Living in Spain
So you've decided that you want to live in Spain - and why not? With over 300 days of sunshine every year and a lower cost of living than in the UK who wouldn't. But let's face it that's not the only reason you want to live in Spain is it?
Living Abroad
Moving to a new country can be an exciting and rewarding experience, I should know I've done it three times, it must just be the buzz for me.
Seriously though, before considering a move to a new country, Spain included you need to know why you want to live in that country. Some typical questions we always ask are:
- Why do you want to live abroad ?
- What do you hope to gain from the move ?
- Are you sure you will feel comfortable living away from all that you've known back home (family, friends etc) ?
- How will you survive financially ?
- What about the boredom factor when the holiday mode has worn off ?
Sure there are many more questions and I'm sure I could fill this page and many others besides.
Living in Spain
Living is Spain in real terms is the same as living anywhere else in the world it's just that for most of us it represents a new challenge.
Some things you may want to consider:
The Climate
When you've lived in the north of England most of your life then Spain is an ideal place to visit when its time to warm the cockles.
While friends and family are shivering the winters away back home you can bask in the warm winter sunshine of the Costas.
But what about Spain in the summer? If you are not used to very hot summers then spending the summer in Spain can be quite uncomfortable especially if you are a bigger built person like me.
The Holiday Mode
Most people forget that living abroad is not the same as holidaying abroad and we try to ensure that prospective buyers spend some time in Spain during the winter months as well as the summer just to make sure that they understand the differences between seasons in Spain.
In the winter period the Costas quieten down a lot and there is a more quieter and relaxed pace of life - more prefereable for some of us after a hectic summer.
Once you settle down from a holiday mode where everything is still exciting and new you need to remember that this is your home now - the sooner you can settle back into a "normal routine" the easier you will find it to adjust to living abroad. Do what you did at home only in the sun. Introduce parts of your new lifestyle into your everyday tasks - this way you will find integration a lot smoother.
Financial Security
Most people who buy in Spain tend to be retirees or people lucky enough to not have to work. Pensioners and the affluent can easily draw down pensions and dividens from their UK providers in Spain with relative ease and enjoy their days playing golf on one of the Polaris World Golf Resorts.
However, there are still many people who move to Spain and need to work to maintain their standard of living albeit the cost of living in Spain is somewhat cheaper than in the UK. Finding a job and entering the workforce in Spain is quite easy - providing you can speak the lingo.
The majority of Brits who move to Spain tend to become self employed and set up businesses based around servicing the expat community like; building work, pool cleaning, property management, hairdressing and many others. There is work available in all ares of Spain some seasonal and some permanent, you just need to do your homework and decide what level of employment you need and where your skills lie.
Medical Matters
One of the most asked questions for people moving to Spain is about the medical facilties. There is a free universal health care system in Spain but you need to have a social security number to be part of it which normally means you have to be employed or self employed.
Alternatively there are a few private medical providers where you can obtain private medical cover from as little as €30 per month. However, many private companies won't insure people over 57 years. The national hospitals and medical centres in Spain are generally good with clean facilities and attentative staff.
Whatever your reasons are for wanting to live in Spain remember they are your reasons and no other person can feel the way you feel about something. Spain is a wonderful place to live with a fantastic climate and close proximity to the rest of Europe that's why so many people move there.
With Polaris World you can be sure in the knowledge that they have built a lifestyle that is safe, secure and community driven so you need never feel alone in a new place.
