Making Spain work for you!

​How to make the most of your time in spain

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So you have made the choice to move to Spain, 2017 is going to be your fresh start, your big new adventure and a dream that you finally get to follow. You are excited, can’t wait for your new life to start, rearing to go; but wait, you have done no research, you don’t really know a thing about Spain and are scared stiff about what to do and where to go. Suddenly feelings of doubt enter your mind, you don’t know what you are doing, you have made a big mistake; Spain can never work!

Spain has the biggest British Expat population in the World: with Brexit only a short number of years away, many people are deciding now is the right time, to leave Britain, while they still can, starting a new life on the Costa’s. Spain has much to offer, both old and young alike. I of course arrived in Alicante, just under a year ago; like the scenario above, I did very little investigating, preferring instead to take pot luck. Not being familiar with the area, myself and Darrell literally stuck a pin in a map. We knew roughly where we wanted to be, an area between Benidorm in the north and Torrevieja in the South.

Our choice of area, was a practical one. If you have to work in Spain, you will need to be near to large urbanizations, where you can find suitable employment, the Costa Blanca seemed ideal for relocation. There were plenty of Expat enclaves, along the coast and it was really just by chance that we picked Gran Alacant. We had no experience of this place, the people who lived here or the possible opportunities, but we had to pick somewhere, and this seemed as good a place as any.

Writing this blog entry today, I can safely say, we made the right decision, at least on a personal level. The most important aspect of life in Spain, at least for someone who can not speak Spanish, is to be around English speaking people. When choosing somewhere to move, look at the local community, spend some time getting to know the locals, then make a choice about where to live. Of course we made the choice to come here off the cuff, we were just lucky it worked. Had we chose somewhere else, like La Marina for example, things may well of been very different.

Once you have made that move, it is important to get involved with the local community, of which you are a part. The Expats in Gran Alacant organise many events, both for charity and otherwise and most of those who live here all year round are active in one way or another. I have to admit, I am not as dynamic as I could be, living here, but then my circumstances are very different to most. Networking is important. Get to those who frequent the bars and restaurants, speak to the patrons and understand the issues that bind a community, like Gran Alacant together, after all it is going to be your home and I believe you should try to fit in from day one!

Each urbanization works independently from each other, even though they may well be in close proximity to one another. An urbanization will have it’s own President who will be able to help you adjust to Spanish life, which is very different to life in Britain. Ask questions; if you are feeling a little bit lost then speak to people, who can help you, point you in the right direction or can contact someone who can help. If like us, you are a complete novice at Expat life, then you will need all the input you can muster. All the initial information I obtained, was done through conversation, during my first few weeks on the Costa Blanca. During that period I got to know many different characters, who were not only a joy to speak with, but have also, remained friends during our first year in Spain. The Expats I know pride themselves on speaking their mind, that I appreciate, and also pride myself with the same attribute. Saying it, how it is, is important. You have to remember, the people who live in these communities, have seen people come and go all their lives. Most of those I know have lived in Gran Alacant for many years. Life is not easy as an Expat. There are many harsh realities, one has to face on a day to day basis. The one thing you need is honesty and straight talking. You need that in most places to get by, here it is more important than ever. Never be afraid to say what you feel, if others don’t like it, they will be quick enough to tell you so, but, they will appreciate your views and opinions.

Start off on the right foot! I have seen so many people come out here, with the same attitude they had when they left the UK. Change your outlook, embrace new perspectives and adjust your standpoint; in order to get on anywhere, you will need to mix with people. The young, especially, arrive in holiday mode and generally leave in the same way, having run out of money and caused damage to their reputations as workers, as well as running rough shod through a community that does not take kindly to opportunists. The majority of residents are older and are very well aware of those individuals who are just here to take from others, in order to get where they want to be. I know people like this, I had one live with me and have been witness to their aggressive, abrasive nature, to my cost.

If you intend to come out to Spain and get drunk everyday, then my advice is, don’t bother. People around here don’t appreciate the loutish behaviour exhibited by the British. If you want to act like you are still in the UK, then stay there, don’t even consider coming here. Alcohol is cheap, but wages are low and as a seasonal destination, the winter months can be difficult. Presently we are in the middle of winter. At this time of year, when one should be celebrating the festive season, I am having to stay at home, look after the cents and wait for Spring, when tourists and residents alike, once again start to come out to Gran Alacant. Personally I am not adverse to living on a small income, but others in my position, have no idea how to survive and end up in bad situations, that they can’t get out of. If you work in the summer, you need to save for the winter, if you don’t, you cant expect any help at this time of year. Unlike the UK there is no access to benefits, you will have to rough it, like you have never done before!

The Spanish way of doing things, is always something to be considered. Even after a year, I am not used to Spanish ways. Everything is so much slower here. If you really want to make the most of life in Spain, you will need to adjust to the different pace. You will be living along the mediterranean, will enjoy a southern European culture and a far more relaxed way of doing things. In Britain I would be running around, constantly and like most people, spend most of my time stuck in traffic. I had a huge amount of stress and suffered from sleepless nights, all because of the speed, that we had to do things. Spain has changed me into a much more placid creature, who has actually enjoyed slowing down!

One of the many reasons we chose to come to this particular region, was the health benefits attached to life in the Alicante area. Myself and Darrell suffer with arthritis; the climate, salty air and protection from harsh weather has in the main been a godsend. Of course if you want to enjoy all the benefits that come with living here, you will have to change your lifestyle completely. I have never eaten healthier, rarely eat chocolate and candy and walk far more. The mediterranean diet is synonymous with good health and longevity. At the moment I eat a mixture of English and Spanish food, but hope to gradually change my diet over time, removing the English elements altogether. That will allow me to make the most of what is on offer here. English food is far more expensive and difficult to get anyway, so it is only natural that it should be phased out.

When you get on that plane in 2017, make sure you have done all the research you can to make your move work for you. Spain has so much to offer anyone thinking about moving abroad. For us it has been a gentle introduction into Expat life. Myself and Darrell aim to live in Gran Alacant, at least for the medium term, making a success of our life, in a foreign country, like never before. I have lived in Australia twice; Darrell as an Australian citizen, lived with me in Britain for twenty years; so we are not adverse to starting a new life on foreign shores. For me, Australia didn’t work out, at least at that time, that is not to say it wont in the future. Like anywhere you move to, integration into your new community is a must. Adapt to your new circumstances and do not react negatively towards your new way of life. Try new things, attempt new experiences and above all embrace change; then you can’t fail!

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