I’m a Brit that speaks Spanish (my ex was Mexican) when I meet other Brits abroad, especially Brits that live in Spain, l’m always very surprised at their lack of Spanish. There’s Brits that have lived in Spain for years that still don’t even use “hola” or “gracias”. That’s crazy to me. Why move to a country if you aren’t going to learn the language?
With large communities of Brits they are often not needing to even meet anyone Spanish. Purely there for the sun. Different in the big cities though as it's immersion.
I spent 13 years in Extremadura. No English speakers or British teabags there. I moved to the coast because my mobility isn't what it was, after an accident, and that was a bigger culture shock than moving to Spain in the first place! I have had people tell me cheerfully 'Oh I never bothered learning Spanish! I had 100 English neighbours .I only encountered Them in the shop!' These are the same people who complain about 'immigrunts' to the UK not integrating! The odd thing is, I am suddenly fluent in Spanish! I understand why. The rural areas are very insular and because they have never travelled or learned another language, all they have seen is those ridiculous adverts that promise you will be fluent in Martian or whatever in 6 weeks. So If you are still struggling after 6 weeks you are a failure and they don't want to know. Because the people around here are so used to Brits who don't even try I am suddenly 'Estupendo!' The knock on effect is ,I Am better! Just the encouragement and the fact that I have Spanish tv now and watch hours of that with Spanish subtitles has given me the confidence that the villagers inadvertently knocked out of me. I don't feel like much has changed, just attitudes and I go for it now, whereas I got sick of being knocked back all the time. I also realised that is what the Brits in the UK do to learners too. Then they wonder why they don't progress!
I lived in Spain, Valencia 2007-20012, left for 2 years for USA work, and came back. Now left to Germany last year, but I consider Spain (Valencia in particular) my second home. No problem adapting at all. I am British,.
Very true mate . Spanish culture is excellent and the food is top draw. I could think of nothing worse then bringing what I’m trying to leave behind with me!
Sold many houses to Brits over the years; I used to see them out in the bars and restaurants ALL the time in holiday mode. 6-8 months later they would ask "Any work about"? I assisted quite a few out with work. But they would charge UK labour rates here in Spain and the job would be Cowboy Trade and they wondered why they never got any more work. Over the past 18 years, I know of only 3 UK trades I would recommend. 80% have returned to the UK now. The novelty will never wear off for me, I love it here and have no regrets or ambitions to every return to the UK (or should we be saying England due to the coming break up).
It's also interesting how Matt uses the wording "Life in Spain - When the novelty wear off" in the title of this video. This man is a thinker and I really believe that what he is really asking is what to do "When the novelty of life itself wears off". The strange thing about growing old is that the intimate identification with the here and now is slowly lost; one feels transposed into infinity, more or less alone, no longer in hope or fear, only observing. -Albert Einstein What Einstein states here is something that you’ll face as time moves upon you, Matt. You already understand this and most folks deal with this inevitability in one of two ways. They either hide and/or detach from life or they'll grab life like a ripe orange and repeatedly squeeze it until it finally yields up its last drop. But, nonetheless all this striving is in vain and as Einstein states, intimate identification with the here and now is slowly lost; one feels transposed into infinity, more or less alone, no longer in hope or fear, only observing. The reality is that most persons will have died before they expire, - died to all earthly longings, so that the last breath is only, as it were, the locking of the door of the already deserted mansion. I've had so many elderly people tell me that they've enjoyed wonderful full lives, blah, blah , blah but I've never believed this for a minute. Life is not a spectacle or a feast; it is a predicament. -George Santayana We're all in a predicament and can only enjoy what we're given and endure what we must. And we're all at the mercy of time and chance to boot. All you can do is make the best of what you've got while you've got it. However , this the beauty of these videos, you show people that the world has lots to offer and it's theirs for the taking.
Exactly it's also why I do not define its perfection for all. Because everyone is different, the main thing is getting to the point of enjoying life as we only have one.
Always have dreams and ambitions, something you want to do, whether it's living abroad, learning a language, learning an instrument or anything. Remember to love something, and remind yourself that you do. Buena suerte todos.
Agree with u. When I came to Canada I adapted to there culture to there language and so forth ... never expected to get the same thing delivered for what I had in Germany. And when I did go home for a few weeks I loaded my suitcase up with goodies 😋 for my flyed back to Canada.
All pretty good. At home, Brits often (always) complain about immigrants not integrating and yet, boot on the other foot, they often (almost always) don't. You mention the Middle East. I've lived in the UAE three times and almost always, expats rarely integrate with Emirati life.
I agree, but also tied with the lifestyle. Living in the Philippines I spent most of my time with Filipinos. But in MENA I am working and everything revolves around work including the network. So can understand why integration can also be stagnant.
Like what yre saying man can deffinatly relate, was just Living down there for six moths to try it out with nothing to do cos, recently retired on US SS .Was just stuck in an apartment and couldn't do anything cos landlord rules and things. After owning property for many years out here in California and with lots of space. But wish to return and buy more property, am actually a Gibraltar resident . . Vale Cheers 🍻
Aside from the “wind noise” (😉) I really enjoyed the video. Lots of positivity and an honest assessment of why many people do not easily make the transition when moving abroad.👍
You are 100% spot on with everything. I absolutely Love Spain and Spanish is such a Beautiful language. First thing I would do is learn the language from day one. My dream is to move down there, hope I suceed 😝
You will find if your fluent in Spanish things can be done without spending a fortune. Brits who don't speak the language get their pants pulled down lol.
We are in our late 30s with 2 kids and are looking to move to Alicante area. My hubby has 20 years experience as a truck mechanic. Do you think he would get any mechanic work over in your neck of the woods? He's thinking mobile mechanic to start with and then maybe a little garage. We are wondering if a high expat area would be a good place to set up?
Mobile mechanic can be a bit difficult because it's illegal to work on the roadside. However there is a market for good mechanics. Depends if he wants to work for someone or himself.
30kg back in case last night - mostly Corn, Chillies and San Marino Tuna Fillets in Water ) I keep forgetting my Promise to the Fiancee to bring Aldi Black Tea out to Cebu! Made a bunch of Vids today Matt! )
We have been looking at the possibility of living in Spain (San Miguel de Salinas area) before I came across your video's. We have holidayed in Marina Dor every year for the last 16yrs. As an NI born and breed husband & wife we can use our Irish passports to make the process of moving a tad easier, than using our UK passport. I'm struggling to figure out if we still need the £40k in the bank to. Cover my wife and I. We will both be working if we moved. My wife has her own wall graphics company which she runs on an e-commerce basis, I'm a locksmith/joiner/handyman. Anyhow your vids are a great source of info 👏👏
On the Irish passport assume it will be similar settlement prior to Brexit. So wouldn't say 40k is required. But things keep changing, recommend asking in Facebook groups in the area you're settling.
Spain is easy to move to you can get long term holiday rentals inland on your passport I have WiFi on my passport no nie and my water and electric is kept in landlords name it's so easy to get a house here
Can you install cctv cameras, i have a new website that just shows cams from around the world (not a niche but i want my slice).. which may seem intrusive but some may see as promotion.
Skyline cams have pretty much taken the market on alot of spain right now and i can't use their material.. but that's not to say there is no money to be made. it's all about traffic and adsense. not sure if this is of interest but message me if it is :)
Lived in SPain35yrs,speak spanish and all my familly is more spanish than English,I agre e with everything you say,get out there ,intergrate,..................Or you will probably end up going ,with your tail between your legs,having lost everything,the choice is yours.
i have lived in spain for 17 años, but not on the costas, as such. 15 years in madrid and 2 years in Cantabria. My main peeve is how closed shop the spanish are!! or if not that, then how unreliable they are! making friends has been an impossibility!! After busting a gut ive given up!! Good luck
Yorshire tea for me, still have a 10,000 sack of bags we bought in the UK 3 years ago :) If you are working a large part of your time is taken up. For those who are fortunate to be early reitree's (us for instance) you really need to have good hobbies and be willing to mix with others or you will find yourself in a deep hole!
Yeah nothing like a PG tips with a bit of sugar and milk!.. and I’m in Norway where tea isn’t a “thing”.. I can’t wait for my kids to grow up enough to stand on their own two feet so the misses and I can move over.. While waiting though, we’re looking into putting some money into a small thing we can rent out and use when we want ourselves. Any chance I can pick your brain for some questions about a flat in la mata?.. no rush.. just when we’ve decided and want to look for flats! 😁
Actually, Spain is doing rather well again now. Covid pretty low, way better than the UK, the economy looking Ok, No Shortages, an increase in minimum wage, 100million€ help for people with mental health issues, 140billion from the EU. I do love it when sad little people stuck on Plague Island try to pull other countries apart. It is kind of desperate! And yes, I know the post was 6 months ago, but it still needs to be said.
@@hogwashmcturnip8930 I don’t like British people who run the country down and pretend that every other foreign country is better. Despite the fact that immigrants around the world are desperate to get to this island.
@@hogwashmcturnip8930 Well said. The post from A L was mean spirited. I live in the UK, and like most countries in Europe, we have all suffered from the financial impacts of our respective govts. trying to prop up their economies post Covid. Added to that, we now have a war in Ukraine which has been nothing short of a disaster in several ways and no one knows how this will end! No one moving to Spain (or any other country for that matter) could anticipate such unforeseen events. To make light of people’s “bad timing” is a bit shitty to say the least.
I’m a Brit that speaks Spanish (my ex was Mexican) when I meet other Brits abroad, especially Brits that live in Spain, l’m always very surprised at their lack of Spanish. There’s Brits that have lived in Spain for years that still don’t even use “hola” or “gracias”. That’s crazy to me. Why move to a country if you aren’t going to learn the language?
With large communities of Brits they are often not needing to even meet anyone Spanish. Purely there for the sun. Different in the big cities though as it's immersion.
I spent 13 years in Extremadura. No English speakers or British teabags there. I moved to the coast because my mobility isn't what it was, after an accident, and that was a bigger culture shock than moving to Spain in the first place! I have had people tell me cheerfully 'Oh I never bothered learning Spanish! I had 100 English neighbours .I only encountered Them in the shop!' These are the same people who complain about 'immigrunts' to the UK not integrating!
The odd thing is, I am suddenly fluent in Spanish! I understand why. The rural areas are very insular and because they have never travelled or learned another language, all they have seen is those ridiculous adverts that promise you will be fluent in Martian or whatever in 6 weeks. So If you are still struggling after 6 weeks you are a failure and they don't want to know. Because the people around here are so used to Brits who don't even try I am suddenly 'Estupendo!' The knock on effect is ,I Am better! Just the encouragement and the fact that I have Spanish tv now and watch hours of that with Spanish subtitles has given me the confidence that the villagers inadvertently knocked out of me. I don't feel like much has changed, just attitudes and I go for it now, whereas I got sick of being knocked back all the time. I also realised that is what the Brits in the UK do to learners too. Then they wonder why they don't progress!
No one does when they move to the uk🤷♂️
I lived in Spain, Valencia 2007-20012, left for 2 years for USA work, and came back. Now left to Germany last year, but I consider Spain (Valencia in particular) my second home. No problem adapting at all. I am British,.
Very true mate . Spanish culture is excellent and the food is top draw. I could think of nothing worse then bringing what I’m trying to leave behind with me!
Sold many houses to Brits over the years; I used to see them out in the bars and restaurants ALL the time in holiday mode. 6-8 months later they would ask "Any work about"? I assisted quite a few out with work. But they would charge UK labour rates here in Spain and the job would be Cowboy Trade and they wondered why they never got any more work. Over the past 18 years, I know of only 3 UK trades I would recommend. 80% have returned to the UK now. The novelty will never wear off for me, I love it here and have no regrets or ambitions to every return to the UK (or should we be saying England due to the coming break up).
That’s a good point and really interesting comment. Then you’d need money to return as well!
It's also interesting how Matt uses the wording "Life in Spain - When the novelty wear off" in the title of this video. This man is a thinker and I really believe that what he is really asking is what to do "When the novelty of life itself wears off".
The strange thing about growing old is that the intimate identification with the here and now is slowly lost; one feels transposed into infinity, more or less alone, no longer in hope or fear, only observing.
-Albert Einstein
What Einstein states here is something that you’ll face as time moves upon you, Matt. You already understand this and most folks deal with this inevitability in one of two ways. They either hide and/or detach from life or they'll grab life like a ripe orange and repeatedly squeeze it until it finally yields up its last drop. But, nonetheless all this striving is in vain and as Einstein states, intimate identification with the here and now is slowly lost; one feels transposed into infinity, more or less alone, no longer in hope or fear, only observing. The reality is that most persons will have died before they expire, - died to all earthly longings, so that the last breath is only, as it were, the locking of the door of the already deserted mansion.
I've had so many elderly people tell me that they've enjoyed wonderful full lives, blah, blah , blah but I've never believed this for a minute.
Life is not a spectacle or a feast; it is a predicament.
-George Santayana
We're all in a predicament and can only enjoy what we're given and endure what we must. And we're all at the mercy of time and chance to boot. All you can do is make the best of what you've got while you've got it. However , this the beauty of these videos, you show people that the world has lots to offer and it's theirs for the taking.
Exactly it's also why I do not define its perfection for all. Because everyone is different, the main thing is getting to the point of enjoying life as we only have one.
Best thing I've read on the internet for a lonnnnggggg time. Embrace the here and now - wherever you are. 'Amor Fati' Love your fate. Thanks
Always have dreams and ambitions, something you want to do, whether it's living abroad, learning a language, learning an instrument or anything. Remember to love something, and remind yourself that you do. Buena suerte todos.
And yet, people move to Britain and expect to bring their country here, and we adapt. Britain is just too soft...
Agree with u. When I came to Canada I adapted to there culture to there language and so forth ... never expected to get the same thing delivered for what I had in Germany. And when I did go home for a few weeks I loaded my suitcase up with goodies 😋 for my flyed back to Canada.
All pretty good. At home, Brits often (always) complain about immigrants not integrating and yet, boot on the other foot, they often (almost always) don't. You mention the Middle East. I've lived in the UAE three times and almost always, expats rarely integrate with Emirati life.
I agree, but also tied with the lifestyle. Living in the Philippines I spent most of my time with Filipinos. But in MENA I am working and everything revolves around work including the network. So can understand why integration can also be stagnant.
The obvious thing to do is rent in spain for a few months of both winter and summer and see if the lifestyle suits before buying.
Like what yre saying man can deffinatly relate, was just Living down there for six moths to try it out with nothing to do cos, recently retired on US SS .Was just stuck in an apartment and couldn't do anything cos landlord rules and things. After owning property for many years out here in California and with lots of space. But wish to return and buy more property, am actually a Gibraltar resident . . Vale Cheers 🍻
Thanks for the advice Matt
Aside from the “wind noise” (😉) I really enjoyed the video. Lots of positivity and an honest assessment of why many people do not easily make the transition when moving abroad.👍
Nice roof tiles ....de donde ? Gracias
You are exactly right with all you say Matt.
very interesting and informative video!! thank you for sharing your experience!
You are 100% spot on with everything.
I absolutely Love Spain and Spanish is such a Beautiful language.
First thing I would do is learn the language from day one.
My dream is to move down there, hope I suceed 😝
Thank you for a well-balanced report.
That's all true, immigrants should try to integrate and learn the language the best they could.
This video will always be relevant
Hey man, have you got an email or website I can send you a few questions about some healthcare stuff over there?
Cheers ✌🏼
sure matt2wilkie@gmail.com
Very well said!
🤣 well that’s good news . “I can’t say the novelty wears off” I thought that was the point of this video 🤣😂🤣😂
Spot on 👍
Finding work can be a struggle but there are ways around that
Matt, I’m learning Spanish right now, I spray Kitchen cabinets for a living, do you think there is a market for it?
Great video
Honest account 🙏
Well said mate you've hit the nail on the head weve lived here 12 years now ...& love it still weather wise ....
spain is like any other country, money talks any language
You will find if your fluent in Spanish things can be done without spending a fortune. Brits who don't speak the language get their pants pulled down lol.
Perfectly said my friend! Your advice applies to all aspects of life, in everywhere of the world. May I ask, what are you doing for work?
I've met Brits who have lived in Spain for 20 years,but only speak rudimentary Spanish.
And the same goes with the Swedes...
Please lesrning more Spanish, for respect to culture. Que tingas un bon día
That view from your roof top would put me off moving to Alicante.
It shouldn't do as it's not Alicante.
@@LaMataMatt hahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha mug
We are in our late 30s with 2 kids and are looking to move to Alicante area. My hubby has 20 years experience as a truck mechanic. Do you think he would get any mechanic work over in your neck of the woods? He's thinking mobile mechanic to start with and then maybe a little garage. We are wondering if a high expat area would be a good place to set up?
Mobile mechanic can be a bit difficult because it's illegal to work on the roadside. However there is a market for good mechanics. Depends if he wants to work for someone or himself.
Would it be a bad idea to move abroad then lean Spanish ?
Depends on finances, I find it easier to learn Spanish by talking to locals compared to using Apps.
Hi Matt,
Can you do a video with some tips on how you have achieved success?
Cheers
30kg back in case last night - mostly Corn, Chillies and San Marino Tuna Fillets in Water ) I keep forgetting my Promise to the Fiancee to bring Aldi Black Tea out to Cebu! Made a bunch of Vids today Matt! )
Busy this afternoon as I am starting to focus on making things work here.
Great video mate
A ramblers association would be a good one matt👍👍. You do a fair bit of walking. Perhaps you might want a meeting once a fortnight or once a month.
I moved to Ibiza 14 years ago, you have to work at living in another country but if you do, the rewards are endless!
We have been looking at the possibility of living in Spain (San Miguel de Salinas area) before I came across your video's. We have holidayed in Marina Dor every year for the last 16yrs.
As an NI born and breed husband & wife we can use our Irish passports to make the process of moving a tad easier, than using our UK passport. I'm struggling to figure out if we still need the £40k in the bank to. Cover my wife and I. We will both be working if we moved. My wife has her own wall graphics company which she runs on an e-commerce basis, I'm a locksmith/joiner/handyman. Anyhow your vids are a great source of info 👏👏
On the Irish passport assume it will be similar settlement prior to Brexit. So wouldn't say 40k is required. But things keep changing, recommend asking in Facebook groups in the area you're settling.
Mercadona, carrafour, super sol all sell British tea bags!
Great video family....salute from Queens Ny✊
Spain is easy to move to you can get long term holiday rentals inland on your passport I have WiFi on my passport no nie and my water and electric is kept in landlords name it's so easy to get a house here
@Outspoken-from Ibiza no ppl say you need an nie number to get WiFi I got it with the number on my passpot
Can you install cctv cameras, i have a new website that just shows cams from around the world (not a niche but i want my slice).. which may seem intrusive but some may see as promotion.
Had to find something to do while waiting fro the crypto bull market ;D
Skyline cams have pretty much taken the market on alot of spain right now and i can't use their material.. but that's not to say there is no money to be made. it's all about traffic and adsense. not sure if this is of interest but message me if it is :)
It definitely is you can reach me on the blog. As I don't want to stick my email on here directly as it will get scraped for junk mail
Lived in SPain35yrs,speak spanish and all my familly is more spanish than English,I agre e with everything you say,get out there ,intergrate,..................Or you will probably end up going ,with your tail between your legs,having lost everything,the choice is yours.
For me there never was any novelty in the first place
Novelty is often from people moving in holiday mode or their first country they moved to outside of their birth country.
I'd like to live there
Were going to live there all been well September 28th 2020
i have lived in spain for 17 años, but not on the costas, as such. 15 years in madrid and 2 years in Cantabria.
My main peeve is how closed shop the spanish are!! or if not that, then how unreliable they are!
making friends has been an impossibility!! After busting a gut ive given up!!
Good luck
Yorshire tea for me, still have a 10,000 sack of bags we bought in the UK 3 years ago :) If you are working a large part of your time is taken up. For those who are fortunate to be early reitree's (us for instance) you really need to have good hobbies and be willing to mix with others or you will find yourself in a deep hole!
Agree as you need to be occupied. Otherwise easy to find fault with everything which is something I see a lot of in Facebook and forums.
Out of curiosity, and 3 years since your post; how many sacks of tea bags have you got left?😉
Wats your real name bro
Osama
I love your t shirt
Thanks I am starting to look into making Ts
Yeah nothing like a PG tips with a bit of sugar and milk!.. and I’m in Norway where tea isn’t a “thing”..
I can’t wait for my kids to grow up enough to stand on their own two feet so the misses and I can move over..
While waiting though, we’re looking into putting some money into a small thing we can rent out and use when we want ourselves. Any chance I can pick your brain for some questions about a flat in la mata?..
no rush.. just when we’ve decided and want to look for flats! 😁
Sure happy to help.
Earl grey please, and no sugar
Next time record inside. Too much wind noise.
And jaust wauh appens? 🇬🇧🤣
I love my PG tips with 2 sugars and milk.
Thank you, Interesting, Catch you on the Next one
Why not just stay in the UK?
Weather....
I bet it's great fun over there now ,no work no money everything shut no job prospects
You mean the same as nearly everywhere currently?
Actually, Spain is doing rather well again now. Covid pretty low, way better than the UK, the economy looking Ok, No Shortages, an increase in minimum wage, 100million€ help for people with mental health issues, 140billion from the EU. I do love it when sad little people stuck on Plague Island try to pull other countries apart. It is kind of desperate! And yes, I know the post was 6 months ago, but it still needs to be said.
@@hogwashmcturnip8930 I don’t like British people who run the country down and pretend that every other foreign country is better. Despite the fact that immigrants around the world are desperate to get to this island.
@@hogwashmcturnip8930 Well said. The post from A L was mean spirited. I live in the UK, and like most countries in Europe, we have all suffered from the financial impacts of our respective govts. trying to prop up their economies post Covid. Added to that, we now have a war in Ukraine which has been nothing short of a disaster in several ways and no one knows how this will end! No one moving to Spain (or any other country for that matter) could anticipate such unforeseen events. To make light of people’s “bad timing” is a bit shitty to say the least.