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Alfs 2:35 Sat May 21
Does any one her live in Spain?

I've spent the last month in Minorca, writing, which is what I do, To make a living I simply need my laptop and an internet connection.

The weather aside, though that's a plus, the cost of living is so much cheaper. Probably as much as 40%. And out of season, the flights back to London are cheaper than what I would pay on the train.

I'm curious to know of anyone who has done this and how they have found it.

Peckham 2:21 Tue May 24
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

Mr Burns, was not sure, so just asked a client. His opinion, not great about an hour from us, but where we live, without sounding flash or boastful, is perfect. However Guadarama is a lovely place to live near the mountains and only 30 minutes to the capital. But I can't speak for Guadalajara only asked one blokes opinion.

costahammer 1:32 Tue May 24
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

Yeah Chiclana de la Frontera beaches are fantastic ... only an hour & bit drive for me...lovely place...if Marbella had those beaches & clear seas well it would be wonderful... Nerja has great beaches & clear sea..as well!!.....for me though Barcelona...beaches and a large city best of both worlds!

J.Riddle 12:49 Tue May 24
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

Chiclana is on the Atlantic very windy on that side. Med side is calmer. Agree about winter it empties out and the shutters come down. Spoke to a bar owner in a seaside resort who was pulling the shutters down end of October, asked him what he would do now and he said he would have his annual month holiday and then was off to open up his other bar in a ski resort in December. Back again to the seaside to open mid March to Very seasonal, that's why I lived in Genova Palma as a decent sized city with shopping centres, department stores, marinas on the beach. Still got bored though, it's not London.

Only worth going in the summer, as previously said the weather is the main reason to go and Costa Brava would be my pick, close to Barcelona or Girona if you get bored.

Mr. Burns 12:48 Tue May 24
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

What's Guadalajara like Peckham?

Peckham 12:36 Tue May 24
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

The main advantage of Madrid , is its where there are opportunities to make money and its bang in the middle of the country , so at weekends you can go 2 hours in any direction and find something different everytime , from mountains and skiing , nature , to sun soaked beaches.

Peckham 12:33 Tue May 24
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

Agreed , Madrid centre , there are some really run down areas, some are no go areas , also , similar to London , most of the Madrilaneans have moved from the centre to the suburbs , so the centre is a mish mash of latin americans , Romanians etc etc.
But to the west of Madrid in the suburbs , Pozuelo , Boadilla Del Monte and pushing towards the mountains is a completely different story , and the north of Madrid , La Moraleja - These towns provide a first class standard of living , with the highest income per household in the whole of Spain and the lowest crime rates. Crime is non existent where i live and the roads cleaned 3 times a day and bin collected everyday , 7 days a week.
Madrid , is no way comparable to Rome, Paris, London etc for touristy things. But can still offer a few nice things.
Night life without doubt is the best in Spain. Every main club in Ibiza has an office in Madrid , along with superclubs easily on par with Madrid.
Someone mentioned San Sebastian , some argue , even the French , say this place is the food capital of Europe. But agreed the north of Spain is similar weather to UK ( although everytime i have been , I have been lucky its sunny. Have a small gaff in La Coruna , near Santiago Compostella , stunning scenery.
The better quality of life is definately on the outskirts of Madrid. Madrid like most places nowadays is a city of contrasts , and as for the best things to do or see , it is like most things ,subjective.

Willtell 12:21 Tue May 24
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

That's true of all seasonal holiday resorts wansteadman. It's only the sun and sea that makes them so good. Once the novelty wears off reality sets in. They're dead during winter...

wansteadman 11:24 Tue May 24
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

I find the problem with some parts of Spain is the winters. We stay in chiclana for a month every year and think it's a great place Good restaurants fantastic beaches so went back in November to look at buying a place and it was almost closed down. No restaurants open and almost deserted couldn't think of spending 6 months in the winter there

Willtell 8:40 Tue May 24
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

I agree with Eerie about Madrid. My daughter moved there 5 years ago to teach English and has since moved on to Vietnam.

Madrid has nice spots but is full of penniless people that can't get work so is run down too. For me the problem with Spanish seaside towns is all the Brits that turn up in the summer. Plus the summer heat gets oppressive after more than a couple of weeks imo...

J.Riddle 1:50 Tue May 24
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

Good thread this. Costahammer and Peckham are spot on, first went to Marbella in 85 when it was a great place, sadly overdeveloped and commercialized by the corrupt Mayor Jesus Gil former Atletico de Madrid owner. Still offers much, but if you knew how it used to be it has lost its magic imho. Of course it is not the only place that has succumbed, few too many places remain unspoilt.

Personally prefer Costa Brava area now. I can't speak about Madrid as never been. Visited Bilbao and worked with someone who lived in San Sebastián and another just over the border bridge in Biarritz France. That part of the coast looks great, although doesn't have the best of the weather, which is the main reason for getting away for me.

I was very close to buying a small place last year, but now would only rent. Less hassle and reasonable. This way you can also move around easier if you prefer rather than becoming stuck somewhere.

roltrader 1:00 Tue May 24
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

...good question.... it would certainly change things.

Schoffie 11:35 Mon May 23
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

Roltrader, so why doesn't that rule apply here?!

Eerie Descent 7:35 Mon May 23
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

I've done a fair bit of travelling in my time, been to loads of major cities in Europe, and I'd say Madrid is the city I would least likely return to. Thought it was fucking pony if I'm honest, and that was even with staying with someone who lives there (an Aussie) and knew the 'best' things to do. And fuck me, the locals are probably the most miserable, cold people on the planet.

Just my two' penneth...

roltrader 7:20 Mon May 23
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

In order to receive unemployment benefit in Spain, an employee must have contributed social security payments at least 360 days in the last 6 years, be registered with the employment authorities as available for work.
As a rule the benefit is paid for 1/3 of the period that the unemployed person has contributed. As a minimum the benefit is paid for 4 months and a maximum of 24 months is permitted

WorldCupWilly 7:03 Mon May 23
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

Mike "unemployment" is so high as by paying cash-in-hand the employers don't have to pay social taxes and the employees can claim unemployment benefit - win-win for both sides!

Mike Oxsaw 5:11 Mon May 23
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

Briano 11:41 Sun May 22

Wasn't really "their" Armarda though, was it?

The fleet (mainly) consisted of the ships & men "inherited" from Portugal when that country couldn't rustle up a replacement monarch.

There is a reason they have such high unemployment though - none of the locals want to do the work available. Bit like the UK in that respect, I suppose.

WorldCupWilly 5:05 Mon May 23
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

Chip Shop Charlie 8:56 Sun May 22

Charlie - where's the West Ham pub? I get out to Xàbia for 2-3 weeks a year.

Northern Sold 1:58 Mon May 23
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

Mum lived out there for 10 years in a fishing village called Villajoyosa... as Spain goes it was lovely... superb beach and eateries and fuck all Brits shitting in the streets... the old Moors v Christian festivals were superb... deffo go back there for a week or so

Far Cough 1:03 Mon May 23
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

No, excellent advice thanks, I'm going through my options of retiring there

Peckham 1:01 Mon May 23
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

Sorry for spamming , just last bit of info - in regard to rent , I flat share an apartment , gated community with security , massive pool , 2 tennis courts , grounds and gardens , concierge - 250€ a month. About 200 quid I think. Never been a better time to buy or rent here.

Peckham 12:52 Mon May 23
Re: Does any one her live in Spain?

and if in the constrcution industry , likewise , its the high income areas , there will ne no language barrier , where the jobs go to Romanians etc. But the Spanish would take on qualified UK professionals all day long and money is no problem for those high income areas.

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