Living in Spain

Since 1994, I have lived in the south east of				photographs and a variety of new developments
Spain, known as the Costa Blanca, the coastal				including golf complexes.
region alongside the Mediterranean sea and the				For those people considering moving to another
inland area known as the Vega Baja situated in				country who are of working age, especially with
the south of the Alicante province.				young families, Spain is NOT the place to go. The
The Spanish people are extremely friendly,				children's education would definitely suffer. Apart
although like most countries, the bureaucracy can				from the obvious difficulties in keeping up their
be a pain in rump. The health care system				studies while learning another language, the
compares very favourably with Great Britain and				Spanish children are beginning to resent so many
is miles ahead of America. For those people living				British children taking up the time of the school
here in the Valencia Community and registered on				staff and bullying has become common. The only
the padron at their local town hall, health care is				alternative is to send the children to a good
free. Private health care also costs far less.				private school.
Residence is a right for European Union citizens				With regard to working in Spain, you would need
and for others a reasonable income, such as a				to be fluent in Spanish and possibly German to
pension or a lump sum, (the amount depending on				obtain a good position in an office based or
the location) is sufficient, along with a clean police				professional post. The social security system is
record.				very different to Britain. A contract of one month
House purchase is a simple process, although it is				is usually offered and after three of these the
necessary to use the services of an abogado				employer must offer an Annual contract, which
(lawyer) to ensure that the property is fully legal				obliges them to pay the social security of the
and without any debts or embargoes attached to				employee if they dismiss them. This does not
it.				exactly encourage employers to take on staff for
The weather is the main reason that people				permanent employment.
re-locate or buy a holiday home in Spain. In this				In addition it is very difficult to gain employment
area of the Costa Blanca we average 320				with any Spanish company (at least that is our
completely sunny days per year, with an average				experience in the south east of the country) Ex.
Annual temperature 20Âº centigrade. I have				Pats seem destined to work in bars, clean
just come in from the garden at 5.30 pm. on the				swimming pools, building work, or sell houses (we
first day in November, where I was basking in the				worked out recently that for every new dwelling,
late afternoon sunshine, with a temperature of				there is a person trying to sell it). I have never
21Âº centigrade. The Costa Blanca has				seen a British driver in a Spanish taxi and there
become very cosmopolitan during the last few				are no mini cab licences available in Spain. Spain is
years, with people coming from all over Europe to				great place to retire to or to own a holiday home,
enjoy the stress free laid back lifestyle of				but for working it would be best to go to
southern Spain.				Australia or Canada. For those with capital and
On our web sites: and				access to people with a good understanding of
You will find a wealth of information including:				the Spanish bureaucracy and of business
descriptions of towns and areas of interest, with				opportunities, Spain is a good option; the tourists
maps and photographs. Advice & information				industry, for example guest houses and the
pages, a re-sale property price list with				maintenance of properties are areas to consider.

Integrail

Living in Spain