Anyone live in Spain?

pottssteve

Hi,
It looks like I'll be leaving HK next year and have seen a job opportunity in Spain (near Cadiz).

I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts on what would be a reasonable monthly salary on which to live for a family of 3, and also what the cost of living is like over there.

If anyone has recent experience of living in Spain, I'd greatly appreciate your opinions.

Many thanks,
Steve

deptfordmarmoset

Seeing as no one's come forward, there's a poster by the name of Teticio who rides and works in Madrid who recently posted a thread about ''bikeism'' over on the Commuting board. He might be able to give you some guidance.

gabriel959

I am Spanish although I haven’t lived there for the past 5 years now I can tell you a few things about Cadiz and Andalucia in general.

Be prepared to wait – life is much more laid back around there, post is slow, everything is slow.
Very cheap to live there – I would have thought you could lead a comfortable life there for a family of 3 with around 3000 euros net. Depends on where you want to live of course, near the beach in a touristy coastal town? Ask for more. Somewhere back inland, cheaper.
Food is crazy cheap and quality is generally very good
Excellent sea food
Drink some gazpacho! I miss it!
Loads of immigration
Great tarmac for cycling
You will need to speak Spanish as Spanish people are a bit like the English when it comes to speak other languages.

TommyEss

gabriel959 wrote:

You will need to speak Spanish as Spanish people are a bit like the English when it comes to speak other languages.

Que?!

Mothyman

sounds like an opportunity to experience another culture and learn a language for you and family - hope it goes well...

pottssteve

Hi,

Thank you all for your responses, especially gabriel. 3000euros was roughly what I was thinking as the job is in an affluent and coastal area, where costs presumably will be higher. Glad to hear the tarmac is nice - courtesy of the EU, I assume!? One of the main draws is the weather (of course), but I've not spoken Spanish since O Levels, a long, long time ago.....

Muchos Gracias,
Steve