Mac's Poll - Let's Vote

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POLL: Do you feel you have integrated into life in Spain?
Friday, May 6, 2016 @ 8:04 PM

It's true that for many expats the initial intention to integrate is there, but when they realise how much dedication is required to be proficient in Spanish and that you can get by without it, many just don't bother. Instead, they get their bearings and integrate into the system by finding out about "el padron", their entitlement to the health service and generally master the practicalities of everyday life. They just carry on as they would have had they moved to another town in Britain. They seek out familiarity and go to the shops where they don't need to do too much communicating. It's safe and easy to live in a cocoon in Spain. It doesn't matter that it's Spain, it could be anywhere providing the sun shines.
The truth is many get by fine like this and keep themselves to themselves catching glimpses of Spanish life from the sidelines. If they need to buy clothes they fly back to the UK or those on the Costa del Sol cross the border to Gibraltar for Marks and Spencer and Next. It is easier to stick to what they know and not complicate their lives by incorporating too much spanishness.

Would this describe your situation or do you feel you have integrated into life in Spain?

[source extract Search Iberia]

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12 Comments

rubencito said:
Saturday, May 7, 2016 @ 8:02 AM

Do not complain that there are too many immigrants in the UK and they do not adapt, you are probably causing the same problem here in Spain ...

grapow said:
Saturday, May 7, 2016 @ 8:13 AM

I believe integration to be influenced not just by personal commitment as your article suggests, but more so where you choose to live in Spain. In Dénia, where we live, there is a relatively small British population (not so neighbouring towns like Javea and Moraira). We purposely avoid becoming too involved in functions with large groups of "Brits", we eat in the restaurants, where locals eat and at the times locals eat. We have been members at the local football team since we arrived full time in 2010 and consider a number of officials of the club and other fans to be friends. We are delighted at the progress made.
As far as the challenge of the language is concerned, its very much work in progress but I study almost every day of my life and very much enjoy both my studies and the challenge of the language.
All this said, we enjoy the friendship also of a number of Brits, who we meet often, we just prefer to avoid certain bars, restaurants and expat groups.
For us, the "litmus" test is when you refer to "home" do you mean returning to Britain or here in Spain? Thats a simple choice for us, we are happy and proud to call Spain our home.
Interesting article and poll, many thanks.

Rob said:
Saturday, May 7, 2016 @ 8:44 AM

There are certain enclaves of Brits who have zero intention of integrating but have created their own version of chavvy England in Spain , it's quite awful to be among them at times and small wonder the locals resent them being here .

Alison Barrass said:
Saturday, May 7, 2016 @ 8:47 AM

We live in a small spanish village, inland, about 40 minutes from Alicante airport. We have mostly spanish friends because we do not want to be part of the small expat ghetto who pay lip service to the word integration. One "coffee con leche" a week is not integration. Especially when you drink it in a closed group of expats. We have been invited to friends homes at Christmas. We have had invitations to First Holy Communions. We both use the spanish hairdressers in the village. We have both been hospitalised without the need for interpreters. We have lived in Spain nearly nine years. If you do not try to integrate you are missing out on so much culture, warmth and friendship. The greatest compliment I have been paid since living here is when my friends told me I was now an " española".

Alison Barrass said:
Saturday, May 7, 2016 @ 8:49 AM

We live in a small spanish village, inland, about 40 minutes from Alicante airport. We have mostly spanish friends because we do not want to be part of the small expat ghetto who pay lip service to the word integration. One "coffee con leche" a week is not integration. Especially when you drink it in a closed group of expats. We have been invited to friends homes at Christmas. We have had invitations to First Holy Communions. We both use the spanish hairdressers in the village. We have both been hospitalised without the need for interpreters. We have lived in Spain nearly nine years. If you do not try to integrate you are missing out on so much culture, warmth and friendship. The greatest compliment I have been paid since living here is when my friends told me I was now an " española".

Kevin said:
Saturday, May 7, 2016 @ 3:25 PM

Hi, My Mum and Dad, Bill and Rosemary Leitch, have now moved to Ciudad Patricia, Retirement resort on the Costa Blanca after a happy trouble free 26 years living in Pueblo Bravo, Ciudad Quesada. They are both in their 80's, Dad 87 and have not had a single legal or other problem etc in all this time . They and all of our family who also regularly enjoy visits would recommend anyone to retire in Spain and don't listen to all the doom and gloom you some times hear.They were quite well known to the local Spanish Market Traders selling flowers and fruit and veg in Almoradi who wouId embrace and kiss them every time they visited the market. When dad visited his Spanish doctors clinic for the last time before the move all of the Spanish staff from Dr to the cleaner came out into reception with hugs and tears. I can honestly say that it was the best thing they ever did with the quality of life living in such a great climate. If anyone is looking for a lovely house they have now put it on the market . It is in one of the best kept, small, gated, complexes with just 20 or so semi detached villas around the most beautifully kept huge pool and landscaped gardens. Lovely neighbours and commumnity. They have kept it in perfect condition and updated it regularly with new kitchen and bathroom etc. They would love to find a new owner who would look after the place and enjoy it as much as they did.

Its on the market with Barcelo Estate Agents in Quesada if you want to see the beautiful complex pics R746 or reply

Falcón said:
Sunday, May 8, 2016 @ 10:15 AM

The best city in Spain for a living is VALENCIA

Falcón said:
Sunday, May 8, 2016 @ 10:18 AM

The best city in Spain for a living is VALENCIA, a lot of things for example wonderful city, great culture and history, lovely people , delicious food...etc.
In general VALENCIA is great en all.

Graeme said:
Thursday, May 12, 2016 @ 6:01 PM

Lovely reading all the stories of people who have made the effort and are loving life in Spain....cheers graeme

Jim said:
Thursday, May 19, 2016 @ 9:49 AM

Nice comments, thanks. They express what we are feeling after living here in Valencia for nearly a year. We were not looking to experience being around all english speakers which is one of the reasons why we love Valencia so much. We just returned from a trip to Italy and I was finding myself a little irritated by the behavior of some of the english speakers there. I am so happy to have returned to our home here in Spain with our new friends.

Sara said:
Saturday, June 11, 2016 @ 5:28 AM

We're into our 10th year in Almeria - and really love living here up a mountain!!!!We are retired - so our pension goes further here - less opportunities to spend!! My husband enjoys tennis 3 times a week - we have many friends that we socialise with. We've been on lots of trips to explore this fasinating country. I help at a library and also enjoy learning Spanish - and have started up a group that involves both English and Spanish people trying to improve their respective language skills. I go walking and belong to a gym. I've made a few spanish friends both whilst on holiday and locally - which helps me improve my spanish. I feel you only get out of life what you put in - so you have to be prepared to involve yourself in all the things available in your area - and if you want to do something - you can make things happen. I don't like everything spanish - although I eat tapas and paella etc - but pork upsets my stomach - so I avoid that - which is difficult in Almeria!!! However, the spanish people are very friendly - and Spain is an amazing place to live. Better than the traffic jams and consumer driven UK. The health care has been a bit mixed - and you always need to pay for an interpreter (if you spanish is not fluent) - but we've both used the hospitals and on the whole they are excellent - very clean!!! If we come out of the EU - I feel we'd still like to remain - and if necessary - we'd just have to go back and too to the UK for our medical treatment - or take out medical insurance???

Anne said:
Monday, August 22, 2016 @ 12:17 AM

This is such an interesting blog. I don't live in Spain, although I have visited many times. And have siblings who do live in Spain and love it.
It's good to read the many different comments on this site. They make me want to move from the UK to Spain. The polls are very interesting too.
I really hope the UK does what's right for the expats.