It's different out here!

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Got a few things on my mind tonight.  I have spent the whole day, thinking and contemplating.  I contacted Darrell earlier with some thoughts I had.  Feelings that anyone would have in our position.  I have also been speaking to a lot of people in Gran Alacant lately, just getting advice.  Darrell seems to thing, that the majority of people out here manipulate situations, where as I think differently.  Let me try and explain my thoughts, rather than rambling on!

When me made the choice to move to Spain, we thought we had done a lot of research and knew what we were letting ourselves in for.  We investigated the jobs market, property as well as the legal side of living here.  We did as much as anyone could, on the verge of emigrating to a foreign country.  We have lived in Spain for about seven months now, and I can safely say, nothing here, is as we expected.  This is not the Spain, I had imagined, it was a completely different place.  

The employment market is terrible in every sense of the word.  Wages are extremely low.  Even when you take into account the cost of living, they are still well short of what they should be.  You really do graft in Spain; if you pick the wrong employer, you can also suffer the indignities that go with that.  Most employers here are good.  There are one or two, who I shall not mention, who really need to see past their own pride and insecurities.  I made the choice to leave my employer, because of personal reasons.  I want to concentrate on writing, and the reality of low wages and unsocial hours is, that had to take a back seat.  I will of course find another job in the future, but one the guarantees more than just a few hours a day work.

For most likeminded people leaving The UK for Spain, the reality of their situation soon becomes apparent.  Unless you have money or have retired here, you have to work.  Jobs for Expats are few and far between.  The Spanish system favours the Spanish, unlike in Britain, where it favours cheap labour.  Contracts of employment are weighted heavily in favour of the employee, unlike in The UK, where it is the opposite. This makes for a less dynamic, enterprising working environment.  The prospects for building a career or advancement are very small also.  

Under these conditions, those Expats, who like me, have to work are left with stark choices.  Options are limited; open your own business, take low paid work with unsocial hours or work abroad.  This is the first place I have lived in, where a large proportion of the residents are of foreign extraction and as I found out recently, one partner tends to live and work abroad for part of every year.  People want the lifestyle that Spain offers, but there are no working appointments, of any significance, for its inhabitants to pay for their dream. Many people use this as a base, where their family home is.  After all you can buy a three bedroom townhouse, with  underbuild, offering substantial family accommodation for around 80.000€.  A similar sized property in The UK would cost you 250.00€ plus.  You can see why people choose to base themselves in a place like this.

With one partner working away, it can be hard.  It is no different from service families spending long periods abroad, or like my Grandfather, working in the Merchant Navy, for months at a time; if you are not used to it, however, initially it can be a struggle. Darrell has only been away for a few weeks, but already I am adjusting slower than I thought.  With the minimum wage in Spain at 756.70€ a month and the minimum wage in Australia set at $672.70 a week, you can understand why Darrell has to work in his home country.  The rewards are huge.  In a couple of years you could afford to buy a house in Spain out right, living the Spanish dream, if that is what it is.

We both agreed today, that we want to eventually settle on the Costa Blanca or slightly more inland; we both want to own a home in Spain and live here long term. The cost of living in Australia is far too high and property prices even higher.  Working there and living here is the best alternative, for us at least.  Yes it is hard at the moment, I would be lying if I said otherwise, but for once we have to both think long term.  This is the way things have to be, I know that.  Neither of us want to live in conservative Australia, who doesn't recognise gay marriage.  Europe is far more liberated and accepting.  We will certainly never return to Britain, as we are unable too; so for now, Spain it is;  It will get easier over time.  Darrell has a close network of friends and family.  I have a close network of friends here also.  With Spain not being my home country, it does make it harder, with everyday activities, but I know in time, as I speak Spanish more fluently, getting by will be much easier.

This is our rather unconventional life.  It may be strange to others, but it's what we have to do.  Others would run at the first opportunity, we haven't and never will.  We just don't give up that easily!

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