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So here we are nearly three months after arriving in Spain, on that fateful day on 31 January 2016. The United Kingdom, seems but a distant memory now, as we settle into our new Country. A lot has happened in three months, more than we ever expected. None of us thought we would be working at this point. The season has not yet kicked off in Spain and we assumed that all of us would be looking for work still. Well I am happy to report we are all working, and have all secured jobs. With Unemployment running high in Spain, this was a tall order, Living in such a small place could have also hindered our chances of living and working full time, as it often does, but for us, it seems to have worked out in our favour!
Then there were four!When we came to Spain, initially there were three of us, then two weeks ago, Natalee Michelle arrived to stay and work in Spain. Living with us, she has secured a job and by all accounts is doing well.
LegalWe are nearly, more or less 'Legal', as it were. We are legal now, but we are just beginning to go through the process involved in obtaining Residencia, in Spain. This began with obtaining our NIE number and signing on the Padron. On Thursday I went to apply for my SIP Card, which will allow me free access to a Doctor, health care and Social Security. We were in the Doctors for a good couple of hours and I was given a paper copy of my card. I have to go back in a couple of weeks to get the hard copy.
I am nearly at the end of the steps necessary to become a permanent resident and will be able to complete this, just as soon as I receive my card.
Legality is important for me. It allows me to completely restart my life, without any memories of bad times in The UK. It is also confirmation, that there is a new life, just around the corner and of course it draws a line under the last year. I am nearly there. By the time I write my six monthly review, I would have achieved everything necessary, to say I am now Spanish, in every sense of the word. We have achieved much over the last few months, more than we ever thought possible. It has taken a lot of hard work and determination, but legally we are more or less there! Bye, bye Britain! |
We arrived in Spain on 31 January 2016. It has been three months since we started our new life in Spain, but just what have we achieved, if anything? How has our life changed? and Are we still in love with the place, that we now call home? Life is very different in Spain, and since our first one month update, on Spanish Views, a lot has happened in a short space of time. This new page will discuss where we are today? How our lives have changed? and What is our future direction? Welcome to Spanish Views, three months on. Thanks for reading this blog and the hundreds of messages I have received! None of us really new what to expect when we came to Spain. To be honest we had done very little research, but after three months we know much about life and the processes involved in living and working in Alicante. It is a very different Country to the UK and for me at least, that goes much in its favour, it is a positive thing. Working life on the Continent is of course very alien to us. Getting used to having a siesta, working long hours over the summer months and of course the pay is lower. Not dramatically, and when you take the cost of living into account, it is actually on a par, if not better to the UK.
Darrell has bought himself a car, an old banger, as an interim measure; although the British mechanic, who helped Darrell deal with the paperwork at Traffico, said the car was 'Sound' and would last an age. Cars out here are far more expensive, hold their value and do not suffer the rigors of British weather. We can now get around the area a lot easier. You really do need a car, living here and thanks to a local expat we were able to secure one relatively quickly. The expat community, have been instrumental in helping us settle in. They have literally helped us all the way. Everything from medical care and advice to obtaining employment, we have been guided by some wonderful individuals and characters, the likes of which I have never met before! A line drawnAfter three months, I can finally draw a line under my life in The UK. All of the legalities from the British end have now been completed. I can finally close that chapter of my life. For me it was the end of twenty years in England, with my partner, but in reality I am finally able to draw a line under the last couple of years, the dark time in my life, working for people who were dubious at best, criminal at worst!
With all the paperwork now signed, I have begun the process of shutting my life down in Blighty. I will never be returning to British shores, not even for a holiday. The memories of what transpired are far too raw. For me, my life is now about settling in Spain, as an expat, in a wonderful community, forging a living and enjoying life to the full, especially after what happened. My life finally feels good, much better than it ever has been, for many years. I recovered from my ordeal a while ago, others will take more time to see through the darkness. I will miss all my friends terribly, but they are well aware, that they are always welcome here in Spain. They got us through some terrible times. So after three months, I can finally bid farewell to my old Country. What happens now, will be a new chapter in our journey and I hope to see more dramatic changes, when I write our six monthly review. Life is moving fast. Now is our time, to live the life we always wanted! Happy Times!Here are a few photographs from our last year in The UK. Despite everything that happened, it was one of the most memorable years of our life. I will miss everyone we knew, but after three months living in Spain, it is time to call closure on our British life. Without offending anyone, I have to say I have not missed home at all. I've missed a few people, but have generally settled into life on The Costa Blanca well.
Thanks to everyone who have welcomed us with open arms. You are the reason, we are staying! Peace and love always! |