Living in Spain

"Number one advice...learn Spanish. This is one of the few places in Europe where no one speaks English," said one expat in Madrid.

"The following applies to anywhere bt applies to my wife and living on the Costa Tropical. 1. Establish Goals for how you want to live your life 2. Choose a location wisely based not only on geography, weather and climate but also based on the local cultural opportunities and transportation infrastructure. 3. Try out the place, visit the place and give it a dry run 4. Consider health care, it doesn’t matter how old you are 5. Figure out the local housing market to establish your new home 6. Check out the cost of living to know if your budget plan and goals work 7. Understand the Visa requirements 8. Get a grasp of the local culture 9. Be aware of local opportunities for sports, leisure, entertainment and cultural activities 10. Become familiar with issues relating to taxes and banking 11. Work out issues relating to communication technology. I have written a short book called "Renaissance in The Sun" Its virtually FREE. You can find it on Amazon and Kindle. Its about life and Spain," said one expat who made the move to Spain.

"Definitely try out the International Newcomers Club. Though they have one or two men in the group...they are very open to more. They do many fun things during the week and have activities such as wine tasting parties on weekends. There is at least one event monthly and you meet many fantastic people. The American Women's Club is also nice, but they are oriented towards community service and raising funds for charities. They do have monthly meetings and have a club house with a large lending library," remarked one expat living in Madrid, Spain.

"Many expats in Spain join local sports clubs that offer activities such as soccer, running, and tennis, as well as other activities like language exchange and book clubs. In addition, they often take advantage of Spain's vast cultural offerings, from flamenco classes to wine tastings. Expats looking to mix with locals might join Meet-Ups and other community-based activities, visit local bars and cafés, and attend Spanish festivals, street fairs, and other events. Expats might also attend events hosted by international organizations or through online connections with other expats from the same home country," wrote one member in Spain.

"Living in Spain as an expat or digital nomad can be incredibly rewarding - the great weather, wonderful people and fantastic culture make it an ideal place to call home. Expats and digital nomads can benefit from having access to some of Europe's most vibrant cities and a wealth of opportunities for employment and leisure activities. Public transportation networks are reliable and affordable, and the cost of living is generally lower than in many other European countries. Expats and digital nomads can take advantage of the thriving cultural scene and the array of outdoor activities that come with life on the Mediterranean coast. Furthermore, healthcare and education systems are widely accessible and of a high standard," said one expat who made the move to Spain.

"Typically the Spaniards priority is family. They have extended family near by and visit quite often. You may be friends at work, but once the work day is over the friendship normally does not extend to socializing outside the office. Soccer (or futbol) is big and a good topic of conversation. Additionally people enjoy travelling from one side of the country to the other on holiday. If Spain has a holiday on Thursday, schools will give the children off on the Friday too so that families can travel. The winter and spring breaks are very long...again so people can travel. Folks are always going somewhere," explained one expat living in Madrid, Spain.

"Spain is generally considered to be a safe country with relatively low levels of crime. Violent crime is rare and most common crimes occur at a local level, such as pickpocketing or petty theft. Tourist areas are particularly targeted, so visitors should remain vigilant of their surroundings. Additionally, organized crime exists in the larger cities of Spain, but the areas where it occurs are quite specific and unlikely to be visited by tourists," wrote a member in Spain.

"There is very little crime. I feel much safer here than I did in California. Walking my dogs at midnight doesn't worry me at all," commented one expat who made the move to Salamanca.

"This is a Catholic country. Most individuals seem accepting of differences unless you are from a Latin country. As an American with very little Spanish language capability, they are very helpful and go out of their way to help me. Typically Latins are thought of and treated as the hired help. It does not matter how they are dressed or how much jewelry they have on...still just hired help. Fortunately if problems arise in stores or restaurants, each establishment has a complaint book. If you ask to make a complaint, they must give it to you. Normally, the attitude changes when you ask for this book. They police can shut the place down if they do not have the book to give you," explained one expat living in Madrid, Spain.

"Spain is a culturally diverse nation, with a mix of native groups, immigrants, and diverse religions. In recent years, the Spanish government has made efforts to ensure that diversity is respected, and that everyone is treated fairly and equally. Discrimination based on religion, gender, race, age or sexual orientation is illegal, and there is a heightened awareness amongst the general public regarding the importance of cultural diversity and the acceptance of differences. While there are still some areas of improvement, overall the Spanish people are increasingly becoming more open to and accepting of diversity," said one expat in Spain.

"To go to St. George's school without any doubt. We have found a family there and we are not going to forget them ever," commented one expat when asked about St. George's School in Madrid.

"The school is a Catholic school, OPUS. But, in these changing times, they do accept and understand that all children enrolled are not Catholic. Half of the staff are certified English speakers and teachers, so speaking Spanish is not a MUST, but it is always good to attempt to use your Spanish when enrolling your child. For some grades, there is a long waiting list. Since this school includes preschool (one year old), it is advised to enroll your children as early as possible, once they are enrolled, there is no waiting list. This is one of the BEST schools in Andalucia and is part of the Attendis group whose website can be viewed at www.attendis.com or www.attendis.es. If your children do not already speak Spanish, be patient, and give it a whole semester. Children learn faster than adults and will grasp the language quickly, if for no other reason than to communicate with friends on the playground. Preschool is co-ed and is held at Colegio Grazalema. Once primary school begins, the girls remain at Colegio Grazalema, the boys go to the brother school, Colegio Guadalete, approximately 1km away. The children who attend this school are well-mannered. Because there is a cost, most of their parents own busineses, work in government, etc. The school has a high test rate in all areas. 100% of the children test well. Be sure to ask lots of questions and get a good grasp of the school policies and culture," explained one expat in El Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain with kids at Colegio Grazalema & Colegio Guadalete (Attendis).

"The British School of Barcelona is considered to be one of the best international schools in Spain, with a well-rounded educational curriculum and an engaging international environment. Located in Barcelona, this school combines an internationally rich learning environment with an innovative and creative approach to teaching. It is the only school in Spain to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and its highly accomplished academic results rank among the best in Spain. The Torrequebrada International School, situated on the Costa del Sol, is one of the most prestigious international schools in Spain. This school offers a comprehensive range of courses, which includes the International Baccalaureate, and its experienced teachers cultivate a stimulating and holistic environment that helps to prepare students for adult life and a global future. The Sotogrande International School, located in Sotogrande, is one of the most respected bilingual schools in Spain. This school combines a traditional British education with effective Spanish-language instruction, making it the perfect environment for students who are looking to acquire language fluency or a bilingual education. The curriculum follows a holistic approach, emphasizing values and a sense of responsibility and excellence while encouraging students to excel not just inside the classroom, but also outside it," wrote an expat living in with children attending .

"I can only attest to the cost of living in my city. For Salamanca, you can live very comfortably for 1500 euros (or around $1650)," wrote a member in Salamanca.

"The cost of living in Spain varies depending on the city or region. In general, one can expect to pay slightly more in amenities like food, hotel prices, and public transportation costs compared to other European countries, but if you budget wisely, you can still find good value. Rent and utilities will also be more expensive than some other European countries, but many locals choose to rent shared apartments which can be more affordable. Salaries are slightly lower than other European countries, but the cost of living is still manageable," commented one expat who made the move to Spain.

"We used Numbeo to reasearch and compare. Basically, cost of living in Granada is 1/3 that of NEW York and 2/3 the cost of our US home, Dallas. Did we mention free health care?," remarked one expat living in Granada.

"The cost of living in Spain is generally quite reasonable, however some of the cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona, tend to be more expensive than the rest of the country. In general, a nice 1 bedroom apartment in Spain could cost around $800 US dollars per month, and a nice 2 bedroom for about $1300 US dollars. Eating dinner at a moderately priced restaurant in Spain would cost around 15-30 US dollars per person," said one expat living in Spain.

"Very inexpensive to live in Granada. The rent starts as low as €250 per month for a room in an apartment. If you want to have your own apartment, rent can start at €400 depend on location. The food is cheap here if you stay out of eating in tourist areas. Grocery is inexpensive with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables year round," mentioned one expat inGranada .

"There are tennis clubs, plenty of good hiking trails, beautiful parks. The city have several sport complexes that have swimming pools, tennis courts, paddle balls, basketball and soccer," wrote one expat living in Granada.

"In Spain, residents enjoy a variety of recreational facilities, such as beaches, parks, and outdoor sports courts. Popular beach activities include swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. Parks are great for picnics, jogging, and playing sports. Outdoor sports courts are available for basketball, tennis, and other sports. Additionally, Spain has many cultural attractions, such as museums, galleries, and historic sites. Residents can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, such as hiking, camping, and bird watching," commented one expat who moved to Spain.

"Hiking and skiing in Sierra Nevadas, One hour bus ride from coast. We are near tennis park, though tennis here limited," said one expat.

"In the summer- hot and dry between 80-100F winter- dry and cold between mid 30F to mid 40F but usually above freezing with Spring and Fall have the best weather between 50F- 80F," remarked one expat in Granada.

"Lots of restaurants and bars. Very vibrant. People stay out until 1-2 AM if weather is good and just hang out with friends," remarked one expat living in Granada.

"Tapas is king here, and it is cheap (only tourists pay for tapas). lunch is not served till about 2:00, but you can find great menu del dia deals (multiple courses and beer/wine for 10 euros). Dinner at 9-11:00 pm," said one expat living in Granada.

"Every corner has a local grocer. There is also Carrefour and the Corte Ingles mid-town. We also found two great small Asian markets, one Chinese, one with Indian food," commented one expat living in Granada, Spain.

"There are many big stores like El Corte Inglés, Mercadona and Carrefour and most expats shop. There are many smaller neighborhood stores in every corner. It's very easy to find grocery stores here," remarked one expat living in Granada.

"To live here, one can get a non-lucrative visa and is considered a temporary resident. After 5 years, we can become permanent resident. These are the main requirements to get non- lucrative visa - background check, health certificate, proof of available funds, health insurance," mentioned an expat living in Granada.

"Best to consult Spanish website,. We are here on a non-lucrative visa which requires minimum financial assets," said an expat in Granada.

"My policy costs 1017 Euros or about $1109 annually. It can also be paid monthly through a bank deduction. There is no co-pay, which is the requirement for the Spanish visa, so most treatment is included, but not prescriptions or outside consultation," mentioned an expat living in Altea.

"We have a private health insurance with Sanitas and are happy with them. It’s acceptable at our nearest hospital. Sanitas was most well known health insurance among expats. They will take payments without a Spanish bank account, which we find very convenient because we didn’t have a Spanish bank account last year before we moved to Spain," said an expat in Granada.

"Healthcare in Spain is generally considered to be of a high quality and is available to all citizens and legal residents. The cost of healthcare in Spain is largely dependent on the type of insurance coverage that is chosen. Public health insurance is available to all citizens and legal residents and is generally quite affordable. Private health insurance is also available and can be more expensive, but it often provides more comprehensive coverage. In general, health insurance in Spain is not overly expensive, but it is important to compare different plans to find the best coverage for your needs," remarked one expat in Spain.