Hello all,
After 9 months of hemming and hawing, I am thinking of getting that one way ticket to Spain in September. I am dealing with all the anxieties I am sure everyone talks about. I am 36 years old, single, and have lost most of my family over the past few years. Since I dont have the ties holding me to my hometown of Portland, Oregon anymore, I am “free”. However, I am also a little petrified of starting over, even though I feel like it would be good for me.
I have a window of opportunity. No boyfriend, no kids, money saved, and a British passport thanks to my mum’s side. Whats holding me back? Well, lots of doubts, and yet I find myself dreaming of it constantly. I have a good job here in the states, which is part of my worry. I wont necessarily have an easy time returning. Maybe I am overthinking this? What say you, expats? How many of you have “been there/done that” to raving successes or dismal failures?
BTW, I have spent two 3month long stints in Spain already, and absolutely found it heaven. I am sure it was the rose-colored glasses of travel (and the Camino de Santiago) that influenced my perspective. But yet, I have never felt like I fit in here in the states. I always have felt that “someday” I would “leave”. Maybe because I have that British mother who was always complaining about the “riff-raff over here” my whole life (rest her soul, she was a surly Brit to the core).
But I digress…if any of you would like to share their experiences, I would be most appreciative.
Thanks and best wishes.
Laura

Hi Mightyfrea.
You are young, free and single, with no ties and a British Passport (so, I take it you can come to Spain under EU rules, or is this correct?), so that’s a bonus, as anyone your age with a family to provide for would find life in Spain very difficult right now.
I say that, because unemployment rates are horrendous in most places here, but you will still have bills to pay.

Do you speak Spanish? Because without it, you will find life quite difficult, even in areas where there are many English speakers. And without Spanish, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to find any legal work here.

Do you intend to stay in Spain for some time (longer than 3 months)?
Because if so, you will need to sign on for residencia and this will require you to show proof of healthcare and income.
This will mean you either have to find legal work, so that your social security will be paid by your employer and you will have your income proof.
Or, you will need to show evidence of private health insurance and an income or savings which will sustain you while living in Spain.

As you are a single person, I would recommend looking at living in one of the major cities, where there is more hope of finding work (although it is still very slim) and more chance to find new friends and acquaintances. And in any case, you would probably find it isolating living in a rural area.

What I would suggest is, give it a try for another 3 months and honestly assess whether those rose coloured spectacles still work under the present economic climate and your love of Spain will continue while you are working or looking for work.

Good luck!

Thanks so much Expat,
I realized after I posted, that the root of my question was really “Should I go, or not?” Which is highly subjective and nobody can really answer but me.
You do bring up some good points though. My Spanish is passable, and improved greatly while I was there, but still needs some practice. Probably some classes wouldn’t hurt.
The economy does give me pause. I have done a little research on opportunities teaching English, and it seems possible to find work with a passable wage.
I am looking at San Sebastian, Santander, and Leon. I have visited all of those cities and love them, they are about as big as I would like to go, but I agree rural areas may be a little too isolating.
I guess the nature of these forums is to draw alot of people thinking about moving, before they make their decision and disappear into the void. I am curious to read some experiences of people who have made the move and are 6 months or more into their time in Spain and how they are feeling about the decision.
Learning about all the logistics is really helpful, and you have triggered the idea that maybe I should give it a go for 3 months before I give up my US apartment and business. That way, I wont have all my eggs in one basket. Who knows whats going to happen with the EU in the next year, anyway?
I appreciate your feedback. If you dont mind me asking, do you live in Spain? How do you find it?
Best,
Laura

Laura:

I think it is good advice to come to Spain for three months or longer and see how you get on, before you give up your U.S. home.

As you remark, the economy is rather poor at the moment and there are many clouds on the horizon.

I have lived in Spain practically all my life (I am Irish), and of course when I first came out here (to Granada) Spain was a different sort of place, well, to some extent anyhow.  Spain became home to me, more my home than Ireland was/is.  My husband is Spanish.  I spoke, read and wrote Spanish before I ever came to Spain, so that was a big advantage, and continued studying at Granada University. 

Of course, everyone is different, and their way of adapting - or not - to a different country, customs and culture will vary. 
A place, city, region may seem delightful when visited on a short holiday.  It may be entirely different when you have to live and work there. 

All the best
Patricia

Learning about all the logistics is really helpful, and you have triggered the idea that maybe I should give it a go for 3 months before I give up my US apartment and business. That way, I wont have all my eggs in one basket. Who knows whats going to happen with the EU in the next year, anyway?
I appreciate your feedback. If you dont mind me asking, do you live in Spain? How do you find it?