General Chat

Ah, Rita,

You have touched one of the most interesting aspects of living in my part of Spain.

First I must explain that the place I live in was a tiny, tiny fishing village until the film El CID was made here. Every person living here was in some way or another in the film. Each child born during filming was also in the film.

Of course this attracted many people to the area including the Spanish. In fact the first house to be built on our steep hill , called a mountain by locals, and us now or we are told off, is the magnificent house next door to us. It is only used for about six weeks of the year as the family moved to Switzerland.

The education here is excellent and the children are disciplined in their behaviour and in learning. Of course anywhere in the world there are children who will not comply.
All the schools near h us have a strict code of dress and behaviour.
The children must sit at tables to eat their lunch, no child leaves the table without permission to do so.
The English language is taught to them all and as they get older other languages are also taught.
I am not saying that the children are better behaved than UK children but they are polite and pleasant to talk to.
Education is encouraged by family, and the schools working together.

Of course the teenagers are similar to this anywhere in the world but education is also important to most of them.

I believe that the Universities are excellent and it is my son who lives in Barcelona and who teaches part time at the Uni who told me this.

I am not sure about any financial consideration, maybe someone else can tell us.

We do pay rates, local rates, and district rates, water rates. We use oil for our heating so will have to check how much that is and we have electricity for central heating, lighting, tv etc. I will find out what our telephone costs are each month but we do have either five or seven numbers which are used frequently for which we do not have to pay.

Hope all this is making sense.

Health care is excellent but again there are differences.
For example family and friends usually provide personal care and bring in most of the meals. Hospitals tend to be for acute needs. We have an excellent medical centre in town which is used not only for some urged care but also as various clinics. Once again you must have an interpreter or speak Spanish.

Well! I think that is enough for now so signing off for tonight

Bridget in Spain

20.55 hrs

The countries I have visited and I wonder what it is like to live in any of them.
Perhaps others will add to the list and then we may just prompt someone to come and join us.

In no particular or day.
Germany,
France,
Holland
Norway
Ireland ( southern)
Italy
America
Penang
Thialand.

Whilst we did not live in these countries were were in each one for at least a couple of months and it was very interesting.

The children always made friends with other local children and corresponded with some for several years.

The countries I wish I had visited are
China for it's history
Russia because it is so large, and has a very interesting history.
Egypt, because my grandfather was there for a considerable time whilst in the army.
Hopefully others will add to this list and if anyone has spent time in any of these maybe you could please tell us your experiences.

We have at least two people who are ex pats in Holland, hopefully they will join in sometime.

Delighted to read that so many people are enjoying this thread.
I will be back later

Bridget
13.33 hrs Spain
:-D a big smile for you all

Thank you to everyone who has put there views and standard of living on the thread. I have sat here reading and taking it all.in it was like reading a book on travel.
you all seem to have made a good move even with the worry of work, for some of you. the schools can I ask do they stay on till 18 ? or do they leave earlier. ? and have you good universities in your country if so ? are they doing the same as in England putting higher fees up ?

Your gas and electric sounds alot cheaper than in Britian. I wonder why that is ? . I have a friend whos sister lives in Cyprus she has been there for about 20 years and had a bungalow build out in the sticks but she has no electric and uses a generator which often breaks down. to send emails or receive them she goes into Papos
do any of you have problems like that ? to do with computers or phones ?

I take it you pay rates as we do in Britian ? sorry if I sound like and idiot but it is nice to hear how other countries get on compared to Britian.


Rita
xx

Hi , me again,

I'm really enjoying this thread - it's great to see how we all cope with different living standards and ways of life, and what we like and don't like, or what we miss from 'home' etc.

Thought I'd just say, on the subject of costs, that the gas man has just been to read the meter this morning. He comes every month. He takes the reading, works out the cost on a small machine, and it produces a ticket, ie the bill. This means you can pay immediately, which I always do, and the total cost for this month was.....the equivalent of 90p.
Yes, that's 90 pence!! (the only gas we use is the cooker).
Electricity is a bit dearer, plus we use more, especially now when I've got the a/c's on, a couple of them permanently. I think we pay a few £'s per month on that.
But as i said, swings and roundabouts - we frequently get power cuts, even though they may not last long, it's a struggle without a/c when it does happen, for example, it's 37C today!


But my main reason for writing this morning is that I wanted to comment on Rita's question, a page or so back, about schooling.

There are plenty of International schools Rita, the world over, if you wanted to send your child to one, which most expats choose to do, and they are fee-paying as oppposed to the local, State schools.
For example, here in Cairo there are several British/English schools, American, French, Italian, International etc. schools, besides the local state schools. That goes for further ed, Colleges and Universities too. The AUIC (American University in Cairo) is huge and very well known in the region.

When we lived in Jordan I worked at the International school in our small town. It was a small school, newly built, so only the junior part when i was there. We had about 100 pupils, of several nationalities (of expat & immigrant families) as well as local children who made up the majority.
The teachers varied, we had English, Australian, Canadian, New Zealand, and a few Jordanians who had fluent English (as a result of attending the British or American schools & Universities in Amman).
The school followed the English schools curriculum, so all lessons were in English (apart from Arabic & Religious Instruction) and every child was expected to converse in the English language only! Speaking English must have been a daunting experience to those children who didn't have much knowledge of it when they started, but that was the whole idea...their parents knew how important it was, and were spending an enormous (comparitively) amount on school fees to give their children that chance in life. Having worked at that school, and seen it for myself, I can promise you it doesn't take a child long when 'totally immersed' , to start speaking another language, they're like sponges!

Speak later, got to do some of the dreaded HW now!

K x

Back again just to say that I have left a message on The Wattle Club to see if anyone would like to join us.

Any other suggestions?
.
Bridget

09.36 hrs
Spain

Good morning to you all from a warm but not yet sunny day in Peniscola, Spain.

Well AnninGlos, you question been answered. However there is just a few points that I wish to add.

1. We needed the rain, we still need rain. Our reserviours need water! The level is still very low and could cause problems if we do not have more rain. We used to go inland to see some spectacular birds such as hawks, but they are declining due to the change in weather patterns. The wonderfful inland country side with it's beautiful trees and hundreds of plants and wild flowers are also declining. Even here in my own garden things have tiny changes such as we now water our plants and trees three times a day for 10 minutes eac time as opposed to the 15 or 20 minutes we used to do.
Yes we still do have our pool but we have never emptied it in the 7 years we have had is, again because we believe in keeping it well cleaned eac day and only add water if really necessary.
All the hot water from cooking, I keep in a bucket and when it is cool I use it to water the house plants and this year I have also used it as an extra drink for the fruit trees.!

We are fortunate that we are not seeking employment but because I was a Registered nurse in the UK and only retired a short time ago I have been approached by at least three people to work for them in newly built facilities for the elderly. I have declined each time and many of you will know the reason why, however even if I wanted to work again I would still say "no thank you " because there are so many younger people who really do need employment.

I cannot comment on the cities in Spain as we live in a still small town and have a relatively peaceful environment. We feel safe, comfortable, healthier, and welcomed, we couldn't really ask for much more.
I have walked around town in the small hours of the day and never felt threatened, I have walked along the sea in the late hours of the night and never felt threatened. Of course some people are noisy, some people drink to much, ( even me on occasions ) but never been afraid.
Of course bad things do happen sometimes wherever you live.

Goodness me, I think that I have rambled on a little too much,so going for a coffee, but will be back during the day.

I just wondered if anyone has lived or is living in Canada, Australia, the Far East, Northen Europe, such as Norway etc. I will also ask my son in Hollad to explain why he chose to stay in Holland, (I must say he is doing very well there). But the cost of living is amazing!!

Has anyone lived in China, it is one of this places I would have loved to go to but it never happened.

Bridget

09.13 hrs Spain.



:-D

Normally the storms are at their worst in the autumn although we do have odd ones all the year round.
This year the weather hasn´t been typical. Here in Menorca we have had an incredibly wet winter & spring & a much cooler summer than usual, with storms & rain which are almost unknown in July & August & the temperatures are 5-6c lower than usual.
As far as money is concerned, I used to have my pension paid in sterling into an English account & transfer it over when the rate was favourable, but after endless problems with the bank in England & the fact that the Euro has lost around 30pc of it´s value, about 3 years ago I gave up on that & now have everything here in Spain. The pension is transferred here by DWP every 4 weeks so the exchange rate at the time is a matter of luck .It was much cheaper to live here 6 years ago, but the cost of living has shot up & coupled with the lower income & lack of jobs, it´s becoming a struggle& we have seen a drop in living standards.
As Bridget says it´s not just about money though. The lifestyle is much more laid back & relaxing.The main stress at the moment is lack of work. Again that´s not just a financial consideration, but my husband, who is a cabinet maker, is used to having work & loves what he does, so he is becoming very depressed & irritable because he´s bored & he sees it as a reflection on him personally, so his self esteem is at rock bottom.
Don´t think he will ever accept retirement happily when the time comes.

Marion

You seem to have a lot of storms recently Bridget. Is that normal for your area?

Thank you to everyone who has added posts.
We do seem to be spreading our wings which is what I had hoped for.

I will try to answer any questions that I can about living in Spain.
in no particular order.

Re the current financial situation in Spain. The influx of illegal people has played quite a significant role in some of the concerns over here. They work for very small amount of money and do not mind all living together in very very basic accommodation. This has lead to Spanish born or overseas people who are registered to loose their work and then fall into debt...sounds very familiar to me..

In addition the attitude to developing the main roads has been addressed and this was sorely needed but one does wonder how much may have been (under the table agreements), .The standard of living is considerable different to the UK. I do not know and indigenous Spaniards with children who all have computers in their bedrooms and the children do not eat their meals in their bedrooms but at the dining room / sitting room/ Kitchen along with the rest of the family. this allows the parents and children to converse and I must say that this way of life is very similar to what I experienced as a child in the late 40s and 50s.

Land is what the Spanish want to own, not flashy cars, or designer clothes, this also reminds me of my Irish upbringing although it took place in England. I asked some Spaniards today how they felt about the current universal situation and they shrugged their shoulders, sipped their coffee and said still better that in the the old days....

I cannot speak for everyone who chooses to live here but we have bank accounts in both the UK and in Spain. We do have a small share of a house in the UK and therefore felt is was right to have all our income placed there and then we transfer money according to the need and the exchange rate ...not good at the moment.
I just keep reminding myself that we lost so much money on Black Friday that we will cope with anything that comes our way.!!!

we do not spend as much as we did in the U. we do not have help around the house, which we did have in the UK, we do not have to worry about buying all 6 children new clothes , shoes etc and this is also a relief, yes we supported them through Uni, we gave them deposits on their homes and now it is simple birthday presents.

The fluctuation of the money exchange rates can be difficult but it is not just about money.
My physical health improved enormously when we moved here, my husband had one episode of Adult Death Syndrome and one major heart attack in the UK caused by stress at work (Immigration) and he has not needed to see a GP or any other DR,since we arrived so I rest my case for moving here!

That is all I can manage at the moment...I think we may have a storm heading our way it is very close and very hot so going to have a cold drink, bring in Jet & Joe my beautiful Cocker Spaniels, bought in Spain
and wait to see what happens. I may peep back later if the storm passes over.

Bridget

20.39 hrs Spain

:-D

Jane I have never been to Portugal but my daughter and her husband have. they loved it. but found certain things quiet expensive.

Heatherg I have been to Switzeland twice the last time was three years ago, I loved it. all the fresh air and the views were breath taking., when I was there I thought of the film Hanibal when he took the elephant over the mountains
I know it was the first time we didnt use Euro on our holiday. and the Swiss boarder guards stopped out coach and boarded it and checked our passports. It was a terrible hot day and we were stuck there for just an hour but it felt like a week.
There is something I would like to ask ( I hope no one will be offended ?) but if you get a pension from Britian are you paid in Euro or Lira or Sterling ? I wondered if with all the trouble there is now with the Euro in many countries if it made difference to your pension.

Rita

My OH and I have lived in Portugal for 5yrs now and we really love it, at first I found it hard as I missed the grandchildren. I usually look for a very cheap flight and spend quality time with the family, the health service is really great here if you need an xray you just go to a designated clinic and your doctor gets the results in 4 days.
The Portuguese peole are very friendly and a lot of them like to speak english so we have no problems.
Enjoying the sunshine and away from the rat race

Jane

What a lovely thread .
It's so nice to hear how others abroad live and what the country is like .
I would have liked to move to spain but OH didn't want to . but we do go to spain and it's islands for our holidays . which i know its' not the same as living there ..but thats the nearest i'm going to get lol .
Hazelx

We had friends who lived in Switzerland because he worked there. They loved it but came home when he retired. They had kept property here so that they remained in the housing market as they knew they wouldn't be able to afford to retire there. Do you speak Italian where you live or what they call Switzy Deutch (I am sure that is not spelt correctly). or another language?

Hello
I've lived in switzerland for over 30 years. I came here because my husband was already living here. he is Italian so the cooking is part Italian part English not much Swiss cuisine apart from Fondue and Raclette.
it's very expensive to live here, no OAP benefits for travel or health. In fact you might be paying more for health insurance over 65.
A nice place to retire to if you have the money!
Heatherg

I have read all your comments with interest and noted the pros and cons fo the different countries. I take my hat off to you(only I dont wear one) I never dreamed the NHS was so good abroad. just shows you untill you speak to someone who has used the NHS abroad you have no idea. I think this Global thing is affecting all countries that is something we cannot control.
A programme I saw a longtime ago was on buying property in Spain and how careful you had to be, and how long it takes to get the papers sorted and all the things that can go wrong. I watched Emigrants homes being demolised due to some agent selling properties that he should not have as rules stated they should not have been built.,
so I suppose there are things you have to be watchful about.when moving a broad where properties are concerned as rules for different countries varey a lot.
I think that would worry me if I was moving abroad incase something like that happened and you lost your money.and I wonder how children cope with schools when they move abroad.


Rita

Started adding a reply & it was wooshed so I´ll try again.
Firstly I use the boardname Wisechild because I´m fairly sure that, unlike many of my ancestors, I know who my father was, not because I think I know a lot. In fact, oh for a crystal ball!!!.
Bridget, you asked yesterday about the political situation in Spain.
My feeling is that the next couple of months is going to be mayhem.
Partly because of the global situation, which it seens no one can control & partly because President Zapatero has chosen to call an early election, which I feel he should have done in May, following the ruling party´s disater in the local elections. Either that or he should have held out until March when the election was due.
As it is, no one has total control because it´s fairly clear that Zapatero will go & another party leader will be chosen, whether his party wins the election or not.
All he has done is add to the uncertainty.
Just an aside.
Menorca has just had the coldest July since 1993.
I blame the Russians.

Yes, it is me again!

I have just read the last few messages and what an eye opener they are. I am by nature the one in the family is the typical Irish wanderer but OH likes his feet on the ground he knows best! So I live in my dreams about travel and digest every word from those who travel. I must say though that it was the decision by OH to leave UK that we found with help from my cousin the place I have come to love.

I had my thinking cap on this morning and hsve made some suggestions re questions that would be a good start, I think.

1.where you born
2.Which country,city,town,village are you living in now.
3. Are you alo e or living with family
4. How long have you lived in ......?
5. What age group striking 20s 30s, 40s etc.
6. Why did you choose the place you are living in
7. Was it hard to get a work permit or Visa?
8. Did you or are youlearni g the language of the country you chose tolivein
9. What areyourplans for the future
10. Do you miss family, friends etc
11. What is the cost of living in the place you live in
12. What are the positives/negatives of the place you live in

Well think that gives a gew ideas.

Karen what a wonderful description you have given us. I could almost pictureuouin the Market . Do you mix with other Brits or is it restricted work colleagues orthelocal people.
I ask because when many years ago we were in Panang and some of the wonderful things that my eldest son remembers iseating with a local family whose house was very basic and on stilts. Thehousewassurrounded by trees and teetotal number of houses was about 10 or 12. he corresponded with tne eldest son for many years.

An example of why ienjoy living here, I am sitting in the shade with the slightest breeze you could imagine but very welcomed,the sea is glistening, the trees are gently swaying, the pool is glistening , the sound of the two young children with their parents and grandma is delightful and they are only here for another week, jet and Joe my two dogs are lying in the shade, oh is listening to music and all is well today.

Bridget in Spain

13.18 hrs :-D :-D

Thanks Gina and Karen. Karen, your life is really interesting but, given the places you live/have lived carries a certain amount of danger, maybe enough to make it exciting, I hope that you can stay safe, it sounds as though you are sensible about things. But, how do the people treat you, in the main? Have you met any antagonism coming from the West. Although I don't know your colouring, maybe you 'fit in' if you are not blond and typically Western.
I have to say I envy you your walk through the alley ways where the spices are sold. You made that come alive for me. Any more to tell when you have finished dusting?