Question
My partner and I have a plan to move to Spain. I have seen some comments of people complaining and some saying “don’t come to Spain”.
I would like to know now that you are there – Do you regret going or was it the best decision you have made? We will be both working in Spain and renting a place in the beginning. What are the pros and cons in your opinion?
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
“Spain is a huge country, I live in the north-west, been here 6 years and love it. most people gravitate towards the southern costas, probably easier down there as many speak english. too hot in summer for me, north of spain more scenic with better beaches but thst is just my preference. don’t know about working here. choose carefully and you should be happy. What reasons have you heard against living in spain? good luck.”
“You have to have residency to work here … wages very very low tax’s very high …. But it’s a small price to pay for living here in Spain …I would be and was financially better off in the uk , but my life out here is so much better … no regrets at all”
“It all depends on an individuals circumstances and what you want to get out of living in Spain. Pros: very family orientated, more of an outdoor lifestyle, Fiestas and good food. Cons: Lower wages, higher unemployment, higher taxes and Spanish bureaucracy can drive you mad especially if you don’t speak Spanish to a good level,but I still wouldn’t go back to the UK, Spain is now my home and I love living here.”
“The two biggest good points are the weather and just being out of the UK somewhere that is not too much of a culture shock. The two worst points are the Spanish and their disregard for other people (and the ‘rules’) and the hideous bureaucracy.”
“Been here for 19 years, not retired, both myself and partner work. Would never go back to the UK, other than the family and friend visits. The quality of life is entirely different, as is the weather and stress levels. Taxes in real terms are not a huge amount different to the UK, but you also make savings elsewhere, such as my council tax which is about 450 euros a year for a 4 level townhouse. My 2 flat in the outskirts of London would now be knocking on 2000 pounds a year. Going out often costs much less.”
In conclusion, based on the responses from members of Spainguru’s Facebook group, the decision to move to Spain can be a mixed one. There are a variety of opinions on the pros and cons of living in Spain, but some common themes that emerged include: the weather and outdoor lifestyle being positives, while lower wages and high taxes were identified as negatives. Additionally, the Spanish bureaucracy can be challenging, and it is important to be prepared to navigate it. However, despite these challenges, several respondents noted that they have lived in Spain for many years, and have no regrets about their decision to move there, as they believe the overall quality of life is much better compared to the UK or the US. They mention that the family-oriented culture, fiestas, good food, and lower cost of living are also big advantages. Ultimately, it seems that the decision to move to Spain will depend on individual circumstances and what one is looking to get out of living there.
Read this related article: How is living in Spain compared to the US?
