Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

seven-day-weekend

To be fair droopsnout, most of the Brits I know who have returned DID come because they loved Spain and the Spanish (You would go to Torrevieja or Torremolinos, not Las Alpujarras, otherwise. A distant relative of my husbands who lives in a Brit enclave in Marbella said to us, 'what did you go there for, it's just countryside?').

I know of one couple who went from Las Alpujarras to live in France, but have since returned to their house in our village as they found French living too expensive. They would prefer France as it has 'more culture'. But these are the only people I personally know who have left through anything other than financial or relationship problems.

Glad you are happy droopsnout, France is your 'home', isn't it (and I don't just mean the place you live).

droopsnout

Oh, yes, s-d-w, you are absolutely right to highlight the expat's destination as a sign of his/her intent, and, to be honest, I have nothing against those who choose places like those you mention because they know when they purchase that they are getting a largely British experience abroad, rather than a true insight into the foreign culture, way of life, values, etc. I can well understand, too, that when people buy in those areas they are often buying a holiday home at the seaside, and there's nothing too wrong about that, either, especially when the locals encourage it.

I must say, in the light of day and after a good sleep, that my last post sounds more negative than I intended! Serves me right for writing when I was too tired!

So I'll try again to explain what annoys me about some Brits when they come here - and there is a broad mix around here, from those who come because they love a traditional French country way of life to those who simply wanted to recreate Britain in their new locality.

Thank the Lord, we are free to do as we like within the laws of a liberal country, but whatever we do we should bear in mind the feelings of our hosts. When I listen to clusters of some Brits gathered around the tables outside one or two cafes in town, I am not infrequently quite shocked by their criticisms of the French and their way of life. That's obviously not because I am French, but because their comments are often made through a lack of understanding and a quite unnecessary display of arrogant British nationalism/patriotism.

There is nothing much wrong with patriotism and love of one's country (the French are as proud of their motherland as we are!), but it not something that is always good manners to flaunt in someone else's country.

Your experience in Las Alpujarras, s-d-w, was a lovely one: a genuine interest in the region and its people, and I know very well that your entire way of life is one of respect, modesty and understanding.

And to add to the more positive tone (I hope!) of this post, I would just add that, working as I do in a local tourist office (just a few hours a week), I meet many absolutely delightful British families, both resident and holiday-makers, who come in and ask all sorts of questions about the area. And I can think of many Brits local to me who live quietly and are completely respectful of local customs and manners.

Yes, you are right, s-d-w, about how I feel at home here. In terms of my way of life, I have never been happier, but then I no longer have the stress of work and our money situation has eased this year. (Your acquaintances are right about the cost of living here being quite high. Sometimes we gasp in amazement when we compare our French and British emails from Lidl!! Fresh cherry tomatoes at 52p??!!) And after the collapse of the pound in 2008, yes, very sadly a number of families had to leave for financial reasons, and a lot of people had hard times.

Now, over here as in Spain, it is very hard to sell property, and we have not yet seen the flow of folk from the UK restored. (And that market is a very significant one, as they provide a lot of trade for locals). Perhaps the present weakness of the euro will help with this.

Finally, to anyone reading this and thinking of moving abroad, I would say, in general, that you will be welcomed in your eventual destination, so long as you try to fit in with local customs. Trying to change things soon after arrival, or being seen loudly promoting your country of origin in your new country, will not be well regarded. Moving abroad can be a wonderful experience, and I would recommend it to anyone with an open mind and a willingness to ask and learn.

seven-day-weekend

Great post droopsnout, agree absolutely!

melb

i found Torremolinos to be a very "spanish" town during a couple of recent visits. Don't know if you're mixing it up with somewhere else or if we were not in the British area but we loved it

seven-day-weekend

melb wrote: »

i found Torremolinos to be a very "spanish" town during a couple of recent visits. Don't know if you're mixing it up with somewhere else or if we were not in the British area but we loved it

I just know the once I visited it was full of BritBars, or at least the part we found ourselves in was, we were only there about an hour.

TBH, if you lived in Las Alpujarras, I don't think you would find many of the Costa del Sol resorts to be very 'Spanish'. At least, not traditional Spanish. They show another face of Spain I suppose.


Just mho.

droopsnout

I've never been, but ...

seven-day-weekend

Yes, it was full of places like that (and worse!).

gfplux

Just popping by to say Hello.
I am still in Luxembourg and loving it.
I always remember that I AM THE FOREIGNER and show respect to the country that I have moved to.
My daughter was born and educated here and last year fulfilled her long held ambition to study for a degree in England. She is English/French and the product of a Luxembourgish education, however she always thought she was very English. After a month of LIVING (not visiting on holiday) in England she found she was not as English as she first thought. She says the English who live in England are very different to her. I think she is more a Luxembourger than she thought.

droopsnout

gfplux wrote: »

I always remember that I AM THE FOREIGNER and show respect to the country that I have moved to.

Quite so.

gfplux wrote: »

My daughter ... says the English who live in England are very different to her. I think she is more a Luxembourger than she thought.

I feel this each time I go back to the UK. I seem less English each time, and the country feels a tiny bit more alien! I do have the feeling that I am being left behind, despite listening to a lot of UK radio and even watching more UK TV than French. (French TV is really pretty poor! But sshh! I didn't say that!)

gallygirl

I have just returned from Almeria and was disappointed, but not surprised, on Saturday night that none of the English residents turned out to support the locals taking part in a 10k run, with the exception of one family who had a runner participating. Similarly, few turned out to the local fiesta (one couple went the village but went to the English karaoke bar instead :wall:). OK, the acts might not have been 1st (or even 2nd ) class, but to me it's part of integrating with the community. What a waste.