5 reasons to move to Spain
by Ben Curtis
1. You will live longer. Spaniards have the highest longevity rate in Europe, and some studies suggest that this is simply because they have so much fun. The willingness to have a good time, all of the time, is reason enough to move to Spain alone, but if you live longer as a result? Fantastic! Of course the famed Mediterranean diet helps too.
2. Learning the lingo. With a bit of effort you will quickly become fluent in Spanish, and eventually as close as damn it to bilingual. Bilingual people are also said to stay saner longer in old age, something to do with using more of your brain, so, combine that with point 1 and once again, like the Spanish, you’re laughing!
3. Broadening horizons. Living abroad for a while cannot help but broaden your perspective on life. As you compare Spain’s vibrant culture to your own, enjoy new sensations, hear new music, see new film, you will learn a little bit more about the world than you knew before. Plus, overcoming intitial cultural and linguistic barriers strengthens hitherto wasted degrees of independence and confidence.
4. Not forgetting… the climate, the tapas, the fiestas, the outdoor lifestyle, the diversity of the landscapes, the wine, the sea, trains that run on time, no fighting on Friday nights when the bars shut, great domestic football/soccer, world class art, Flamenco, Andalucia, Cordero Asado…. etc…
5. It can only go wrong. Inertia is what stops many a potential ex-pat from making the break to Spain, that and fear of the unknown. But really, how bad can it be? What can possibly go wrong? You can turn round and head back to your old life whenever you want. But you probably won’t, beleive me 
I came for a month, and have nearly racked up 8 years…
Did I miss anything? Comment below >
Posted: April 25th, 2006 under Living in Spain.
Comments: 26
Comments
Comment from Rebecca
Time: April 25, 2006, 7:11 pm
OK, but what is the culture really like? As a liberal American I’m pretty concerned about bigots and rabid conservatives and the like wanting to legislate my life. Is that a danger in Spain? How loud are the fascists these days? Also, are there daffodils and dandelions? That one seems silly I’m sure, but it’s important to me ; )
Comment from Joe
Time: April 25, 2006, 10:24 pm
I am sure you can find drum circles and fellow communists in Spain. Perhaps the author can recommend a few places that give cheap abortions?
Comment from Rebecca
Time: April 26, 2006, 3:15 am
That’s….a little harsh. If I somehow offended you, I apologize. I neither drum nor am a communist, and I can’t imagine having an abortion. However, I’m guessing you couldn’t care less. Why the hostility Joe? My questions were just passing curiousity largely brought on by my final history of Spain class that day. What caused you to turn me into a symbol for (I’m guessing here) a whole group that you disagree with?
Comment from Ben
Time: April 26, 2006, 8:08 am
Rebecca - the culture is very liberal, and possibly much more so than the US. Gay marriage is allowed, topless sunbathing no problem anywhere, relaxed but not in any way communist socialist government running the country reasonably well, fascists pretty quiet, not very numerous and largely ignored. And yes, there are loads of wild flowers, though not sure about daffs and dandilions…
Comment from Joe
Time: April 26, 2006, 10:20 am
So long as there is provision for her to make daisy chains, she’ll be fine.
As with all facist countries, the moment the scumbag ruler dies, people take advantage of the freedom to think the opposite of what they were once made to think.
As with communist or ultra-socialist regimes, the moment the scumbag ruler(s) die, the people can’t wait to set up shop and earn more than 2 grains of corn and a pat on the back per hour.
Rebecca, as for legislating your life, thats done by Brussels. Their legistlation is fairly left-wing, so you should be ok with it.
Viva la revolución!
Peace Out and Free Love for all!
Comment from El Casareño Ingles
Time: April 26, 2006, 11:25 am
Rebecca, You’ll be able to escape to a Joe-free society!
The Spanish have a very healthy attitude to law makers - if it doesn’t suit them, they ignore the law. Since the police are Spaniards too, they follow the same rule.
The fascists haven’t been seen since Franco died over thirty years ago. Francoists (something different; and difficult to explain) are very quiet except on Oct. 12 each year.
I can’t remember ever seeing daffodils or dandelions here in Andalucía. However, we get prickly pears you can eat and the countryside is full of lovely pink flowers at the moment. And then there’s bougainvilla - it’s the most mind-bending eye-searing pink you will ever see!
Comment from Rebecca
Time: April 26, 2006, 7:29 pm
Bougainvilla’s lovely, I saw it all over Key West last summer. Thanks for the comments everyone. Ben, your enthusiasm makes me nervous–Spain sounds too good to be true!
Comment from Daniel
Time: April 27, 2006, 2:36 am
Guys, to be fair to Joe there, I’m sure there are people like him too in Spain. Bigots and class-less people are everywhere in the world.
I personally can’t wait to go back to Spain and to visit more of the country. Love everything about the country.
Great site you have, Ben!
Comment from Ben
Time: April 27, 2006, 6:41 am
Thanks Daniel!
Comment from Daniel
Time: April 27, 2006, 3:33 pm
You’re welcome.
Ben y Maria,
Por el podcast, quisiera os hablais de las cosas que no os gustan en Espana/de Espana.
Si podeis hacer una lista como hicisteis aqui (5 Reasons to Move to Spain).
No hay un pais perfecto, creo 
Muchas gracias!
Comment from Daniel
Time: April 27, 2006, 4:12 pm
Sorry, Marina.
My bad.
Comment from Ben
Time: April 27, 2006, 6:42 pm
OK, Daniel, nice idea, it’s on the list, we’ll get to it in the next few weeks.
Comment from Skip
Time: April 28, 2006, 2:59 pm
Wow, I noticed a little smoke coming from the NFS comments
First of all, I’d love to move to Spain, and I’m actually researching some possibilities with my current employer. I’ve got a bunch of personal reasons, which I thought about trying to compose here, but might take to much effort. I think the big key you hit on for me was #3 Broadening Horizons. Society is becoming much more global, and I think it is always important to explore other cultures and understand our differences.
second, As a conservative American, I’m also concerned about bigots and Rabid Liberals trying to legislate my life! to Rebecca: I don’t know you, so I’ll pass judgement, but I think my reaction to your comment was probably similar to Joe’s and I think that you are saying a lot. To say that a culture is conservative or liberal is one thing, to say that politics is conservative or liberal is another.
third, I think where ever you live, you can make it a good experience or a bad experience. If you really consider moving to Spain, you should check all expectations at the door.
best regards,
-Skip
Comment from Españoleitor
Time: April 29, 2006, 6:29 pm
Gringos go home. En España somos la inmensa mayoria antiamericanos.
Comment from Seán
Time: April 29, 2006, 8:16 pm
“Gringos go home.”??? What about the Irish, are we ok?
Seán
BTW, thanks for the podcasts, Ben. A great help in trying to learn in the Castillian pronunciation. Will send in my comments on the book when I get time.
Comment from Ben
Time: April 29, 2006, 8:27 pm
“Gringos go home. En España somos la inmensa mayoria antiamericanos”
In my experience that is not true. Anti-Bush yes, anti-american no. No problem with the Irish either, don’t worry
Comment from Amy
Time: April 30, 2006, 9:30 pm
Spain is my favorite country and I have been to many places. I am ready to move there….anybody have a job for a 24 year old female…preferably in Madrid?
Comment from Ben
Time: April 30, 2006, 9:33 pm
If you don’t mind teaching English there are jobs galore in Madrid!
See this post:
http://www.notesfromspain.com/239/
Comment from Luis
Time: May 6, 2006, 7:09 pm
"Gringos go home.â€
As Ben said there is a lot of people anti-Bush not anti-american, but “gringo”, weird word, is not used in Spain I think that word is mexican ?? anyway the offensive term used here is “yanquee”.
Comment from Hills
Time: May 16, 2006, 12:10 pm
My God - all a bit heavy - when all she really cares about is daffs - and no I don’t think you will see them there Rebecca - I was there with my two ‘kids’ 21 and 17 last spring (2005)for a long holiday - saw many wild flowers but not daffs.
Comment from David
Time: August 1, 2006, 1:57 am
Three and a half weeks to go before my wife and two daughters move to Spain from the US to get away from the Joes and Skips currently ruining what used to be a pretty good country. We’re very eager to get to back to living in a Democracy again where the president understands that he too has to obey the constitution.
Comment from Español
Time: August 18, 2006, 6:33 am
If you wanna meet nice light-hearted people (a bit noisy lol n cocky =P)nice weather,visit historic places and love going out clubbing til it dawns Spain is the place to be.
We dont have anything against Americans (calling mexicans etc “the spanish people” is not cool tho)but against bush like almost the entire world.
Spain is an Americanized country,here the tv shows
american series movies singers mtv there is mcdonald burger king KFC dunkin doughnuts starbucks.
So yea if you are on the fence dont doubt to come to Spain because you will be welcomed.
Un saludo
Comment from Sheri
Time: June 27, 2008, 2:40 am
Hi! I live in California and am seriously considering moving , my in-laws live in Galicia .
My husband passed away 2 years ago, so they want my son and I to live with them, if only in the beginning, but I doubt I could provide for us and don’t want to depend on them….Is it easier (afordable) if you live in a small town?
Comment from Ben
Time: June 27, 2008, 9:07 am
Sheri, I’m sure it is cheaper in a small town, but easier? I don’t know. It would be harder to find work maybe, and friends, but then your in-laws will have contacts, and that means so much in Spain. Remember that Spanish in-laws can be quite overbearing, you will want to be sure that you retain some independence in your and your son’s life. I’m sorry to hear about your husband.
Comment from matt
Time: August 14, 2008, 9:19 pm
Hello. I am a massage therapist and my wife is a hairstylist. We are considering moving to Spain and are wondering about the job market for our professions. We do not speak much Spanish but we want to learn. We don’t really like huge cities so we would like to be somewhere low key. Any info would be great. Thanks.
Comment from Ben
Time: August 15, 2008, 8:25 am
@Matt, I reallly suggest you post your question in the forums, you will get lots of good advice in there!
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