What is the biggest factor that keeps you in Spain?

The people, lifestyle, weather, chosen area, unable to sell the house, not wanting to return to UK, etc etc.

I read so many posts about what is wrong with living in Spain that I wonder how many people stay when they really want to go.

For me personally there is nowhere else that I want to live, I love my chosen area, the people in my town are warm, friendly and very much inclusive. Our lifestyle is not vastly different to what it would have been as retirees in the UK. The weather is a bonus but is not a good enough reason to stay. Not thought about selling the house but believe that we would not have too much trouble as we would not over price it. Have no reason to not want to return to the UK but cannot envisage doing so.



Rosemary

it's just home

Nothing, I've left

what keeps me here is the reek of beer the women and the craic

We've nothing to sell here and a house we could live in in England that we could have ready for us to live in with two months notice so we could in theory go at any time. But we're very happy here and to be honest the thought of going back to live in England fills me with complete horror. Strange really as I never felt it was too bad when I actually lived there.

Thought we were asking about Spain.


'Twas in the year of 'thirty-nine
When the sky was full of lead
When Hitler was heading for Poland
And Paddy for Holyhead
Come all you pincher laddies
And you long-distance men
Don't ever work for McAlpine
For Wimpey, or John Laing.
For You'll stand behind a mixer
And your skin is turned to tan
And they'll say 'Good on you Paddy'
With your boat-fare in your hand
The craic was good in Cricklewood
And they wouldn't leave the Crown
With glasses flying and Biddy's crying
Sure Paddy was going to town
Oh mother dear, I'm over here
And I'm never coming back
What keeps me here is the reek o' beer
The ladies and the craic.

Not to worry as long as you're enjoying London.

That is how I feel and did the moment that we moved in.

Rosemary

In the words of a Willie Nelson song, "Home is where your heart is".

Mine seems to have a bit of a wanderlust, but I have to admit to still having good feelings as well as happy memories of Spain.

Same here.
It was lovely, but was never home. I'm home now.

It feels like home for me too. I sometimes wonder if I will change my mind one day, for instance if I was on my own, or old and ill, at the moment I don't think so but you can never really tell until you're in that situation.

I feel sorry for the people who do want to leave for whatever reason but are unable to as they can't sell their properties. I remember what it was like wanting to move forward with my life and come to Spain, but having to wait for our house to sell, and it was very depressing.

The weather, piece and tranquility, even a Saturday afternoon is dead

It's the only place where I feel totally contented.

We live a quiet life here, but that's the way we want it as we have already done the high living bit.
I never thought I would not want to go on holiday at least twice a year, but living here I don't....I now hate having to be away from home for even a few days!

I simply could never imagine leaving Spain, it's my home and it just feels right, I'm staying come what may!

It's uncanny, but I know several widows (and the odd widower) who have stayed on in Spain after losing their partners. Most of them seem to have had the choice of returning to live with family in the UK, but have chosen to stay despite the difficulties of loneliness and insecurity. And illness.

The most frequent explanation is, 'Why should I go back to stare at four walls when I can still get out in the sun.'

The real problem arises though, when they are so bad that they cant still get out in the sun, and then most prefer to stare at English walls, not Spanish walls.

As a widow, who thought she would go back very soon after her great loss, I am still here 28 months later. Feeling settled where I am, not wanting to make any major decisions while dealing with loss, the changes and trying to adjust to new situation, the idea has been, gone and returned several times. Life would be easier for sure but on any visit back to UK I found the grey was so depressing that even if enjoying the visit I want home after a week or so.

I am waivering between leave Spain, where to go and staying put and long term implications.