Cons of living in Spain - Page 3

DarioMartin wrote on Sat Jan 30, 2021 8:52pm:

Thing is, that’s a pretty subjective question ... if you are determined to seek a better life, then from my point of view there are no cons.  Not speaking any Spanish will be a downside - whilst you’ll still be able to function and live, you’ll miss out on a lot of the culture and hist...

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...ory.

Also, if you can’t survive without English food or English TV, whilst you can get those things, they come at a premium.  Really, I guess it’s what is important to you personally.

I love living here.  Air is clearer, road network is really good, electricity is a bit pricey, but cost of living overall is much much cheaper.  It’s certainly a much more relaxed lifestyle.  Cons big enough to prevent a move? From my point of view and experience - none whatsoever, but like I said - everyone’s experience is personal to them 

ErnieR wrote on Sat Jan 30, 2021 9:35pm:

Dario as a Scot I am not really worried about English food plus we enjoy lots of variety in our food especially Mediterranean influence. I don’t watch too much TV so that won’t be a hardship.
I was thinking more along the lines of integration with the locals, hablo poco de espanol but I a...

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...m not totally confident with it although I am trying to build up my knowledge.

My biggest worries are the level of crime I want my wife and I to feel safe, I want us to feel welcome and not always an outsider in the area where we live, are the roads safe or will my car be like a dodgem car, what are the noise levels like do dogs bark all night like living alarms and are parcels delivered quickly.

I am aware that living in Spain and holidaying in Spain are much different and I know that we will become aware of many of these things when we get a chance to rent a place and live in Spain. We have never been in Almeria province and in this current we need to get as much knowledge as possible through the website and by picking the brains of people like yourself who live in Spain. I have a couple of colleagues at college who are Spanish but both of them have said that their ideas of living in Spain are not those of an immigrant.
About 2 years ago my wife and I laid out a plan for planning the move which would have answered all of our questions but COVID ended that plan. We retire in August and I had hoped to spend my 60th in a hotel on the coast being spoiled it may still happen in a seaside hotel in Scotland but I don’t think that will be on any of the costas. We will be in Spain to start our research as soon as we can hopefully before the end of 2021.

ErnieR wrote on Sat Jan 30, 2021 9:35pm:

Dario as a Scot I am not really worried about English food plus we enjoy lots of variety in our food especially Mediterranean influence. I don’t watch too much TV so that won’t be a hardship.
I was thinking more along the lines of integration with the locals, hablo poco de espanol but I a...

Read more...

...m not totally confident with it although I am trying to build up my knowledge.

My biggest worries are the level of crime I want my wife and I to feel safe, I want us to feel welcome and not always an outsider in the area where we live, are the roads safe or will my car be like a dodgem car, what are the noise levels like do dogs bark all night like living alarms and are parcels delivered quickly.

I am aware that living in Spain and holidaying in Spain are much different and I know that we will become aware of many of these things when we get a chance to rent a place and live in Spain. We have never been in Almeria province and in this current we need to get as much knowledge as possible through the website and by picking the brains of people like yourself who live in Spain. I have a couple of colleagues at college who are Spanish but both of them have said that their ideas of living in Spain are not those of an immigrant.
About 2 years ago my wife and I laid out a plan for planning the move which would have answered all of our questions but COVID ended that plan. We retire in August and I had hoped to spend my 60th in a hotel on the coast being spoiled it may still happen in a seaside hotel in Scotland but I don’t think that will be on any of the costas. We will be in Spain to start our research as soon as we can hopefully before the end of 2021.

ErnieR wrote on Sat Jan 30, 2021 9:35pm:

Dario as a Scot I am not really worried about English food plus we enjoy lots of variety in our food especially Mediterranean influence. I don’t watch too much TV so that won’t be a hardship.
I was thinking more along the lines of integration with the locals, hablo poco de espanol but I a...

Read more...

...m not totally confident with it although I am trying to build up my knowledge.

My biggest worries are the level of crime I want my wife and I to feel safe, I want us to feel welcome and not always an outsider in the area where we live, are the roads safe or will my car be like a dodgem car, what are the noise levels like do dogs bark all night like living alarms and are parcels delivered quickly.

I am aware that living in Spain and holidaying in Spain are much different and I know that we will become aware of many of these things when we get a chance to rent a place and live in Spain. We have never been in Almeria province and in this current we need to get as much knowledge as possible through the website and by picking the brains of people like yourself who live in Spain. I have a couple of colleagues at college who are Spanish but both of them have said that their ideas of living in Spain are not those of an immigrant.
About 2 years ago my wife and I laid out a plan for planning the move which would have answered all of our questions but COVID ended that plan. We retire in August and I had hoped to spend my 60th in a hotel on the coast being spoiled it may still happen in a seaside hotel in Scotland but I don’t think that will be on any of the costas. We will be in Spain to start our research as soon as we can hopefully before the end of 2021.

JoyGib wrote on Wed Feb 3, 2021 12:46pm:

I feel we moved here in September and it was the best thing we ever done spanish people are so welcoming they have excepted into the village I can know speak a little Spanish and the people let me know if I said it wrong and correct me I am the happiest I've ever been xx 

patricia62 wrote on Tue Feb 2, 2021 10:06am:

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. 

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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

Ian 77 wrote on Wed Feb 3, 2021 10:09am:

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  ...

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...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 .

JoyGib wrote on Wed Feb 3, 2021 12:46pm:

I feel we moved here in September and it was the best thing we ever done spanish people are so welcoming they have excepted into the village I can know speak a little Spanish and the people let me know if I said it wrong and correct me I am the happiest I've ever been xx 

Marcioca wrote on Wed Feb 3, 2021 1:10pm:

EarnieA

If you haven’t been to Almeria area you’re going to be happily surprised. We fell in love with Mojacar Playa when we first came here in our visit to start looking. It’s a BEAUTIFUL place so we almost immediately felt “I can live here”. Ended up buying  in Los Gallardos , a tiny tow...

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...n 12/13 min from Mojácar, which gave us more property for our money and it’s still close enough to pop in to Mojacar Playa every day if we want.

Almeria is an amazing province and as you  probably know, has the only DESERT in Europe. So much to explore and so relaxing. Mountains, sea, wonderful roads, low crime, excellent restaurants and bakeries everywhere- we love the bread here!
Driving up and down Mojacar Playa is a delight❤️

You would not be an outsider if you try and speak Spanish to the locals. Many British people mix only within themselves. Because of the Pandemic my husband and I still haven’t had any opportunity to get close to Spanish families in the village. Everything has been half shut since we arrived. 

If you are able to rent beforehand you would obviously find everything you need to know to make a decision. For us it would have been a bit costly and bit more trouble to move twice so we just decided to bite the bullet. 

Good luck this year and I hope you guys move here!

Marcia