Reasons Why Moving to Spain Might NOT Be For You

In this vlog, I'll share some reasons why you might NOT want to move to Spain.

From the higher cost of living to the difficult language barrier, there are plenty of reasons not to move to Spain!

However, if you're still considering moving to Spain, I want to give you some more compelling reasons why it might not be the best idea for you. Watch this video to find out more about the challenges and challenges of living in Spain, and decide for yourself if it's the right decision for you!

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I film my videos on #lumix cameras and lenses and sometimes on an iPhone.

[jmg]

I was very surprised as a Spaniard that it is mentioned both in the video and in the comments that there is this culture here that "everyone does their own thing" and I am even more surprised that these opinions (which I respect but do not share) come from people foreigners who call themselves expatriates. In the area where I live, which is the southeast coast and also on the Costa del Sol, there are hundreds of thousands of foreigners living, and many of them (especially those who come from English-speaking countries) are crowded into colonies in the form of housing estates where they literally They are in a “little Britain”. They have their supermarkets with products from their countries, English bars and restaurants and the majority do not speak Spanish despite having been here for decades. I do not complain about this, I respect that decision of isolation but in these circumstances they should not be in the position to judge the type of life that we Spaniards lead and which most of us love. And regarding opinions about the labor market, I am almost fifty years old, have few studies and have never lacked work nor have I ever had financial problems. Since I speak English, I have worked in an airport for more than 15 years and I have also lived in the United Kingdom. I spend 8 hours of my life e every day with European foreigners and I know them very well. And there in their countries there are also things that work poorly and they also have bad social habits. Let's be fair, and those who really cannot or do not want to adapt in Spain, just as they found the door open to enter, have it open to leave. and I don't say this out of sarcasm, simply as friendly advice since I myself would be the first to leave a place that didn't make me happy. Many times we set high expectations for a place and then when things go wrong we blame the country or the citizens, when perhaps the problem is within ourselves.

[gj]

Very rare to hear such honest comments from expats - exposing the elephant in the room. Normally, as regards UK expats, they defend Spain to the hilt - to a fault. Many of the ones I know have burned their bridges behind them in the uk (unintentionally) and cant afford to go back - so they slag of the UK and praise spain to high heaven. I have a holiday home in Spain but live in the UK and am totally fluent in Spanish (through learning and practicing hard). Im so embarrassed for the vast majority of my fellow brits in spain who simply cant be bothered to learn the lingo (even slightly). A great honest exposé of the reality of Spain's problems and shortcomings - that non-many expats will admit.

[freeflightfilms]

I am in the countryside in Alicante about 20 minutes from coast, lovely beaches, sunny again today. I find the Spanish very friendly that I know, I learnt Spanish at the official school of languages in Alicante.
All my neighbours (5) are Spanish and give me figs and lemons. I give them almonds.
Its what you are saying thats important, in whatever language. Some like to practice a bit of their English so I let them.
I showed a boat to a broker yesterday and he was from the Punjab spoke Spanish perfectly. I prefer to speak Spanish and Im in Spain !
Off to the gym today mostly Spanish, some Romanians, Ruissians, Latvians, Ukrainians in big Unanizations.
A mixture on the coast here.
I prefer being here than Bournemouth England mainly because of the weather, people, food, better prices, wine, veg, historic churches etc.
but also go back every few months.

[davidbrowne]

Hi, you have just described England except in Spain it doesn’t rain every week, try living in England for a few months and you will be begging to get back to Spain .

[madplanet]

The reason not to move to Spain greatly depends on the country you're not happy with and want to leave.

[crows]

I don't know what mythical land you came from, but this sounds just like everywhere else!

[retiredhandyman]

As a former migrant to Australia (I lived in Brisbane for 14 years) I find your comment about people in Spain not trying to understand people with a low level of Spanish quite irritating; This is precisely what I found in Australia on too many occasions. People who did nothing to understand you or looked at you with contempt calling you a "wog" or worse. You can find nasty people like that everywhere. In general, people in Spain are hospitable towards foreigners and appreciate and try to understand when they try to speak the language, no matter their language level.

[leogaufo]

When I was living in El Puerto de Santa Maria, I asked my friend why she got excited about the upcoming feria, considering it's an annual event. She responded, "You don't understand. Sometimes the feria is the only time of the year when we get together with our family and celebrate." It all made sense after that.

[LG-llsr]

You are giving negative reasons to not live in Spain that are typical in any city in any Country. I live in Los Angeles and what you're talking about is nothing compared to how difficult things can be here. I have spent a lot of time in Spain, don't speak fluent Spanish and I have never had anyone be rude to me. Sometimes that has to do with the negative vibe a person gives off.

[laurencefahey]

I aggre with you, I spend 1 week each month in my home in Spain and 2 months in the summer, for the last 20 years, luckily for me I wouldn’t need to work in Spain, if I did I wouldn’t move there, perfect for people with a decent pension and an Irish passport 😊, move back and forth as much as you like and get the best of both worlds. That’s how I do it anyway 🇪🇸

[fernando]

"Spain is different" used to be the motto of the Spanish tourist authorities in the 60s, in the deep years of the dictatorship. What you describe, which I confirm after having lived in four EU countries in the last 40 years and recently returned to Spain, means that Spain is no longer different; some of the negative points that you describe I easily overcome: I avoid crowds, I avoid having a Spanish wife with an extended family and I don't talk about politics with anyone; I'm retired now, so I don't have to deal with all the other problems you correctly describe either. My personal conclusion is that Spain is still a good place to live if you are a rentier, that has not changed; otherwise, Spain is no longer better than most other places in the EU, although it still has good weather, food and private health services. All the best.

[chrissierichards]

In our village it doesnt matter that we dont speak fluently but accept us and are friendly and helpful. Been here 23 yrs.and have no problems at all. Xx
Its same in UK. Xx

[ChanyeolsHaneul]

Believe it or not Spain seems to be way better than my current place, Greece. We have the same cons only that the salary here is around 500 to 700€ per month but our prices are 200% up than Spain. I see the prices of similar supermarkets we both have like Lidl and I can't believe how much more we pay for the same things, except olive oil. Here is still a bit cheaper than there. Less than 10€ for a liter.

[JeffsTravels]

Hope your cold is better soon. Good video and accurate. My wife has 12 brothers and sisters and we are constantly going to family events. At first it was a little overwhelming for me but now I've grown to look forward to these events. As my Spanish language skills improve, they become more interesting.

[daveben]

Interesting thoughts Stu... I have spent a load of time in Spain since about 2008 but never really wanted to get residency for most of the reasons you mention. Love visiting Spain for many reasons - loads of positive for visiting but not to live permanently.

[alampare]

Como extranjero viviendo en España al escuchar tus observaciones sobre el país, me cuesta entender las razones que desde tantos años te obligan vivir en este país (quitando la mujer y, supongo, el sol). Tiene que ser una verdadera pesadilla. Tus observaciones sobre el tener que aprender el castellano solo podría venir un ingles porque creo que a ningún español ( ... y no solo) se le ocurriría irse a vivir a Inglaterra confiando de no tener si o si que aprenderse ingles para integrarse. Quizás es a raíz de eso que te cuesta tener amistades locales, piénsatelo ...!

[josecarlosbayoncueto]

Well as a spaniard in highschool the taught us to respect the tourist, and do not disturb the tourist for the simple reason that The tourist industry is our main sector, as for english now in spanish school they have the language assistant program so many classes are only in english, the younger generation are better at english and french that the previous one, as for unfriendly spaniards maybe is due to the economic problems that we are facing, high inflation in food and in the spanish politics, as for learning spanish, is an easy lanfñguag for english speakers, and spoken in 22 countries ( including the United States in wich is the second language ) I know Scots, Irish and americans that speak perfect spanish, also learning a new language prevents Alzheimer and other memory deceases. SPAIN is still a friendly country in spite of it's problems.

[joeterra.t]

Be honest Stuart, did you look up the fares for a one-way ticket to Australia right after shooting this video? 🤣🤣

[adriansantos]

As a native spanish following your channel for years I can fully agree with your points. People in Spain are getting colder day by day (though not so family oriented lately).

That being said, you are welcome again to Chinchon so we have some tapas together. I wish I could make you feel like at home.

Cheers to my dearest foreigner in Spain. Thanks for your channel and your effort.

[angelinabexkens]

Hello Stuart. 🌺 I.m Dutch i.m living in Ibiza since the year 2000 .After 21 years i lived for 2 years on the Costa Blanca. Close to Alicante in one small village on the mainland .I didn.t like it so much .And now i.m again back for living in Ibiza
Because i feel directly the difference between the mainland and a small island like ibiza.. In Ibiza the atmosphere and the Spanish people are much more open and friendly than the Spanish people on the mainland. Because the Ibicencos grow up with many foreigners like English, Dutch, German, Swedish and so on who also living there since the 60' and 70's .And because many Spanish local people mixed with those foreigners .The had Children who are now around the 50 years old .And the have now also Children with other foreigners. So it's a completely international mix off people. My son 20 years old son born here in Ibiza .His father is Spanish .So yes I.m totally understand and agree what you say and feel in your video .I feel that the same way on the Spanish mainland .For this I.m back again in Ibiza for living . For me Ibiza is totally different .Its a small international mixed island where many foreigners like me living there who have no any or no many family in Ibiza .And also the Spanish people from the mainland who are living in Ibiza like my ex husband. The are in the same position. The have no family eighter in Ibiza .So for this the most people on Ibiza are in the same position like you and me and for this the make more easily contact with eight other .I felted on the mainland very sad and alone..
So yes I understand what you mean .Well have a nice Christmas with your own family 🎉 Byee.