Name: Debbie Jenkins
Nationality: British
City of residence: Murcia
Date of birth: 09-01-1970
Civil status: Married
Occupation: Publisher and author
Reason for moving to Spain: I was looking for a better quality of life, more time to relax, a better sense of community…
Lived in Spain since: 2004

What was your first impression of Spain?
After many trips to inland Spain (Extremadura), which we adored, we ventured to the coast. We were unimpressed with the Costa del Sol – too touristy; Alpujarras - too cliquey; and Almería - too plasticky. Not being at all picky (yeah right!) we ended up on the Costa Cálida in the Murcia region, with low expectations and little information. And that’s where we bought our cave house!

What do you think of Spanish food?
I adore Spanish food, probably a little too much! I have been a participant in two Spanish cookery courses in Spain – I was the only foreigner on both courses and learned how to create some of the local Murcian dishes of zarangollo (like scrambled egg), cordiales (Christmas cakes) and flores (little cakes in the shape of a flower).

What do you think of shopping in Spain?
Local shops are excellent, providing great fresh produce and all the bits and pieces you could need. The supermarkets are well-stocked and have everything.

But the best is city shopping. Possibly the best shopping street in Murcia is the Calle Jabonerías. Located in the heart of the city, this is where the top designers have their lairs. Go window shopping in the lead-up to Christmas and you’ll find the street red carpeted so you don’t scuff your Manolos!

What do you appreciate about living in Spain?
In England you can live in a street of 400 people in terraced houses, hear their arguments, love-making, eating and fun – and never really know them.
Here, in Spain, you are immediately adopted into the Spanish families; welcomed, fed, educated, entertained and good-naturedly interrogated about what you’ve been up to. In return you provide them with news, stories and an exotic slice of a different world.

We live on the outskirts of a small (101 people) village. We’re the only foreigners, but we’ve been accepted and embraced by our host country.

What do you find most frustrating about living in Spain?
It has to be the complete and utter lack of customer service from the big companies. The red tape from the government is bad enough, but big companies in Spain win hands down. From not answering the phone, to leaving you on hold for several hours; from promising they’d do something and then never doing it to over-charging and under-delivering! It’s just like being back in the UK!

What puzzles you about Spain and what do you miss since you’ve moved here?
What puzzles me most about Spain is how late everything starts! If there’s a scheduled start for an event of 10pm you can bet nothing will happen till 11. If you want to go out and eat dinner then don’t even contemplate arriving till 10.30 – unless you want to snack on tapas.

I still sometimes turn up in the city at 10pm expecting something to be happening. I’m tired and ready for bed at 12 midnight when the Murcians are just coming out to get partying! I must be getting old.

I really can’t think of anything that I miss. I contemplated saying curry, but I’ve learnt how to make a mean one!

My husband, Marcus, misses marmite, but the internet and friends deliver regular supplies – I can’t stand the stuff myself.

How does the quality of life in Spain compare to the quality of life in other countries that you’ve lived in?
I’ve only ever lived in the UK, so my comparison is limited.

When we’re not busy looking after the land, fixing leaky plumbing or searching for missing dogs, we have plenty of other pursuits too.

Debbie enjoying one of her favourite activities in Spain.

Since moving here, we’ve become active and enthusiastic scuba divers and most Sundays we’ll be found under the water of the Mediterranean. We’re spoilt for choice for dive sites; within an hour we can be at the coast and geared up for a dive.

In the afternoon, Marcus does clay pigeon shooting (which is much more accessible and cheaper in Spain than the UK) while I paint – a hobby inspired by the majestic beauty of our surroundings.

I cook and prepare fresh food almost every day - usually fresh local salad and locally butchered meat or fish. We live in an area that is known as the “market garden”, so we have an abundance of local produce. The “food miles” have reduced enormously – more like “food feet” now. When we do eat out, the price for a three-course lunch (including wine) during the week is less than EUR 10 and it is excellent quality.

I say on a regular basis that the Spanish “take having fun seriously”. They live a full life and spend time with friends and families. They make an effort to enjoy themselves on a regular basis and fill their lives with fun.

If you could change anything about Spain, what would it be?
The price of Internet connection! It’s outrageous. My business depends upon me being able to access the Internet all day and the cost compared to the UK is dreadful.

What advice would you give to a newcomer?
Get involved in your local Spanish community. Don’t make the mistake of sticking with your own nationality, but really get involved with the Spanish people.

We have been on the fiesta committee (a gang of people who organise the parties in the village for the year) for the last two years and it’s been a brilliant way of getting to know people, making a contribution and getting connected.

We won’t be doing it again next year though – we’re exhausted – Spanish people really know how to have fun!

If you would like to share your perspective about life in Spain and contribute to Expat Voices, send an email to editorES@expatica.com with 'Please send me an Expat Voices questionnaire' in the subject line.