\n Want to move to Spain? Here’s what residents recommend.
\nCredit: Shutterstock, FTiare <\/p>\n
A recent social media post asking, \u201cWhat advice would you give someone moving to Spain?\u201d prompted a flood of responses from long term residents and recent arrivals alike. The overwhelming message was clear. Success in Spain depends far more on attitude and preparation than sunshine and scenery.<\/p>\n
Learning the language was the most repeated piece of advice. Orla Tierney said, \u201cLearn Spanish and don\u2019t get stuck in a totally expat enclave.\u201d Sandy Corbett echoed this, adding, \u201cLearn Spanish and join in with the locals, they will love you for trying.\u201d For many, language is the gateway to real integration. Lisa Olesen put it simply, \u201cLearn Spanish!!!!\u201d<\/p>\n
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Integration itself was another dominant theme. Steve Copeland, who has lived in Spain for 18 years, wrote, \u201cDon\u2019t expect the Spanish to adapt to you. Adapt to them. Learn some Spanish and integrate.\u201d Caroline Jane Lewis added, \u201cIntegrate, speak Spanish, eat at Spanish restaurants, shop Spanish.\u201d The message was clear. Blending into local life brings far greater rewards than remaining inside an expat bubble.<\/p>\n
The romantic idea of Spain as a permanent holiday was firmly challenged. Stephen Chatt Milne warned, \u201cAlways keep in your mind that it is somewhere you will be living and possibly working, totally different to having a holiday here.\u201d Ian Parker reinforced this view with, \u201cRetirement here is not a holiday. Join in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Money and patience were also recurring themes. Tolo Amador advised bluntly, \u201cBring money, lots of it.\u201d Lesley Davies added, \u201cLearn to be very patient, formalities can be time consuming. Then enjoy everything.\u201d Bureaucracy clearly tests even the most enthusiastic newcomers.<\/p>\n
There were practical warnings too. Diane Porter urged, \u201cMake sure you know all the legalities first. Pay for expert help.\u201d Jim Wood advised future movers to \u201copen a Spanish bank account, don\u2019t sign a lease until you see the dwelling in person and have a lawyer handle the contract.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not all voices were encouraging. Maria Borja simply said, \u201cDon\u2019t do it?\u201d while Paul Bath was even blunter with, \u201cDon\u2019t go.\u201d Others stressed that Spain is not for everyone and that expectations must be realistic.<\/p>\n
Overall, the discussion paints Spain as a country that rewards those who arrive prepared, patient and willing to adapt. As Lyn Rowe summed it up, \u201cIntegration is key. Live like the Spanish not like holiday makers. It will be so much easier and you will be so much happier too.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Want to move to Spain? Here’s what residents recommend. Credit: Shutterstock, FTiare A recent social media post asking,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":613848,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5312],"tags":[2000,299,104],"class_list":{"0":"post-613847","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-spain","8":"tag-eu","9":"tag-europe","10":"tag-spain"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115667109344936231","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/613847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=613847"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/613847\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/613848"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=613847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=613847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=613847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}