Three Ways You Can Turn Thinking About it to Actually Moving to Spain

Three Ways You Can Turn Thinking About it to Actually Moving to Spain.

Spain tops all other European destination to live.

If you’re one of the many people coming back home after a Spanish holiday then you probably feel the post-holiday blues. The drab and grey British sky is nothing compared to the bright and sunny skies of Spain so it’s no wonder that you’re feeling a little down now that you’re home. The same feeling comes after comparing going to work with spending a week by the pool.

There is more to the problem than just readjustment for some people. Spain just gets to some people. The culture, the people, the architecture; everything about Spain is appealing and it can be hard to get rid of thoughts about packing everything up and just moving to Spain.

What would it be like to wake up to the bright skies and welcoming warmth each day? What would it be like to get rid of your boring British home that is probably overpriced and undersized and swap it for a spacious Spanish property for sale on the Costa del Sol.? What would it be like to avoid the rush hour traffic, the wet puddles and the people on the train at 7AM?

You can find out what all that would be like if you want but it takes a little more than just packing up and moving. There’s a lot of thought, tons of planning, and the urge to just jump when it comes to moving to Spain. You shouldn’t rush into a decision such as emigration though, so you might be wondering how to go from thinking about moving to Spain to actually going. While everyone is different in their own ways we’ve compiled a list of three simple truths that should help you make the choice.

You’re In Good Company

The idea to move to another country is definitely daunting but it’s not as much of a step into the unknown as you think it is. Many people have already emigrated to Spain and are now living the life of luxury. There are so many, in fact, that it’s impossible to know how many Brits have moved to Spain. The official estimates suggest that there could be as many as 1.2 million Brits living in Spain. A million Brits can’t be wrong, right?

The most expat-heavy areas in Spain are found along the Mediterranean coast. The Costa del Sol in particular has everything that an expat could possibly need to live and work in peace. There are plenty of British supermarkets, greasy spoon cafes, plumbers, solicitors and teachers that have all made the journey from the UK before you. As such it makes integrating much easier than in other areas of Spain.

Now Really is the Best Time

Spanish property prices are currently around 28% less than they were at the peak of the boom period in 2008. Even so the data suggests that these prices are still continuing to rise across the country, especially in the popular buying areas such as Marbella and the surrounding regions. That’s why Spanish property is currently almost the perfect storm. It’s affordable for Brits who have the money for it (and may even be selling their home in the UK) while at the same time you know that in the future your Spanish property will be worth a fair bit more than it is now.

Throw in the uncertainty of the Brexit and Brits have a two-year window in which they can take advantage of the current EU laws that allow Brits to live, work, and own property in another EU member state such as Spain. Things are going to be a little foggy after the Brexit and there’s a solid chance things are going to be tougher.

Money Worries Will Always Be There

Something that stops potential expats from moving is that they worry about work and pensions. Ask yourself if you already have those worries at home. If you don’t then you should be able to afford a move to Spain. But if you do already have those worries then why are you expecting things to be magically different if you move? If you’ve got the knowledge and the resources to hold down a job and support your family in Britain then there’s no reason that you can’t do the same thing in Spain.

There will undoubtedly be challenges (you should probably start learning Spanish now before you move) but the facts are in and they paint a great picture; it’s cheaper to live in Spain, they also have an excellent free healthcare system, the education standards are top notch, the Spanish job market is recovering, and the Costa del Sol will always have openings forqualified and competent English speakers; which you undoubtedly are if you can afford to move to Spain.

Ten Weird Things About the UK That Shocks Spaniards

Ten Weird Things About the UK That Shocks Spaniards

Spaniards love to go to the UK when they decide to live abroad but there are things about the UK that the Spaniards find almost impossible to come to grips with.

The Spanish think the British have

some strange habits

Alcohol

In Spain alcohol is enjoyed as part of a meal and it can take them the better part of an evening to drink it all. In the UK Brits drink as much as they can as fast as they can, only stopping to get something to eat on the way home.

Punctuality

Another thing is that Spaniards take being late nowhere near as seriously as the British do. A Spaniard could turn up 30 minutes late with no problem but if you’re late more than once with a Brit then you’ve got a reputation.

Personal Space

Spaniards also have trouble with personal space. Spaniards are expressive and greet eachother with a kiss while Brits prefer handshakes and formal greetings. Brits don’t even kiss people they know. Physical contact is something that should generally be avoided. Spanish expats are commonly regarded as being a bit too touchy-feely if all they do is just pat someone on the back. A good firm handshake is about as much as Brits are willing to touch strangers.

Bad Coffee

Spaniards find the coffee in the UK terrible compared to the coffee from Spain. It’s just something the Brits have never managed to get right.

Bathroom Carpets

Carpets may help a British home stay warm but Spaniards are used to wooden floors and tiles so it can be surprising to them. They also feel that bathroom carpets are unhygienic.

Winter Dress

British people are so used to the cold weather they can wear miniskirts and stringy tops in the middle of winter. Spaniards may brave the cold but they will only do so if they are wearing plenty of layers. They just don’t get how the Brits do it.

Politeness

While the Spanish say please, thank you, and sorry plenty they feel that Brits will throw these words into conversation too much. They say the words so much they lose meaning to Spaniards.

Takeaway Food

There are so many fast food joints, and the food served there is so bad, that it leaves Spaniards desperate for a nice home cooked meal. They are also surprised when they learn that curry is actually one of the national dishes of England, rather than the more traditional fish and chips or roast beef and Yorkshire puddings.

Queues

The Spanish aren’t exactly surprised to learn how much Brits are willing to queue, but they can be very surprised to learn how angry it makes Brits when someone doesn’t respect the queue and tries to jump the line.

Fake Tan

Spanish expats can’t get over how obsessed with being tanned the British are. All the fake tan and makeup that a British woman is likely to put on comes across as tacky to them.