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02 Feb 2010 8:35 PM:

We have found that the cost of living has increased considerably since we came over 8 years ago, but when we are only paying about 50 euros a month for water and rubbish and what is the equivelant of community tax in the UK, then the increase in the cost of "chickens" is not really a major issue, incidentally we also buy them from Mercadonna at around 4 euros. We also find that the meat in the butchers shop in our village, is exceptional, very good prices and brilliant quality.

A few years ago I had the need for medical attention, admitted we do have a private health care plan, which is much cheaper than in the UK, but the attention I received was second to non. I had several tests of various kinds and the results were available the next day, in some cases the blood test results were sent to me via email within a couple of hours. I found the doctors to be very thorough. On saying that I have also used the state medical service when I broke my ankle and I was dealt with at the hospital, x-rayed and plastered and on my way home within 45 minutes. I have never known a UK emergency unit deal with things that quick. 

TechNoApe - I do agree that it is not easy over here but as I´ve said before it does have its compensations. We also have a better way of life, even though we would not think so if it were in the UK, somehow material things are not so important over here, it is the more laid back, generally stress free lifestyle that is important to us. We drive an older car here, in the UK we had a lovely Daimler, over here we drive an ancient  Jeep, but the Daimler would not get through our village streets and the mountain road would have buggered it anyway, so there was no point in bringing it over. I don´t think that Spain is the place for people that are materialistic, surely peace of mind is priceless and I´m sure you will agree with me on that.

1962 - I know what you mean about birthday cards. Where we are there is nowhere local that we can buy these so we have always made our own for birthdays, anniversary, etc. They have always been very well accepted as they are personal and people know that we have taken the time to do it for them instead of popping in to the paper shop and grabbing the first card we see. We have been inventive and get a sense of achievement when we see the finsihed article. I am sure that Valerie Singleton would be proud of us.

I know that some of you may think that I only have good things to say about living in Spain, of course there are negative things, but I think you have to look at the overall picture and in our case the positives outway the negatives by a long way, so there is no point in harping on about them.

Look at what you have, not at what you might have had if things had been different.



Thread: Is living in Spain really that bad now???

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30 Jan 2010 8:28 PM:

Thanks to you all for your replies to my previous post.

For all the people wanting to relocate, but not quite having the courage to go ahead in the light of all the bad publicity that Spain has received of late, I hope that I have given you a bit of light at the end of the tunnel. It is easy to get sucked in to all the negative aspects and not be able to see what Spain can offer if you only give it a try.

I know it is easy for me to say this as we have not been directly affected by the corruption. All I can say is "be careful" and I hope that you can eventually achieve your dream.

If you need any further information that you think I can help with, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Good luck to you all.

 



Thread: Is living in Spain really that bad now???

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29 Jan 2010 11:32 PM:

As you can see I am fairly new to EOS and have been looking on this thread to see what comments other people have with regard to "Living in Spain", but after a while I got a bit bored with it as it seemed to be a slanging match between some of the more active members.

In reply to the original thread, we moved to Spain about 8 years ago and live in a small mountain village, it has not been easy and is very often frustrating with the drivers and the red tape, but we would not go back to the UK. When we speak to people about our life here we say that it is not paradise but it is as near as we are likely to get. We work hard but it does have its compensations, like sitting on our terrace in the evening with a glass of wine watching the sun set over the mountain, taking the dogs for a walk in the mountains or on some occasions out of season, on the beach.

It is like going back 50 years as we have limited electricity and low water pressure in our house and the shower dies sometimes (when you are covered in soap) because the pressure will not keep the boiler alight. We do not have central heating and use a wood burner in the winter, but enjoy going "logging" in the mountains and then spending hours in the garden cutting up the logs with the chain saw. Would we accept this in the UK?  NO is the answer, but it is quite acceptable in our more laid back lifestyle.

We find it very difficult learning the language and are still learning and I think it is true when some of the other posts say it is an age thing, but we know enough to get by and I don´t think we will ever be what I would call fluent, but at least we try and don´t expect the Spanish to change for us. When in Rome and all that.

We go back to the UK to visit family and friends occasionally, for very short periods, but are always glad to get back and our friends and family vist us often as they love our laid back lifestyle.

It is certainly more difficult now because of the increase in the cost of living, fuel and food have increased substatially, but when you only have to pay about 200 euros a year for what in the UK would be community charge, then that certainly evens some of it out. Work is harder to come by and wages much lower than the UK, but as long as we can do enough to pay our bills and eat and keep our head above water, then that is fine. We are thankful that we can at least do that and if we can make it to the end of the recession, however long that may be, then that is fine. It will go full circle and at some point will level out and hopefully we can all start to move forward again. We have found that our secret is to keep a positive attitude and thankfully we are quite adaptable, if one job dies out, look for something else not neccessarily what you originally chose to do and above all don´t give up on the dream at the first hurdle.

Thankfully we have not been caught in the web of corruption and do have heartfelt sympathy for those that have. No matter what is done about it, it can never be enough to compensate people for the worry, hurt, dissappointment and in most cases financial hardship that it causes. I sincerely hope that this problem can be resolved before long, but somehow I don´t feel confident that it will, but surely there must come a time when people can consider moving to Spain without the worry of being cheated out of their hard earned money. Even the Spanish government must come to accept at some point that it is doing the country no good at all to carry on in this manner.

On saying all that, Spain is now our "home" and unless something happens beyond our control then I think it will be for the rest of our lives. Living here is not for everyone, life would be very boring if we all liked the same, each to their own as they say.

As some of the other posts have said "viva españa".

Sorry, if I´ve gone on a bit

 



Thread: Is living in Spain really that bad now???

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10 Jan 2010 12:00 AM:

I have a few english vehicles that i have used or acquired over the years and need to move them on. I have a K reg escort van in running order needs a stop solenoid or the engine just keeps running unless you stall it. I have a K reg citroen ax in running order but with no door locks and i have a mitsubishi carisma that has been faithfull to me for 10 years but now needs a new fuel pump and clutch, so will need to be trailored or grua to move it.

I live in Almerimar, yours if you want them!!!



Thread: free to a good home!!!

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10 Jan 2010 1:13 PM:

With regard to skype. Pay as you go is ok but if you pay a yearly subscription of 50e you can call anywhere in europe 24/7 free. We use this all the while. No Phone bills!! you also get a landline number in the uk so people that dont have skype can call a local number(yours) and only get charged local rates.



Thread: Skype phones

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