Why Spain?
 

Right, we haven't had one of these threads for a while, and as I am on a break from the study, its a good excuse for a break.......

So, why Spain? Why not France, or anywhere else?

What made you pick the country, what made you stop there.

Now I realise that some of you have already answered it in part, but it may help others see why other people chose the country.

Re: Why Spain?
 

Mine was for the weather and nice beaches, but to be honest I never put much thought into it at the time. Somone offered me to stay at their house a bit on msn so I accepted and then got my own place :)

Re: Why Spain?
 

Cant enjoy life in the UK at this moment, I hope in Spain I would have more time and better lifestyle, The weather to me in Spain is a bonus, Its more the no hassle easy life cost effective corrupted attitude that I like.

Cant stand France, driven through it to spain many times in the non summer and everytime it has rained and everywhere is shut

Re: Why Spain?
 

Hi Matt, I would like to know the answer to this one. We are moving soon and we have dithered for a long time. We have decided on France because there seems to be a better choice of houses(Of the type that we like). It is not so hot in France hence the countryside sems to be greener. The bureaucracy in both countries is hard going but the french does not change from day to day or from town to town.
We have not bought yet so are open to convincing either way.

Re: Why Spain?
 

We did look at France asbout 3 years ago, but i just didn't feel comfortable there, i don't think the French re particularly accommodating if you are not au fait(geddit???) with the language, as i will be along a lot i needed to feel comfortable with my surroundings. Plus areas we could afford had much the same temps as here, we went in March and it was really freezing and very damp. Couldn't see the point on moving all that way for the same weather
Plus, there were a lot of French people:rofl::rofl:!

Re: Why Spain?
 

We chose Spain mainly because its easily accessible and the climate is better than the UK. I have drove through France on several occasions,love the country-side but the weather is not has good in the winter.Also we are hoping for a more laid back lifestyle than here and hoping that my O/H works a lot less hours and we are able to spend more quality time together and are able to build a good social life up,we have little time here for friends and socializing.When O/H has to get up for work at 04:45 and does not arrive home till at least 19:00 it does not leave us much time for anything.Also Spain is only a short flight away and family will be able to visit on a regular basis.Quality of life is on top of the agenda............:thumbup: I cant wait.

Re: Why Spain?
 

Eating out is cheap.
Drinking out is cheap.
Houses (at the time) were cheap.
I really couldn't be arsed to learn some obscure language like Portuguese or Bulgarian or something.
The Spanish tolerate the British better than the French do.
I like their "don't give f--k lazy attitude". (I see something of myself in that.)
Fiestas, fiestsas and more fiestas.
¡Olé!

Re: Why Spain?
 

Lol, I agree every point especially the attitude one, In fact I love the La Luz area more so than any part of Spain, and that attitude is totally right there, I see myself like that. Im constanly told every time I say "Well in spain they dont care, you can do this do that ect" to shut up when I meet people from C.Blanca its not the case there, but I found Seville and Jerez areas, definatley is. I see myself there in about 3 year's :)

Re: Why Spain?
 

I like the attitude: most Spaniards have a bit of the anarchist about them. I like that.

Re: Why Spain?
 

I think there is a bit of snobbery about France. I remember mentioning to some well-to-do relatives that we were moving to Spain and they almost looked down their noses at us.
Actually I think they were a bit miffed because very soon after they anounced that they had just bought a house in France.
Spain seems to be where the common people go to.

Re: Why Spain?
 

Thank god for that, I was a little worried I might not fit in!

Re: Why Spain?
 

Rugbymatt, I think you'll fit in just fine:thumbup:

Re: Why Spain?
 

You saying I am common?

Re: Why Spain?
 

Before I answer just want to clarify if I can post on this thread because Im in France.Or is it pacificly for people in Spain(do not want to cause any ripples)
Thats the serious bit over.

Hallo everyonexxxxxxxxx

Re: Why Spain?
 

I suppose that it could apply to anyone really.............

Re: Why Spain?
 

Il take from the suppose ,perhaps not.:p


Catch you alls later,have a lovely evening:wub:

Re: Why Spain?
 

Ok me deario ... pray tell us why you decided on ... errr ... Spain :confused::)

Re: Why Spain?
 

I kinda wanted to start a thread that would show to any newbies why people have decided on Spain.............I thought it may help them justify some of the reasons why they are planning the move.

So I guess it could apply to anyone moving overseas.

Re: Why Spain?
 

Errrrr sorry read the question wrong Duh!Please ignore me,Im gona go spread some :wub:

Apologies RM Im having a pale moment:lol:

Re: Why Spain?
 

Well you are one of the most common posters on this Spain forum :p

Re: Why Spain?
 

For once I agree with you.

Re: Why Spain?
 

We did two years in the south of France in the early 90`s. I adore France, I like the people I think the language is beautiful and we enjoyed every moment of it. Sadly we had to return to the Uk for personal reasons.

Why Spain now? I dont know lol. We would have loved to go back to France but no way could we afford to live where we lived before just outside Cannes. So we decided to look else where. We are so lucky to have found this part of Spain. The people are again lovely, I am having Spanish lessons and our local town is heaven!! We are very happy here and anyone thinking of moving to Spain then stop thinking and do it!!!!!

So moving abroad for the second time we have hit lucky again :D

Re: Why Spain?
 

Spain gives us freedom, gives us space, gives us countryside. We love the people and their language, their family values, food and traditions. It is a country where we can live an affordable and simple life in peace.

Re: Why Spain?
 

exactly:thumbsup:

like I explained to a nice english neighbour - they make all these rules then cheerfully ignore them:rofl:

Re: Why Spain?
 

Well said, we feel the same.

Rosemary

Re: Why Spain?
 

Well now

I've spent a lot of time in France, mainly on business, and its a beautiful country which I always enjoyed very much. The food is fantastic. But at the risk of causing offence to our wonderful gastromic neighbours, I don't like them very much as in my experience they are arrogant and I couldn't live with them.

We also spent a lot of time in Greece, mainly on holiday. I love some of the Greek islands, especially Corfu and Crete, but there are even more half finished houses there than there are in Spain, and to be honest it always seemed to be a tad grubby.

The US was another option for us, but its a long long way away and as Florida would have been our chosen destination I would have had to increase my wardobe to cater for the 12 shirts a day I would have had to wear because of the humidity. Also, I'm not sure I'm pleasant enough.

We did consider Wales, being the homeland, but the rumours about sheep ...well ... and it always rains doesn't it. Although most of my family live there its a depressing place (and I can say that being half Welsh).

So Spain had the climate, the cheaper cost of living, the countryside, I could go on about culture but I don't think it was something that was a deciding factor. Now I'm here I enjoy it. But quite honestly since we've been here we've done an "oddities". We don't get out much apart from a trip to Granada. We keep saying we're going to but we're too busy carrying bags of sand and enjoying the view.

I think sometimes we should accept that people move here for different reasons. Some want to soak themselves in the culture and traditions of Spain, some want to come here for the cheaper cost of living and the weather.

Me? ............ I guess I'm settling somewhere in the middle now if I was honest

Re: Why Spain?
 

Now what do you mean by that?????

Just because 'he' has insisted that the only shop in Spain is Lee Roys for the last year is no excuse for using our name in vain.

Seriously though I think that Spain has a lot to offer different people with different outlooks. We will soon be able to enjoy it more and make sure that we do less work and more play.

Exploring the countryside will be really enjoyable and we know that there will be some surprises too. The people in our town have been warm, welcoming and encouraging. Language skills are lacking in this house so it is a struggle but in the end we will win and have the confidence to have a reasonable level of communication.

We also thought about France but the weather where we could afford to buy was too similar to UK. I fancied Italy but the health service is not very good and I have had first hand experience of this and it affected our decision.

When we were investigating Spain I had a little list of 'must haves' which were all of a very practical nature and this area worked out for us so we bought this house.

Recently we have begun to go out and about a little more because having been here a year we felt that it had been all work and no play and were beginning to wonder why the hell we had moved to a different country and did not know it at all.

Rosemary

Re: Why Spain?
 

Yes I'm coming to that conclusion. Finish of the building will be a landmark for us I think, so we will begin to explore a little more

Re: Why Spain?
 

Interesting responses. Many of the replies are from newbies to Spain, so perhaps the novelty value is still fresh ?? I love Spain, the people, the culture the food and have wonderful Spanish friends. And a lovely house. However am not sure about living there 100 % of the time. Having just returned from a wonderful 12 days of sailing in southern Holland, mainly in Zeeland, I realise that it is the contrasts in experience that keeps things vital. Picturesque harbours, wonderful food, friendly people. Wouldn't want to live there, but to spend long periods, preferably lotus eating on a boat, then head back to Spain is perfection......for the moment.

Re: Why Spain?
 

Contrasts in experience is exactly why people have holidays and mini breaks and I think that if you do not do this you have nothing to compare your normality with. We all change our attitude, goal posts, wishes and feelings according to our experiences continuously. The world is rich in differences and it these differences that makes life interesting.

We are living in Spain through making it our choice. Our house is very ordinary and will remain ordinary even though we are putting a lot of work into it to bring it up to standard. Our lives are very ordinary and to most would be boring but it is what we want and are comfortable with and content with.

Each to their own I suppose.

Rosemary

Re: Why Spain?
 

When we lived in the Uk we used to have at least two foreign holidays per year for a minimum of one week.

We've been in Spain five years now and haven't had any holidays at all (by choice). So I guess that says something about the place.

However, we do have minibreaks galore - maybe 5 or 6 times a year just for the weekend and not necessarily abroad. Like poollounger says, variety is important.

I like to have Spain as my home and then visit the miserable weather countries for a break, rather than the other way around.

Re: Why Spain?
 

Thats why I posed the question on another thread a while back. My main aim on holiday in the past was for the weather, but now thats not an issue any more.

Re: Why Spain?
 

I just asked on the French end of this forum about the cost of living.
How do you compare Spain to France? Roughly speaking of course and not including mortgage or rental costs? I do not wish to be personnal but as we also are looking into a move this might help with our decision making. :cool:

Regards

Re: Why Spain?
 

cost of living in spain is roughly 30% less than UK in this area, unless you go to the cities or very main coastal tourist areas in the South (CDS) so I am told

Re: Why Spain?
 

It is still a lot cheaper here as long as you don`t buy Britstuff or drink in a Brit bar. ;-))