A victim of La Tomatina - just one of the reasons you should move to Spain! (cc) Dave Dove
So you’ve stayed at home, braved the pissy weather, worked hard all year, toiled for the man and got nothing to show for it. Do you really want a repeat of all that in 2012?
Shaking your head? Time to quit your shitty job and move to Spain then.
Still got your doubts? Here’s a few reasons why it could work out for you:
The Economy Works in the Favour of English Speakers
Move to spain to teach! There's plenty of opportunity (cc) micah_gideon
Spain may be suffering worse than most in terms of the recession and unemployment rates but for the native or fluent English speaker opportunity is rife.
As most economists will tell you (sadly I’m not one) the education sector is one of the safest during a period of depression. In Spain the ferocious appetite to learn English is stronger than ever and there’s plenty of opportunity to make a sideline income in private instruction.
But even if you’re not that interested in teaching English, business people or marketers can also move to Spain to take advantage as companies continue their feverish search for English speakers to help extend their business abroad.
Don’t believe me? Check out Woman on the Road’s advice for snagging teaching work.
The Culture is More Relaxing
Start the day with a Spanish breakfast (cc) Sally Edmondson
Since returning from Spain to spend the Christmas holidays in the UK, I (and others) have noticed that I’m way more laid back and relaxed. What do I put it down to? 3 months living in Spain and taking in the culture that’s what!
With it’s laid back, easy going life, Spain is a far cry from the work-obsessed, climb-to-the-top societies of the UK or North America. Step out onto the streets and you’ll notice just how less stressed Spaniards are in comparison.
Tottering through the streets, bumping into a friendly face and heading off for drinks and tapas are a big part of the slow life. Move to Spain and you can expect much of the same. Just ask the bloggers!
It’s Cheaper than you Might Think
You can be a pauper and still move to Spain (cc) jeck_crow
Most people look at expats living in La Costa del Sol or La Costa Blanca and think them either stupidly rich or criminals. But while these areas of Spain might be slightly more expensive than others, no doubt you’ll find them much cheaper to live in than you originally thought.
Just as I highlighted in the rental prices listed in my article on cheap places in Spain, renting a simple place here can often mean getting way more for your money.
This year I was paying 100 Euros a month for a room in a shared apartment in the centre of Cáceres. A little bit more would have got me something far more luxurious than the 520-pound-a-month room (655 Euros) I was renting in London in the early part of this year.
Apply these tips and you might get an even better deal! (link to someone).
The Food is Fantastic
Move to Spain and try the ham! (cc) coolhunting "tapas"
I’ve moaned enough times about what it’s like being a vegetarian in Spain, but I appreciate for the most part I’m shouting into a crowded room. Let’s face it, despite my best efforts; most of you are meat eaters and you’re not going to change anytime soon!
Move to Spain then and every one of your carnivorous whims will be taken care of. Enough ham to pave a path to the moon, big-enough beef joints to make even Desperate Dan balk at the challenge and chicken in every way you could want, people rave about the food in Spain for a reason.
As for me I still enjoy what I can. Right now I could kill for a well-cooked tortilla española. Thank god then for Spanish Recipes ace blog.
Festivals for Every Occasion
Have a cool time at WOMAD (cc) francisdeborja
In the short space of time I was in Cáceres I managed to see and experience a Blues Festival, an Irish Fleadh, Oktoberfest, a Medieval Market and a few other completely free festivals.
What you might have gathered? Spain is party central.
With a festival to suit every occasion and with plenty happening throughout the year, move to Spain and you’ll have plenty to keep you occupied. Some of the ones I’m looking forward to next year include WOMAD (where hopefully I’ll return to Cáceres), Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls and, of course, tomato throwing fest La Tomatina. The Battle of the Flowers is an odd sounding stoking my interest too!
All very good reasons to stay in Spain. Now tell me again why you’re moving back to London.
love your blog!!!! great post, cant wait to move to Spain someday!!! lived in Valencia for a summer back in 2008
Love it!! And so true!! Thank you for making me realize how lucky we really are (especially after I read the “Living Abroad is Overrated” post and relating to that to. Sometimes I feel like I can be the most fickle person on the planet!!
@Michi Yup, we’re lucky indeed! For all the times living abroad might be considered overrated I still wouldn’t change it!
Hey Will,
Great write-up, have you posted anything about eating Veg in Spain? My girlfriend struggled over there, interested in what we missed out on.
Cheers,
Andrew
@Andrew: Thanks mate! I have done a fair bit in guest posts during my time but really do need to do something on it sometime soon. I’ll definitely be addressing it in future!
Made me feel satisfyingly smug to read this:) So glad I made the move myself. The news that the UK (or was it just the Scottish?) government is considering injecting loaves with vitamin D, to aid the ailing population who never see the light of day, was enough to do it for me.
Most of all, I love the feeling of freedom that Spain gives me. Room to breathe.
@Julie Ha! Is that actually true! That’s amazing if it is. Spain is all about the freedom. Well said!
This is great.
Spain has always been on my “wish list” of places to visit, and this post makes it jump higher on the list.
Keep up the good work! And by that, I mean keep eating, drinking, and partying!
Love the article! Your reasons are just … beyond awesome. Me? Got a little problem — I’m American and an older one to boot. But I’ll get back there somehow — to stay this time.
Will, you put so much effort in your blog, it is a really helpful resource and inspiration to others!
If you fancy doing a unique guest article for http://www.jobsinspain.info then we would love to publish it with a permanent link back here.
Regards
Mark
Jobs in Spain recently posted..Comment on Jobs in Spain 2012 by Jeanne Julongbayan
Hi Will, great blog mate been to spain too many times to mention on holiday and reading your blog really makes me feell like Im back there again, I can almost smell that “sea mixed with rubish in the sun” smell Ive come to love so much! Myself and my partner run a bouncy castle hire company in Birmingham (uk) and would like to make the move with our 4 kids to the costa del sol , possibly Nerja , to continue running the same business there. Ive found it difficult to get a straight answer on how easy this would be? Ideally we’d just jump on a plane, ship the castles over , rent an apartment near the beach/town and pick up where we left off over here but Im sure thats idealistic and simplistic haha, in your opinion how easy would this be to do? Thanks and all the best , Ollie
will , im a top notch bricklayer, who loves the sun, well educated, and ive been to the university of life, heeeeeeeelp ?
Thanks for article! I didn’t know that Spain also can be cheap.
But what about job for spanish speakers who come from abroad? Is it imposible to find something?
Jesús Flores recently posted..Spanish Podcast of Don Manual
What about for 2013?
Should I give up my shitty job and come to Spain this year??
Partner’s Spanish.. Think she wants to go back
Hi Will,
Great blog. I visited Spain a few times for my climbing adventures and I would like to know how I can go about getting a job in teaching English. Do you know any good job websites that can connect me to some schools there? or any resources at all? I am a fresh University of Toronto graduate and I feel that now is the time to get a real job and live the good life.
Thanks
Iulia