13 Aug 2012 12:01 PM:

I live in Devon UK.  Beautiful county, green, picturesque, and wonderful coastline.  BUT, it has rained virtually non stop for months and my legs haven't seen daylight in the UK since last year.  We holiday regularly in Andalucia and just love the sun, food, and the relaxed way of life.  Rarely do the Spanish complain of ill  health and there are few mobility scooters to be seen.  There is a dramatic rise in obesity in the UK; excessively fat people everywhere. There is also clearly a difference in the  attitude towards littering, where a new sub-culture of people here seem not to care about their environment.  Most Spanish towns I have visited are clean and welcoming.  Never have I seen a drunken Spaniard, unlike here where we find empty beer cans in hedgrows, left scattered around the parks, and littering the paths, with youths creating all sorts of anti-social behaviour as a result of alcohol abuse.

I am not in agreement that 'Spanish Bashing' exists in the UK.  I have not heard or read of any, and I would go on to say that the view of Spain and it's people is very good within the UK.  OK, property prices seem to be falling faster there than here, but put that down to sheer overdevelopment and the greed of developers, (not always Spanish), in addition to the general economy.

I completely agree it is easy to view a life in Spain with rose coloured glasses.  Maybe all Brits should subscribe to 'Eye on Spain' for the realism of living over there.  But, anyone with two ounces of intelligence should be able to weigh up the pro's and con's and especially do not make the move if money is tight which is a recipe to certain disaster.  And finally learn the language before moving out there.  How on earth can one expect an easy ride if everything heard or read is a complete mystery?

For my part, about a month a year in the sun and experiencing the wonderful culture as a visitor to Spain is the answer.  I have taken the time to learn the language , albeit limited, to fully enjoy the experience.  I can keep on the property ladder in the UK, freely use the NHS for which I have paid all my working life, and choosing a location to achieve the best retirement experience is easy.

Just off to tuck into a delicious Devonian Cream Tea with whole strawberry jam and lashings of clotted cream at Saunton Sands Hotel along those beautiful green lanes.  We have just had a shower and the smell of newly mown grass is in the air.  Enjoy your day, I will !!! 

 

Thread: BE HONEST...Would you stay in Spain if it wasn't for the weather?

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