Graham
@Tenerifediver
English expat in Spain
Forum posts
32
Contacts
6
About me
English
Lives in Torrevieja
Speaks A bit of Spanish and a couple of Russian words
Registration: 03 August 2014
Cost of living 2019 in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, As we usually do each year, we invite you to share your experiences and tell us more about the average prices of products and services in your town/city/area, so that we have updated information regarding cost of living and ...
I realise that the finance company pay a commission to the dealer. My gripe is that the advertised price (as in but not restricted to the UK for example), should be the SALE price of the car. Everyone knows that financing is expensive and the buyer ... Read More
Cost of living 2019 in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, As we usually do each year, we invite you to share your experiences and tell us more about the average prices of products and services in your town/city/area, so that we have updated information regarding cost of living and ...
I would like to just comment on one specific thing about the prices in Spain. Used cars! It is incredible how expensive they are and also how they are marketed. The websites for car dealers all show what appears, at first glance, to be a sale price ... Read More
central heating
Hi I use mains gas (we have it in our area) and a combi boiler. The costs are ok. I have 4 rads and I think the worst bill I had was 70 euros for the month during february. That was including supply and vat. The biggest saving is electric, not ... Read More
Theft from cars in Carrefour, Benidorm by smithigj
Good evening, my name is Ian Smith. I travel to Spain regularly. I have a property in Calpe which I have had for 12 years. My in laws lived in Calpe in the 80's. I speak some Spanish and French. I flew to Spain on 26 Feb 2017 stopping off at ...
Thanks for the warnings!. Down Torrevieja way we have had a spate of muggings by 2-3 young women (alegedly German, but I would strongly suggest Eastern European) and 2 well-dressed spanish guys. Read More
Cost of living in Spain - 2017 by Priscilla
Hello, Before moving to Spain, it is important to investigate the cost of living in the country. As we did in 2015, we give you the opportunity to share your experience and tell us more about products and services average recorded prices in ...
Numbeo is another good resource Read More
Cost of living in Spain - 2017 by Priscilla
Hello, Before moving to Spain, it is important to investigate the cost of living in the country. As we did in 2015, we give you the opportunity to share your experience and tell us more about products and services average recorded prices in ...
Food costs are pretty good compared to the UK, but one thing that is hugely more expensive - used cars. The prices are bonkers! A tip - as electricity, therefore heating, is also very expensive, replace every seal in your windows and doors - it ... Read More
Are you happy in Spain? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Spain? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
Indeed. I just need a job so I can afford the luxury of travelling! Read More
Are you happy in Spain? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Spain? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
Amusing stuff, Peter. Actually I am very familiar with the Asian countries you mentioned. In fact it was a coin-toss.........a condo in Thailand or a house here. I often wish.........well, you can imagine. Take care Read More
Are you happy in Spain? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Spain? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
Generally, yes. But there are negatives, too. I am a single guy, still in good shape but notwithstanding the "social" type clubs here, meeting someone is well nigh impossible. Maybe it is the area I chose. Who knows. Whatever, life can be ... Read More
Customer care in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, The way customer services are handled can greatly affect your views on certain brands, products, companies or stores. As a consumer, it is important to get familiar with local practices regarding client assistance in Spain and try ...
Best CS in Spain for retail? Romanians. Best CS for building services? Brits, Skandies and Germans. Worst CS for utility companies? Spanish. Hands down. Read More
Never make a private health insurance with a Bank by Peace.Vegan
Hi dear expats! Never make a private health insurance with a bank
You, my friend, are a star. I had no idea at all that this existed and it was always a concern of mine as I haven't lived more than a few weeks in Spain yet, although I've had my house 2 years. I'm just finishing a contract abroad and ... Read More
Renting in Alicante- Any English speaking estate agencies? by Paddywhack
My wife and I are retired and wish to rent in Spain for a few years. Anyone know of any English speaking estate agencies who do long term rentals. Any advice welcome. Patrick
Manuel Ricote Diaz (Remax Vista) e-mail: manuel.ricote@remax.es Movil. +34 664 778 316 Telf. +34 966 700 368 NOBODY IN THE WORLD SELL MORE PROPERTIES THAN REMAX They do rentals too, and ... Read More
Never make a private health insurance with a Bank by Peace.Vegan
Hi dear expats! Never make a private health insurance with a bank
This sounds interesting but entirely new to me. Can you give a little more information? Thanks Read More
Working as an English or Spanish teacher in Spain. by Kenneth245
Hello everyone! Right now, I'm planning to study either Spanish or English in university so I can work as a teacher. I was wondering if it's easy to find jobs in Spain as an English or Spanish teacher? I know that jobs as an English teacher ...
You do realise that visas are not dished out so easily to Americans? You need to jump through plenty of hoops to be in with a shout. Read More
Working as an English or Spanish teacher in Spain. by Kenneth245
Hello everyone! Right now, I'm planning to study either Spanish or English in university so I can work as a teacher. I was wondering if it's easy to find jobs in Spain as an English or Spanish teacher? I know that jobs as an English teacher ...
Hi Kenneth, I have been an English teacher for only 6 years, but to be frank, I haven't seen many opportunities in Spain. Certainly not in the area I live in. In truth, you'll probably end up doing what most serious, professional TEFLers do ... Read More
Business etiquette in Spain
AND fail to do the work you are paid to do. Don't forget that bit! Read More
Environmental protection in Spain by Kenjee
Hi, Environmental protection is a challenging issue for all the countries around the world. Would you say this issue is deemed of significance in Spain? Is the country going green through initiatives like waste management and selective sorting ...
Writerman is spot on. The recycling infrastructure is simply not up to it and the Spanish mindset is "Who gives a sh1t"? When people encourage their dogs to squat on the PAVEMENT (I've seen it at least 3 times recently), it says plenty ... Read More
Best cities to live in Spain by Julien
Hi, It聮s not always easy to decide in which area to settle in when moving to Spain. According to you, what are the best cites to live in? Which regions offer most of the job opportunities, a good quality of life, an affordable cost of ...
Orihuela Costa ain't so bad. A bit quiet in the winter (ok...very quiet) but close to all major shops, lots of bars and restaurants and a mix of nationalities. A short drive from the sea (8km) and even shorter if you want to lose yourself in the ... Read More
New members of Spain forum, introduce yourself here 聳 4th quarter of 2015 by Julien
Newbie on Spain forum? Don聮t know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your expat projects ...
Hi Wain and Nikki, I have a house in Orihuela Costa but, oddly, I haven't lived in yet, due to my working overseas. That said, I like the area. It has all you need and is still only 8 km from the beach (yep. I measured it). I teach technical ... Read More
Would you be willing to share your experience? by Jessie40
Hi My name is Jessie and I'm moving to Barcelona in March, any advise? Would you be willing to share your experience? Where do I start looking for a job? Looking to make friends :)
Hi Jessie, I haven't much help to give you, but Barcelona is a vibrant city. Not cheap,but I suppose you know that already. Presumably you are planning to join the existing hoardes of ESL teachers? Incidentally.....why Barcelona in particular? Read More
Retiring to Tenerife by Becklet
Hi everyone,my husband and I are considering taking an early retirement in about 5 years, then we are thinking about buying a property in Tenerife and moving there permanently.We have had many wonderful winter holidays there over the years and ...
I'm getting ever closer to that time of life too, and although I enjoyed living in Tenerife, I found the island life terribly frustrating. I wanted to go and see a band I like (Rush), who were touring Europe. I never went because the outbound ... Read More
Retiring to Tenerife by Becklet
Hi everyone,my husband and I are considering taking an early retirement in about 5 years, then we are thinking about buying a property in Tenerife and moving there permanently.We have had many wonderful winter holidays there over the years and ...
Chayofa is a bit out the way and gets a bit nippy in winter. That said, it is well served by supermarket chains and other stuff up the road in La Camella. I had 2 lovely years in Los Abrigos and prefer that place hands down. Be careful about buying. ... Read More
New members of Spain forum, introduce yourself here 聳 4th quarter of 2015 by Julien
Newbie on Spain forum? Don聮t know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your expat projects ...
Hi all. My name's Graham. I'm British but have spent the last 8+ years working in Asia, Europe (including Tenerife) and the Middle East ( :dumbom: ) as a general and technical English teacher, but it's time to come home. I bought a ... Read More
looking to make the move permanent next year, any advice ? by pauld1978
Hi my name is Paul and am considering a permanent move to Ibiza. I am currently working in Ireland as a Quantity Surveyor. My girlfriend is currently living in Ibiza until the end of October and we are currently looking to make the move permanent ...
Hi, Paul. Graham here (also quite new) and I am going to give you a bit of advice. I bought a house a few kilometres from Torrevieja, but, as yet, haven't lived in it yet! Why? Work. Quite simply, there isn't a lot around. I have been ... Read More
Your experience of culture shock in Spain by Christine
Hi, Living in a foreign country implies to discover its culture, to learn and master the cultural codes. How did you deal with that? Share with us your culture shock stories where you experienced a funny or awkward moment in Spain. What is ...
Ii always amazes me that Spain, neck deep in the plop, still appears to see "service" as a something to be avoided, rather than a cornerstone of efficiency and growth. Do they like being the butt of jokes the world over?? Come on you ... Read More
Your experience of culture shock in Spain by Christine
Hi, Living in a foreign country implies to discover its culture, to learn and master the cultural codes. How did you deal with that? Share with us your culture shock stories where you experienced a funny or awkward moment in Spain. What is ...
My experience of 1 year as a home owner. Ready? Sadly, I work abroad, so 2 weeks after completing my house purchase, I was shipped off to the middle east, but not before seeing a recommended abogado, to act on my behalf during my absence. This ... Read More