October 10, 2007 6:50:03 PM CEST
(littlelady)
i think we will rent for a year at first,the other thing is we would both want to work,to earn enough to live on and we would not be fussy in what jods we would do ,cleaning gardening etc.we do not speak any spanish but would be eager to learn and fit in with the spanish.any advice or comments much appreciated please.
Hi.
The first thing you need to know is there are many many people in Spain, trying unsuccessfully to fulfill the dream you`ve described.
The current work situation in Spain for Brits with or without Spanish is extremely difficult.
The best chance you would have is to be self employed, but finding an area without much competition but enough business to survive on is impossible.
If you can think of one there are thousands already doin it.
The only Brits you`ll find that have managed to work enough to live on don`t have tans, if you don`t work 12 hrs a day, forget it.
Spanish work hard through the week to enjoy there free time at the weekends, Spain for a Brit is very far from the holiday`s spent there.
Have a look around this site and if you got any questions just ask here or in the "Spanish Culture" or UK forum.
You really really need to think long and hard before coming, and you`ll need to speak Spanish before you come, if you can`t learn it in the UK forget it in Spain, the Spanish are feed up with Brits not speaking the language of there country.
I`m not trying to be to negative, but it`s a big decision that can cost you more than just money if you get it wrong.
Get it right and you can live in Spain well, accept that Spain isn` t the UK and integrate leaving your Britishness behind and you`ll reach satisfaction far greater than the UK.
I`m not goin to tell you Spain is easy, it`s not anybody who as lived in Spain for years will tell you its bloody hard.
Being retired in Spain is far more easy, working and trying to payroll in Spain is hard, far harder than the UK.
Good Luck Anyway
i have spent hours and hours on the pc looking at property,areas etc,prices ,the areas we are leaning towards are Ronda,Olvera,and surrounding villages,or possibly further along the coast but still inland,i think we will rent for a year at first,the other thing is we would both want to work,to earn enough to live on and we would not be fussy in what jods we would do ,cleaning gardening etc.we do not speak any spanish but would be eager to learn and fit in with the spanish.any advice or comments much appreciated please. 
