When the novelty of living in Spain wears off

In this week's vlog I talk about living in Spain and what happens when the novelty of a new country starts to wear off.
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[@watergate9557]

People let’s remember. Being a tourist in any country is going to be different than living in that country 👍

[@watergate9557]

Gorgon Don 💯

[@dimitrypilin3098]

You're completely right. People often have a false impression of a country from a two week visit. "That's a nice country to live in" - You forgot poverty, unemployment, corruption, crime, imbalanced weather and so on

[@samerkeilani6439]

Absolutely candy although I think retiring orally spending quality time in a country like Spain will really help energize anybody

[@tmalloydesign]

I've lived in the US for 65 years. The novelty has worn off. We're moving to Spain this year!

[@ImNotADeeJay]

what part of the US are you from? maybe it is because I am Spanish, but if I was American (and had the means to) I'd retire in South Florida hands down. I went there two years ago and can't wait to go back.

[@camdancoolpeople]

Hal, I was raised in south florida and I cannot wait to leave. I’m moving in July to Madrid. I wish I would have moved when I was younger when my dad still lived there. The US is only a comfortable country to live in if you make extremely good money. But the food here is just not healthy and grown with excessive amounts of pesticides. It’s always a challenge to find good quality fruit and veggies that are flavorful. And all packaged food is filled with fillers, preservatives, and lots of salt. On top of that you have to drive everywhere, good health insurance is crazy expensive and everyone living here is extremely ignorant and has a very US centric world view. But hey, this is just my experience from living here since I was 5 years old and all I can say is that you can only live happy and comfortable here if you make BIG money. Otherwise, the islands, central or south america have very cheap housing on the coast and great food.

[@ImNotADeeJay]

@@camdancoolpeople "....The US is only a comfortable country to live in if you make extremely good money...." I must agree here, the US is the playground of the rich, not so welcoming for the poor. And healthcare is a problem, too. Here in Spain, we have universal healthcare, what is pretty good, but being "free" people abuse it, going to the doctor for the dumbest things and creating inefficiencies. But I still prefer this system hands down.

[@elzorro8787]

@@camdancoolpeople It's like a spitting image of Australia concerning food. A lady I worked for the other day told me she didn't know what was going on with the food in Australia. She was in Spain, Italy and Greece and all the fruit, vegetables and everything in between was so much tastier and healthier. I also think in countries like Australia they can severely manipulate food and the locals wouldn't tell the difference. As long as the propagandístico Aussie media tells them some bullshit like Australian food is the best in the world. They'd actually believe it. Food in Australia is terrible. That's the fact. Even something as ridiculous as Fantastic drink in Spain tastes much better than the disgusting version we drink in Australia. All of the Aussie friends that have come with me to Spain tell me straight away. Why is Fantastic so nice in Spain yet so terrible in Australia?

[@elzorro8787]

Meant to say Fanta drunk not fantastic

[@MattiUusi-Kokko]

Have lived in Finland for 30 years now, thinking about moving to Spain. Doing the same routines but just without the 9 months of bad weather.

[@dimitrypilin3098]

I'm thinking the opposite. After living 19 years in Spain I want to go north, like the Netherlands. I don't mind rainy weather, I just need better stability and less carefree attitudes

[@dimitrypilin3098]

How so?

[@ivansantana3067]

:) it helps...

[@andyw5513]

Dimitry P Netherlands is far from care free they have high taxes high cost of living if hardly say it’s carefree

[@CUNDUNDO]

In Finland for 30 years ? you have my respect !

[@IberianLife]

I really appreciate your videos because they don’t sugarcoat everything like a lot of other expat channels. There is a downside to everything and it’s refreshing to find someone who is giving people warnings that some things aren’t perfect. That being said, I don’t understand what your friend meant about a lack of spontaneity. I believe spontaneity is personal, coming from within yourself, not society. Great video as always!

[@mickgibson3281]

We are moving to Spain this year, we’ve watched so many posts, blogs, vlogs from all sorts of people and a appreciate everyone’s own take on living in Spain. I’m 52 and have finally got bored of living in the centre of the uk so it stands to reason that I should be dead before I’m bored of Spain. Remember everyone not to over think life, just get up, get on and enjoy everyday. Good luck to anyone who tries something new 👍.

[@topcat8820]

mick Gibson 👍🏻

[@ndres839]

I hope you find a beautiful life here in Spain. En España se puede vivir bien si tienes ganas de vivir y disfrutar de la vida. Te deseo lo mejor

[@QQQBall]

Hey Mick, which part are you relocating to? We were in Nerja and La Herradura in March and loved it. We went fron BCN all the way south, but Nerja was really to my liking.

[@suemarshall6185]

The August heat and humidity, the mosquitos and the tourists are a nightmare. Most of the year it's lovely. Best wishes

[@themiddlejourney6286]

What a great comment. I am selling house to buy in Spain so all my family and friends can have a holiday for free. All my family are poor and never get on holiday. Everyone is excited about this oppurtunity. Hey have great life pal

[@MC-342]

This could happen anywhere. I remember wanting a house in the country so badly. After 24 years of living that way, I hate it now. The charm of it lasted about 10 years.

[@MrFernanrc]

you get older.. things change.. you hate cold weather, you don't want to work as hard, but your in the city, soon you will hate it also. I hate where I live and it's the best, I have to think, if I foolishly sell my house, I will be in trouble. Home prices go up and up and it's easier to create wealth than working.

[@davedogge2280]

When the novelty of living in Spain wears off just think of the alternative and be thankful ... Waking up in dreary rainy and gloomy town in the UK walking into the town center with 30% of the shops all boarded up as they're out of business and then going to Greggs Bakery for a cheap stale pasty. Not great ! Waking up today to a glorious day of sunshine gives me a beaming smile like the Cheshire cat's from Alice In Wonderland. You have no excuse in Spain if you are bored of the same place given that it is a tourism-centric country.

[@TheSteffie59]

Well said, Dave! The UK weather and escalating crime (especially where I live) are my reasons to move.

[@lehaim37]

Cuanta razon tienes amigo, un saludo cordial de un español viviendo in UK...

[@barnichua]

I'm surprised that you british people don't seem to get used to the weather in your land. Galician people for example have a similar weather and they feel a typical homesickness («morriña» they use to say) if they get far from their homes. It makes me a bit sad that you don't usually talk about possitive things in your country (which actually does have). However, I'm glad that you like this lump of the planet as much as you do. Greetings

[@TheSteffie59]

@@barnichua I personally do not fair well in UK climate health wise. I feel so much healthier and happier, both mentally and physically, in the warm sunshine by the sea. And nobody can deny that Spain is far prettier than most of the UK! We are fed up with our government who cannot do the right thing for our country, and totally disregard what it's citizens want. We also have royalty, half of which now declares it wants "privacy" but who are very happy to live in luxury while we hard working citizens live in relative poverty while paying for them to travel the world and remain in all their palaces etc Hardly fair, is it! 😏🙄

[@barnichua]

@@TheSteffie59 Oooh why it sounds familiar to me? Have you realized about our governments, royalty, corruption, religious intruding in politics... Our previous government is a criminal organization and their millions of voters don't punish them. Spain has wonderful things but the awful ones steal my calm.😢

[@joantolmie7258]

Living in Spain for 20 years loving it. NEVER will I go back to live London VIVA España

[@joantolmie7258]

London is OK to visit but not to live there anymore and I was born in London give me Galicia any day!

[@dimitrypilin3098]

After living in the Catalan coast for 19 years, I want to leave. Maybe it's the downside of living in a small town as a young person, but I can't find work and I never really integrated with the locals. I get along better with people from the East like Poland, Ukraine or Russia and much less with Southern Spaniards, I can't stand them.

[@PossibleBat]

Dimitry P did you even bother to learn Catalan?

[@dimitrypilin3098]

@@PossibleBat Yeah. I have a near-native level of both Catalan and Spanish. I use either with people depending of where they were born. Pro-independence inner-Catalans, Catalan and we bond better if I speak it. Friends whose parents come from Andalucía, Spanish. They know Catalan well but refuse to use it.

[@Karl_with_a_K]

@@dimitrypilin3098 what can't you stand about them?

[@elzorro8787]

Lol. If Madrid is monotonous then Perth is a cemetary. Shops close early everyday. Restaurants close early everyday. Clubs close early everyday. A little town in Spain is alot more interesting and dynamic than Perth general. You should really go back to Australia to realise in a short space of time how exciting Spain really is.

[@user-FM1]

I think any place when you live for a long time , you will feel it's monotonous, I understand you if someone not happy about any country he should go back to home country , but I think he is talking in the tongue of others who get so excited to live in Spain then after a while they regret it .

[@Cptblogh]

Spain is basically not as restricted full of silly rules and way more laid back people. The choice is personal I guess

[@elzorro8787]

@craig mitchell What a bullshitter you are chum. Shops in Melbourne close at 5 pm everyday except Thursdays and Fridays when they close at 9pm. And we're talking about the shopping capital of Australia. Shops in Perth close early everyday except for Friday's and possibly Thursdays. Was their a long time ago for a couple of hours in the CBD Wasn't too sure if I was in an actual village. Clubs ose before the UBS in Madrid even start getting busy. I mean. What's next? Perth is as dynamic as Madrid. Lofl. Don't take any bodies word for it folks. All you need to do is Google it. I mean plenty of people in Madrid are still having g dinner last midnight in restaurants while the majority of restaurants in Austria have long closed.

[@elzorro8787]

And 11 pm closing times in most of Perth's Italian and Indian restaurants Whoa. Lol

[@elzorro8787]

@craig mitchell We'll farq me Sorry dude

[@popbre3]

We lived in Southern Spain for 3 years, do to my husband's work, it was the best place I've ever lived, maybe the novelty hadn't worn off yet by the time we had to move back to the US. My dream is to move back soon, hopefully retire. there. I was more home sick and depressed when we left Spain then I was when we left the US and all my family.

[@helenmark3214]

ever heard the expression, the grass is always greener on the other side

[@marioformosa4259]

@@helenmark3214 But she tested the grass on both sides

[@donamills863]

Lynda Rosas The double taxation was a big deterrent for us.

[@i.alegre9401]

Spain is the most mountaineus country in Europe after Switzerland. This makes it a fantastic place to wonder in your free time. Travelling in excellent buses is extrememly inexpensive and find a place to sleep is as well very afordable if you do not need luxury around you.

[@raul46170]

Monotony is a personal issue but not a country, and less Spain.

[@tonifalcon9732]

The nicest places in Spain are not known by the big crowds.

[@raul46170]

I think that boredom is not something of a country, nor of being a foreigner. Rather it is age and experience. lol

[@mimicrono]

And the way you have been raised. We Spaniards are used to not travelling abroad and living alone from a relatively young age, whereas in other cultures kids are encouraged to live independently from a very early age (compared to us Spaniards). Plus, there is a universal group of people who simply cannot live and do the same things for a long time, they can't help it, it is in their DNA. Only old age could appease their thirst for change and novelty, and not always. I love these videos.

[@rangemog21]

@@mimicrono Old age.... :-) I'm seventy now and I came two years agoo to live in Spain " off-grid " with my mobilehome and building now a tiny-house on a 10 m semi-trailer. I can do that in Spain 350 day's or more outside. Not today, we have the three-days-on-a-row windy/rain day's.... I visited Spain over the years and I feld always that this is my place. Thanks. ( In history, Spaniards where travelers, they discovered the whole world.... , it depends on individuals... )

[@mimicrono]

@@rangemog21 I know I'm going to appear as oversensitive and dumb, but since my dad's death and my mom's illness, I feel very moved by the old people who are adventurous, happy and willing to face novelty with their best will, in many cases much happier and stronger than us less old ones. Your adventurous soul makes me smile, however be careful and alert, in this country we have our good bunch of criminals who would gladly take advantage of your situation (they love to steal from caravans). I really hope and wish that you have the best of times in our country. And for the restlessness of some people, we also have people like that, it knows no boundaries nor nationalities 😃 Historically Spaniards have also had a great love for riches, and that is also a powerful reason to get moving 🤔 Again, I wish you only the best in our country.

[@rangemog21]

@@mimicrono Well, I lived in Brussels and Antwerp, you know, those places that even export not only tourists but terrorists.... :-) Being carefull is a habit. I lived and workt with all kind of people, never had problemes. Maybe because I'm lucky. What can go wrong in a country where people have names as Angelo, Rafael and even Jesus.... :-) x 10 Thanks. or Gracias....

[@rossgalan7457]

The novelty living in any country ALWAYS wears off. What one should be watchfull is to not make your outlook of life (in any country) of life wears off.

[@YorkieLad]

I love Spain as a holiday , living there no thanks . I love the green and pleasant land of the North of England more . Don't care what you say you cannot beat the 4 seasons .

[@Osutip]

There are also 4 seasons in Spain, or in Mediterranian climate for that matter, they just work differently. But in the north of Spain from Galicia to the Basque Country, they work in an identical way to England and look the same, since the climate is not different.

[@aaascue]

Plus Galician and Asturian food are the best in Spain. UK sucks if you’re a foodie

[@leonardnyc12]

I moved to the US (New York City) from Russia almost 25 years ago. Like everywhere, the novelty wore over time. When you have to study, work, make a living, survive - this is quite different from just traveling and spending money you made somewhere else. And I did change jobs - in fact interviewing and trying to find another one now. And travel for me is something that keeps it fresh - I wish I could travel more - much more. And especially to Spain. Your videos are really helping me learn more about this amazing country. So I really look forward to the next video, and the one after that, and I hope that your channel will keep growing. Looking forward also to the videos from your upcoming trip to Portugal. Personally, would love to know more about the Portuguese coffee culture. And have some ideas about the differences between life/culture/service/views/overall vibe between Portugal and Spain.

[@Grant5272]

Another great video. I'm really looking forward to moving to Spain. Can't wait.

[@SCOTTCOD4]

I spend time between England & Mallorca, and I much prefer Mallorca for a lot of reason, but there’s also ‘no place like home’

[@donamills863]

yortzandat could you be any more racist?

[@donamills863]

SCOTTCOD4 Completely agree

[@lordfaultingroy3676]

Nothing feels better than leaving home & nothing feels better than going home! It's The bitter sweet curse🤔

[@barano9729]

I’m on holiday in Seville at the moment. I’m also American of Mexican heritage and I would move here in a heartbeat.

[@helenmark3214]

of course because you are Spanish underneath

[@richbillionair]

Be careful, most Spanish look down on Mexican descendant people

[@carmenp.7804]

@@richbillionair most Spanish love Mexico, our cultures are deeply intertwined through centuries of mutual migrations. We share a sense of familiarity that makes us feel home in each other country. Better be careful of speaking of things you don't know.

[@kikimdo]

@@carmenp.7804 there is some truth in what they are saying. I experienced it firsthand and had friends with similar stories.

[@rayvogensen2983]

You seem to live in a very nice neighborhood, obviously not in Madrid itself but in one of the neighboring suburbs. Some of these suburban municipalities are the richest places in Spain--think Pozuelo de Alarcón, Boadilla del Monte, and Majadahonda. They are probably the only places where you could live in a house and not a flat. The price of petrol in Spain is quite low compared to other EU countries. Diesel in Spain is usually around 1.20 a liter (at the time of this writing) while in Portugal, where i live, the cheapest you can get, at a hypermarket station, is 1.38 a liter. Here we pay much more tax than in Spain. Plus our cars are much more expensive, sometimes the difference in price being 5000 euros. But we can't buy one in Spain and bring it here unless we want to pay another VAT and the special tax on the cylinders of the vehicle, which is about the same as the VAT. Here we pay the basic price of the car, then the special cylinder tax, and finally the VAT on both. Tax on tax. Nice.

[@ImNotADeeJay]

There are houses in Madrid city, but they are super expensive, well over the million, up to nine or ten million they ask for some houses in El Viso or Puerta de Hierro. For the rich only.

[@helenmark3214]

you're correct about tax , petrol and car prices but Portuguese are friendlier and more try to speak English.....Spanish don't. having said that, they did when they needed tourists 50 yrs ago, now they want us to leave, look at all the grafitti and Spanish opening tell tourists to leave Spain......for the moment

[@erichaynes7502]

Congrats on your family Mr. spainspeaks. I've traveled around the world quite a bit and although I will visit Spain I don't think I could settle down there, especially for the reasons you give. I do love Europe though so I will probably get there to Spain and many other countries either this year or next. Thanks for the videos, keep them up!

[@brianwhite1189]

New subscriber and have been binge watching your videos. Thanks for all the thoughtful analyses, the pros & cons and the detailed descriptions and comparisons of life in Spain and Portugal. I'm with Dave, it's all about the beaches, particularly warm water beaches. After thirty-one years in Seattle, but originally from Santa Monica/Venice, California, and retired, I'm ready for a change. I love Lisbon, but for swimming I think I'll plan a visit to Valencia. Your videos have helped me a lot. Thanks again!

[@MrFranplan]

happiness has more to do with how you are than where you live ( Francisco de Quevedo :))

[@trailrunplanet]

During my six years here in Spain, we've lived in five different towns down in the South. As a blogger / KZbinr one way to keep things interesting while having no access to the formal job market is to build a long tail niche blog about the place I'm staying (hidden gems that only the locals know); then another one or two blogs on outdoor activities/hobbies that can be done in that area. Would be cool to meet up for a beer or vid collab when I am in Madrid later this year for passport renewals.

[@zhardoum]

Been in Spain 20 years myself, (Balearic region) rule 1, speak spanish... sooner you speak it the sooner your life will improve, double so with bonus marks if you learn Spanish & Catalonian... downside of Spain, The ‘Post office’... communities & self serving community rules (houses & flats often come together under a community banner, similar to HoA’s in USA)..Shops that open Monday to Friday and 2 hours on a Saturday,, low pay & long hours & it gets hot, damn hot.. & busy with tourists.. finding decent builders & mechanics..having to order most ‘tech’ online & waitin* a week for delivery...... Waiting ages for an ITV (road car test) appointment & sitting in a queue for 4 hours to get car tested....Upside of being in Spain, shorter commute, better lifestyle in general (as long as you accept the fact your not going to have much disposable income) ... reasonably priced restaurants without paying a ransom in tips, food quality in general... Sunny drives to work & sunny drives on the way home (hard to be depressed when its sunny).. happy stress free living for the most part... low low low crime rates in low / off season, specifically car crime... high season not so much..... in General.. you will have a lot less money to spend.. but... you will be happier & have a lot safer life (as always there are exceptions).

[@elnaveganteperdido6373]

It's interesting because I've heard many foreigners say that life in Spain is partying, social life and lots of fun all the time, and I think they confuse the life of a tourist in Spain with making a life in Spain. Natives and non-natives who live in Spain for long know that daily life can be very routine and difficulties. I quite agree that one has to find ways to deal with that.

[@TheVaughan5]

I’m a city person though of course I love the countryside but for all its problems I wouldn’t change London for anywhere else, it’s given me a hell of a fantastic life. Love visiting Spain, esp. Madrid, Seville and Valencia.

[@lucaspierre9305]

Thank you for the great advice in breaking the monotony of daily routine. My family and I moved to one of the countries in western EU from SEA more than a year ago. The novelty has worn off and it’s making me homesick.

[@landlord5552]

For australian the weather is meaby same, but for me from Finland, weather on Tenerife is absolute paradise. We spend every winter 2-3 months there. Do not desire live there all year around tough.

[@morgan97475]

Your advice about travelling, either to a different city or country, applies whether you're living in your home country or elsewhere I would think. Thanks for this video......nice insight into a country I hope to visit.

[@TheSteffie59]

Many thanks for your latest informative video. As I'm on my own in UK,, I can live where I want. Visited Costa del so first time last Oct, back in a couple of days. Fell in love with Furengirola and it's safe for me. Dearly would love to relocate (very used to moving ) but it's a huge step at 67 and the legalities and regs are daunting. Until Brexit sorted am biding time. Hope to initially rent for winter to test the water. Would have to rent if relocate. Thanks again!

[@SweetLilyofPeace]

I am just a few years younger than you and will be moving out alone in the next couple of years Brexit or no Brexit. I am going to make a few visits end of this year and next year looking at different areas, going to rent for a bit too I think. If you really want to do it go for it. Life is too short and it would be a great new adventure. I am looking in Valencia and Andalucia regions so you never know we may end up being neighbours :) Good luck :)

[@TheSteffie59]

@@SweetLilyofPeace Many thanks and good luck!

[@paulrumohr]

Really enjoyed that! Felt like I was in the car chatting with you :)

[@tnemnzies]

Good topic for the video, I am from the UK but have been living in the US for the last 22 years and yes the novelty does wear off, so I and my wife are going to retire in Spain this year, we have made a few visits and fell in love with the country. We like the outdoor life and have been taking Spanish lessons, looking forward to the move, the next chapter in our lives.

[@donamills863]

Neil Menzies Do check the double taxation for U.S. citizens. We thought about retiring in Spain because we could live very well on our retire the income but when we did the math on the double taxation, it would wipe out a big chunk of our income. Not to mention the burden and expense to hire a lawyer to do your taxes every year.

[@anthonyphillips2874]

Which part of Spain?

[@onedirection3510]

For many people I think Span is one of those vacation/ holiday type places. When that’s in the back of your mind you can’t always expect to be having fun on a regular basis. However when you’re living somewhere full-time and all that comes with that like work etc. it could be a let down that you’re not constantly in holiday mode. In my opinion the best thing is to have hobbies and self cultivation type routines. Examples could be learning a musical instrument or exercise groups or learning languages or volunteering to help the less fortunate.

[@karenhitchens3563]

Your is adorable! Thank you for sharing your invaluable experience on Spain.

[@navyryder]

Once again nice video, good food for thought!!! Un saludo desde Jacksonville, Florida! 👊🏻

[@beadbird]

Rivas Vaciamadrid looks beautiful. Nice homes, lots of commerce. Close enough to Madrid for an easy commute to a good job. Nice video!

[@nickob55]

Good outlook, I have found even going back to England after a while is refreshing and try to work all over the UK, particularly North and Scotland, having lived in Gib for 8 years and now based in Bulgaria but freelance in UK variety is the spice of life and talking of travelling love roadtrips and from Bulgaria you can reach 10 + countries in 12 hours driving.

[@yttean98]

When you have MONEY you can almost live anywhere and use it as your base, like you spainspeaks, travel to Portugal, Australia, etc. Commonsense.

[@sweetmelon149]

Become a collector of Spanish antiquities, learn how to play Spanish guitar, dance flamenco, grow grapevines and make wine, climb all the 6000 feet mountains in 2000 feet around you, meet new people, learn windsurfing, sailing, go back to college or attend lectures in the summer especially. Attend all academic conferences around, get to know local people, learn wood carving, quit drinking wine, quit your boring friends

[@marianantunano6285]

Jajajaja. The bouganville fantasy . And a Bulgarian playing the accordion in the bars while ladies and many men fall in love with such a fantastic Spanish macho man. LOL .

[@susandavis4790]

Lived in Spain almost 19 yrs now in my 75th yr on my own 16 yrs...... nice to go back to the UK and see family BUT dreary people, dreary days, bad atmosphere in some areas.....not for me thank you......keep filming loving it x

[@Thursdaym2]

Depends where in UK you come from.

[@DeadDave]

I know when I lived in a tourist area in Spain and Turkey, the winter months got very boring very quickly when everyone goes home. When the only places open are the local bar and the supermarket, it's hard to pick between the two.

[@cometomicke]

Loved this. You lived here 21y we havn't even 3months hahaha. Yeah well life is a struggle nomatter where i guess. We're from sweden so its not so hard moving here. And we'll be surfing too actually Have a good one 👌. We're in SanPedro Marbella and liking the spanish twist sofar .. ciao.

[@d.jensen5153]

I lived in Colombia for a few years. Climate was pretty much perfect year round. Oddly, that was the thing I grew tired of. Having grown up with four distinct seasons, the lack of variety in Cali eventually became a bit oppressive. I love being back in the mountains of North America, skiing in winter, planting a garden in spring, backpacking and mountain climbing in summer, and reveling in the joys of harvest time each autumn, and the golds and yellows that cover the hillsides. I still recall an old anemic tomato plant -growing- living in the courtyard of the house in Cali. Month after month it clung to life, wan, never growing, never producing fruit. It served as a metaphor for everything around me, including the weary grim-faced woman who had planted it.

[@flashback1123]

I've been living in London 20 years now, and it's been raining EVERY DAY for the past 3 months! Lots of work and stuff happening here, if you have the energy to be UP for doing it :-) Spain is great for sunshine holidays 🌞

[@LA90598]

Very unusual to rain every day for 3 months in London

[@samerkeilani6439]

Stewart love your videos it's a great way for us to stay in touch with what's going on there we go to Andalusia almost every year but didn't make it last summer because of the pandemic and not sure if we're going this year either would love to retire there or at least stay two or three months out of the Year in Spain

[@PlanetImo]

Favourite country out of the three choices you gave - Portugal! But I've never been to Australia and never lived in Spain, so that wasn't a very informed choice of mine. Do you understand Portuguese?

[@hotrodjones74]

I mix things up in Russia by traveling around and meeting new people. I've been to the Far East of Russia. It's very different from Moscow, but beautiful. Spain is definitely not monotonous, though it does have strong traditions. I enjoyed my time there from 2008-2010. Boring people get bored... Adventurous people have fun. Surfing in Portugal is my next holiday adventure plan. Será muito giro!

[@susanglasgow8992]

Awww Dave is so quiet and polite, cute xxx

[@stephenmorgan6507]

Very good video. Thanks. As an ex Brit in Poland now for nearly 20 years I know the feeling after while. I think it comes down to the language at the end of he day. If you do not learn it eventually you will be off back to where you came from. Not speaking the language has a slow motion grinding effect on the soul and eventually you forget all the plus points and just focus on the negative and decide one day to go back to what you think you knew. I see it happen very frequently here with a humungously difficult language at first glance but actually not that bad. A lot of men in particular have Polish wives who speak passable English and that carries them for a few years but eventually that novelty wears off and then trouble ensues. Personally I was never afraid to make myself look like a total dick brain where language is concerned and have had some mega comical experiences. I always love it when telemarketers call me up and I can practice my Polish for free, they do appreciate it I think as most folks just hang up straight away. BTW your Spanish sounds a lot better than my Polish!.

[@marialuigi1100]

My family is from Spain and moved to states. I was born in the states but want to move to Spain and would like to know about starting a business. What would I need to do? Can you advise?

[@arthurcompton7341]

Thanks for the nostalgia. I was fortunate to work on a hydro-electric dam on the Rio minho at Salto de Friero cerca de Pontivedra. Lived just across the border at Melgaco in Portugal, so had the best of both worlds. So enjoyed working with the Spanish people once away from the big towns. Did you realise that you are living in the highest capital in Europe. Enjoyed the train journey from Madrid to Orense via Zamora. Keep your reports coming.

[@baronlew]

Andorra La Vella might qualify as the highest Capital in Europe.

[@themiddlejourney6286]

Great vid. Everywhere gets monotonous in life. You just have to mix it up which sounds like you are very good at doing. I would probably travel Europe from a great base in Spain. Have a great day

[@harriettt9857]

These older vlogs were great 👍

[@hmul012]

Hi Spain Speaks. What would you recommend for Aussies trying to make the move to Spain? re job and employment prospects.

[@us4marine]

HI, what city or area is that at the first minute of video?

[@mikeandcheryl]

Do you think it would be different if you’d retired there? So didn’t have to work

[@martindouglas9839]

Muchas gracias por el video Stuart. Load of testicles wasn't expecting that one desfrute tu vacaciones

[@frankalarcon635]

Having recently moved OS from also Australia to the UAE I can relate to this video and of the novelty wearing off and agree that it's important to remember why you moved and what it is that you like about your new home. Being from Spanish descent and having travelled to Spain several times and other countries in Europe I've noticed that fuel prices in Spain are possibly some of the cheapest in the EU and nowadays more or less similarly priced to Australia, or at least in Vic. Would you agree? Fuel prices is one of the pluses amongst many of having moved to the UAE. Sometimes, especially in this climate, I think about what it would be like to actually move to Spain.

[@omnidani]

I agree with the kid. As a madrileño the lack of the beach is stressing. I cant imagine how hard was for you coming from Perth surrounded by the sea, watersports, etc.

[@natalieblueyed]

I live in Norway but dream of Spain in future. Thank you for the video! Novelty wears up anyway but Spain is incredible country and you do not need a lot of euros to have fun there. In Norway only people with money can travel and have fun inside of the country, and bad weather wears people out a lot more then routine. I suppose.

[@bibianalopez8395]

Love your videos...good information. We are originally from Colombia however been living in Canada for 15 years, now with two boys and been in Spain as a tourist, we are considering to move to Spain and keep working online. So any recommendations of which places are better than others? specially moving with 2 boys. We all speak Spanish which would be easier to adapt. But Honestly Spain has so many good things that we would be explore with our boys. Thanks.

[@hoosomio]

Para trabajar y explorar Madriz ,esta en el centro los buses son muy baratos esta todo cerca Toledo ,Segovia, Caceres Leon Barcelona. para vivir con niños Sevilla , Malaga o Granada. aunque para vivir con niños cualquier lugar de España es bueno . en España se cuida mucho de la familia,

[@bernicegardner4019]

Your son is adorable, I could not concentrate on the video for watching him in the back of the car. x

[@PaulCreane]

Hi, I know this is a big ask, but if you don't try....well you. So here goes. My wife and I taught in Cambodia last year, now we are I Spain, we have tried Alicante, (all we hear is "it's coming to end of the year soon leave your CV and we will get back to you....) We are seriously look as Madrid (despite (as you said) lack of a beach) and hoping asking praying, you would give us some help, happy to pay for your time. I have picked up a little Spanish and a few lessons. Thank you for your great videos.

[@pablop.c.4323]

Viví en Florida Naples.. me paso lo mismo.. Gracias.. contigo practico mi oído Inglés.. ja ja

[@25Soupy]

2:15 minutes of the video: If that's of traffic on the road today I'm moving to Spain.

[@joychia-yuchang2514]

hahahah same feeling here (living in China at the moment...)

[@bryantwhitis1268]

Q, if you could pick any European country which one of would you stay put in Spain? Thanks

[@marisajuarez3337]

What part of spain are you living in? It looks different then the big city

[@nelamartin8713]

I Love your videos

[@Avion57]

Hello Stuart, what about Canary Islands? what do you think, what have you heard about it? Any of those seven Islands? same labor problems? I have been thinking where to move or live in Spain and I do love the North, but since you are a specialist could let us know, cheers mate! jb

[@peteymax]

The novelty wears off everywhere. I’m glad to hear you explore. Best beaches in Europe are in Ireland, Portugal and Scotland. Remember in English euro and cent are not pluralised with an s. It’s 1 euro, 40 euro, 1 cent , 56 cent. Never with an S at the end.

[@noon4545]

Ireland really? I’m from Ireland and that shocks me

[@peteymax]

@@noon4545 Which bit? The lovely beaches? Or erroneous pluralisation?

[@nickm1l]

Been in Spain for nearly ten years. Just sold our farm in Lot Et Garonne due to Covid n border problems.... Looking to buy an old farm inland plus another in A Guarda in the north.. Great country, great people |||

[@jameshlee17]

I've been "living" in Spain all my life (The inverted commas indicate that I never actually stayed there full time just been to-ing and fro-ing over the years) and for me the novelty never wears off.

[@brendahall5404]

We go to a small town called La Nucia and have a good Menu del día for €12.50.

[@davidjackson7675]

My favorite city is Pamplona .

[@richardcadena7746]

thanks for another great explanatory videos. i just retired last year in the great city of los Angeles, Ca. even in this great metropolis of like ten million people and a fantastic melting pot of hundreds of nationalities, i also got tired of the same same! i think that no matter where you live, we all start getting into routines-- the same restaurants, the same venues, the same trips simply because we enjoy them. my reasoning for moving to Spain come late 2023 is to be able to live in a metropolitan city with lots of restaurants/etc and do it without the expenses of living in los Angeles. another huge benefit of living in spain--the Valancia area is that the transportation options to travel throughout the EU is so affordable compared to traveling within the USA. always hoped to retire in France but its proven to be too expensive for my budget. Valencia gives me the pros of big city life without the USA city prices.

[@francismaynes4579]

Your car runs on diesel and petrol?

[@deutschspanier8752]

another thing that will wear off soon is your "amortiguadores" if you keep driving over the "badenes" at that speed

[@LightSpeedSpanishChannel]

Lots of people get the word Badén mixed up. You go over Resaltos, badenes is the opposite, like a dip. :)

[@SimpsonMusicProductions]

The number one thing I noticed in your videos is.. there's no one on the road in your neighborhood ! I love it. I live in the states and the roads are always crowded.

[@topcat8820]

SimpsonMusic Productions same here in the uk ... it’s horrendous and I don’t live in a city

[@hermenegildoc3933]

Because it is Rich Spain ,mary houses are empty they are for diplay , rich spaniards And guiris

[@anairenemartinez165]

Spain and Italy are somewhat similar in cultures. I am Cuban, Spain is the Mother Country for us Hispanoamericans, and I do love Spain, I speak Spanish ( similar to the real thing, at least) I even lived in Madrid a long time ago and sometimes entertain the idea of moving to Spain. But always but. Where in Spain? I would rather move a few months but keep my home in NYC

[@gamekash]

Born and been in India for 37 years. Now planning to move to Europe (Spain or any other country). It will be interesting to see how it goes if I make the move.

[@melissasirois1508]

I move around so it is always something new. I'm in Malaysia now and was hoping to visit Australia finally since I am now so close to it. However now with Corona virus God knows when we will be able to travel again.

[@papapabs175]

Lots of traffic on the roads 😂

[@joelmartin5887]

Not sure if any other comment has covered this but besides visiting Portugal there's always France and also the Balearic islands.

[@consciouspointers]

I’ve been living with my family in Australia for the most part of 18 years. Wife‘s a born and bred Aussie and both our children were born here. We have also travelled around the world for maybe 2-3 years out of the last 18 years, including a 3 month stay in Spain (2 of those months were in Alicante). I can definitely relate to what you’re saying here, but in this case the countries are reversed :) After being in Spain for nearly 3 months I felt very much at home there and could see the many pros of living there. Especially when you bear in mind that I work for myself from home and would not be dependent on the Spanish labour market. However, wife and eldest daughter won’t have it. They prefer AU. In the case of my wife, who’s got ageing parents, I can understand and makes the decision easier to accept. The first few years here were a definite novelty for me, and felt full of excitement. So much to explore, so much to learn and such a vast country. Eventually everything becomes familiar and it is too easy to focus on the cons: super high cost of living, excessive government, far from everywhere, and for a developed country many of the public services leave much to be desired. The climate, the wide spaces and this land’s natural beauty don’t feel like enough to make up for everything else after you’ve tasted living in other parts of the world? We returned to Oz just over a year ago and it’s been challenging for me. It’s been so costly to settle back here. I’ve been thinking exactly the same thing you were saying. Desperate to go on either a long road trip or a domestic holiday somewhere to spark things up and remind me that there’s so much I love about this country and that coming back was worth it.

[@mrinalinidevi2724]

Dave is ❤❤😘

[@barnichua]

Very interesting! Those are some of the things that make me upset in Spain (I'm spanish).

[@kabilahmed1474]

You can Migrant other country its easy to Eu passport

[@helenmark3214]

@@kabilahmed1474 Don't you mean, once all the Spanish "emigrate", all you migrants (without EU passports) can illegally migrate to Spain and refuse to integrate.

[@joantolmie7258]

Galicia my friend great food, beaches, mountains not too many tourists the novelty will not wear off belief me.

[@youtooaromatherapy1897]

Moving to Spain in the next couple of years with luck coronavirus pending! Cannot wait as I've grown tired of wet and windy weather and this virus has changed our thinking about our lives. We want a slower pace of life heading towards retirement (I'm 49 and husband is 55 - both very young at heart!!) we can't wait to move and spend the rest of our lives in the warm! If we get bored we'll just go to North Africa lol!! Heading south all the time 😍

[@foreveryoung999]

visited spain and portugal 4 years ago,love love love it. try living in malaysia. you will know what boring means. lol. lived in the UK for 3 years 25 years ago, spain wins hands down. Venice pales in comparison too. I think gibraltar( technically UK).is gorgeous.

[@pianocrisante90]

My name is Omar and I am also from Australia. My father is Italian and I lived in Italy for six years when I was going to school there. In my case the novelty of living in Italy does not wear off because I always fly in between the two countries. When I was studying there I would always take a three month holiday in Australia at the end of every school year, and then I would go back to Italy in September. To this day I still travel in between the two countries, accept that it's now quite the opposite. Because of my work I am spending more time in Australia, and then I would take a three month holiday in Italy.

[@raul46170]

I believe that is the secret. But Australia is too far from Spain

[@robc.8586]

I've been here 28 yrs from Wales ,when does the novelty where off,I'm asking you that question and why would it .Spain is amazing.

[@lucianene7741]

If you own a Subaru Forester Diesel, fuel cost is the least of your concerns.

[@rayvogensen2983]

Madrid is just a tad bit different from Coria, Extremadura, which you visited in a previous video, wouldn't you agree? If you think Madrid can become monotonous (your friend from Perth said Spain can get monotonous), imagine living in a town of 12,000 souls, most of whom are connected to agriculture, with no bookshops, no cinema, no shopping center, and few if not no English speakers you are really going to feel monotony. You would need to be an artist or a writer to keep yourself busy. Even an English teacher would suffer for lack of students willing to pay for classes.

[@helenmark3214]

you summed that up well, I agree

[@federicobagamasbad5359]

if monotomy started feeling u as an Australian can divide your time between Spain & Australia or since you're living in Europe you can visit any country since they are connected by great highways- from Portugal to Norway only by cars or train if you're life becomes monotonous 👍👍👍👍👍

[@davidhoy3206]

Not sure it's the same for a Brit as most Brits don't have the weather that an Aussie has to leave behind when moving to Spain and to be Honest as a Brit born in the Sixties looking at Gibraltar reminds me more of the England i grew up in than the England i see today! Any advice on my retirement to Gib is welcome in the replies!

[@coratheexplorer1824]

Live in campervan and you don't have any stress,

[@iriselaine1392]

Tradition my friend is the backbone of any country . Lose that, and you have lost a country.

[@bryantwhitis1268]

I still like Australia, a lot of big building, reality houses you can understand the people.Thanks

[@helenmark3214]

correct

[@NaturalhairofSpain]

Que tal Stuart!!! Ok I've been living here in Spain for 27 years. I have to admit that Spain is definitely wearing off on me for sure!! I'm trying to decide of whether I should leave. I live on the beautiful island of Mallorca but I'm extremely tired now and thinking of maybe moving back to America. I have 3 kids that were born in Mallorca and speak perfect English and Spanish. They are having a difficult time with the thought of moving to America because the only thing they know about is Mallorca. So now I'm stuck because a rock and a hard place. Thank you for this video Stuart. I thought I was the only one thinking this way.😒 Best Regards Sharon

[@jeanbeanplams828]

Would you think if going to mainland spain.