Thread: Hello all. Looking to move to Spain

My name is Pete, or I suppose you could call me Pedro, and I am looking into moving to Spain sometime this summer, not sure where yet, and trying to keep it a little quiet as I haven't told the wife what my plans are so need to find out if its possible first, hope you can all convince me that it will, so I can convince her!

Thanks in advance

Hola Pedro,

Welcome to the Absolute Spain Forum

I hope you enjoy your stay with us. Be sure to read the forum guidelines.

I also invite you to look into the VIP membership we have.

Spain is a great place, but make sure you know what you are getting yourself into as many things work differently in Spain. I suggest you post some questions here:

Moving to Spain

Living in Spain

Survive the Crisis in Spain

Best wishes,

Greg

Thanks Greg, thats really kind of you.

I hope to get out of the UK as soon as I can, its becoming ridiculous here, too few jobs, too few houses and too many foreigners taking what they want and what they can with none of us hard working English people being given a break.
Its a nanny state mentality over here full of red tape and rules, mates who have moved over to Spain in the 90's are thriving and say that if you want to be left alone you can be over there.

We are coming with not much in our pockets really but I have always been a bit of a wheeler dealer and as long as the transit gets us there I think we will be OK, gung ho "can do" mentality and all that!

Pete - hi there. I too am a newbie like you. Only joined yesterday.

I must say - if I may be so bold - that's quite a first post you've put there, yet rather hypocritical. I don't mean to have a go, but you are saying that immigrants are forcing you out of UK but you would then be an immigrant yourself.

Hi Gleeson, I'm not sure I understand what you are saying mate, all I am saying is that the UK is becoming a joke, they are taking the mickey, and lets face it, we bring nothing but good to Spains economy, the Polish and Ruskies over here take take take!

Thanks for the welcome though.

Originally Posted by Gleision

Pete - hi there. I too am a newbie like you. Only joined yesterday.

I must say - if I may be so bold - that's quite a first post you've put there, yet rather hypocritical. I don't mean to have a go, but you are saying that immigrants are forcing you out of UK but you would then be an immigrant yourself.

Originally Posted by Big Pete

Hi Gleeson, I'm not sure I understand what you are saying mate, all I am saying is that the UK is becoming a joke, they are taking the mickey, and lets face it, we bring nothing but good to Spains economy, the Polish and Ruskies over here take take take!

Thanks for the welcome though.

Both of you have brought up a VERY IMPORTANT issue...

I suggest one of you opens a new thread about that in the General Forum section...

Pete.
I'm a newbie here too, so I guess we could welcome each other to the forum [)
You mentioned red tape in your post, well Spain is the king of red tape, so that's worth remembering if it's something that pees you off back there.
Also worth knowing that Spain has one of the hightest unemployment rates in Europe. Good luck with your wheeler dealing and all that, but unless you can do anything significantly better than the next bloke I fear you may struggle.
Just to say also, that I find the cost of living a lot higher here than I did back in the UK. Though admittedly I live in Madrid which is probably one of the most expensive places to live in this country.
Cheers.

Fair enough, but I bet there aint too many Polish and Ruskies in Spain is there?

Originally Posted by Big Pete

Thanks Greg, thats really kind of you.

I hope to get out of the UK as soon as I can, its becoming ridiculous here, too few jobs, too few houses and too many foreigners taking what they want and what they can with none of us hard working English people being given a break.
Its a nanny state mentality over here full of red tape and rules, mates who have moved over to Spain in the 90's are thriving and say that if you want to be left alone you can be over there.

We are coming with not much in our pockets really but I have always been a bit of a wheeler dealer and as long as the transit gets us there I think we will be OK, gung ho "can do" mentality and all that!

Hi Big Pete I agree many immigrants are taking the mickey in the UK......they expect their customs to be adopted, free translations, medical care, houses without contribution to the economy (i.e. not working) etc.........my take is if you don't pay in you shouldn't be able to get out......and if you live in a different country remember you are an immigrant and be respectful of that countries customs.......Another thing is the police are governed too tightly and often can't dish out punishment to fit the crime in the UK.....for sure its a nanny state........

In Spain if you don't pay in you don't get any benefits out.....I understand you have to contribute for a certain period before you get any benefits (no free riders)..... the police in Spain aren't afraid to wade in (quite right too)......Youths in Spain are much more respectful.........that said every country has its problems (Spain included)

Finally if you are planning to work, make sure you've learn't the language as you will need it if you ever need to report a crime to Guarda.....or if speaking to local amenities companies..........and of course to speak to the locals (who may also be your customers).