Re: spain or uk
 

[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:

Re: spain or uk
 

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:

Re: spain or uk
 

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 .

Re: spain or uk
 

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.

Re: spain or uk
 

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.

Re: spain or uk
 

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.

Re: spain or uk
 

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

Re: spain or uk
 

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.

Re: spain or uk
 

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:

Re: spain or uk
 

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.

Re: spain or uk
 

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.......

Re: spain or uk
 

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:

Re: spain or uk
 

Agreed on Manamama`s comment

Re: spain or uk
 

[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! :)