12 Years in Spain (An Honest Review)
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- čas přidán 13. 05. 2024
- What's life like in Spain once the honeymoon period is over? I share my experience.
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Thanks for watching, guys! I hope my honest take was interesting to a few people! 🤣
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Consider Valencia about the weather. You will learn some catalan (valencian), and be "tied" with Yoli, for your third language. You will have tourist to devour, and nobody is making the kind of videos about bars tours you do (I will gladly help you by recommending some places and sources for your first videos, as I was an expert in my younger days, and now a theoretic - doctor in economics, oriented to tourism -). My family passes the few very hot days of summer on a 6th floor flat where the wind is natural AC (higher is too strong, and lower is weaker) in the Recati beach, Perellonet an Island (Surrounded by the sea and Albufera but with bridges) inside Valencia city, where more than 20.000 people live in Summer. And we have "fallas" that are more community, like living in a village, than the world-famous festival that they produce (Theme for a potential video even if you do not come to live here). And all around Valencian coast (if you prefer a non-big city this time) there are festival communities and marching bands communities, where everybody (75% of Valencian people know how to play an instrument) receives music lessons. LAt but not least. I think we have the best tomato (tomaquet del Perello), the best shrimp (Gambes de Denia-Formentera) the best mussels (clotxines) and the best rice restaurants (just 30 on the Palmar island), and your family love that meals.
Your honest take is always interesting :)
Hey James, the form to fill out doesn't seem to be working, I can't access it. I'm from the UK and been living in Galicia for 13 years.
Hi James thank you for your honesty and not flouring it up for those who are thinking of living abroad .
Very interesting and personal message James. Take a peak at my comment. I think you might enjoy. Cheers. WT
The Spanish government should actually pay you for everything you have done over the last 12 years. I bet hundreds of people, if not thousands, have moved to or at least visited Spain because of your videos. Thank you for showing so much about our country and for being so passionate about what you do. I do it on a smaller scale by having international friends come over and show them around Spain but seeing you do it consistently, with so much passion, and at scale is incredible. Congrats, thank you, and please keep doing it!🎉🎉
Well said Javier.
Agreed!
Thanks Javier! I appreciate your comments!
I found that so interesting to watch..thank you for sharing this. I have been living here now for 22 years and agree with everything you have said . My husband is Spanish and between us we have 3 children and we have been ' thrown ' so many curve balls during our time together which is mainly down to language and culture differences .. but all can be resolved with love and patience😊
I traveled to Barcelona after your videos 😂
Hi! I'm from Venezuela and I have lived in Spain for 5 years, my situation is a bit different because I came young at 18 by myself. It was challenging not having any family support. When you move to another country you start a new life, and you'll be trying to get the basic things like a job, a flat, and food. Even though there are people that can help you a little, other people are gonna try to take advantage of you, for your age, ethnicity, or gender. Staying strong is important, yourself is what really matters. I didn't find a decent job until now, 4 years later, and I'm really grateful for it, I didn't have any studies either but I'm studying now because I have the opportunity. It is important to follow your dreams and fight for them too.
I am not the normal example, but... I can tell you, it is really hard but stay strong
You should go to Curacao. Island on top of Venezuela. Better then Spain and much more chances. Better payment as well.
Me and my husband moved here from Sweden with our 13-year-old daughter about 9 months ago, and your content on this channel was one of the things that actually pushed us forward. We had talked about it for years, and we finally did it. We still don't know much spanish, but as you've said: Spain has the most friendly, helpful and patient people I have ever met. Sure, there are hiccups, but we figured that some things (beurocracy) will just have to take its time. No rush! See the delay as an extra vacation day, enjoy your surroundings and have a coffee or a beer at the local pub.
You're both Swedish. Not the same issues. Cultural loneliness is real. You can build a Swedish bubble in Spain if you wish to.
@@McFraneth If it sounded like I was comparing my situation to his, I'm sorry. That was not my intent. I was just expressing how this channel has helped me.
The unfortunate thing is that when you first move to Spain is the time when you have the most contact with Spanish bureaucracy - after you get the TIE and driver's licence and stuff sorted you really don't have much to do with the government. As long as you find a good Gestor you're fine.
I've just had to register to vote a couple of months in the local elections - and I know the clerk at the Ayuntamiento - I needed to take my padron, my TIE and my passport, filling in the registration document took about half an hour with all the photocopying - and then I had to go back again the next day because my friend had forgotten I needed to fill in another document to express my "intention to vote" (in his defence I was probably the first foreigner he'd had to process for this election). The really absurd thing is that I had to do this four years ago, and will need to do it again in four years time because there's no electoral roll maintenance in the sense you see it in the North of Europe. But apart from answering my accountant's questions regarding my income each year I can't really think of any other contact with the government that I have.
I still open conversations with Spaniards I haven't met by saying "Lo siento, mi español es muy pobre. Estoy aprendiendo pero soy muy mal estudiante." There's usually some laughter and we get on with it - assuming they've had some experience talking to foreigners they'll slow down for you - if not "despacio" and "lento" are your friends because there's nothing worse than rapid Spanish with elision for making you feel truly inadequate.
@@malcolmrose3361 You seem to have a very optimistic view to all fo this, and despacio and lento are my best friends 😂
We hired a lawyer to help us with all the paperwork before we left Sweden, but she couldn't even make sure our contract for the apartement we're renting was in order in time even though she had from May until September. She just copy-pasted some other contract she had found in a drawer somewhere and we had to find external help to get it sorted. Long story short, we decided to drop her half way through the process and have been continuing forward with a very helpful gestoria. We will - hopefully, if nothing goes wrong - have our final papers in order this wednesday. We have managed to get our daughter into school thanks to our very helpful landlord, and she loves it. When it comes to my husband and I - so far, we've had a 9 months long vacation, which we really needed, but maybe not expected.
@@Helena.kjellvander We moved to a small village near Malaga so it was very easy with the locals. The previous owner of the house introduced us to Oscar, the pool cleaner - Oscar has a wife and six kids to support and multiple jobs - if he doesn't do it himself he knows someone who does.
There's a verb in Spanish "enchufar" which means to plug in - it's used to not only refer to plugging in an appliance but also to have a support network. One of the things that you will find (if you haven't already) is that the Spanish can be appallingly dismissive by email and over the phone - but once you get a connection with them in person they're wonderful.
During the pandemic I was waiting for my first vaccination appointment - everyone else I knew in the village that was my age had been vaccinated a couple of months earlier and people decades younger were being invited in. I mentioned it to my hairdresser when I was getting my haircut and explained that I'd tried phoning about an appointment but the Spanish person I'd spoken to had brushed me off. She declared "well that's not fair", stopped cutting my hair and went and fetched her neighbour - a long and very rapid conversation followed in Spanish between the two of them while I sat in the barbers chair. My hairdresser peremptorily told me to give her my TIE card - i meekly handed it over, and the neighbour got out her mobile and made a call in what seemed even faster Spanish while holding my card. A few minutes later the neighbour stopped and put her phone away. My hairdresser said "you're booked in the day after tomorrow at the local hospital - they're doing migrant workers and you've been added to the list - Maria's daughter is on the team doing the vaccinations and Estrella could see no reason why you hadn't been vaccinated already". So two days later I sat in a tent surrounded by Moroccan agricultural workers waiting for my first injection. 😀
The first year or two are full of "why on Earth do they do that?" moments - but after a while you just learn to shake your head and go with the flow. Most of them are no biggies - why does my bank only transact certain kinds of business at certain times of the day, and no other? And so on. But the joys of living in this country far outweigh the occasional minor day to day irritation.
I'm Argentinian and my husband is English, we live in Galicia. There"s more nature than contruction here and the people are very friendly and welcoming.
Even if spanish is my native language, i miss the Argentinian lingo. We're self employed too, taxes are high.
Compared to the miserable and dangeeous life we had in Argentina, here is wonderful. We love our life here after 4 ys.
So weird to hear and Argentinian saying something is actually better than Argentina😂😂😂😂😂
@@Javservice It takes extra stamina to live in the land of tango nowadays, with the uncertainty of prices changing weekly, about security and pickets in the down town area, but well, meat is 4 dollars the kilo and not 85 as in Puerto Rico and my family is here so I wouldn't be able to be anywhere else without them !. . . (is he the devil ?...)
well, she doesn't live in argentina for a reason ! haha, no shade tho all good just think the miserable an dangerous could be a bit misleading to other people 😄
I´m also argentinian, living in Asturias. Spain´s bureaucracy is very similar to Argentina, and nowadays you can do many things easily online in Argentina and in Spain is more difficult. The big difference between these countries is security. You can die easier in Argentina, from a car crash, a robbery or some random electrical wire electrifying some fence.
In Argentina you can pay very low taxes, because most of the people live in the black market, paying in cash. Everybody does it. Spain taxes are very expensive specially for an "autónomo", self employed. They make your life very difficult. And it is more difficult to elude taxes than Argentina. But on the other way, public services are much better in Spain. For example you can get a very good public health service (if you can wait 6 or 8 months for your appointment) That´s why we pay private health insurance. Coming from a country where public services don´t work, we know that you have to pay your taxes for public health and education, and also have to pay private services like health or semi-private education for the kids (colegios concertados). Or just keep with the public option that is very good, but very inefficient and with less options to choose from.
You've worried me a bit. All my life I have wanted to visit BA. I've lived and worked in seven countries, including Spain and Puerto Rico. I was thinking of spending a couple of weeks in BA in a few months time but won't go if I get the feeling that it won't be safe.
Thank you as always. As a Canadian now in my twentieth year in Spain I connect with so many of your videos. The balance in daily life, the pleasures of food and the people, the history and the climate make this country one of the best to live especially at this moment in time. Living at a less frenetic pace is a wise choice. Spain enables a better quality of life. All the best to you and your family.
Tell this drivel to young well educated Spaniards , that btw are simply spurned in your own fakelifestyle colony of Cannotduh immigration policy , btw how many sucking point did you show for immigration and did you pass the university language test , or did you magically " move" to Spain and as a goodwill gesture do some some Spanish dancing evenings?.... Cynical?... no bitter towards you lot of N. American opportunists of the last order.
you two guys.... the owner of this channel and you with all your respects..dont talk about all the changes that spain has gone through since covid, and most important the people..... this is comming from a spanish person living abroad uk, and austria for 31 years.... today is nothing to do with 2019 NOTHING, we are now closer to Austria, or Germanic culture country that the germans....this last 3 years has completly mined up the spanish temperament, the spanish do it your way... lazarillo behavior that was so typic spanish... now everybody follows, noone say nothing just obedience is the norm....the spark is totally gone....not to say that the economic is at shamble, is not even safe the criminality has increased a lot... you can not give your opinion over anything because there are 200 rules that says so, they teach in the school the children how to masturbate with 4 years old, the parents dont have any say if their kids wants to undertake an operation of sex changing at 11 years old, and 1300 women abusers have been release from prision in the last 10 months!!!!! I say all of this with great sadness, but this is how spain has been going backwards in all senses......
Please, tell me why I shouldn't go to Canada, as I dream on, to live in... Being a Spaniard as I am.
@@Alpanama Canada is a beautiful country. I had a wonderful life for over thirty years, However always working long hours and with only two weeks vacation each year. Combined with the long winters. The time to see friends and family was only a few times evey year, even living in the same city. Also generations seem to live quite seperate lives. Live to work in Canada while in Spain work to live. Whatever you choose to do, good luck.
@@Alpanama If you want to live alone, without womans and kids, if fine I suppose, but you if you plan to be in some sort of relationship, you can wake up as a slave one day, even if you dont marry.
This was extremely honest and vulnerable. Thanks for sharing these very intimate and personal thoughts with all of us. I moved countries a lot and I can identify with a lot of what you described. This was a very transparent and non romanticized view of what moving and living somewhere long-term feels like, the challenges of integration, the ups and downs of life, the trade-offs.
Well said. It is a huge undertaking to move, live and work in another country and comes with it's trials and tribulations.
Thanks for your comments Anas
After this video, we love you even more!❤
Thank you for your honesty!
I visited Spain for the fourth time in July 2019 on a seven-month sabbatical and never returned to South Africa.
Too many things too mentioned happened between my arrival in 2019 and now, but the outcome has been that I have never felt this ´free´, liberated, and happy.
After selling up in South Africa, Patrick (hubby) finally joined me a year ago.
I now run my own business in Valladolid and honestly, I have found my Happy Space. We too, feel we live in the centre of Spain and transport access to the rest of Spain is first class. I have not owned a car or needed to drive a car since I arrived in 2019.
Patrick has certain medical attention needs and his experience with the public health system and public Professionals (specialists) has been nothing short of excellent in Valladolid.
We are both committed to taking a serious approach to the Spanish language and Patrick is enrolling with the Escuela de Idiomas for the next course. Due to the time conflict of their classes, I will continue with a private teacher.
We have both grown our own ´friends circle´ and it always surprises me to what length they are prepared to go to assist us in every way - whether it be to accompany Patrick to a physician or to a government office (due to Patrick´s low Spanish level).
This chapter of our lives is important and I personally feel that there won´t be another opportunity. Hence, we simply embrace each day and its blessings.
Thank you James, Yolly and Lucy, for bringing warmth and a little sparkle into our lives. We simply love your shares.😘😘😘
It was a relief that this ended on a sort of positive note. As someone who is now a 71 (feeling say 40 years old) year old Brit living in Malaga since retirement I was fascinated by the under tones of what you were saying. I have learned that all the old clichés are true eg life isn’t perfect, count your blessings, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side etc. I’ve also learned that working hard on being happy in one’s self is key. This isn’t easy of course, but without it there is a tendency to look over the fence or be envious of friends whom you think have it made. They don’t of course. My core is my family and whilst they all live in England they are constantly with me in my mind. FaceTime keeps us in touch and actually provides quality time together. Life’s a balance. I’m fortunate to have a brilliant wife of 53 years. Has this always run smoothly, of course not. But this raises another cliché, it’s all about compromise. Listening to you I would urge more counting of blessings. Sorry if this sounds condescending. It’s genuinely not meant to. Compared to the majority you have an enviable life. And like most of us you do need to genuinely believe this. Finally, it would be great to hear Loli’s story. Best wishes to you and your family. Everything I’ve see of you leads me to believe that if the world was full of people like you, what a great place it would be. Ps. Don’t ruin your life worrying about climate change. Be responsible of course, but realise that most predictions over decades have been wrong. The answers lie in scientists, technology and entrepreneurs. Not self serving politicians and activists. Enjoy life my friend. You only get one and I can tell you that I was actually your age 10 minutes ago, or so it seems. Pps. I haven’t spell checked or grammar checked this. Life’s too short!
Loly's side would be interesting! Great suggestion!!!
Good idea!
Wonderful video. By all means, do facetime!
Climate change is made up anyway to control the population. Thank God for Brexit!
Brilliantly said Miguel! Wishing you a long & healthy life. I fell in love with Malaga when I first visited last year- coming from the north I have always associated the city with foreigners getting plastered. I am glad that it is still very Spanish, with a rich cultural offer. I had the great opportunity to visit the last day of the Collection of the Russian Museum before its closure due to the war in the Ukraine.
Great video! As a Spaniard living in Japan married to a Japanese who I met in the US, it’s really instructive to learn about your perceptions. Somehow it’d be a reverse situation if we decide to move to Spain at some point. Thanks a lot for sharing your feelings!
Why did you leave Spain?
I am coming up to my 4th anniversary in Spain having chosen to live outside of the city in El Escorial it has been an interesting experience. Aside from frustrations with the Spanish government and the processes my first couple of years were covid impacted and I feel like that was a hard/strange start to living in Spain with the decreased social aspect. Unlike some I put myself in the category of having a bad language brain, it has taken me until now to get confident speaking in broken Spanish and that is through using a tutor twice a week for almost a year now - I made the mistake of assuming with a Spanish partner I would just pick up the language here and there but we revert into English too easily. Overall though, I love it in Spain - the lifestyle and the people, and I hope to get my Spanish passport in the next 12 months after marriage.
Fun note, I moved to Spain as a vegan and I am now vegetarian as of last summer to much celebration of my fiance's family. The cheese temptation was too strong - and I realised some Spaniards treat veganism as a curable disease... "Es porque no has probado este tipo de jamón..."
It`s not easy to be a vegan in Spain, but if you allow eggs and cheese it`s doable. I always request the waiter to leave out the meat and fish: "gazpacho sin tropezones, tortilla, pochas pero sin jamón o chorizo, ensalada pero sin atún, paella vegetariana, pimientos del padrón, etc. I survive :)
We will never understand veganism in terms of how can you give up jamón or cheese, so true 😂
@Eva Guisuraga San Miguel I know Spanish vegans so "we" isn't really accurate in this way:) I think especially with young people they are more and more willing to reflect their behaviours and don't want animal suffering anymore just to have their ten minutes of fun for their taste buds while they eat their jamón.
@@jdmmg4904 los españoles decimos que del cerdo nos gustan hasta los andares,es una frase muy recurrida.
@@jdmmg4904 of course there are. I used “we” as “the majority”, not everybody. Please sense of humor and reading understanding
This video affected me more than I expected. I've been here for about 12 years too and the two points you made about friends and language were spot on for me. It's a complicated life being with a Spanish partner and living far from life-time friends and especially aging parents. Thank you so much for this video!
this is going to be me....
James, about Galicia, just a friendly reminder my mom is still offering her apartment in Costa da Morte, if you need a temporal place to maybe check what is life like up north. No strings attached. Por lo demás, gran vídeo, y todas las dudas y problemas de hacer vida en el extranjero son comprensibles, y la autocrítica es necesaria, pero no seas muy duro contigo mismo: España es afortunada de tenerte aquí, porque gente como tú contribuye a hacer mejor las cosas. Te sigo desde los inicios de Devour (cuando sólo era Devour Madrid), y sólo puedo agradecerte tu trabajo durante todos estos años. Un abrazo.
Thank you! We're good for accomodation at the moment :)
I wish that free accommodation was in Sydney, i'd jump straight at it!!
Hi, I'm retired living here in Mexico. Can I take you up on that?
This video really got to me mate. I've just spent almost a year in Madrid and am back in Sydney and I miss Madrid already after only 1 week. I don't really know if it's the right decision at all to move my family back to Australia. The community, the things to do, the nightlife, the social-ness, the culture, festivals, architecture, family friendliness, etc.... What I do know is I will definitely be semi retiring in Madrid when the time comes. Te quiero Madrid!
Wow same, I am from Spain but live in Sydney. Sydney unfortunately feels very lonely 😢
@@virgismar Sydney es mi ciudad natal y tienes todo la razón. De que parte de España eres? Un abrazo fuertísimo 🫂
Were you born in Madrid or Sydney? I imagine if you have moved back to Sydney it's because of work.
@@virgismar 'Feels very lonely' ......what Sydney is is very expensive, especially the housing. It's ridiculously expensive. Were you born in Sydney?
@@coffermartin77 Born in Sydney of Spanish heritage. More for the kids future... the economic and political stability in Aus really. There were some other things we missed about Sydney too... it's natural beauty, the food variety, etc. No city is perfect but if I didn't have kids it would be Madrid all the way for me. Like I said I will definitely be semi retiring there.
Been leaving in the Netherlands 30 years now, im from Bcn.
Totally agree with you on relationships, language, personal development...
We dont realise how much impact it has on so many levels.
Thank you for your openness, it is all very easy to recognise once you've been there.
I can only hope also the new bees will get the flavour of your message.
Been here for 18 years. Had difficulties but never enough to quit. Also had children in Spain, best country for kids, your comments are spot on about half a family. Last decade (even the COVID days) was far better than the first years. I am not Spanish but I belong here, for all their faults they are the best people. And the other immigrants - I have built friendships with South Americans, I had no idea how wonderful some of those people are. Love them. Most days I am laughing. Spain should be the best country on earth, just need to ask why it isn't?
Because its people refuse to allow that. Most Spaniards insist on voting for the very people that don’t have their best interests at heart.
Systemic corruption.
Because Paquito left it atado y bien atado.
Because people let goverment (doesn't matter the colour) to treat them as stupid morons.
@@Cobe1976 siempre a los dos mismos partidos de hace décadas y es agobiante para los jóvenes ver como los mayores solo votan a los de siempre .
Hi James, thank you so much for the video, which happens to coincide with my 2-year Spainversary (as I call it). After living here for 2 years, I have realized that moving to a different country is a mishmash of things that are deeply rewarding and also come with a few challenges. It is disingenuous to think that everything is just smooth sailing when you get here. Especially when you lived somewhere else for 4 decades. Things are not the same as before. There are so many layers to all of this and you have to accommodate your internal emotions to match your new reality. This is more of a process rather than an immediate shift. You are deciding what parts of yourself you want to keep and which need to shift to accommodate the culture you live in. As much as I would like to say this has been fine, it takes some effort to adjust and to stay brave around these changes. Especially when you are on your own. In fact, many of the things you've discussed, I have also experienced. And my concern about climate change is equally concerning, especially living in Valencia. So, I am grateful for your video diary and to watch how you own version of adjusting to Spain has also been one with various peaks and valleys.
Why living in Valencia? The new far-right government?
I'm considering eventually living in either Madrid or Valencia. Madrid is hotter but drier with coldish winters. Valencia has nicer winters but seems to be much more humid making cooler summer temperatures much less comfortable.
Can you, or anyone else, recommend which city is better for someone who cannot deal with high humidity?
I lived in couple of countries in my life, Spanish are the most sincere and genuine people I have ever met
I want to go in the Spain "lonley".Can and how and where and when is the BEST and how much this all cost?And ,i want to find the first job in my life, in the Spannish city La Coruna for comic artist in their studio,without the money and without the knowimg laguannge...Can you help me??Thanks.
Thank you for this! It really summarizes some of the things I’ve been feeling/contemplating as as we approach the 2 year mark living in Malaga. 👍🏻 I’ll never get bored of hearing perspectives like these. Sit down chat videos are some of my favourites anyway. Great job!
I met my wife in Cancun. She came to the states after we married and we lived there 8 years and we are now living in Spain and I completely resonate with that reliance vulnerability issue when you are outside your culture and language. Thank you for your great videos, We love Galicia/Vigo and would love to have a coffee or a meal with you and your family.
I love how real and down to earth this video is. I'm Spanish but my mum is Polish and I've seen the sacrifices she's done by living away from her home country. We visit Poland often but every time we go there you see how fast the time passes for the people you don't see often.
I believe some people move to Spain thinking it's going to be a never-ending vacation but of course life happens and it's not easy being away from your family, friends and culture.
About Madrid being too overwhelming, I'd recommend to look at smaller cities and towns nearby such as Majadahonda, Boadilla del Monte, Villanueva de la Cañada, Torrelodones. They allow you to live nearby the city while having more parks, forests and greenery in general. They are much calmer places to live.
Thanks so much for this video. It 100% mirrors my experience here in Madrid. I have had the same struggles due to not committing fully to learning Spanish. We spent a few years back in NZ before moving here 7 years ago and what you said about relying on each other is bang on. I have recently tried to take on more tasks like sourcing and buying new tyres for the car, or sorting health appointments out myself without handing the phone over to my wife. Even these small acts have given me more confidence to do more.
What you said about being a burden in social settings hit the mark too. I end up being so much quieter than I am naturally and can come across unfriendly or uninterested as a result. Languages apps and the listening the the kids chat with mum is really not cutting it. Your advice about getting a teacher is a good one.
I rewatched the video with my eldest and told her that this is exactly how dad feels. I will probably share it with my wife next but know she will say, "claro, you need to speak Spanish and make more effort with friends. I have told you this a million times and it take one YT video for you to listen!!!" Anyways... muchos gracias amigo.
VdAr to❤❤❤
something to be aware of: if you butcher the grammar and then end it with amigo, it sounds demeaning, so be cautious in your use of that ending and if not sure, drop it altogether as it's usually understood.
I even heard the quote of your wife talking with voice of Sofia Vergara 😅
@@kirill4531 Bueno Sofía Vergara es Hispania Americana y claro habla Español con acento netamente de Colombia .
Es muy diferente al acento de España y sus regiones ,pero comprendo 😅😂
@@kirill4531nothing to do
As a fellow Kiwi living in Spain I share a lot of your sentiment about life here (including thinking about retreating to Galicia in the coming years). Thanks for sharing!
Hi James, I think you took a lot of words out of my mouth, especially “I’m not as funny in Spanish as I am in English,” and also having lots of conversations with my Spanish other half about whether it’s time to move elsewhere (I recently went to Cádiz & was on Idealista half an hour later 😂). Re. community, this is the anchor that keeps me in love with Spain and, like you, my curiosity - this is a bottomless well to dip into here. I moved to Sydney & couldn’t believe how much of an outsider I felt there. After 3 years, I came “home” and never regretted it. As my partner doesn’t speak English, my Spanish level has soared. I now sing in a choir & have made a bunch of fantastic Spanish friends there. I also have my pandilla as well as I host of international friends. It’s those friendships that I’ve learned so much from and who have shaped who I am today. I feel for you being so far away from New Zealand- that is very complicated. Let’s hope they fix teletransportation soon! Having said that, i know many Aussies who moved here to discover their Spanish roots, live with family and truly absorb themselves in their second culture. I’m sure she’ll do the same.
I've biked toured across Spain twice. Once Seville to Barcelona just before the pandemic and this year Bilbao to Valencia. Great way to get off the beaten track and experience the 'real' Spain. The wife and I are thinking of moving here for at least a year and I'd lean to living in Logrono. Nice medium sized city that's not overrun with tourists and seemingly good QoL. Thanks for the video!
Logroño es un gran lugar pero te aconsejo que también tengas en mente cuenca o Guadalajara ciudades pequeñas con mucha naturaleza y muy cerca de una gran ciudad como es Madrid
Pamplona. Cerca del mar y de la montaña.
@@rebeccadanvers884 Si 90-100 km con el coche por la autopista se pueden llamar "cerca".
I’m from Belgium and have been living in Galicia for 10 years now. I came here when I was 24. I finished two degrees here (aside from the 2 I already had) and am now working as a self-employed private teacher. I honestly feel more Spanish (or Galician) than Belgian and when someone asks me what my native language is, I must admit I don’t know wether to say Dutch or Spanish (or English). Thanks for your reflections in this video; it is nice to hear these ideas from someone with a similar experience to mine.
Galicia es lo máximo! Allí me retiraré! Groeten uit Haarlem, NL!
In what lang do you usually think?
@@kirill4531 I’m a visual thinker, so I think only in pictures, not in words. Comes in quite handy when learning languages.
@@goeledeckers mainly yes, but still sure some phrase spawn on your head from time to time.
From my experience my thinking language may vary depending on the language I've been using recently the most
@@goeledeckers if you accidentally hurt your toe, which language do you curse in?
Very good video James , totally honest ! My wife and i live in Tenerife , we retired here 3 years ago after working and living in 17 countries worldwide over 40 years with a big company , where we live in south tenerife its quite possible to manage with zero Spanish language , however , we are trying to learn despite being both close to 70 !, we have Spanish friends here ( who all speak English ) so they show us the ‘’real Spain ‘’ and we are quite adventurous ourselves , however , your points about living overseas from your home country is well made , what we find when we visit UK and catch up with friends there is they haven’t changed much , we are the ones who have changed , taking in all the ‘’external ‘’ influences over many years , once the genie is out of the bottle you will never get it back in !
Enjoy all your stuff !
Cheers
Thank you for the video! I grew up in a former Spanish colony, and our culture has a lot of Spanish flavor. I have never been to Spain, but in a way, my soul is being called by those long-forgotten roots. I will plan a vacation to Spain. Your video was very helpful to me.
I really love your channel :) Me and my husband are from Sofia, Bulgaria and we just returned from a trip to Malaga and this was our third visit to Spain. I guess your curiosity about the Spanish culture is contagious :) I also can imagine the vulnerability one feels when sharing such honest experiences online.. Keep doing the great job of revealing Spain! :)
I always find amazing how Spaniards tend to forget those beautiful things about Spain. We truly take some things for granted.
I want to go in the Spain "lonley".Can and how and where and when is the BEST and how much this all cost?And ,i want to find the first job in my life, in the Spannish city La Coruna for comic artist in their studio,without the money and without the knowimg laguannge...Can you help me??Thanks.
Very good insights James. I have lived in Spain for 7 years and have a Spanish wife. Some of your points ring very true (language and friendships) but others I think are more related to where you live. My wife is from Cuenca, she has a flat in Albacete where she works and I am based in Jávea and we share our time between the three. The difference is quite noticeable in terms of community, healthcare, politics, language and local issues and so I think it can be quite difficult to generalise about "Spain"
For example, in Cuenca, there is a vibrant culture and food scene (as you know from your visit) set in spectacular surroundings and history and with an international feel due to tourism and the University and colleges. They blame everything on Catalans. In Albacete, the town is a commercial centre and, apart from the Feria, is basically a work culture where everyone clocks on Monday morning and gets hammered on Friday. They tend to blame any woes on Central Government and whoever is in power.
Javéa is a smallish resort with a port, an old town, beaches , a culture led tourist income and a rich multicultural past. In the town, It retains a village community feel with beautifully preserved and restored 15th century buildings. The port is a fishing community having turned its back on Marina developments. The Arenal is a tourist beach with low rise apartment blocks filled with tourists. The town has 28,000 inhabitants in Winter and 100,000 in Summer. They blame all their woes on Madrileños who own many second homes.
I resonate with your language issues. For those thinking of retiring here, it is far more difficult starting a new language over the age of 60 (I am 70) than at 32! All of this goes to reinforce your moving to Spain advice about researching areas before committing.
Perhaps you could put some videos together about the different areas that are popular with people wanting to move to Spain highlighting the pros and cons?
It's funny to read that in every example they blame others. After 20 year of Spain i reckon that it's a national sport to blame others (yes i know, I'm generalizing) It's one of the things that really got to me. Taking on a victim role and hardly doing anything about it. It's sad with all the possibilities that Spain has
@@kdkhgdldfl we, the Spaniards, have zero "possibilities", but I would not put the blame on the catalans, the madrileños or the central goverment. We have been led to believe that we do not deserve to play any role in the world, because our history is a complete failure. We are a demoralized country which has turned on itself in search of someone to blame.
@@rebeccadanvers884 No doubt that that's the feeling. Even the most nationalists are just camouflaging their deep feeling of inferiority with 'orgullo iberico'. Then again it's a cheap way out playing the victim role. Look at germany!
A great example:
Farmers complaining about 'illegal' competition from Morocco etc. Sounds valid and the vast majority of the population is with them. But nobody looks at the other side where Holland is the main competitor with tomatoes. No climate, double wages, higher taxes, higher land prices etc If Spain wants, they can kill the dutch production but they rather play the victim role. Just plain sad
I want to go in the Spain "lonley".Can and how and where and when is the BEST and how much this all cost?And ,i want to find the first job in my life, in the Spannish city La Coruna for comic artist in their studio,without the money and without the knowimg laguannge...Can you help me??Thanks.
A very honest and necessary video for anyone considering a move to Spain. Thank you so much for making it! The end of the "Honeymoon Period" is something that is never talked about and I think it's so important to address that. The language barrier would be a serious challenge for my wife. I studied Spanish for 5 years and am "book smart" but it is so different when you're out on the street or just trying to carry on a conversation. Great video. Keep them coming!
Thank you for your heart felt discussion. Ultimately, whoever you are and wherever you live, life can never be perfect and you just need to find ways of getting round the many challenges that are thrown at you instead of letting it grind you down.
Just congratulate yourself on how well you have done so far !
I want to go in the Spain "lonley".Can and how and where and when is the BEST and how much this all cost?And ,i want to find the first job in my life, in the Spannish city La Coruna for comic artist in their studio,without the money and without the knowimg laguannge...Can you help me??Thanks.
James, thank you so much. We very much appreciated your candor, your honesty and a further look into your personal emotions in regards to your living in Spain. Felt that this likely your best video because of those strong personal exposures.
Thank you Art, I'm glad you both enjoyed it :)
What an amazingly genuine video. Thank you for showing us Spain and life James!
Thank you for your honest thoughts about your time in Spain, James! I just began my college summer break and I'm waiting for my passport in order to study abroad in Valencia this fall. Your videos have helped me so much in prepping everything. Paz y bendiciones! 🇵🇷🇪🇸❤️
Mate, your CZcams channel has given much joy to many who view your channel. If it ended tomorrow, we would still have our memories. As for relationship problems, you might have to see a marriage councillor or discuss it with your trusted personal friends. You are genuine and honest, too honest for CZcams. And don't worry about your level of Spanish. You do a whole lot better than many British expats whose sole objective is to get bloto on sangria and can't put two words of Spanish together. You say that you're staying in Galicia for the whole month of August. That is actually the best month (along with June and July) weather wise. To live and make a living in Galicia is a whole different prospect. Just keep this stat in mind, half of the Galician population has migrated outside of Galicia and Spain. I am part of that statistic. I was born in Australia. Both parents from Galicia. I just hope that your love with Spain and Yolli never dies. Like you said, there are many ups and downs but you have to soldier on. It's as simple as that. Stay strong and happy.👍
Thank you for that! I hope I didn't give the impression of marriage problems lol. We're very happy. And yes, it's true that winter in Galicia is a different kettle of fish.
@@spainrevealed Oh geez!🙄...I might've sounded like a marriage councillor myself! Sorry about that. It's hard to read the room sometimes. I'm sure that the winter in Madrid is more harsher than coastal Galicia.
Thank you for your honesty! I love the video. One of my concerns about moving to Spain is healthcare. The private system doesn’t allow for pre-existing conditions which both my husband and I have. We are one of the blessed people in the US who have great affordable healthcare insurance, so it’s difficult to give that up.
Great video, James and keep them coming!
Your honest take has been interesting! Amy and I are in the Cohort 7 in your course and looking forward to getting that going. James, I appreciate this video very much. You have presented your understandings of Spain in a way that is understated and relaxed and not glib or pressured in any way. Deepened my interest in what you have to share, it has. Thanks!
This was fascinating, cannot wait to see more of your videos. Thank you!
I am Canadian of West Indian (Caribbean) origin and travel extensively with my wife. As someone who moved his family (wife and three young ones), I fully understand and appreciate the challenges you overcame, especially the language which hurdle I did not have.
I think the key to your success has been your love for what you do, your career.
Having holidayed in Spain four times with a fifth planned, I highly appreciate everything that you share.
Roger
Like many other participants in this chat, I want to thank you for this video and for your fervent honesty. I was born in Puerto Rico speaking Spanish until the age of 23 and then I moved the mainland USA.
When it comes to languages there are two different concepts, one is to be bilingual and the second one is to be bicultural. In my opinion you already mastered the second level of biculturalism. You are doing an amazing job by raising a child and starting a business on a foreign country, in my book you are my hero. Kudos you and blessings to your and your adorable family.
No
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS HONEST VIDEO ❤
I've lived in Spain for almost a year now and everything you've said in this video has resonated with me
I flipped onto this post purely by accident, over a lazy Sunday morning coffee. I’ve often played with the idea of relocating but other factors have tended to take precedence (so far). What I found here was a very informative post but also a beautifully engaging honesty from a real human. That touched me. Thank you.
It's wonderful to get this perspective. We're a half Spanish couple moving to Spain in 2024 from Canada. Like you, we are still working aged and work in the creative industries; commercial photography and art direction. Having lived thousands of miles from our families for decades already we can relate to the isolation and difficulties of raising children without family help. We've also wrestled with the Madrid for work vs smaller city vs countryside quality of life question. In late 2019 we rented a house in Oviedo and lived it there. Good friends, another Canadian/ Spanish couple moved from Calgary to Galicia 3 years ago and love it there.
I hope you make more videos like this. Dig in to the deeper questions, the psychology, the life impacts, the red tape, the retirement and health care questions of foreign living.
The tapas and vinyard tours are nice on occasion too.
Cheers
Thank you for such an honest video. I moved to Spain 18 months ago and can relate to most of what you’re saying. And yes, learning a new language is hard! I just have to remind myself it’s a marathon not a sprint and keep plugging away. The more I learn the more I can connect with locals and make friends, and that’s my motivation.
I want to go in the Spain "lonley".Can and how and where and when is the BEST and how much this all cost?And ,i want to find the first job in my life, in the Spannish city La Coruna for comic artist in their studio,without the money and without the knowimg laguannge...Can you help me??Thanks.
So wonderful and insightful to hear your experience. This is not a topic I have seen a lot of people cover in this much depth. I’d love to keep hearing more from you and Yoli on such topics.
This just might be my favorite video yet! You are such a real person, and myself and all of my friends I’ve turned on to you, think you are just too cool! We all wish we lived in Spain and could be your friends. As five of us are considering the big move there from the US, you’ve brought up some excellent points to consider. Lots of great discussion in the comments, as well. Like everything in life, lots of pros and cons. Moving away from family has been the biggest roadblock, as we all have grown kids and some of us have grandkids, too. But as you say, you have to do what makes you happy. You and Yoly certainly seem happy and made for each other. I truly hope your paths stay in tune.
Thanks for all you share with your many fans, especially these honest thoughts and insights. Looking forward to more like this, and yes…interviews with people who are out of the honeymoon phase!
Thanks for sharing so openly about your experience living in Spain. I'm from Brazil and I'm living in Barcelona since 2019 and I have similar thoughts about community, friends, family, health care, etc. It's comforting to know how other expats feel living here. I love your videos, cheers!
I want to go in the Spain "lonley".Can and how and where and when is the BEST and how much this all cost?And ,i want to find the first job in my life, in the Spannish city La Coruna for comic artist in their studio,without the money and without the knowimg laguannge...Can you help me??Thanks.
Great video, thought provoking.
Have been to Galicia and other parts of Northern Spain several times. Brilliant place. Weather, sea food and wonderful people. So different from the Costas It will be the best August you have had in Spain so far. Looking forward to your video after you experience it.
Loved your honesty and authenticity. One of my favorite videos you have offered.
Great video and the thoughts! Thank you for recording your thoughts and insides
Man a lot of this hits home and you have given me the kick up the backside I needed in regards to making friends and community. I guess I sometimes misdiagnose my lack of friends to laziness rather than anxiety of my level of Spanish. Madrid is a very transient place so I had friends come and go and after a while I stopped putting in 100%. I really need to get myself a teacher.
A very thoughtful and personal video James. I recognise all of those issues. My first experience with Spain was forty years ago but my real serious incursion with it was when I met my future Spanish wife 27 years ago. We were university post graduate students in the U.K. All of our friends from foreign countries that formed relationships have separated. My wife is an English expert and teaches English so I think we enjoyed a firmer grounding from the get go. We both come from 'till death do us part' family backgrounds too and I'm sure that has something to do with it. We can't imagine not being together.
We live and work in Britain and family is an issue but, fortunately, travel between Britain and Spain is relatively easy. It's far more problematic when it involves distances such as yours. Despite having family in Spain and our own property my Spanish is very poor. Like you, I thought it would just come by osmosis but you need to put the effort in. My excuse is that I work so hard and am so shattered that I deserve to relax when I get home after work. I know that's not good enough. I rely far too much on my wife when we are in Spain.
I'm not sure we ever had a honeymoon period in Spain. We find it very interesting and enjoy ourselves in it. It's very far from perfect (most people visiting have no idea) but for us the good outweighs the bad. That very much depends on your personal and financial circumstances though. I am a scholar of Spanish history and so that helps maintain my interest level. We have many Spanish friends that live and work in Britain because of the work situation in Spain and comparatively low level of wages.
My dream has been to move permanently when we retire but where to? Our Spanish home is 2km from the sea in the Axarquia, Malaga, and it is a very particular way of life. I love Madrid but city life, so from the sea is completely different. My wife's family come from Valladolid and her grandfather never saw the sea in his lifetime. My immediate Spanish family all live on the north coast in Pais Vasco and Cantabria (Bilbao and Santander) and we were married in Bilbao. I love the north of Spain but it's a completely different world and way of life to Andalusia. I think the Mediterranean world is where my heart is. If you want to move here and not live in an ex-pat enclave or city you will have to learn to adapt to a completely different way of life where friend and family connections are everything. Some things are frustrating but you have to learn to adapt and accept this world on its terms.
One last word on climate change. Whilst I love Andalusia the effects of climate change and catastrophic water mismanagement along with terrible political leadership are extremely serious. It extends to all of Spain actually. Spain is desertifying and that is a fact. It's my number one fear. What will the country look like in twenty years time unless some serious changes are made immediately to address this issue?
This video format is great and i would love to see more of those honest talks about the real struggle 😊 i am in Spain (Barcelona based) from 2017 and moving here was a life changer for me. Begining was crazy hard, but thanks to what you do and how you present the Spanish reality to someone who wants to move here is really helpful. So thanks for this and all the best with the new projects 🤞
Your honesty is very welcomed. It is precisely that Spanish “character” that keeps me going back to Spain any time I can. Where we live, that feeling of community and people willingness to engage in impromptu conversations while out-and-about is practically nonexistent.
Amazing video. I moved to Valencia Spain 2 years ago with my wife and I can really relate to the part where you say it's hard to form a community.
My colleagues from work are amazing and treat me really well but they're still colleagues from work, its being hard to make closer friends and form a community.
Congratulations on such a perceptive description of living in Spain. Having been in and out of here over the last 50 years, there are many aspects I could comment on, some good, some bad. But on balance, the inescapable conclusion is that Spain is the best place on earth to live.
Hi 👋🏻 can you please tell us about the things that comes to your mind for those who want to move to Spain? It would be so helpful
SUBSCRIBED! So insightful and informative. Great video!
I thought this video was super helpful and it was really great. Thanks for sharing your personal struggles and emotion around your experience. That honestly was very helpful and appreciated. I for one would love to see more videos like this. Thanks for sharing!
Very honest video. Echoes a lot of my experiences moving from Norway to the UK 33 years ago. Came for a gap year, fell in love with a local & stayed. Raising kids without the support of my parents was hard at times, especially when I saw how much my parents helped my sister in Norway when she had kids. We did have my husband's parents local to us though. Understanding cultural & historical things can be hard. When friends my age talk about childhood things, anything pre 1990, I don't always understand or know about. My kids got to travel to Norway almost yearly as its a lot closer than NZ is for you.
Another problem living abroad is as our parents age & experience health problems. My sister died 3 years ago so that makes it harder & I wish I lived closer to my parents.
We're considering/hoping to spend a lot of time in Spain when we retire.
My daughter is training to be a doctor & is considering possibly moving to NZ in the future. Selfishly I hope she doesn't as its so far away.
Sometimes families live right next to each other or in close proximity but they don't have good relations or good lives, so location is important but not as important as quality of life or someone's preference or choice to live somewhere else and be happy. If they are healthy that's a big blessing to be grateful for and reuniting on vacations should be greatly cherished and not taken for granted or spent wishing the person would just stay. Adults should be individuals that make their choices based on their preferences first and see how the rest fits around that, otherwise it can turn into some resentment and stifled lives.
Simply excellent James. I couldn't stop watching. It was so nice to get to know you a little bit more through this video.
What touches me about this video... about what you share... is your astute comments on practicing curiosity... indeed, about anything and everything. And isn't that exactly what is so beautiful...what makes our beings giddy with delight and puts ear to ear smiles on our faces is the abundance of curiosity that a child, our child especially, consistently brings to the table.
Gracias...me encantó escucharte compartir con tanta honestidad . Hasta la próxima.
I am from the US and live now in Spain. After living in Spain for almost 25 years while observing and studying its history the knowledge obtained from direct personal experience is what I base my statements on. Your video deals mostly with personal matters which don't relate to the objective social, political and economic reality of the country and therefore, there isn't anything to learn from regarding the reality of Spain.
Can you share any of your observations that are more objective or recommend a channel that would be more helpful in that area?
I am originally from Zimbabwe, lived in London for 5 years and then moved to Spain in 2012. Started a business with my closest friend (who also moved from London with his family - they are Dutch) and as our clients were 99% British, I constantly worked and didn’t interfere much so found the first few years very lonely so was always working
I live in a very Spanish village (Benissa) with no foreigners living in the village and as I don’t speak Dutch, I couldn’t really intergrate with my business partners friends
It was tough
2020 arrived, we lost our business and everything we had worked for and I almost gave up BUT my village saved my life. The local social services gave me more support than I believed possible even with my extremely broken Spanish
My neighbors offered to help me because I got very very ill and didn’t leave my home for 10 weeks. I got to know them and practice my Spanish
As a result of all the problems, my mental healthy took a toll but I was given an amazing psychiatrist who has been the best I have ever ever had. She speaks no English either so it also pushed me to learn but also not be afraid to use google
When things returned, I slowly made friends and 18 months ago, I met my partner. He is from Valencia and speaks no English but here we are today, 18 months later and about to move in together. His very large Spanish family have welcomed me with open arms and I no longer sit in silence with google and am able to converse - in fact, I speak more Spanish than English these days and can’t quite believe it.
I am now well known in the village because I am “the foreigner who hasn’t abandoned us” and I don’t think I have ever been more happy
Yes it’s been tough and it still has its challenges but with a bit of effort and personal investment, you will be welcomed.
Thank you for this ! I really needed the reminder today when I found I couldn’t express myself properly and was beating myself up.
3 years ago I was in that place where I was beating myself up about my Spanish but somehow, finding a way to immerse yourself in an environment where you have no option to speak the language really helps and I still am shocked how much I have learned without “studying”
Thanks for these words. I'm struggling here in Algarve, and reading this is helpful.
Same meeting ppl n getting financially stable is hello of a work n after work is hard to meet w anyone
Hello James, I am so greatful for you to speak honest opinion living in Spain for 12 years and how you feel. I do have similar feeling as living in different countries. I am Japanese but lived in Canada for 6 years, and now in Spain for 5 years too. I have 2 kids here in Spain and we are also international couple. We did living in Tokyo with my Spanish husband for 2 years too. We do understand how the relationship changed with lean on it each others in own countries. Unfortunately, I am still in process of learning Spanish and finally I could speak basic Spanish and my husband was never able to speak Japanese as he didn't need to speak at his work. It is all our both fault that didn't speak in Japanese or Spanish. But, our relationship is doint well and also as we have 2 kids, I am starting to going inside of the Spanish mother community (thanks to my daugether and her friend's) and starting to going inside bit more in local commutiry now. I think with community wise, you will be more involve with community sense (depend on what you want... but) for sure, school and kids will bring or help you for that too. As I am mother, it was the way to going inside our village community.
About the kids learning to their half of the culture is always the issues however, as many Japanese people are doing is when the kids are primary school, in summer time they take the kids to go experience Japanese primary school as holiday and stay with their grandparents to experience the cultures and languages. Of course, for us is not easy to do but probably that is the another things we were thinking to do the same for our kids to experience with.
Anyways, me and my husband loves to watch your videos and we feel bit closer the situation with you so I commented first time. We are looking forward to see more videos of you in the future!
I lived in Japan and Spain for a little while (about a year in both countries), and I found that both countries have wonderful summer festivals! I miss the arts in Japan! And how everyone has a hobby or club they are part of. My ex-husband is Spanish, so most of the Japanese people we met were Spanish learners, wanting to learn Spanish culture (I'm American), so I feel like I spoke more Spanish in Japan than English or Japanese! I felt a lot of culture clash between Japanese and American culture. I was always asking my English conversation students to give their opinions, and after class, there were tensions. For example, I taught a group of doctors, and I would have them debate in English. And then the younger doctors would get reprimanded by their superiors for disagreeing with them. I would have to say "in my class you are in America!" :D I'm curious about what you think are the similarities and differences between Spain and Japan!
What wonderfully honest and revealing (no pun intended) video. I recognize many of my own struggles and dilemmas in what you describe as someone who moved to Spain from her birth country about 5 years ago. Please make more videos like this one!
Thank you for this most honest and revealing video!! My husband and l moved to Madrid from New York last November and we can relate to what you are talking about. I'm from Madrid originally but my husband is from NYC so he can relate more to you. It would be awesome to meet both of you for some tapas sometime in Madrid. Thanks again for your honesty!
Very relatable! I lived in China for eleven years (many overlapping details with your story) and just moved to Spain with my wife and two year old daughter last year. I too am very worried about climate change and that’s why we chose Cuenca, as the source of a major river is in the mountains nearby!
Still in our Honeymoon phase. Been here a little over a year, from the US. And, yes! On curiosity! Learning more, seeming more definitely keeps things fresh!
And Global warming was considered when we moved. We found a mountain town, and although days are usually amazing, nights stay cool. Knowing no Spanish last year, incorporation is more difficult, but everyone is so friendly! Poco y poco for language skills!
Thank you for your videos.
Where in Spain do you live?
@@GeneMTBros in Frailes, Jaén
This was an excellent presentation and I appreciated your honesty. Please do more as this one was very educational. I'd lived in Valencia fifty years ago and felt like a human sponge -- there was so much to learn, explore, and experience! Keep up the great work!
Ty so much for sharing, and being raw and real with us! ❤
The community aspect is something I'm always saying when you have people talking longevity and how you "should eat a Mediterranean diet to live longer". So much more than that. Great vid. My dad is Spanish so luckily I'm fluent but I'm deciding whether to leave London and live permanently in Spain. I'm currently torn so this video is apt. Thanks mate 👍
Vente para España serás más feliz
Yo viví en willesden green in Brent greater London
@@manuelromeroarcos8160 Ja ja. Ojala algun dia me voy. Pero tengo qué pensar en familia qué tengo aqui( claro tengo muchos primos en Espana) y otras cosas. Conozco a Brent pero yo soy de South London 👍
@@bsmith6646 viva London
@@bsmith6646 👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks for a great video! I love your open, honest and personal views on Spanish life. Would love to see more like this! I'm moving down from Norway, with my hubby and two kids, in just a month! Your videos have inspired and helped us so much! Thanks!
Excellent video today James. I love your more discovery oriented videos, but this frank chat was awesome. I’m always assessing and reassessing my life - and I’ve lived in the same place in Canadá for the last 45+ years. I don’t review restaurants and places but the questions you’ve raised here are universal. Keep making these great videos. 😊
Llega un momento en que cuesta hacer amistades fuera de tu círculo escolar o universitario. También nos pasa a los de aquí.
En Salamanca tienes una amiga cuando quieras, gracias por enseñar España como es, para lo bueno y lo malo
Seguro que consigues transmitirle la identidad Kiwi a Lucía y crecerá orgullosa y conciliada con sus raíces
An excellent summary of many issues related to being a foreigner in Spain. I think all foreigners can show the same experience, maybe apart from people from South America who speak perfect Spanish. Language is more important than we,foreigners,think. I am from Poland,lives in Warsaw and have a lot of Spanish friends,I spent here a lot of time and holidays. I know history of Spain very well and Spaniards are always impressed by that. But ...as person from central- north Europe I see that Spaniards are nice,polite,open to conversation and meetings for tapas or cervezas, we think they are our friends in this north Europe meaning - unfortunately we can be surprised that they are not! This is only such spanish way of behavior! This may disappoint us. From my observations it is difficult to have real Spanish friends. Maybe I am wrong,it is my opinion and my experience. Thank you for your vlog.
very interesting !
Well done video James! You and Yoly continue to amaze my wife and I! We live in the states and are planning on visiting Spain this winter and have been watching your videos as our dinner entertainment as a tool to plan for our vacation. I am blown away by you and Yoly's knack for providing so much useful information for planning our vacation. I seldom watch your videos while on my spin bike which inspires me to learn more about Spain. Thanks for all the great information!
Dennis
The video I needed to see! Thank you!!
I think this was an important, sober video in between all the other rose-tinted ones, which, don't get me wrong, are also great but reality is always lurking, patiently waiting for its time to take off those rose-tinted glasses and see what life in Spain is really like.
One of the kiwi take aways from this video is the last part about always keep discovering new things. This applies not only to moving to another country but also to life in general.
Great video, James!
Your Spanish is pretty good. Honestly as a Spanish speaker, you have the spaniard accent :) thank you for making the video, your honest prospective still gives me hope to move to Sweden
He does, no doubt about it. But in a crowd you're always gonna be a micro second behind of everybody else. Not to mention the lack of cultural knowledge. I mean understanding jokes on a old Tv series etc that you've never seen. As much as you understand the language and culture you never gonna connect as a native. It's just the way it is
Your vulnerability and thoughts are very appreciated James. The way you “reveal” Spain to your viewers should be truly appreciated by the Spanish government, or even compensated. I’ve watched every single video you and Yoly have posted and consider you a National Treasure of Spain. There’s a whole lot outside of Madrid and I’m sure you, Yoly and Sofia will conquer it all. Until I can return again to Spain I will continue watching all of your videos. 👏
Qué video tan honesto planteando cosas que no se suelen hablar cuando alguien vive en otro país, me ha gustado mucho!
I also moved to Spain 12 years ago too back in May 2011. I moved from LA with my 1.5 years old daughter and wife. My 2nd was born here in Madrid. It was the best decision I ever made. I love it here and started 2 businesses in the high tech industries. I am now a Spanish citizen and have no plans going back. My parents also moved out here and are settled in Madrid. I agree about bringing up kids here, LA turned into a total sh!Thole more after I left. I know several people that experience extreme violence and break ins at their home. I like having Europe at my finger tips and travel a lot more now with the kids. Every year I go to Pyrenees to get back to nature and enjoy air sports. In the US I paid 1000 usd/month for my PPO and it sucked. Here I have private too but, very inexpensive for the family. That argument about private is dumb. I have private to get tests quickly. I had my 2nd child in the public hospital Gregoreo Marinon it was great.
I've been living in Spain for 5 years now, and in spite of having adopted cats and having a mortgage, I still feel like I'm in the honeymoon period.
Almost everything you mentioned resonated with me, except for the kids (I don't have any and will not have them) and the language (I'm a native Portuguese speaker and Spanish and Portuguese overlap in almost 90%).
I agree with you, the worry about climate change is worst when you have kids, worry about their future i believe, as forme, my hubby (japanese ) and l (half Spaniard half French) currently living in Canary Islands have dog and cat and think climate change at its worst won't hi us cause we are on our 60's so moving to continental Spain is on our radar (sorry about the rant)
A really insightful vlog, should be seen and considered by anyone who thinks about starting anew abroad. Wishing you lots of succes to come!
Great video. Truly nice how you touched on the real factors we face on moving to another country, relationships and how a language shift plays into the dynamic
I would love to see more videos like this. I am planning to move to Valencia or Barcelona next year, and I have many concerns regarding the environmental changes happening in Spain. I'm moving from Scandinavia, so the contrast will be rather large, and handling heatwaves and possibly having a lack of water is something that I am worried about, and I'd love to hear more about what is happening in Spain from the perspective of someone who already lives there (as opposed to what can be read about in news papers). Perhaps also interviews with people directly affected by both heatwaves and the heavy rains that has been happening lately? This move is a big commitment for me even though it is not the first time I switch country, and my plan is to make Spain my last country to live in. So I want to be sure it is doable, sustainable, and that I won't become a burden on the Spanish society before I'm even able to take part in it and contribute properly to it, at the very least as a tax payer (i.e. as in ending up in a hospital with a heatstroke within the first couple of weeks). I would also love to see some videos with interviews of Spanish people, sharing their thoughts on how I as a foreigner could and should go about making new Spanish friends and becoming part of a community, especially at my age (I just turned 50 last winter).
Thank you for this video, it is very helpful, as is all your videos.
Local guy from Valencia here. As you probably now the pros i will focus on the cons, considering what you are asking:
- Yes, every year is getting hotter, and heat waves are becoming more frequent at a fast pace. Summer is hard and many people leave during August to colder places.
- Lack of water can become a big problem in the future. For decades we have had tensions between regions, competing for water (as rivers are getting dry, people ask to get water from other rivers). I think these tensions will increase.
- Spain is very foreigner friendly, but during last years the public concern about guettos is increasing. On one hand, there are problems with Morocco as their goverment encourages people to form islamic ghettos (this is more of a thing in Barcelona than in Valencia). On the other hand, there full towns in Valencian area that are english guettos, Norweguian guettos, etc, of retired people, and locals only go there to work for them. So i think that rejection to foreigners is slowly increasing (although i dont think that racism is increasing)
- Spanish people are not having kids as they cannot afford it, while population has increased a lot because of inmigration, so spanish society today doesnt represent what it will be in some decades.
- there are big housing problems
- iberian penisula has an historical tendency to anarchic behaviour.
@@carlsderder Thank you for your reply! I really appreciate it. The ghetto thing is something I also want to avoid. I lived in Torrevieja for a few months back in 2000, and then ended up living in a Swedish ghetto. It was not a pleasant experience, and it is something I never want to have to experience again. This is why it is important to me to be part of the Spanish society, and not part of a cluster of Scandinavians that really aren't interested in being integrated with the Spanish population (because they were most definitely not in that cluster of Swedes I ended up living with, nor did they have any interest in being integrated, and it most of all felt like I was living inside a really bad soap opera on tv). I want to learn to be Spanish to the extent I can when I move, and I want to make Spanish friends (and international ones as well, of course), and I want to have Spanish neighbors and I want to know my neighbors and have them over for coffee or a glass of wine etc.
How bad is the water situation now? Are there people who don't have water at all, or is it more a matter of rationing water supplies? I've seen pictures of dried out river beds etc from Spain in the news here, but it is presented more as a consequence of global warming (which of course is correct), and I'm not getting a clear idea of how bad it is for the Spanish population other than it being an issue for crops etc.
I've briefly seen the housing situation mentioned, but from the point of view of young people not being able to establish their own homes because it is too expensive, so they have to remain in their parents' house. Do you have any more information on this topic? Is it the cost of housing that is the major problem, or is there a shortage of houses/apartments as well?
For the moment, the water issue has only been a rationing thing on certains zones during certain months, and it has to do with crops, as you said. I never experieced water shortage and dont know anybody that did.
Housing bubble was very strong in Spain. So, basically, many buildings were made, but everything was based on debt, so prices rised instead of going down. Due to this (i think this can sound weird) many people started associating fast building with a rise of prices, and it became pollitically incorrect to make new buildings. So, after the housing bubble ended in 2008, not many houses have been built. Prices are high compared to salaries here, that is an objective thing. The reason for this is a matter of opinion in Spain, i think that it is due to a lack of houses.
@@carlsderder Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions!
You are welcome
Very good video. Well explained and quite true. I've lived in Alicante Spain for over 30 years. My Spanish is fluent, but I moved here at 16, so I had to study Spanish and Valencian. Hence there are many languages here apart from Castilian Spanish. Regarding the health system, private is only quicker than the state, the doctors are the same! Although the Spanish health system is very good and a lot quicker than many other countries.
Viva España!
Much respect to you James and your family for being so open and candid, people like you insipire so many of us to persue our Spanish dream move✌🏿☕️🥰
Great video. Love the format.
Thanks for this wonderfully honest appraisal of your experience - The North of Spain is amazing especially Galicia!
Los picos de europa son espectaculares
Asturias es increíble
Thank you for your honest review, as an Spanish living in the UK for 12 years this video is very helpful. I am thinking about going back home now but is not that easy and I am afraid of missing my life here, making new friends etc. In the past I had the same feeling about struggling to make British friends due to my English but with time understood that that was only a barrier I was setting in my mind. I believe the same happens to you, be confident with your Spanish, don’t be afraid of making mistakes, people will soon forget the form and focus on the message if you keep trying. Understand the Spanish humour and use it, relax and you will make friends. I can also see a little bit of sadness in you for being away from your family and culture, I get it too, it feels strange and when you live abroad for a while is like home is nowhere. But you are on the right path, Lucía will teach you a lot and Im sure you choose the right place to live. Thanks for your videos
James! Great video & I really appreciate your honesty. Keep up the good work! 🙂
Loved this as always. Your willingness to be real and vulnerable--that's never boring.
Regarding kids, I've encountered/known several dual-national families over the years and the technique that works for "making" your kids truly bi-national and bi-lingual is a simple one.
Have the kid/s have to spend as many summers as possible in the other country beginning by the age of ten. They will bond with their family "over there" and learn to speak the language as a native. They will identify with the other culture as easily as the one they're spending the most time in. The parents will receive a break so that they can be their selfish selves again (this is extremely valuable) and the children will become a more balanced reflection of each side of the family.
That aside, putting on my internet-psychologist spectacles for a moment, you are obviously feeling long-term burnout. Your ability to tolerate and put up with challenges is declining over time. At some point you'll break. Changes need to occur, the sooner the better.
Enjoy the adventure that is your life.
Great video, answers or reveals the below the surface emotions and issues. Irish, who chose Cantabria for a home, largely for climate reasons, and an organic learner of the language can see the importance of a formal route. I find all your content eye opening- keep living the honeymoon!
Congratulations john vives al lado de los picos de europa WoW
Thank you for this gorgeously honest video James. I feel like I've been sitting across a table from you. Thank you. We're planning to move to Cadiz province this summer!
Great video ❤ your honesty is so real and sincere
I can relate on many levels
Hey James, I’ve been in Spain for almost 4 years now and I’ve been doing a lot of reflection and was even going to make a video similar to this myself. My life has change in so many ways, it’s insane.
I'm curious! How has your life changed and where did you live previously?
I hope to see the video at some point!