Forums » Spain » Kiwis in Spain

• mitzyboy

  
   

  April 26, 2007 5:32:44 PM CEST

  Let us know where you're going and what your plans are
• axgrindr

  
   

  July 12, 2007 3:05:47 PM CEST

  My wife and I arrived here in Barcelona from Wellington a little over 6 months ago. We are now Spanish residents and own a home in Gracia.
  
  We are both Americans but had been living in NZ for almost 7 years.
  
  We are very, very happy to be here and away from the "fresh" weather in Wellington.
• mitzyboy

  
   

  July 12, 2007 3:43:57 PM CEST

  (axgrindr)

  My wife and I arrived here in Barcelona from Wellington a little over 6 months ago. We are now Spanish residents and own a home in Gracia.
  
  We are both Americans but had been living in NZ for almost 7 years.
  
  We are very, very happy to be here and away from the "fresh" weather in Wellington.

  
  
  Hi there
  
  Are you enjoying the way of life here in Spain better than in NZ?
  I heard a lot of negative posts about NZ and AUS on other forums from Brits, unable to get work and being treated badly ... maybe its just winging poms
• axgrindr

  
   

  July 12, 2007 8:02:25 PM CEST

  NZ wasn't exactly my cup of tea. I had too much work, 12 to 19 hours a day, 7 days a week, the weather was harsh with wind, rain and cold and a "summer" that seems to go by in a blink of an eye.
  I made many good friends there, loved the health care system, loved the South Island, but I couldn't help but feel a general anti-Americanism in NZ which made it difficult to call the place home.
  
  Spain, on the other hand, seems to have accepted us with open arms and I *love* the weather here, and the food.
• mitzyboy

  
   

  July 12, 2007 9:04:02 PM CEST

  Hmmmm theres an American in the Spanish culture section trying to decide if to come to Spain ... maybe you ought to post there. Hes worried about racism I think
• sawyer

  
   

  August 28, 2007 1:34:01 AM CEST

  My wife and I arrived here in Brits, unable to get work and being treated badly ... maybe its just winging poms
  
  In defense of the "Winging poms" which I am assuming you mean the British, there are a lot more of them coming to Spain than the rest of us. (I am Canadian).
  
  So I think that we, Canadians, Americans, Australians, New Zealanders etc. have to put a lot more thought and planning into making the move for many reasons; work, immigration papers, financial even the distance can be daunting and leaving behind kids, family, pets, friends.
  
  Whereas the British, just make the decision to move the 2 hour flight away thinking that the grass is greener on the other side or in this case the sunshine without thinking about how easier/difficult it would be to get work or make the move.
  
  I have met many British people who have difficulty getting work or decent work due to their education/experience background etc and end up doing "s***" jobs if any job at all. Whereas for the "we" is not the same, those without the money, education etc. cannot get up and move thousands of miles away and hope all goes well. Many of the British in that situation have not made any effort to learn Spanish either so their choices are very limted.
  
  Am I right or am I wrong ?
• axgrindr

  
   

  August 28, 2007 2:27:56 AM CEST

  
  
  Most of the Brits I've met so far in Barcelona have lived here for a very long time, speak fluent Spanish and have great jobs (most of them have started their own business).
  I have met a few that are exactly as you have described above though.
  They refuse to learn Spanish, get mad at the locals for not acting like Brits and have basically moved here for the weather (a valid reason though).
  
  One thing I know is true is that "we, Canadians, Americans, Australians, New Zealanders etc" definitely have to have more on the ball to get into this country.
  From the first time we contacted our lawyers in Marbella it took 1.5 years to get approved, get into the country and get our residency cards.
  Having lots of money was the main ingredient, a good education doesn't hurt, a clean criminal record, a clean health record, etc.
  We also moved our two dogs from NZ to Spain just make everything a little more complicated and expensive.