rugbymatt

Hey Duncan, good to have you back..........

jackytoo

Who is Duncan Is he another pretend Spaniard too?

rugbymatt

We suspect, that Duncan is SoS.....

Cape Blue

Quite amusing really, the foam-flecked tory readers of the Times would normally be fully for this sort of thing - "making the scroungers pay up" rather than "hard working families" having to pay more taxes etc, but as it is Labor that has put this measure forward they are now bleating out for the human rights legislation that they usual decry.

JnK

As we woke up yesterday to yet another grey damp day, more traffic jams in our small Wiltshire market town, more scrums down Morrisons with grumpy miserable looking people with enough food in their trolleys to survive a 40-day siege, and hardly a smile or a merry christmas, we are just so glad to have the opportunity to give Spain a go and are so looking forward to a very different Christmas next year.

Thanks to all who've added to this thread and a very Merry Christmas to you all, closely followed by a happy and prosperous 2009!
JnK

steviedeluxe

Much as I'm an admirer of the Spanish and their way of living, I'm afraid that you'll find shopping in Spanish supermarkets, and traffic jams in the towns and cities, just as annoying and tedious as in the UK. Still, it helps if the sun is shining. Good luck with your move, and a Merry Christmas to you!

JnK

I think that's the thing that makes the biggest difference ... the sun will be shining having lived 27 years in South Africa and 12 years back in Blighty, I do so miss that big yellow orb it lifts your spirits without a doubt, and I think the mania is shops wasn't so bad there because with the sun being in residence, people tend to spend more time outside relaxing and having fun whereas when it's grey, damp and miserable ... well ... it seems to be shopping or the pub

rugbymatt

Yep and the good thing is that it never rains in Spain and is always warm and toastie.....

JnK

Mmmmmm ... do I detect a note of cynicism there ...

rugbymatt

ME?!

lynnxa

maybe you do



but then it's a cold grey day here in Spain today

Fuzzlepop

I forgot one important thing - the beaches!

Ray51

Not in Arxarxia !

spainboy

How is Spain cheaper??
On a whole I don't think it is when you compare it to the wages out here. Iam still living out here and I pay 750 euros in rent. I can get something at 500eu but it's a slum. My internet charges with telefonica is 40euros plus tax,plus line rental so in all its about 62euros. In the UK you can get ADSL,line rental, mobile contract and digital TV channels for £30 with Virgin.
In Leeds I can rent a luxury apartment for less than £500

My electricity is 125euro every 2 months for a 2 bed house. My parents pay £70 every 2 months. Gas in Spain is cheaper cos we are on bottled so we normally spend 27euro a month compared to £40 in the uk but my mums central heating is on most nights in the uk.

Shopping at the moment is cheaper back in the uk. I went back 4 weeks ago and they are having big price wars on at the moment. There are a lot of 2 for 1 offers and you can get a trolly full now for about £35. The only supermarket in spain I find cheaper than anything in the uk is Mercadona but you are limited to what you can buy and dont do a lot of good tinned food, but for essentials it is very good.
Beer,cigarettes and petrol cheaper in Spain and road tax is cheaper but I find 2nd hand cars much dearer than back home. There is no council tax in Spain but I dont particuarly think renting is cheaper in spain either.

Both countries have their pros and cons and of course you do have the weather here although saying that in June, July and August I much prefer the Uk weather. As for beauty(countyside) the UK for me wins hands down.When you drive through the dales,the lake district or the cotsworlds nothing in Spain compares to it. I live on the costa Blanca and it's baron but I do know its not all like that and I know in the North its very much like the UK.

I do love both countries very much but I cannot slate Blighty in any way.It is still one of the nicest countries in the world.

jackytoo

Good post Spainboy, you tell it like it is. It is cheaper in the UK just now if you count the rubbish exchange rate. Many people won't admit it or they do not actually travel and shop in the UK much. Bit of Karma for you