cricketman

Everybody elses fault except their own then?

Neptuno

So, which of these things on the list don't you agree with, which could be termed as someone's fault?

Lynn R

If we need anything doing that my OH can't/doesn't want to do himself, we ask for a recommendation from someone we trust. We've never been let down or ripped off by anybody who we've employed via that route.

After one initial bad experience we are now very suspicious of Brits who tend to "pounce" on new arrivals and ingratiate themselves, with the ulterior motive of making money out of them, be it from building work, looking after holiday homes, or whatever.

cricketman

Well, all of them have some truth in them. If you moved to Spain in complete ignorance then they could be a shock to you. But they are exagerrated and none of them are barriers unless you want them to be

My wife and I moved to Spain at 27 years old and with just 10k in the bank. We are doing very well thank you, but then we moved here for the right reasons and were well prepared

The main problem young British people have when they move to Spain is that they have come to relax and enjoy the weather and beaches etc. Yes you can do that in your spare time, but you have to work hard to be able to "afford" your spare time. And in order to work hard you need to be well educated, great work experience,fluent Spanish speakers, good at networking etc. And of course have a good slice of luck

Many British expats that come to Spain (who are not retired) think it will just be a long holiday, or they can work part time in something they have little experience in, and then expect to have a great lifestyle. Life doesnt work like that. Historically those Brits who have had a good lifestyle in Spain are the ones who sold their houses in the UK and lived on the profits. Few have ever been able to work and build a life for themselves actually within Spain, because Spain doesnt need their services or skills

The few who do this are probably the English journos and teachers, of which there is a splattering across Spain, and they are not in the tourist areas. If you live in a tourist area then you will probably be living like a tourist, and so it should be no surprise when your funds run out and you have to go home, like every tourist must do

me me

While I agree with your main points, mainly about the relaxed lifestyle, and enjoying the sun, which must be done in spare time and the most important is to work hard.

The point I don´t agree on however, is having to declare our UK assets or bank account balances to hacienda.

In our case the potential cost, (that have yet to be decided) in taxes and such, is enough to make the OH decide that it is not worth staying in Spain as a resident.

We have seen a few nice places in Portugal not far from the Spanish border and will be having a half year rental, when we find the right place.

We will still have to be paying the cuota to the SS in Spain, (which we don´t mind) and tax on Spanish earnings, but we will have our tax residency in the UK.

agoreira

Or somewhere else around Plymouth, I have family in Plymstock, Tavistock, Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo, if I ever moved back to that area, I'd probably settle for any of those.

me me

There are lots of posts from retired members and TBH they have it much easier than the people with families to think of.

so maybe you could be working to retire to Spain, when your income will not be hit and miss, and it is better late than never.

paintermujer

Who knows?We just cant walk away from this and pretend it never happened.

crookesey

Why should anyone, Spanish or not, deal with someone just because they have come to live in Spain? In the UK immigrants have brought their food to tempt us, and tempt us it has, but every Greater Asian kid can't afford to open a restaurant, so what new innovative ideas do they have?

Spain needs businesses that employ Spanish people, I don't think that it's British/Irish pubs or Poundland shops that are required, but the likes of Aldi and Lidl have prospered in Spain, as have MacDonalds, Burger King and Starbucks, but where were the Brits when all of this was going on?

cricketman

Its about aspirations. Brits aspire to live in the sun near the beach, or maybe with a nice view in the country. They dont aspire to be working in the same job they would have in the UK, but just in a different language and a lower salary

jackytoo

Agree. Starting a business is hard enough when in your own country and a common language. There are times when you can't "have it all" and have to work and reap the benefits later. Jojo has the right attitude...maybe later.

I have seen so many living from hand to mouth doing odd jobs, airport runs etc. Not unusual to be asked for a loan to pay their fare home they leave it until the last minute to leave.

Lynn R

Agree, I have also met a lot of those. Not leaving until they are literally penniless is something I can never understand. Surely in 99.9% of cases they don't lose their money overnight, it must be obvious a long time before that situation is reached that money is draining away. If people faced up to that reality (as I'm sure the OP is doing, and she and her family have my sympathy for the difficulties they've experienced) they could go back to the UK with enough money to rent a place for 2/3 months to give them a chance to find work, and not need to struggle with things like the HRT and trying to claim benefits.

steviedeluxe

There is a Danish store called Tiger stores that is doing well in Madrid - there are several outlets just opened up, and I'm sure they're doing the same in London.
Primark appears to do well, but that's Irish I believe? Ikea and Apple are also opening over Spain.
The only Brit retail outfit I can remember in Spain was Marks and Spencer - but they closed up most of them around 10 years ago, although I've been told they're back on the cds. Spanish companies like Zara, Mango even Santander are far more common on the British high street.
Irish pubs though - they seem to be everywhere..

cricketman

That's true, I can't think of a single British company that has a presence in Spain, on the high street that is

steviedeluxe

Just remembered, I've seen a couple of Clarks shoe outlets here in Madrid. I don't know if they're franchises or directly run.