Information about Living in Andalucia.



		The Truth about Living in Andalucia! “So what’s it really like then, living here?” That’s what everyone really wants to know, before they take the plunge into Spanish property ownership. You may have sent many happy holidays here, but how much does this prepare you for the reality of living in Spain? Of course, it’s impossible to generalise. Depending on whether you decide to settle in a bustling coastal resort or a quiet country village, your experience may be very different. You may prefer the company of a lively group of expats, or to integrate yourself full into the life of a rural community. Our own experience is as residents of a typical Andalucian village, and we hope that the following observations may help potential buyers gain an idea of what to expect. When we first arrived in Spain, every eye swivelled towards us as we walked around the local supermarket or entered the village bar. This is far less common now and our formerly self-conscious children are very grateful for that! More and more British people are settling in Andalucian villages, and their presence here is no longer a novelty. You will find many British businesses inland, catering for those who cannot do without Marmite, fish and chips or Match of the Day. But still, life in Andalucia is very different from life back home. The first thing you will notice as you settle into your town or village is how important the family is to everyone. The vast majority of Spaniards spend their entire lives within a few kilometres of the place where they were born. The French problem of rural depopulation is far less common here, as young people are still happy to marry and raise their families in the local villages, and older émigrés who have reluctantly spent many years working abroad still return to their childhood home for their retirement years. Just about everyone you meet appears to be related to everyone else in some way! Weddings and funerals tend therefore to be events involving the whole village. Because of this, it is a great honour to be invited to a local child’s first communion celebration, as these are often limited to family and close friends only. These occasions are almost as important as weddings (and almost as costly!) with the child resplendent in a stunning white lace dress or, in the case of a boy, military regalia that would be the envy of an admiral. Such ceremonies only emphasise the importance of children in Spanish life. If you have children, especially small ones, your path to integration will be smoothed as your child will be the centre of attention in every bar or shop! On early visits to Antequera we noticed the rows of beautiful children’s clothes in many shops. They must have a lot of special occasions to attend, we thought. In fact these clothes are for every day, because, especially in summer, small children join their parents as they promenade up and down on summer evenings, wearing pristine (and non-machine washable!) summer outfits. Children are welcome everywhere, and do not be surprised to find small guests running round the tables at even the smartest restaurant. Do not worry if your children make a lot of noise when you go out to eat, the other diners will make even more! As far as food goes, the Spanish have very firm opinions. X or Y is the BEST olive oil, the BEST ham or the BEST fish restaurant in the known universe, or at least the province of Malaga! The next Spaniard you meet may have completely different but equally firmly-held convictions. Bear in mind that any restaurant recommended to you may be owned by a member of the extended family! Andalucians in particular tend to stick to local recipes, which do tend to be very good, and are suspicious of foreign food, although an exception may be made for Chinese food or McDonalds (for the children). Make sure you invite your neighbours to a barbecue in order to demonstrate that you do not only live on baked beans (as is commonly supposed here). Seriously, it is important to get on well with your neighbours. While most British people who come to live in Andalucia are determined to become a part of their community, there are those who prefer to live in an English-speaking bubble, and this can have an unfortunate effect on local attitudes. You will find out that the Spanish are usually generous, very kind-hearted and will go out of their way to help you. When our fourth baby was born we were amazed by the array of delicious meals that arrived unbidden at our house, including an enormous paella that would have fed us for about three days! Obviously, the most important thing any emigrant can do is to learn Spanish! This is not easy for adults, as we have discovered, but even a little Spanish will go a long way. It will not only help you make friends but will also save you money, as local shops and services (usually exclusively Spanish-speaking in the countryside) are MUCH cheaper (and work much harder) than the expensive English-speaking firms on the coast. When we received a quote for a new kitchen from a local shop the price was so jaw-droppingly low that we wondered if the owner had left a zero off the price! Of course, there will always be differences between the British and the Spanish, especially in the matter of gardening. In the Andalucian countryside, a garden is valuable vegetable-growing land, and the frugal Andalucians would not waste an inch of land on a thirsty and inedible lawn! On the other hand, patio gardening is a fine art, and it is amazing how many geraniums you can squeeze into a small space (be sure to go to Cordoba in May to see the ultimate in patios!). Gardening in Andalucia can be a new and sometimes frustrating experience (fierce heat, sharp frosts and strange, ravenous insects) so make the most of well-meant local advice if offered to you. One final piece of advice would be to try to fit in with the rhythm of local life. You will find our article ‘Bewildered in Andalucia’ essential reading to prepare yourself for the different timetable here. Local ways have evolved to cope with the intense heat of summer. DO NOT try to mow your lawn at midday in 100°C! Adopt the local siesta habit, at least in summer. Eat later, and enjoy the bustle of your town or village on the warm summer evenings. In conclusion, if you are determined to make the most of your new life in Andalucia then you will certainly have a great time here. Be open to new ideas and experiences, and be prepared to learn from the people who have lived here for generations, and you will be sure of receiving a warm Andalucian welcome! (Do you need practical information about living in Andalucia? Check out our pages on private health insurance, international schools, broadband or the many other pages in our Living in Andalucia section!)

	Other Practical Info for Andalucia Residents: Private Health Insurance for Expats UK Shopping in Spain Cheap Flights Hotels in Andalucia Broadband in Spain Dog Rescue in Andalucia Family Fun International Schools Restaurants


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The Truth about Living in Andalucia!