LIFE IN SPAIN – TEN REASONS FOR MOVING TO SPAIN

SPANISH CULTURE

I think, like everyone else, I often tend to get too wrapped up in Spanish property and the state of the Spanish property market.  It is important, undeniably, but, within it all, I think the whole reason for moving to Spain (or buying a property in Spain) – can be lost.

Indeed (and this I have stated countless times), living in Spain is avowedly not about property and this applies as much to someone looking for a permanent home as it does to a holiday home.  At the end of the day, property (whether in Spain or elsewhere) is inanimate and never, alone, justifies moving to Spain – or any other country.  That, surely, can only ever be about the overall quality of life on offer…

So, what are the compelling reasons for moving to Spain?  Why should someone, living happily elsewhere, even consider coming here?

1.  Climate. This is probably the biggest single ‘driver’ for people moving to Spain or coming here on holiday.  Although the weather differs around Spain, you are always guaranteed a long and lovely summer.  Meanwhile, the rest of the year (particularly along the Mediterranean coastline) has a benign climate with, importantly, plenty of warm, winter sun.  The wonderful climate, in short, is fundamentally ‘kinder’ than that of Northern Europe and defines almost every aspect of life in Spain.

2.  Proximity to the UK/Northern Europe. This may seem prosaic – but most people (whether they are moving to Spain or holidaying in Spain) need (as an absolute requirement) good, reliable, quick and cheap communications to and from their home country.  Spain has a well developed network of international airports with all-year round, cheap flights.  Travelling times to the UK and Northern Europe are normally a (user-friendly) two hours.

3.  ‘Al fresco lifestyle’. The climate, obviously, allows life in Spain to be lived mainly outside – in luxurious contrast to most of Northern Europe.  Out-door activities are possible all year round making Spain ideal for sports and an attractive, relaxed and community based social life.

4.  Spanish culture. Spain is renowned for its tolerance to foreigners and has a well developed ‘informal’ infrastructure that is particularly user-friendly to English speakers.  Alongside this, Spanish culture centres on a nuclear society that revolves around small, tightly knit communities.  This tends to mean that Spain is largely free of much of the anti social friction so apparent within the more ‘mobile’ societies of Northern Europe.  Better still, much of the richness of traditional Spanish culture remains – as exemplified by the many extraordinary fiestas.

5. Health. Living in Spain is certainly ‘healthier’ than in many North European countries – with longevity rates for women the highest in Europe and for men the second highest (after Sweden).  The warm climate helps those with ‘aches and pains’ and the ‘lighter’ diet appears to be of benefit.  Undoubtedy, everyone’s health is improved by being more active, made easier (and encouraged) by the climate.

6.  Modern infrastructure. Over the past thirty years (with the help of colossol amounts of EU money!), Spain has developed its infrastructure to the point at which it mirrors most of Northern Euope.  The roads are excellent; there is quality state medical; the education system is sound with the supply of electricity, drinking water, telephone communications and other services (dependent upon where you live) identical to the rest of Europe.  Day to day life in Spain, with regard to shops (supermarkets and shopping malls), is no different from the UK.  Indeed, there are few products and services that are not easily obtainable in Spain.  It is, in almost every regard, a First World country – with the quality of life in Spain of a standard that would have been unrecognisable immediately after the death of Franco.

7.  Value for money. Whilst Spanish property is not particularly cheap (the recession is rapidly correcting this!) much of the rest of life in Spain is good value.  Spanish property ‘rates’ (IBI) are a fraction of that in the UK and and eating (and drinking!) out is significantly cheaper.  Vitally, you can spend less to obtain a higher quality, day to day, life than in Northern Europe.

8.  Accessible language. Spanish, to a basic conversational level, is relatively easy to obtain as, thankfully(!) many words are very similar to their English language counterparts.  Fortunately, English is an obligatory language in Spanish schools and many Spaniards have some English or are fluent.  This is particularly true of high density ‘foreigner’ areas along the coasts of Spain.  Indeed, in these areas many foreigners live happily for years without speaking Spanish!!  Of course, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world – making it ideal as a supplementary language for yourself and/or your children.

9. Varied geography. Spain is a vast country with huge cultural, historic and physical differences between the various regions.  All of these are easily (and often cheaply) accessible and provide almost limitless interest to anyone keen on travel.

10. Political stability. 35 years on from the death of Franco, Spain has established complete (and unarguable) democratic stability.  Indeed, the two main political parties (the PP and PSOE) fight over politically centrist ground – just like the Conservatives and Labour parties in the UK or the Republicans and Democrats in the US.  Critically, as a member of the EU, you have (as an EU citizen) the same rights to live in Spain – or work here – as you do in the UK.

Are there reasons for not moving to Spain?

Of course, and these I will enumerate in another Post.  However, it is fair to say that (if you get it right) Spain offers a superb quality of life, within a safe and secure environment complemented by a climate that is delightful.

Certainly, for my family, living in Spain has been a wonderful experience.  It has not been a paradise nor, at times, has it always been easy.  However, if we were given our time again, would we come here – knowing what we do now?

Absolutely!

Nick Snelling – Culture Spain

RELEVANT INFORMATION

HOW TO BUY SPANISH PROPERTY AND MOVE TO SPAIN – SAFELY
(80,000 words, 327 pages, 26 sections and 9 expert contributors – e-book 14.96 euros)