spain or uk
 

Hi to every one , as im still looking at moving to spain for a change in life style even though im being told by my friends that i would be mad to up sticks and to move spain at the moment , i know this topic has probably come up before but im intrigued to know from any one on the forum , With the currant economic climate with both countrys in recssion and it not being easy to make ends meet in both countrys where do you / or would you prefer to live and for what reasons ?:unsure:

Re: spain or uk
 

If its not easy to make ends meet in England, then Spain is 10 times worse.

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hi jlfs theres a lot people struggling to make ends meet all around the global but is that really going to stop people giving it a go surely spain still has a lot to offer the life style is so much more appealing than the uk :huh:

Re: spain or uk
 

I prefer Spain...

If I was retiring...

If I didn't have kids...

If I had no money worries...

If I spoke spanish fluently...

OR if I was young and single, I would be in Madrid for sure...


:thumbsup:

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The volcanic dust cloud made me realise that if transport was to be shut down completely long term, I'd rather be stuck this side that the other.

Re: spain or uk
 

Hi pjj,

Spain has a lot to offer if you are in a position to enjoy it, ie no money worries, or a good job lined up.

In time of recession, it is not a wise move to go from one country in recession to another in a worse situation than the one you are leaving.

The idea is that you leave a country that is in recession to go to one that has better prospect to earn a living, than the one you are planning to leave.

So many long term british residents are going or have gone back to the UK, many had well established business and but could not continue, due to the crisis.

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I'll vouch for Madrid being the top place for young free and singles!! Forget Barcelona or the coast, Madrid is the top spot for nightlife in all senses of the word. I think the OP should say a bit more about his (?) situation, as it obviously changes things drastically depending on age, dependents, commitments in the UK, or whatever. When I was single, I could have gone pretty much anywhere, anytime and found some kind of work or way of making a living (and in fact did so!) but once you are married with children, this changes.

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I dont think you can call yourself Sarita Coasta del sol, coz then you would be SCS, and you could get done under the trade descriptions act, unless of course you offer 4 years interest free credit.:rofl::p

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eh?

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You really are out of the loop.....SCS is a sofa company in the UK, and I notice that you sig siad that you are now Sarita costa del sol.

It was my half assed feeble attempt at a joke, next time I get the urge to try, I will just slam the door on my fingers instead. _Less painfull:D:D

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Ok, got it! I am quite out of the loop, I have never bought a sofa in the UK!!! Keep up the jokes, as long as they are clean ;)

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I thought you moved here last year...am I wrong:confused:

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manamama has got it just right in my opinion.

Spain is great if you have enough funds to get by, no dependants to worry about, are retired and dont have to worry about finding a job.
Describes me to a "t" :D

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In your first post , you did give the impression that you were having trouble making ends meet in the UK, at least that was my interpretation.

As the pound is already low compared to what it was when a lot of pensioners came to live in Spain, the exchange rate, will not affect you, unless it tumbles much further.

A lot of penisoners whould not have come to Spain knowing what they know now, but you already know the worst, so your "no money worries" is based on todays exchange rate and prices.


Considering all the other information you have given, that changes things, ie, retiring soon and with no money worries, then it is just a matter of personal choice, then.



Would you miss, the family too much, could you cope with the heat in summer etc. only you can know.


Unemployment and health care issues dont seem to apply in your case.

Learning the language is not such and issuel either, it makes life more comfortable but it is not vital.

You are in the position to enjoy all Spain has to offer, but even then Spain is not for everyone.......

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hi jackytoo yes we were going to move last year but then the miss got pregnant and that changed every thing but now baby his here and we are now looking at making the move :thumbsup:

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[QUOTE=JLFS;8513566] In your first post , you did give the impression that you were having trouble making ends meet in the UK, at least that was my interpretation./ quote / i was speaking on behalf of a couple of friends i know that are struggling here and that are looking moving to spain once they have sold there property , i would have a income from the uk , but i still will work and will try and do at lease 3 days a week for a friend out there and then the other days enjoying the spainish way of life :thumbup:

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I prefer Spain without a doubt BUT I have an income , you will need to bring sufficient funds for at least several months living as it`s very unlikley you will find employment ,even if you are fluent in Spanish.
Otherwise treat your visit as a long holiday and if you do find work/settle it will be a big bonus:thumbsup:Good luck!

Re: spain or uk
 

[/QUOTE], i would have a income from the uk , but i still will work and will try and do at lease 3 days a week for a friend out there and then the other days enjoying the spainish way of life :thumbup:[/QUOTE]


Sounds like you are in a good position then because you have an income. And your friend will give you work BUT make sure your friend pays your social security payments each month or you will not have any healthcare. It's not automatic like the UK has, or private healthcare especially as you have a wife and child.

I'd also strongly recommend that you don't sell any property in the UK or you may end up "stuck" here. It's happened to so many, they may have a house here but no cash or a job..

:thumbsup:

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hi my parents have had to come back as dads cancer has come back luckly they kept some money in england so they can buy a property as there property in spain could take several yrs to sell be care full either rent english property out or keep some funds in england .to sell up with out a back up could be quite sad .so be very carefull ill health can effect any one at any time .

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I’ve never known anyone who has lived in Spain for an appreciable amount of time to have returned to the UK because they missed it, all the ones I know to have returned, and it’s quite a few, have gone back for money, health or family reasons.

That may sound harsh, and there are a few things I miss from the UK, but overall I prefer it here. But I acknowledge that it could all change, and quickly at that.

I read a sad story in the local English paper just a few hours earlier (The Costa Blanca News) about a long term resident English lady of seventy who was savagely attacked and robbed outside her own home by three youths, in a busy area. If she decided to leave, who could blame her, and I understand that it could have happened anywhere in the UK too, but it didn’t in her case.

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That does seem strange to me that you dont know anyone who has missed the UK enought to go back.

I have know losts of Spanish people (who lived for a long time in the UK) who came back to Spain, and missed England so much that they went back too, not just English people.

Although I am happy in Spain, given the choice I would go back to the UK tomorrow.

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You surprise me, judging from your previous posts. I’m happy in Spain too, but given the choice I would not go back to the UK tomorrow.

I suppose it depends where in the UK you would go back to, I’ve lived all over, but most of the time in East London. I love the place, I still have a flat there, but it doesn’t compare to where I live in Spain in any way, shape or form.

I’ve been sitting on my terrace in the blazing hot sun, albeit after a horrific thunderstorm, playing with my dogs. Back in East London, where I do have a two feet wide terrace overlooking a car park, with an ever pervading small of curry (which I love to eat), I’d be watching my car which wouldn’t even survive a day.

I’m going to hang on here, even if it turns into God’s waiting room, unless the wheel really falls off.

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I dont understand the highlighted comment, I have never made a secret of how much I love the UK.

As far as I know I semm to be one of the ones who always gets slated for "praising" the UK.

So I dont know why you find my post surprising.
I have often said that most expats live well in Spain, thanks to their "before"life in the UK

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I always thought from your posts that you regard Spain as your natural home. If I’m wrong, I apologise. Of course you haven’t slated the UK, very few people do on a British expat forum, it wouldn’t make sense, apart from my pal on the CDS goes a bit over the top to defend something that doesn’t need defending.

Most of the posters on this forum, like myself, love the place we live in, it’s a one-off, it’s special, a million of us think so. If I had to go back, I would be heartbroken.

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One day I prefer Spain, the next I prefer the UK !! Constant turmoil.

I wish I didn't like one or the other, then I think I would settle..:huh:

Although I love Spain...there is terrible unemployment and prospects for my children although the "world is their oyster".

However, they are missing out on seeing family, I'm missing seeing new babies being born, birthdays and weddings...

So for us, we will return soon (although I put it at the back of my mind...) but will no doubt return for great holidays and maybe retire here. :thumbsup:

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When I am in Spain I miss some things about the UK, when in the UK I miss some things about Spain. I know a few who have returned to the UK because it was not for them. One couple left after spending one winter in Mijas...they thought it was too cold! Some who have left have not gone back to the UK but moved to Australia, USA etc. I have lived in a lot of countries and there are things I miss about all of them.

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It is very strange, your post has made me think, I dont know where my natural home is.

ok, if we are speaking literaly Spain must be my home, but, as for feeling "at home" I dont really know how to answer.

I think that I have more in common with British people than Spanish, I enjoy their sence of humor, I find that saying the same kind of things in Spanish to my friends and family is not half as much fun as saying it in the UK to British people.

The British humor is a lot more refined and they seem to laugh more in everyday life.

I have noticed that when my wife is on the phone to a UK mate, she seems to spend most of the time screaming with laughter, and I think I am the same when talking to mine, just about everyday stuff.

When a Spanish friend phones, even though I cant hear the conversation, I know it is not one of her British mates, through the lack of laughter.

People talk about Spanish being friendly, but I have found that British are far friendlier.

We went for a "mariscada" with a group of Spanish couples, all the conversation was about the seafood, everyone telling the others how they like their "pulpo, Almejas"etc. An how they like the sauce finer, thicker, etc..

So boring....................

Then we went to visit British friends in Torrevieja, we went for a menu of the day, and had a ball.......

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I think you have hit the nail on the head, two places in Spain and UK can be very different. I'd hate to live in London, or any big city come to that, I much prefer rural living. Today I have been walking the coast path for about six hours, and have been out walking every day this week, the weather has been great. On the way, in the middle of nowhere, I came across an "honesty"organic fruit & veg stall, nobody there, but everything was priced with a box to put your money in. It's all done on trust, couldn't see that lasting five minutes in London!:rofl: It's not unusual to see similar honesty stalls here. I love where I live, but next month we'll have a few weeks in Spain, I can enjoy both. Just stay away from Torrevieja and CDS!:rofl:

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Agreed on Manamama`s comment

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[QUOTE=pjj;8513768]PJJ, Spain really is hurting economically. How is your Spanish? What will you do here? If you could continue doing your U.K. business via internet and phone and receive that income in Spain ... that would be your bridge. Starting a business and doing business here is just plain more cumbersome (and there is less money moving around)

That being said, one can gain a high quality of life here on a smaller budget. The key is meeting that smaller budger! :)

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It’s something I’ve pondered on for the last 20 years. After a lifetime in the UK, I’ve immersed myself, at times, in the Spanish way, aided by a partner who is more Spanish than English.

But neither of us were born here, which is a stupid thing to say – Cliff Richard was born in Pakistan, but what does that matter. Obama was born in Hawai of Kenyan parents, and he’s the President of the US, so what does it matter?

We’ve had a ball with Spanish people in totally Spanish surroundings, and I’ve been reduced to tears when the songs from back home made me homesick in a UK venue.

And when I hear the bagpipes, I’m totally f****d..

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I’ve just spotted your post, and I know it’s in jest, but if you stay away from Torrevieja and the CDS, the local residents will be much relieved. We’ve got enough prats living here, without more coming to visit. Swansea is a nice place for people like you, or Port Talbot, a real arsehole place.

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:thumbup::thumbup::rofl:

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I think that sums up the place nicely, couldn't have put it better myself. You two didn't disappoint, far too easy really, just as well jdr is on my ignore list. I do agree about Swansea and Port Talbot though, like Torre but without the sun.

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Having recovered from the vicious attack by the man from Port Talbot, I got to comparing two places to enjoy a meal (to keep it simple).

The first one is the Buffet Libre on Playa del Cura beach in Torrevieja, where you can eat as much as you like on the terrace overlooking the ‘Spanish’ beach, which gets so busy in the summer that people are standing shoulder to shoulder all the way out to sea.

The second one is the Star of India in High Street North, Manor Park, east London, where you can eat authentic Indian food, and you will be surrounded by Indians, both in the restaurant and on the streets outside.

From my own personal view, I couldn’t put a cigarette paper between the places, I’ve enjoyed them both, and I’m a foreigner in both, an authentic guiri.

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Not that I actually like these comparison threads but this one WAS quite interesting to read for a bit... you know, until it all started to get testosterone fueled and narky!

Re: spain or uk
 

I love living in Spain and in almost 18 years here I've only been back five times, both to Orkney, where we have two houses and land rented out, and to London where my extended family lives. Everytime I go back there I feel depressed and can't wait to get back to Spain. It's as though Britain is in black and white and Spain is in glorious technicolour. In Britain everything is so expensive and everyone is moaning all the time. I love the way everyone in Spain kisses you everytime you meet and I found it difficulty to restrain myself back home as I got some funny looks. The Spanish here laugh all the time and are never too busy to stop for a chat. I would be very sad and disturbed if I was told to return to the UK for whatever reason. I hate staying in other peoples' houses but love when people come to stay with us as they seem to get more and more relaxed as life is so easy here and my neighbours kiss them and shout 'guapo or guapa' every time they see them. You don't get much of that in Orkney or London.

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Hope to God they are not like the Buffet Libre on the end of the paseo in Benalmadena Costa and the so called Indian Restaurants in the same place. The only thing I would do with a cigarette paper is set it on fire and throw it in there and hope it does something like set the chip fat on fire. :eek:

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Not necessarily. That's off the mark as I do much better out here than in the U.K. 10 times better in fact.:)

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Some of those restaurants happen to be very good.