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Cons of living in Spain - Page 2

Jenni

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 1:15pm

Jenni

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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 1:15pm

alant wrote on Sun Jan 31, 2021 11:56am:

Who is Ernie?

Ernie is the guy that posted the first question !!!

ErnieR

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:28pm

ErnieR

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Joined: 25 Oct 2020

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:28pm

DarioMartin wrote on Sun Jan 31, 2021 12:19am:

Crime .... I didn’t mention it in my initial response because it really is so low as to be unnoticeable - YES, you still get break-ins - most often at unoccupied holiday lets .... but violent crime is very low.  Guardia Civil / CNP are much MUCH less forgiving than English / Scottish polic...

...e.  Even Policia Local are very heavily armed. Basically ... you just don’t screw with the police. At all.

Roads ... get used to no one using indicators - I mean entering a roundabout here is at best a guessing game, but there are very few accidents for all that.  I find there is an order of magnitude LESS road-rage here than UK.  Maybe it comes from a more relaxed lifestyle but drivers seem to be a lot more courteous.  Just remember not to get worked up when the car in front of you stops in the middle of town so the driver can chat to his friend 😂

Integration: we chose specifically not to live in an expat heavy area, as we wanted to immerse ourselves - we came to Spain to live in Spain; It was a grand dream ... and it forces you to learn Spanish!! In Vera, some English is spoken, but in Correos, Ayuntamiento - all official offices here, forget it - it’s Spanish only.  I believe up around Arboleas / Albox there is a much greater Expat presence and English is more prevalent; but to really integrate, to involve yourself and be part of the Spanish community .... learn Spanish.  There are four official languages in this country.  English is not one of them.

Noise levels: we live at Valle del Este - it’s a stones throw from the E15 and I hear NO traffic, nor dogs barking (ok, dogs bark occasionally, but certainly not all night) it is exceptionally quiet around here.  Arboleas? Couldn’t tell you.  Have driven through but haven’t stopped there for any length of time.

Parcels: now that might bug you 😂 Spanish couriers have a habit of saying “address incomplete” or “recipient absent” if they are running behind time - that way they don’t get penalized for late delivery.  Correos / Correos Express are pretty good, but if you live out in a campo, chances are you are going to have to find a local garage / shop that’s known to courier drivers and have parcels delivered there.  SEUR are about the worst for that, but it really comes down to where you choose to live and how well the individual drivers know the area.  Generally if you live in an urbanización or pueblo you’ll have less problems getting parcels.

Don’t expect things to happen quickly here either.  This is Spain and the more relaxed pace of life translates into every facet of life .... embrace, love it, live it and you’ll have a wonderful time..... fight against “the way”, complain and get stressed when things don’t happen as quickly as you are used to and you will live a life of anxiety and frustration 🤣

Wouldn’t swap it for anything.

Thanks Dario that was very helpful 

👍

E

ErnieR

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:32pm

ErnieR

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Location: Arboleas

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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:32pm

alant wrote on Sun Jan 31, 2021 11:24am:

Lots of things I dont  agree with Diario on but on this occasion he is almost spot on. Delivery drivers deliver to my door, I insist they do. 

Now Arboleas, I can fill Diarios knowledge gaps. i have lived here since 1992 and would love to turn the clock back 25 years but then I certainly would not have the life style I have now (thats another story)....

...

Language, 28 years ago, to my knowledge only one person in the whole area spoke anything like reasonable English. You will not have that advantage. Our local chemist now has six beautiful bilingual ladys  behind the counter and all are courteous enough to address me in Spanish.

My fiance has a property in  Torrevieja where it is sometimes difficult to speak Spanish unless I insist. i mention this because here in Arboleas most Spaniards do not speak English and have no desire to do so. So it is up to you, take Spanish lessons but then practise with Spaniards and not foreigners, you can talk to yourself even if you are a foreigner.

Any specific questions pm me.

Thanks Alan,

I will be using Duolingo for my learning and practising on my Spanish colleagues who usually just smile politely and laugh. We won’t be in Spain I think before the end of the year although we hope to be earlier. I am sure that I will be asking you a few questions over the next year Thanks Ernie

ErnieR

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:34pm

ErnieR

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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:34pm

Jenni wrote on Sun Jan 31, 2021 11:48am:

Hi Ernie,

Couple of things I would add to Dario's comments, is the crime, 4 woman 3 english 1 dutch, all attacked by a Spanish man, that had done this regularly, he was know to the police, no action taken against him, because his uncle was the Mayor!!!!! That could have been an isolated incident, but even ...

...so, the Guardia are very heavy handed, but only when it suits them. But basically Dario is right you dont screw with the Guardia.

I dont know how old you are, but assuming you are OAP's you will be relying on the Spanish Health Care system, which is good, but remember unless you speak Spanish you will need to take an interpreter with you every time you go to the GP or the hospital, very few doctors or nurses speak English. Thats another expense and also not everyone is comfortable with discussing private matters in front of an interpreter.

I live high in the mountains above Oria, we have been in Spain for 12 years, the air is clean, its quiet and peaceful, and I feel very safe, the one Spanish Neighbour I have is lovely, but it isn't the UK, things are done differently, if you are looking for Uk in the Sun, then dont come to this area, go nearer the coast where, there are lots of English shops and English speak doctors etc etc.

I cant really comment on Arboleas, I know people that live there, my impression is that it has large urbanisations, with lots of Ex pat, hopefully someone on this forum who lives there will reply to you. 

I hope this is helpful and good luck with your decision.

Thanks Jenni this is very helpful. We are not at full OAP age yet so we need to get private health insurance. Do you use the same GP’s as the national health in Spain or do you have different clinics?

Ernie

Jenni

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:29pm

Jenni

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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:29pm

ErnieR wrote on Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:34pm:

Thanks Jenni this is very helpful. We are not at full OAP age yet so we need to get private health insurance. Do you use the same GP’s as the national health in Spain or do you have different clinics?

Ernie

Hi Ernie,

I am an OAP so I am on the Spanish System, you dont get a choice with what G.P. you see, when you become a resident and an OAP you will register with the Spanish System , and be given the GP in your village or closest to where you live.and then your medical needs are free( there is a small charge for prescriptions,)  Private Health care, I dont know much about, except there is a good private doctor in Albox who speak excellent English. I do believe that when you have private Health care you are given a list of doctors etc that you can use.

Hope thats helpfull.

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ErnieR

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 7:41pm

ErnieR

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Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2021 7:41pm

Jenni wrote on Sun Jan 31, 2021 4:29pm:

Hi Ernie,

I am an OAP so I am on the Spanish System, you dont get a choice with what G.P. you see, when you become a resident and an OAP you will register with the Spanish System , and be given the GP in your village or closest to where you live.and then your medical needs are free( there is a small charge...

... for prescriptions,)  Private Health care, I dont know much about, except there is a good private doctor in Albox who speak excellent English. I do believe that when you have private Health care you are given a list of doctors etc that you can use.

Hope thats helpfull.

Thanks again Jenni that is very helpful 

Ernie

patricia62

Posted: Tue Feb 2, 2021 10:06am

patricia62

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Joined: 2 Nov 2018

Posted: Tue Feb 2, 2021 10:06am

ErnieR wrote on Sat Jan 30, 2021 12:07pm:

Okay,

This is aimed at those people who are actually living in Spain. I know that there are a lot of holiday home owners, who will all have there thoughts, and a number of people who would love to come to live in Spain. But as I say I would like to get the opinion of those who have moved permanently to...

... help my wife and I decide if moving lock, stock and barrel is the right thing for us.

I know most of the pros better weather, healthier life style, lower cost of living etc and some cons like bureaucracy, visas, potential illegal homes, expensive electricity etc. Simple question is are there any real serious cons of living in Almeria province and in particular around Arboleas?

Thanks

Ernie

Hi there, 

I will try to give you the benefit of my experience. Myself and my husband moved here over 2 and a half years ago, we live just outside of Arboleas. Prior to that we lived in the mountains of Málaga for 6 months. We love living here, it's peaceful and quiet and we love it. 

OK, the cons, something I wasn't prepared for was the homesickness. I'm Irish and I have a large family I miss them dreadfully, when they could come out to visit, it wasn't so bad, but with Covid no one is allowed so I chat by WhatsApp but as I said I miss terribly. My husband doesn't suffer with homesickness, he is london/ Italian who has travelled extensively. He has lived in a lot of different countries, I think that makes a difference. I have only met one Irish person during the time we've been here. One other thing, I am, and have been all my life a vegetarian I have found it difficult enough to find places for vegi food so mostly we eat at home. There is a health food shop in Albox but it can be expensive enough. 

Our Doctor is Doctor Pablo in Albox. Speaks English as do most of his people in the clinic. My husband being Part Italian and fluent in a number of languages is generally able to chat away to anyone Spanish. I on the other hand struggle to speak Spanish, I understand mostly what's being said, but I haven't the confidence yet to respond. I will keep trying. Someone mentioned sprawling urbanisation in Arboleas, I'm not sure where these are as I live in Arboleas but have yet to see them! Spain is a beautiful place weather is fabulous, very very hot in summer, and also cold in winter, so bring winter clothes I got rid of mine and was sorry I did. The rest of the cons  others here have mentioned. Oh and the police, I am actually terrified of! I literally shake when I see checkpoints, probably because people have told me what they are like, although I have never had a problem personally with them. 

Anyway, that's my input, you can send me a message if I can be of any help at all, as I know it can be daunting moving countries, albeit exciting too. 

Patricia

Jenni

Posted: Tue Feb 2, 2021 10:35am

Jenni

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Joined: 14 Dec 2017

Posted: Tue Feb 2, 2021 10:35am

Hi Patricia, Just reading your post and your problem with being a vegi, I am also a vegi, I haven't found any resturants catering for us, but Lidl do a small range of veggie stuff and both the english shops in Albox sell Quorn. 

patricia62

Posted: Tue Feb 2, 2021 10:47am

patricia62

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Posts: 217

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Location: Arboleas

Joined: 2 Nov 2018

Posted: Tue Feb 2, 2021 10:47am

Jenni wrote on Tue Feb 2, 2021 10:35am:

Hi Patricia, Just reading your post and your problem with being a vegi, I am also a vegi, I haven't found any resturants catering for us, but Lidl do a small range of veggie stuff and both the english shops in Albox sell Quorn. 

Hi Jenni, 

Thank you for the message, I'm on a strict diet from nutritionist because of health issue so quorn stuffs not allowed. Mostly I'm eating my own lentil type things and vegetables. Hopefully when I manage my health issue I can branch out😊. 

Take care P

Ian 77

Posted: Wed Feb 3, 2021 10:09am

Ian 77

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Location: Mojacar

Joined: 10 Jan 2018

Posted: Wed Feb 3, 2021 10:09am

ErnieR wrote on Sat Jan 30, 2021 12:07pm:

Okay,

This is aimed at those people who are actually living in Spain. I know that there are a lot of holiday home owners, who will all have there thoughts, and a number of people who would love to come to live in Spain. But as I say I would like to get the opinion of those who have moved permanently to...

... help my wife and I decide if moving lock, stock and barrel is the right thing for us.

I know most of the pros better weather, healthier life style, lower cost of living etc and some cons like bureaucracy, visas, potential illegal homes, expensive electricity etc. Simple question is are there any real serious cons of living in Almeria province and in particular around Arboleas?

Thanks

Ernie

All the things you have said are right , you do need to learn Spanish even if it’s just enough to understand , and have a conversation .. the        Electric is expensive  but it is in the uk to, I believe there are downsides to every place. But not many in Spain  paperwork can be ( I live in the almeria province ) Berja. A small Spanish village or town but the people are great , and weather superb .. it’s a lot slower and if your used to things done quickly they will not do that here ..it’s a lot cheaper than the uk. .. as for food. Imo a lot of the older generation 40s/50s generation might not be able to do without English food but most I know get on fine. The funny thing is the most popular food in uk is Indian not British food .. has been for years it’s a stigma attached to brits ..I myself like Greek French and my fav is Indian .. Chinese ok as well..English food yes I like as well but not my fav .. but it’s a big decision to move and the only one who can really make that choice is yourself, one thing I will say if you sell up and move to Spain it will be a lot harder to come back  as prices are ( as you know) a lot different ( house prices ) .. good luck .

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