13 Aug 2012 11:12 AM:
I have seen many changes here in Almeria provence over the 35 years and all for the better although it does not stop us waxing lyrically after a few vinos about 'the good old days' Yes the weather is a bonus and yes the bureaucracy drives you mad but its not 'our' bureaucracy and I am sure the same in Uk happens to foreign residents there.We cannot and should not interfere with the way they run their country so put up or shut up or alternatively one could ship out. !!
I have learnt a good discipline here in Spain....patience and the art of waiting and thats no bad thing. It works eventually !I have faith in that, I have been a 'victim' of their tax laws and their lack of communication to their foreign community and visitors to the tune of 23,000 euros and a years bad health but I put it down to experience.Ignorance cannot be an excuse.Be pro-active and find out all the information you need.Knowledge is power
Their health service is very good and thankfully not administered to death as there is always a bit of lea way should you be squeezed in at the end of what seems an endless queue.Dont forget 60 % of the queue is invaraibly just there for a bit of a chat.
Its not cheap to live here any more but that has stopped the influx of foreigners that arrived 10 years ago attracted by cheap booze and easy mortgages. They offered nothing to the country and after bad exchanges with sterling and the recession proved they had little resources to live here in retirement, anyway So thats good too,
I think their govenment is trying to levy taxes and although horrible medicine for the indigenous to take after generations of a culture of non tax paying and corruption,they are toeing the line.Or seem to be anyway. their will always be tax dodgers in all walks of life and society. Thjeir is something very law abiding about the Spanish phsyce and I admire it.
Its a way of life living here in someone.else's country and like any life style it is a curate's egg. Good in parts
Thread:
BE HONEST...Would you stay in Spain if it wasn't for the weather?
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