| div id="body"> | | | | mains sewage, electricity and telephone landlines. |
| I am frequently asked by people thinking of moving | | | | So, daily life in Spain in some coastal areas can, in |
| to Spain what life in Spain is really like. This is not | | | | many ways, be superficially similar to the UK - |
| such a suprising question, really, as the only | | | | including the fact that you do not need to speak |
| experience of Spanish culture that most people have | | | | Spanish to live quite happily, long term, within this |
| is during their brief two week holidays in Spain. | | | | environment. Indeed, to all intents and purposes you |
| These, almost by definition, are usually spent in | | | | can avoid Spanish culture in any meaningful sense - |
| tourist destinations that have no more relevance to | | | | whilst enjoying a stunning climate, an al fresco life and |
| real life in Spain than the front at Blackpool does to | | | | one where the living costs are lower than that of the |
| normal life in the UK. | | | | UK. The day to day life may be somewhat 'artificial' |
| Of course, everyone's experience of permanent living | | | | but it is one which is easily accessible if you do not |
| in Spain is different and, to some extent it is almost | | | | want to be unduly challenged by moving into a |
| impossible to adequately encapsulate the way of life | | | | linguistically different culture. |
| in any all-encompassing way. This may seem odd but | | | | Of course, matters are different inland. Most |
| the truth is that there is little real connection | | | | foreigners who move to Spain, understandably, move |
| between daily life in Spain lived within a rural, inland | | | | to the coast. Accordingly, the 'infrastructure' for |
| village and that encountered by those living on a high | | | | foreigners moving inland is far less well developed. An |
| class, high density foreigner estate on the coast. The | | | | English speaking infrastructure is often barely present |
| former tend to involve a 'full-on' integration into | | | | and the way of life markedly different. Certainly, |
| Spanish life whilst the latter can mean that no real | | | | learning Spanish is almost a pre-requisite together |
| integration is necessary or, indeed, ever really takes | | | | with a willingness to embrace Spanish culture |
| place. | | | | wholeheartedly. |
| Certainly, it not for me to make a qualitative | | | | It is also true to say that in rural areas (outside of |
| judgment about the merits of the two extremes | | | | villages and towns) some of the basic services |
| (rural life or foreigner coastal estate) as everything | | | | present everywhere in the UK can be distinctly |
| depends upon what you - the person moving to | | | | lacking. Some rural properties can lack mains |
| Spain - wants. In a way, I think that one of the great | | | | electricity, mains water and even landline telephone |
| strengths of Spain is that foreigners can move to | | | | connections - let alone ADSL. Unfortunately, some of |
| Spain and live in specific areas that are extremely | | | | these places, for the forseeable furture, will also not |
| user-friendly. This is certainly true of the Costa del | | | | receive an upgrade should they be missing these |
| Sol and the Costa Blanca where there are many | | | | services. |
| estates largely composed of foreigners - some of | | | | Certainly, I am not, for one moment, suggesting that |
| which are overwhelmingly populated by German, | | | | if you are thinking of moving to Spain that you |
| Dutch or British people. Calpe (on the Costa Blanca), | | | | should avoid inland areas. That would be absurd - but |
| for example, evidently has more British people living | | | | recognise that the move is likely to be far more |
| there than Spaniards! | | | | committing than if you were moving onto a coastal |
| In effect, you can move to Spain and into an area | | | | estate. That said, any difficulties can be more than |
| that has an existing way of life that has little to do, | | | | off-set by the rewards inherent in integrating |
| in reality, with Spanish culture. Most of your | | | | properly into Spanish day to day life within a tight, |
| neighbours may be British (or at least English | | | | nuclear culture that is fundamentally different (and |
| speaking) and the local infrastructure will have | | | | arguably better) than that of the UK. |
| developed to service foreigners. 'English' shops selling | | | | Of course, the decision of where to move to Spain is |
| English goods (run by Britons) may be present and | | | | yours. However, recognise that exactly where you |
| complemented by English speaking dentists, lawyers, | | | | move - will define your daily life far more than it |
| bar owners, doctors and tradesman. Even the local | | | | would in the UK. Move to a coastal estate and, by |
| native Spanish will probably speak sufficient English to | | | | definition, your daily life will probably have little to do |
| service your needs. Needless to say, often a well | | | | with Spain and the realities (for both good and bad) |
| developed English speaking social network will have | | | | of Spanish culture. The demographics and lifestyle on |
| developed providing a range of activities and clubs. | | | | most coastal estates quite simply have little, if |
| Meanwhile, these coastal estates have usually | | | | anything, to do with 'normal' Spanish life. However, |
| matured well and have all the services that you | | | | the reverse is true of inland areas. In terms of sheer |
| would expect in the UK. ADSL is normally available | | | | life experience, the latter are likely to be more |
| together with drinkable mains water (aqua potable), | | | | interesting (and fun! |