Mac's Poll - Let's Vote

Curious to know what the general opinion is? Cast your vote and let's see!!

POLL : Are you happier living in Spain than in your native country?
Monday, August 15, 2016 @ 2:19 PM

You may be surprised as to why I didn't just say the UK as opposed to "your native country" as we are on EOS and the vast majority are British Expats, however in the some polls we have participants from as many as 20 different countries! Yes I was surprised too...

I was curious and I think others may be too as to whether those who have made "the move" are actually happier with it or have finally regretted moving over to Spain, part time or full time.

The Telegraph, did a survey not so long ago to find out in which country expats were happier, taking into consideration; cost of living, social life, climate, red tape and all the other usual determining factors and guess which came up tops? yes Spain.

So I thought I'd see if the results were accurate or not.... please cast your vote and leave a comment.

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21 Comments

Shirley said:
Saturday, August 20, 2016 @ 8:04 AM

The weather is my cocaine

Steve said:
Saturday, August 20, 2016 @ 8:23 AM

Should have moved to Spain year ago, we are here full time and have no intention of going back to the UK

richard52 said:
Saturday, August 20, 2016 @ 9:22 AM

The England I used to love no longer exists. My two weeks visit to see family at Xmas is more than enough for me. Love it when my plane touches down again at Alicante.

richard52 said:
Saturday, August 20, 2016 @ 9:24 AM

The England I used to love no longer exists. My two weeks visit to see family at Xmas is more than enough for me. Love it when my plane touches down again at Alicante.

Robur said:
Saturday, August 20, 2016 @ 9:37 AM

Due to climate conditions and extortionate housing prices the uk became untenable for me, having lived in Spain for a year going back for a month in what is laughingly called Summer' validated my decision totally to the point
Where I counted the days till my return . Driving back from Alicante to my place I realised what I was feeling , I am Home ! Yes this is where I feel I now belong , friendly people, a sense of family, it's odd but I have no nostalgia for my old life anymore , yes this may change as I'm told by some, but at this point
In my life I am where I want to be .

Tony101 said:
Saturday, August 20, 2016 @ 9:40 AM

Have been in the UK for the last year receiving medical treatment. Can't wait to get the all clear and go HOME to Valencia region. (I am a Brit). Miss the weather, people, food, everything.

Xabia said:
Saturday, August 20, 2016 @ 9:45 AM

Why not have treatment / hospitalisation in Spain ?

anthomo16 said:
Saturday, August 20, 2016 @ 9:57 AM

The England I was born and bought up in no longer exists. I have traveled the world and always respected the laws and local customs of any country that I visited but that is not happening in the UK and it really upsets me.I breathe a sigh of relief when I land in Spain it is not just the weather although that is a major factor, but the laid back way of life and the kindness of the people I have met. Even with my health problems I would move totally to Spain but my husband won't and I cannot afford to do this on my own, so I come out to my apartment as often as I possibly can.

karisy said:
Saturday, August 20, 2016 @ 11:10 AM

My wife & I are not Spanish residents but we have relatives living there. For the last 8 years, we have spent up to 4 months a year renting an apartment & the pull for us to make things permanent is near overwhelming every time we have to leave & can't wait for our next visit to come around. But, for several reasons, I fear we have left it too late &, unfortunately, making Spain our permanent home is no longer either practical or feasible for us.

If your "HOME" is Spain & you normally reside there (more than 6 months a year), you should not be having (free) NHS medical treatment in the UK! From what I've seen, the Spanish health care system is currently superior to the overstretched & in crisis NHS system in any case.

Mallorcalad said:
Saturday, August 20, 2016 @ 11:29 AM

In our sixteenth year now and still loving it. Mallorca is our home with wonderfull Spanish neighbours. We live in 'el campo' not amongst the ex pats on the costa, and experience the true Spanish lifestyle. I still regard myself as a Brit (Cornish) but as others have said, the UK has changed so much, and not for the better. The 'politically correct' have made it a haven for the minority groups.

Muriel Barton said:
Saturday, August 20, 2016 @ 12:54 PM

My husband retired at 60 and we came to Mallorca one year later. He is now 94 and it was the best decision we ever made. We had lived in many warm countries and one year back in cold, wet England was enough to make us move.

John said:
Saturday, August 20, 2016 @ 6:55 PM

Just had a month back in the UK in August. Weather normal and poor with lots of showery days. Worst thing was the terrible driving and overcrowded roads and lots of accidents. Think UK have the most inconsiderate and rude people and the young people need to be taught good manners and say please and thank you. Can not wait to be back in Spain

Lesley said:
Sunday, August 21, 2016 @ 11:10 AM

The weather, laid back life style quiet roads and people all make it a good place to live. Draw backs...trying to learn Spanish which has been ongoing for five years and miss family at times but plenty of flights available to the UK.

Anne said:
Sunday, August 21, 2016 @ 7:26 PM

What's with the going to uk to get health care

karisy said:
Sunday, August 21, 2016 @ 10:08 PM

Anne said:
What's with the going to uk to get health care

Indeed!

mestala said:
Monday, August 22, 2016 @ 11:09 AM

It seems some want there cake and eat it when It comes to health care.Also,if the uk and other eu countries don't come to some agreement on this subject for their respective citizens I can see another flood of people leaving eu countries if they end up having to pay for expensive medical care.
I have to laugh at some who say they love the weather but then go on to say they are virtual prisoners in their homes during the hot summer racking up the electric bills for the a/c...nowt so funny as folk.

Kaz399 said:
Monday, August 22, 2016 @ 8:58 PM

My hubby and I are planning on moving to Spain in 2017 and wondered what peoples thoughts were.
We will be long term renting and looking for jobs - are we mad?

karisy said:
Tuesday, August 23, 2016 @ 10:59 AM

I wouldn't say your mad at all, it's a wonderful place to live & working abroad can be a wonderful experience but you must understand what your getting into & be very clear about your reasons for doing it. Are you laboured, skilled or professional workers? In what industry/area do you intend to work? Is your general fitness/health good? What age are you? You must also be aware & consider the legal aspects like residentia status, health care, driving & many more!

Although we rent & visit only 4 months a year, we've had family permanently living in Spain since 2002. As we've spent a lot of time there over some years, we also have many friends of several nationalities, including Spanish. Some visit/rent as we do but most live there permanently; but what they nearly all have in common is they are retired & have independent means to support themselves.

Having to work to support yourself won't make things easy as the employment situation in Spain is generally not good, especially if your considering the very competitive tourist industry. Depending on where you locate, this may almost totally collapse during the winter months except for a couple of weeks over Christmas & the new year! We've seen many working ex-pats come & go in the bars & restaurants around where we stay, which is not a main stream British tourist area; most are young & love it but the working hours are usually long & hard & Spain gets very hot Peak summer season!

Working outside the seasonal tourist industry may be better & should provide more financial stability if you can find a job but it will come with it's own difficulties & you will probably be expected to be fluent in Spanish.

I worked in many different countries in the 30 years before I retired but I was based in the UK so was usually only away for up to 3 months at a time. I enjoyed it & it was an experience I would not have missed but don't underestimate the effect getting home sick can have, it will almost certainly affect you initially & the first year is usually the worst. You can't treat the experience like one big, extended holiday even if you are fortunate enough not to have to work but that brings it's very own set of unique issues!

Garry said:
Monday, October 31, 2016 @ 12:22 PM

Ballpark figure how much income for a early retired couple needed to live in spain

hollydoggy said:
Saturday, November 26, 2016 @ 2:51 PM

we live only on our pension,and have some left over,but we dont eat out,or go on trips,and we have a small car,AND a granddaughter ha ha

Susan Lucas said:
Saturday, December 10, 2016 @ 9:06 AM

The warmer climate means we spend so much time out doors mixing with like minded friends. There are so many activities here to keep mind and body truly active. Not to mention our full quota of Vit D.