Hi from Alicante Spain

ognum

benjus wrote: »

I find this difference in terminology rather annoying as well, because it seems to be a way for the Daily Mail-reading anti-immigration-to-the-UK brigade on the Spanish costas to differentiate themselves from "real" immigrants. Personally I think "ex-pat" should be kept as a term for temporary residents, e.g. people sent to work in a country for a couple of years. Once you decide to stay you become an immigrant. Do any of the British community around there call themselves immigrants?

Anyway, that aside, while I'm a long way from retirement I am rather tempted by the idea of living in Spain. I'm married to an Argentine and speak fluent Spanish, so language wouldn't be an issue. However, for the time being I need to focus on having a good income...

I am sure you will be of benefit to the country when you retire, you will get involved in the local community and probably not live in an area that is mainly populated by UK immigrants trying to turn a small part of Spain into a mini Britain with sun and beer!

Amber_Sunshine

Not learning the language to a good standard is, frankly, insulting to the host country and its people.

After 8 years here (not in a British enclave) I speak reasonably fluent Spanish and understand some Catalan (which, admittedly, I need to improve). I can communicate with anyone I need to, including doctors. I really do not understand why anyone would move to another country and only hang around with their own compatriots.

tonymar wrote: »

I can speak Spanish , good enough to communicate ,

but my kids are fluent as they did all their schooling here

I know many ex pats that Speak almost no Spanish and they still manage to get by, English is so widely spoken in coastal areas it can make us a bit lazy to learn Spanish !

Cheers Tony

tonymar

ognum wrote: »

You know Tony this is the most off putting thing about the life you describe. Who would want to be surrounded by people who can't be bothered to learn the language of the area they live. I guess the sun and cheap beer is enough.

I like to try and integrate, but I know many people who live here happily and don't have much Spanish and it dose not put them off in fact I think they prefer it that way !

The bottom line is you have a choice , mix and speak with the locals or stick with the ex pats in large community's

I do not force my opinion , each has good and bad points

Cheers Tony:)

tonymar

Amber_Sunshine wrote: »

Not learning the language to a good standard is, frankly, insulting to the host country and its people.

After 8 years here (not in a British enclave) I speak reasonably fluent Spanish and understand some Catalan (which, admittedly, I need to improve). I can communicate with anyone I need to, including doctors. I really do not understand why anyone would move to another country and only hang around with their own compatriots.

Its a free world Amber , I personally think most Spanish welcome people from the UK ( or any where ) with or with out Spanish as long as they bring plenty of wonga into the country and are not a burden !

Cheers Tony

ognum

tonymar wrote: »

Its a free world Amber , I personally think most Spanish welcome people from the UK ( or any where ) with or with out Spanish as long as they bring plenty of wonga into the country and are not a burden !

Cheers Tony

I think you see this from your point of view, I recently saw an interesting documentary about the Spanish costs and many of the Spanish people despised the immigrant British. they hated that they turned their home towns into British ghettos of fish and chips and full English breakfasts and that the immigrants don't bother to learn the language.

In fact they felt like many people in the UK I feel about people who come to live in the UK and refuse to learn English.

I suggest Tony that you only see this from your perspective and as you don't speak much Spanish you don't actually know how the Spanish feel

catzooo

Oooooh Tony. You seem like a guy I need to know.
I put my house up for sale and it sold in a week. Plan is to move to the southern alicante area. Rent for a while whilst looking for a place to buy. Property is so cheap out there. And the lifestyle seems so much better. No kids so few ties to the UK. But not quite retiring age yet. My partner plans to still work in UK and will come out to spain often.
I have absolutely loads of questions - would you mind answering a few?
In excited anticipation - Sue

ceo211

thanks for this iwll go to spain

buglawton

What percentages of expats have added solar panels to their sun-soaked roofs in Spain, I wonder? In the UK it needs subsidies and the installers go bust every few years. In Spain it must be much more viable.

tonymar

ognum wrote: »

I think you see this from your point of view, I recently saw an interesting documentary about the Spanish costs and many of the Spanish people despised the immigrant British. they hated that they turned their home towns into British ghettos of fish and chips and full English breakfasts and that the immigrants don't bother to learn the language.

In fact they felt like many people in the UK I feel about people who come to live in the UK and refuse to learn English.

I suggest Tony that you only see this from your perspective and as you don't speak much Spanish you don't actually know how the Spanish feel

I have very good Spanish friends , and they make me feel very welcome , thanks !

In fact even before we could speak Spanish , our neighbour knocked on our door and invited us to his house , we spent many Sunday afternoons eating paella with all of their Spanish family

You are entitled to your opinion , enjoy your life in the UK it is your right as it is mine to be in Spain that is the great thing of living in the free world !

Cheers Tony:)

tonymar

catzooo wrote: »

Oooooh Tony. You seem like a guy I need to know.
I put my house up for sale and it sold in a week. Plan is to move to the southern alicante area. Rent for a while whilst looking for a place to buy. Property is so cheap out there. And the lifestyle seems so much better. No kids so few ties to the UK. But not quite retiring age yet. My partner plans to still work in UK and will come out to spain often.
I have absolutely loads of questions - would you mind answering a few?
In excited anticipation - Sue

Hi Sue

Its great you are thinking of moving to Alicante , yes now is a fantastic time to buy , in all the years I have been here I have never seen prices so low , Its good your partner intends to carry on working in the UK as there is not much here !

Ask away , use the pm system if you prefer !

Cheers Tony:)