Crikey - how long have you got to read this and I apologize in advance for my spelling!!!
After living in London for many years, then for 3 years in Midlands, I moved with hubby (no1 at the time!!) and 1 borne and 1 about to be borne, to his home town of Hartlepool. The idea was for family supprt and we did get some, but more me giving than receiveing! Anyway in 93 we were both dissatisfied with life in general and the daily grind - I was back at school studying law with 2 young kids also had a part time job, when we thought about moving abroad
Cutting a long dtory short we landed in 95 at my parents villa in campo mijas - sounds grand but he place had never been lived in - for 11 years!!! Bit overgrown to say the least.
Anyway we made the best of it, I retrained as a childrens entertainer (a trande I can use anywhere in the world) hubby was/is an electrician
As soon as we landed I felt at home. After the usual few weeks not really making en effort, the money was ebbing away - we had sold the house with furniture and come out with 1 airline full - in the days of no real limits - and an estate car load.
Worked hard and carved a name - in those days all work was word of mouth. Had massive arguement with the parents and had to leave the villa, in those days nowhere to rent, nothing advertiosed and through friends we got a 3 bed townhouse. We had to get out for 2 weeks in the summer for the owners to come out to as well! We ended up on the campsite living out of the vans - another story for another day!!!
Work wook off and I have luckily always been busy and earned. Hubby couldnt settle and we split in 97 - he lives in the UK. Kids stayed with me - poor sods! - and none of us have any regrets. At all.
Daughter is doing fabulously at 6th form, going to uni in october and son is a rising rugby star (he will hate me for posting that but I dont care, Im so proud of both of them).
I have no where else to go as this IS my home, however hard it gets. When you get up in the morning and you are faced with a stunning blue sky and blazing sunshine, the sea lapping against the shore and the smell of the salt in the air, I know i have made the right decision
Healthwise I could not fault them. I have recently had to use the system - first time since being here, and they have been very fast and professional. No hanging around and the hospital calls you to make appoiontments, its not left to chance! Price wise the monthly social security is steep, but once in it thats it - youre in for life even if not contributing. The medicines I think are much cheaper and they give you the name of what it is you need, not the brand name and so the chemist will ask you if you want the brand name or the cheaper one!
Zovirax for cold sores for example is 2.30€ and antibiotics are well under 5€ still
Hope that helps!