 per month (2 bedroom apartment with communal swimming pool)?

Let's say you decide to buy (a) Your savings take a huge hit (b) You are effectively anchored forever (c) You will be liable for all Spanish taxes and official paperwork like you never encountered before.

If you rent (a) You can move anytime you like (b) There is little hit on your savings.

If you can decide on the above, you're on your way for a good time in Spain. The other negatives can be resolved far easier.