Anyone moved from the UK to Spain?
Discussion
rdjohn said:
The one thing that I would suggest you consider before any big move like this, is the likely impact on relations with your immediate family. Being stuck together day-in; day-out, in basic rental accommodation, unable to go out for meals with friends, living off-the-grid waiting for a knock at the door, just sounds like contemplating utter disaster. How do you repair/replace a car? Even watching daytime TV all day requires a good broadband connection.
Thanks, but we're fine on that front and have been doing it for years. Love being with our children. Don't watch daytime TV. Play tennis, Cycle, walk the dog, go out for drinks, bars, all together.993kimbo said:
None of us are relying on work and if we did any, it would be on a cash basis, ie undeclared.I doubt we'd get much work anyway.
Slowly going off the whole idea at the moment, especially with all the motoring red tape.
I'll be brutally honest , as someone who moved halfway around the world with a young family , if you're being put off by a few comments on here maybe the move isn't for you .Slowly going off the whole idea at the moment, especially with all the motoring red tape.
Edited by 993kimbo on Sunday 23 February 20:42
993kimbo said:
Thanks, but we're fine on that front and have been doing it for years. Love being with our children. Don't watch daytime TV. Play tennis, Cycle, walk the dog, go out for drinks, bars, all together.
In that case why not move somewhere cheaper & warmer in the UK & pick up casual work? We (La esposa y mi) have often considered doing the “head south in winter” but doing the 90 day thing. What put us off was.
1. Spain is colder in the winter than you’d imagine. The housing stock (unless it’s an appartment) are not sealed like UK homes so if it’s under 10 degrees outside it is cold from 6pm onwards and needs leccy heating. Tile floors are great in the summer only.
2. Summer season is over, the nice summer places are shut-up and the tourist towns are dead
3. Far less culture and stuff to do (unless drinking with broke, sad ex-pats is your thing)
4. You really do need to speak the lingo and understand the bureaucracy. It’s mental
5. It feels “off the grid”. No decent TV, long-range relationships with family, limited BB speed, lack of buying stuff you are used to (bacon, decent beer, quality electronics ... waiting for Aldi special day LOL)
We might still try to do a 2 month test, probably further along the coast, east to Nerja, Almunecar, etc where it’s cheaper, less touristy and more sunny days. Renting a 2-bed costs about €1k per month, but I’m not sure what we’d actually do, apart from learning the language, riding a mountain bike, going to bed early and walking. And staying out of the bars, unless you wanna be one of those saddo Brits who are always sauced, at tea time, in Brit bars. Shudder.
I do think that if you could “go native”, as some friends have done, it’s a good choice. But, I know folks who struggle out there, scraping small beans despite being very employable in the U.K. But they seem to enjoy it and the Sierras are close by for half-decent skiing. The healthcare system is, in many ways, better than the U.K. but you need to pay for it monthly.
Living out there for even a month and it ceases to be a holiday IMHO.
1. Spain is colder in the winter than you’d imagine. The housing stock (unless it’s an appartment) are not sealed like UK homes so if it’s under 10 degrees outside it is cold from 6pm onwards and needs leccy heating. Tile floors are great in the summer only.
2. Summer season is over, the nice summer places are shut-up and the tourist towns are dead
3. Far less culture and stuff to do (unless drinking with broke, sad ex-pats is your thing)
4. You really do need to speak the lingo and understand the bureaucracy. It’s mental
5. It feels “off the grid”. No decent TV, long-range relationships with family, limited BB speed, lack of buying stuff you are used to (bacon, decent beer, quality electronics ... waiting for Aldi special day LOL)
We might still try to do a 2 month test, probably further along the coast, east to Nerja, Almunecar, etc where it’s cheaper, less touristy and more sunny days. Renting a 2-bed costs about €1k per month, but I’m not sure what we’d actually do, apart from learning the language, riding a mountain bike, going to bed early and walking. And staying out of the bars, unless you wanna be one of those saddo Brits who are always sauced, at tea time, in Brit bars. Shudder.
I do think that if you could “go native”, as some friends have done, it’s a good choice. But, I know folks who struggle out there, scraping small beans despite being very employable in the U.K. But they seem to enjoy it and the Sierras are close by for half-decent skiing. The healthcare system is, in many ways, better than the U.K. but you need to pay for it monthly.
Living out there for even a month and it ceases to be a holiday IMHO.
MrOrange said:
We (La esposa y mi) have often considered doing the “head south in winter” but doing the 90 day thing. What put us off was.
1. Spain is colder in the winter than you’d imagine. The housing stock (unless it’s an appartment) are not sealed like UK homes so if it’s under 10 degrees outside it is cold from 6pm onwards and needs leccy heating. Tile floors are great in the summer only.
2. Summer season is over, the nice summer places are shut-up and the tourist towns are dead
3. Far less culture and stuff to do (unless drinking with broke, sad ex-pats is your thing)
4. You really do need to speak the lingo and understand the bureaucracy. It’s mental
5. It feels “off the grid”. No decent TV, long-range relationships with family, limited BB speed, lack of buying stuff you are used to (bacon, decent beer, quality electronics ... waiting for Aldi special day LOL)
We might still try to do a 2 month test, probably further along the coast, east to Nerja, Almunecar, etc where it’s cheaper, less touristy and more sunny days. Renting a 2-bed costs about €1k per month, but I’m not sure what we’d actually do, apart from learning the language, riding a mountain bike, going to bed early and walking. And staying out of the bars, unless you wanna be one of those saddo Brits who are always sauced, at tea time, in Brit bars. Shudder.
I do think that if you could “go native”, as some friends have done, it’s a good choice. But, I know folks who struggle out there, scraping small beans despite being very employable in the U.K. But they seem to enjoy it and the Sierras are close by for half-decent skiing. The healthcare system is, in many ways, better than the U.K. but you need to pay for it monthly.
Living out there for even a month and it ceases to be a holiday IMHO.
You've just accurately described, virtually word for word, what one of my friends said some years ago. He and his wife have tried it again on a couple of occasions, but it's always the same disappointment. It's almost as if you'll only enjoy a winter out there if you're planning to be drunk much of the time.1. Spain is colder in the winter than you’d imagine. The housing stock (unless it’s an appartment) are not sealed like UK homes so if it’s under 10 degrees outside it is cold from 6pm onwards and needs leccy heating. Tile floors are great in the summer only.
2. Summer season is over, the nice summer places are shut-up and the tourist towns are dead
3. Far less culture and stuff to do (unless drinking with broke, sad ex-pats is your thing)
4. You really do need to speak the lingo and understand the bureaucracy. It’s mental
5. It feels “off the grid”. No decent TV, long-range relationships with family, limited BB speed, lack of buying stuff you are used to (bacon, decent beer, quality electronics ... waiting for Aldi special day LOL)
We might still try to do a 2 month test, probably further along the coast, east to Nerja, Almunecar, etc where it’s cheaper, less touristy and more sunny days. Renting a 2-bed costs about €1k per month, but I’m not sure what we’d actually do, apart from learning the language, riding a mountain bike, going to bed early and walking. And staying out of the bars, unless you wanna be one of those saddo Brits who are always sauced, at tea time, in Brit bars. Shudder.
I do think that if you could “go native”, as some friends have done, it’s a good choice. But, I know folks who struggle out there, scraping small beans despite being very employable in the U.K. But they seem to enjoy it and the Sierras are close by for half-decent skiing. The healthcare system is, in many ways, better than the U.K. but you need to pay for it monthly.
Living out there for even a month and it ceases to be a holiday IMHO.
Fastchas said:
https://campinglosgallardos.com/
I lived here for six months, in a touring caravan rather than a mobile home. This was 16 years ago now.
I also tried to do what to OP did. Got fed up and came home. It's great when you're on your jollies but after a few months you get homesick (or I did).
I am 50 years old now though and looking at doing it for 6 months of the year when I retire, flitting between there and the UK - which is what most of the residents on this campsite do. They all start rolling up in Sept.
Just had a look at that. £30000 for a static home in Spain. I'm guessing there are more bills to pay on top of electricity and gas. Any idea of rent to be paid to Holiday Park. I lived here for six months, in a touring caravan rather than a mobile home. This was 16 years ago now.
I also tried to do what to OP did. Got fed up and came home. It's great when you're on your jollies but after a few months you get homesick (or I did).
I am 50 years old now though and looking at doing it for 6 months of the year when I retire, flitting between there and the UK - which is what most of the residents on this campsite do. They all start rolling up in Sept.
Seemed a great idea for retirement until
Brexit foooked that all up.
My grandad was Irish. Maybe I should see about getting a passport. Can one hold a British and an Irish passport. Saying that, my mum is Dutch......
MrOrange said:
We (La esposa y mi) have often considered doing the “head south in winter” but doing the 90 day thing. What put us off was.
1. Spain is colder in the winter than you’d imagine. The housing stock (unless it’s an appartment) are not sealed like UK homes so if it’s under 10 degrees outside it is cold from 6pm onwards and needs leccy heating. Tile floors are great in the summer only.
2. Summer season is over, the nice summer places are shut-up and the tourist towns are dead
3. Far less culture and stuff to do (unless drinking with broke, sad ex-pats is your thing)
4. You really do need to speak the lingo and understand the bureaucracy. It’s mental
5. It feels “off the grid”. No decent TV, long-range relationships with family, limited BB speed, lack of buying stuff you are used to (bacon, decent beer, quality electronics ... waiting for Aldi special day LOL)
We might still try to do a 2 month test, probably further along the coast, east to Nerja, Almunecar, etc where it’s cheaper, less touristy and more sunny days. Renting a 2-bed costs about €1k per month, but I’m not sure what we’d actually do, apart from learning the language, riding a mountain bike, going to bed early and walking. And staying out of the bars, unless you wanna be one of those saddo Brits who are always sauced, at tea time, in Brit bars. Shudder.
I do think that if you could “go native”, as some friends have done, it’s a good choice. But, I know folks who struggle out there, scraping small beans despite being very employable in the U.K. But they seem to enjoy it and the Sierras are close by for half-decent skiing. The healthcare system is, in many ways, better than the U.K. but you need to pay for it monthly.
Living out there for even a month and it ceases to be a holiday IMHO.
In response I would say:-1. Spain is colder in the winter than you’d imagine. The housing stock (unless it’s an appartment) are not sealed like UK homes so if it’s under 10 degrees outside it is cold from 6pm onwards and needs leccy heating. Tile floors are great in the summer only.
2. Summer season is over, the nice summer places are shut-up and the tourist towns are dead
3. Far less culture and stuff to do (unless drinking with broke, sad ex-pats is your thing)
4. You really do need to speak the lingo and understand the bureaucracy. It’s mental
5. It feels “off the grid”. No decent TV, long-range relationships with family, limited BB speed, lack of buying stuff you are used to (bacon, decent beer, quality electronics ... waiting for Aldi special day LOL)
We might still try to do a 2 month test, probably further along the coast, east to Nerja, Almunecar, etc where it’s cheaper, less touristy and more sunny days. Renting a 2-bed costs about €1k per month, but I’m not sure what we’d actually do, apart from learning the language, riding a mountain bike, going to bed early and walking. And staying out of the bars, unless you wanna be one of those saddo Brits who are always sauced, at tea time, in Brit bars. Shudder.
I do think that if you could “go native”, as some friends have done, it’s a good choice. But, I know folks who struggle out there, scraping small beans despite being very employable in the U.K. But they seem to enjoy it and the Sierras are close by for half-decent skiing. The healthcare system is, in many ways, better than the U.K. but you need to pay for it monthly.
Living out there for even a month and it ceases to be a holiday IMHO.
1. 100% agree. Log burners are a savior mind and there is something quite nice about still having a winter season but with sunny days, albeit not that warm. As I said earlier, the moment the sun drops its cold. Without heating, the houses are usually colder inside than out.
2. Very much location specific and only applicable really to tourist towns which are usually coastal. A few miles inland and far less in for summer/out for winter. The holiday properties, many Spanish owned as much as other nations, are used for summer and shut up for winter. An out of season trip soon shows this, obviously. I avoided those areas for the fact it is not only a ghost town in winter, but also rammed with short term tenants with no consideration as to their neighbours in summer. Simple solution - avoid tourist towns.
3. Disagree - my further views below. Laziness by the Brits for the most part, The weather also lends itself t o enjoying what there is to do also.
4. It helps - massively. Also if you do want to properly integrate and enjoy the culture, its of course a massive benefit. Again, laziness often prevents this but if you can take that step you will set yourself apart.
5. Depends whether long-range relationships with the family are of benefit or not... in the UK I live in Yorkshire and my family are in Hampshire so it makes no odds. I have free calls in Spain and decent BB. Not many populated areas don't have broadband these days and many are now having fibre installed. I have the option in my road but still have a wimiax connection and its perfectly capable of Skyping. Similarly I work from my office there and have no issues. TV wise I don't get what you mean? Internet gives the same options and arguably there is a far better, cheaper choice if you get on board with the plethora of dodgy packages that seem to be ignored by authorities there - most have a full Sky package for some daft monthly sum of about €5. We still to either Spanish TV to try and assist on language or Netlix/Amazon Prime no different to the UK.
Bacon etc are there if you want to pay inflated prices for Brit food but I feel the same way of shudder about that. We eat a different diet when there. See also white bread...
Electronics are a bit more expensive but generally same are available as the UK and amazon.es is of course able to deliver whatever you fancy. We didn't have much issue with any of the electronic equipment we need.
Of course there are the Brits abroad types who sit in the bars from midday. The same as you would find in a pub in Batley before heading to ladbrokes. The fact its cheap to drink in those bars and nicer to do so sat on a terrace probably doesn't assist in temptation but its their choice. You have to be in those bars yourself to witness it.
Outside of the bars there is incredible scenery, great sports and a huge amount of culture if you embrace it. We have a large Scandinavian presence in our area (as many areas of Spain now do) and its interesting that you see far more of them enjoying the outdoors than the British. Almost everyone you meet or see on the cycle paths and running tracks is Scandinavian rather than British, but that is their prerogative. You make of it whatever you want. We don't change into some strange ex-pat type on landing there, we just do what we do here pretty much, just in the sun which lends itself more to outside stuff which suits us.
otherman said:
What, wait? £39,000 per year rent? I thought you owned the house and that's how you get to make money by renting it out.
Yes, we own our house and rent it out. The money we get from it pays the rent on where we live now. But now, due to lack of work, we can't afford it and have to rent something half the price, but there is currently nothing suitable available that will take a dog - but there is in Spain.wisbech said:
In that case why not move somewhere cheaper & warmer in the UK & pick up casual work?
I think we're in the best bit of the UK weather-wise, but certainly not cost of living-wise. Casual work for someone over 60 is few and far between. I'm competing with hundreds of smart and strong university graduates.I've dabbled in this.
I think the key to living in a foreign country successfully is enjoying the language. If you don't get excited about learning the language then it will be a hugely different experience. Speaking mostly English outside of service will get depressing quickly.
Saying that, it does help massively if you can find work which 'aslo' leverages your fluency in English, as otherwise you won't compete with locals.
I also struggled to find an engaging lifestyle, especially with people my age. Lots of people under 30 and over 55, but in between not so much.
I think the key to living in a foreign country successfully is enjoying the language. If you don't get excited about learning the language then it will be a hugely different experience. Speaking mostly English outside of service will get depressing quickly.
Saying that, it does help massively if you can find work which 'aslo' leverages your fluency in English, as otherwise you won't compete with locals.
I also struggled to find an engaging lifestyle, especially with people my age. Lots of people under 30 and over 55, but in between not so much.
I have been in Marbella since New Year. Started very busy with tourists, but since mid January it is by far Spanish only. It is Andalusia Day on Friday so with half-term as well, there are a lot of visiting Spaniards in addition to a few more Brits and other Europeans. It is not an issue as Spaniards here have a glass-half-full mentality.
Winter here is fine - summers with loads of yob tourists and soaring temperatures combine to make a very good reason to be elsewhere.
Winter here is fine - summers with loads of yob tourists and soaring temperatures combine to make a very good reason to be elsewhere.
993kimbo said:
MrOrange said:
2. Summer season is over, the nice summer places are shut-up and the tourist towns are dead
Surely working towns like Marbella and Estepona are busy/buzzy all year round?Shnozz covered MrOrange's criticisms. All I'd add is that the points he made all stem, IMHO, from not really understanding the language or the culture.
993kimbo said:
Yes I'm afraid so. Maybe we'll have to do 3 months at a time.
Given the economic benefit of long term migrants from Britain, I'd imagine getting residency won't be that hard post Brexit, assuming you can get health insurance cover.Some Spanish regions offer something called the "Convenio Especial" which is a public health insurance option designed for third country permanent residents. It varies region to region and usually covers everything(with a small excess) except prescriptions for a nominal monthly fee, as in sub €100.
Ultimately you won't know the lay of the land until this time next year, but I don't think getting residency will be insurmountable given the economic incentive to Spain of you moving there.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 25th February 15:52
croyde said:
So if you stay 90 days in Europe, you are effectively banned for the next 90 days?
Yep - The benefit of taking back control.Of course you could spend time and cash dealing with bureaucracy in whichever EU country you want to stay longer and hope you can persuade them to issue you a long stay visa, but good luck with that.
And if you overstay and are picked up on departure you run the risk of your passport being marked and not being welcome at all in the future on the automatic Schengen Visa, but will need to apply for a full one.
The rules seem to meet the same aims as the UK to stop European Union migrants from treating Britain "as their own country" - https://www.businessinsider.com/boris-johnson-says...
Unless you consider Brits living in Spain to be ex-pats, whilst Romanians living in the UK to be immigrants.
Edited by PF62 on Tuesday 25th February 19:34
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