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You are here: Home Moving to Repatriation Costa Blanca Doyen: Thinking of repatriating?

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22/10/2010Costa Blanca Doyen: Thinking of repatriating?

Costa Blanca Doyen: Thinking of repatriating? Blogger Rob Innis reminds Brits and expats the fruitful gains of living in Spain, and that repatriation should be considered carefully.

After one of the coldest Spanish winters on record, followed by one of the hottest summers, recent Expats must be wondering if they have made the right move to settle in Spain.

Normally the weather is not a topic of Spanish conversation, but the extreme weather has been on the local’s agenda causing my local ferreteria to comment during the spring downpours, “Never seen so much rain in fifty years!”

Or maybe some other issues are causing you to reconsider your expat life. However, if you are thinking of booking a one-way ticket with either the big blue or orange planes back to your homeland, before you decide to take off let’s look at the bigger picture.

Freak weather has been occurring all around the world. We have all seen the tragic headlines from Pakistan, China, India and Russia. You can talk about global warming but, if you do, remember it’s global and not Spanish warming.

New cultures
Being an Expat is about experiencing new cultures, changing lifestyles and doing something different. Adapting is also important, and surely we Brits are capable of that.

So if you were forced to abandon your gardening plans (for instance) because it was just too hot, so what? Do what the Spanish do -- either do the jobs in the cool of the early morning or late evening (the manana style).

Property opportunities
Now is a great opportunity to either rent or buy property. Prices are down to 2002 levels, and people now have the advantage of actually being able to see the built developments.

The 2002 expats had to buy off, plan and hope their visions and dreams turned into reality. Unfortunately for some maybe they did not, but who said every housing estate in the UK was a bastion of design and build quality?

Make new friends
Walk into any bar, restaurant or shop and people will greet you -- if you have Spanish neighbours they will always expect to have a chat or help in an emergency.

Human contact is alive and well in Spain. You are very unlikely to encounter nightime hordes of drunken, threatening persons as you would in most UK towns every weekend night.

If you do, you can expect an immediate police presence. Because in Spain the Policia Local or the Guardia Civil are not so hide bound in paperwork but actually out on the streets -- a visible reassuring presence.

Easier administration
I understand that some newbie expats feel that they have hit a beaureaucratic wall, and I too have met the Spanish ‘jobsworths’.

However, sometimes these problems can be of our own making because we rely on inaccurate, outdated information when trying to obtain NIE, residencia or driving licences. My Spanish wife lived in the UK and comments the same about British red tape.


Again, recent expats have an adavantage against their trailblazing expat elders as now accurate information is available from official web sites and reliable forums. Better than relying on the local bar-room ‘expert’.

Quality healthcare
We all need greater levels of healthcare as we age. Many of my expat friends are grateful for the wonderful health care that they have received from the new hospitals and health centres.

Okay, early retirees may have some problems accessing these facilities. I would advise all early retirees and persons receiving full state pension to fully research their entitlements to UK government benefits (especially winter fuel allowance) before they make the move to expat status.

Your budget
Cost of living has gone up mainly due to the poor pound-euro exchange rate. Although recently the situation has recovered in the Brits favour.

There are still no big monthly council tax bills to face (Spanish equivalent - around EUR 170 for an average property – per annum) and you should get a pleasant surprise with your Spanish income tax bill as well (take professional advice).

Different style
Perhaps you think the local driving is crazy, especially on roundabouts. Maybe it is just different.

Having recently returned from a trip to the UK (a mere two hours away) I am firmly of the opinion that the driving in UK towns and cities is much faster and dangerous than in my local Spanish town, where I can still safely cross the road without assistance from traffic lights because drivers will stop for pedestrians on zebra crossings.


Food for thought
So now Expats have access to: improved processes, great property opportunities, well-resourced healthcare facilities, no big council taxes to pay, friendly people, visible policing and a great country to explore and experience.

But yes, it gets hot and sometimes a bit cold as well at times. However don’t let that, or anything else, spoil your Expat dream because it’s the big picture that counts.

Rob Innis is a freelance writer who lives in southern Spain. His works are regularly published in various magazines and on websites. He is deputy chairman of the Torrevieja Writers Circle, and his short story fiction was published in the Expat anthology ‘Courting the Bull’.  For more: www.robinnis.wordpress.com.


3 reactions to this article

koersenam posted: 2010-10-22 14:30:18

"visible policing","friendly people", "because drivers will stop for pedestrians on zebra crossings"?

Where are you living???

I can give you the names of corrupt police officers (some others recently arrested in Altea by Gardia Civil, even the mayor is opposing, most of them are friendly as long as they can get any money
and yes, there are still villages in Spain where they stop, but here in the Valencian communidad it is very rare.

Don't be fooled by marketing:
"Spain is different" !!!

Rob Innis posted: 2010-10-27 20:26:25

Hi koersenam - thanks for commenting - I live in the southern Costa Blanca area in a town of 100,000 residents.
OK so you seem to have experience of corrupt GC - but how does that relate to the 3 points you highlight?

Rob Innis posted: 2012-03-14 16:11:16

For anyone who is interested - I have now published a Kindle eBook - Spain Exposed - a collection of published articles and blogs etc on a mixed variety of Expat life topics.
Fore more: http://robinnis.wordpress.com/

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3 reactions to this article

koersenam posted: 2010-10-22 14:30:18

"visible policing","friendly people", "because drivers will stop for pedestrians on zebra crossings"?

Where are you living???

I can give you the names of corrupt police officers (some others recently arrested in Altea by Gardia Civil, even the mayor is opposing, most of them are friendly as long as they can get any money
and yes, there are still villages in Spain where they stop, but here in the Valencian communidad it is very rare.

Don't be fooled by marketing:
"Spain is different" !!!

Rob Innis posted: 2010-10-27 20:26:25

Hi koersenam - thanks for commenting - I live in the southern Costa Blanca area in a town of 100,000 residents.
OK so you seem to have experience of corrupt GC - but how does that relate to the 3 points you highlight?

Rob Innis posted: 2012-03-14 16:11:16

For anyone who is interested - I have now published a Kindle eBook - Spain Exposed - a collection of published articles and blogs etc on a mixed variety of Expat life topics.
Fore more: http://robinnis.wordpress.com/

Add a comment

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