Rotor

How many of you have counted up how many have `Gone Back` and compared it with how many newbies have arrived in your area , I know of 12 familiy`s that have gone back and only two newbie family`s,
I guess it goes in cycles and in two to three years there will be another wave coming over.

Tele Addict

I don't think it's fair to say sinking ship. You need to do the same comparison for all expat destinations and see if the ratio is the same. I've been here about 10 years and in that time I've seen a constant stream of people going home over that time. None of them were integrated in any way and most looked at the Spanish as a single person with no individuality, i.e. "the Spanish this, the Spanish that". Most of that type seem to be gone within about 3 years of arriving, and most don't even acquire enough skill in Spanish even to be able to request a foreigner's number without an escort.

HBG

I saw the relevant figures earlier today, in a computer magazine of all places.

In May, 2000, the pound stood at 1.69 Euros, in May this year it stood at 1.16 Euros.

For those on tight UK incomes, they would have no choice but to go back, and I know many that have.

If the pound goes up again against the Euro, as it might, who knows . . .

Rotor

Most of the ones I know who have gone back were of working age so the exchange rate was not that big an issue ,in fact its benificial if you can sell your house,that alone may inspire some to cash in, as we all know there`s very little work about and I think thats the main reason.

lynnxa

yes true enough - in the years we've been here there has been a steady stream of returners - but this past 6-12 months there has been a grand exodus - at least in our area

all sorts of people - families, pensioners, early retired with money behind them - some started businesses which did well for a while - then died

quite a few families have split up - one parent staying with or without the kids & the other going back

sometimes they say it's 'just for work' - then it transpires that divorce is in the works

some leave with a big party - but more just disappear off the radar - then one day you realise that you haven't seen them for a while and on asking around you discover that they've gone back................

Rotor

Ive seen a lot of this ,I think for many Spain was a last attempt to repair
things and for others the financial strain was the problem.

agoreira

I think often that one partner in the marriage/relationship is more keen on the move than the other, and goes along for the ride! We have good friends in Portugal, they moved out without any real research, don't speak the lingo, etc, you know, usual story. She came over on her own recently and said it's OK, but if he was to die tomorrow, I'd be back on the next plane! I know if it was up to her, they'd both be back tomorrow.

CBANDY

I have been here 12 years and, as someone else said, there have always been people comming and going. But what we have noticed in the past 2-3 years is that we have lost most of our long term friends. People we have known for about 8-10 years. On the up side we have made more friends in the last year through my daughter starting school. That has made my wife a lot happier. We still plan to move back one day but the pressure is off a bit now as my job seems to have settled down again and we have some more friends.

expat2be

Sounds like the major motivator to return home is a financial one (whether that's lack of work or poor exchange rate). We only currently manage to visit Spain 3 or 4 times a year but we're still as excited about increasing this with a view to making the move full time than we were 3 years ago when we first started considering it. Times are rough everywhere at the moment but some nice Spanish air always manages to put a smile on peoples faces.

CBANDY, glad to hear things are working out better for you now.

Veleta

I've seen none arrive and none go back to the UK.
Not sure what that means!

heath1974

At this moment in time, I have more Spanish clients than British clients.

There's a mixture of reasons though.

In over five years I've lived here, I've become more integrated and much more proficient with the language.

There seems to be more Brits leaving (were residing here), or not spending money in Spain (second home owners), because of the economic climate and exchange rate changes.

Overall, I'm fortunate in that work has been steady and regular. It's not increased, nor has it reduced, in quantity and value of contracts undertaken.

I look at contracts the same way, irrespective of if it's for fellow expatriates, or local Spaniards. Interestingly though, it's been more the case that the locals have noticed the reduction of Brits in different villages and towns where I work.

Most of my friends and work colleagues though, are either Spanish locals, or fellow expatriates, who have settled and integrated well, with no intention or need to return to the UK.

Certainly Spain is in the midst of very difficult economic times, but then, so are many other countries. I remain positive. Every so often, there's an economic crisis. Granted, the most recent one was particularly difficult, but things will recover... they always do.

lynnxa

probably that you have no friends


more likely you just don't mix with so many expats though - or live in an area where so many live

agoreira

You're right, just think this little blip will take a lot longer to recover from than some of the previous one's, and not really sure it will even come back to the same level.

Veleta

It's true, I don't know many at all. And those that I do know of are all 'young'. I'm not aware of any retirees here (which seems to be the typical profile for the Costa expats), so nobody is dependent upon a UK income/pension. Perhaps that makes a difference.

Rotor

I think it will get back to how it was 3 years ago but it may take 5 to 7 years to get there ,Brits will always long for the sunshine and beaches and a culture change so when the UK economy picks up it will boost the Spanish economy