I have recently been looking a pictures of Spain, and i have LOTS of questions...?

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BarcelonaMan

1) Spain IS as beautiful as its pictures. But keep in mind that given the professional nature of many photographers you could probably find an equal number of beautiful photos of, for example, Milwaukee Wisconsin under the right conditions, seasons, angles, locations, etcetera. Spain really is picturesque from the green and mountainous regions to the hilly, dry miles of olive orchards, Mediterranean and Atlantic ocean, tropical islands. Spain really does have it all.

2) Let's see.. Is Spain expensive as compared to Milwaukee Wisconsin? Let's compare apples to apples and assume you're living in Spain and earning EUROS. Don't consider the exchange rate from US Dollars to Euros or your sunk immediately. In some ways it's much cheaper and in other ways it's much more expensive. Fuel and house purchases are much more expensive. Supermarket food is about the same. Alcohol and dining out can be much cheaper (Â¡menu del dÃa!). It also depends on if you're living in a small town or a big city. Cities are more expensive, of course, but you have more access to diversions and better services too.

3) Despite what you might assume by reading newspapers articles about the ETA bombings, such bombings are few and far between, they're nearly always "phoned in" to the police beforehand to be sure no one is hurt (which is really surprising to me - UNLESS it's an assassination attempt, which is rare). So no, it's NOT something to worry about. Spaniards themselves don't worry about it so why should you?

4) Spain IS a great place to visit. When we go on vacation everything really is "all peaches and cream" because we pay to experience the best of the best, stay in nice, comfortable hotels, and live each day as a tourist, being pampered and waited on. It IS different living here, of course, but it's certainly not bad! Nor is it not so nice to live here! I LOVE LIVING HERE and can't imagine returning to the USA. Living and working here, for me, really is like being on vacation everyday because as soon as you leave work you're in a foreign land, exhilarating surroundings, interest places and people around every corner, and such incredibly delicious food. Man-oh-MAN!!

5) This freedom question comes up a lot on forums and it always makes me smile. Let me say that when you, a United Statesen, come to live in Spain you'll remember this question clearly and ask yourself then, "What ever was I thinking?" A lot has been publicized about the American Freedoms - and they/we do have them in the USA without a doubt. But they/we certainly don't have a corner on the market of the best and most extensive freedoms in the world. Here in Spain I actually feel MORE FREE! That's not to say that I exercise these new freedoms (which might be illegal or considered immoral by many/most in the USA) because I don't but it's kind of nice to know there are not so many laws weighing me and the people down here in Spain. Here in Spain you have the same freedoms of speech, religion, and expression. And, in many cases to their downfall, they in Spain have almost too many freedoms. I'm thinking specifically about discrimination issues where discrimination is actively and legally practiced with regards to age, sex, race & color, country of origin, and disability. This I really don't like but that's the way it is so far.

If you choose Spain as your new home of residence I don't think you'll regret it. But.... everyone's different and not everyone has the same experiences, needs, expectations. Many United Statesens can't make it, can't take it here in Spain because, I think, they don't allow themselves to assimilate. It's the same with any culture, not just for those from the USA. It's hard moving to any unfamiliar country no matter which unless you really, truly prepare yourself well before arriving.

Best of luck!

Saludos, BarcelonaMan/MadridMan(.com)

aloha

1/ Yes it's even more beautiful than in the pictures, add great food, nice weather, nice and easy going people and you'll get the real picture. Spain is in the top 3 most visited countries in the world(50 M of tourists each year)
2/ Can't answer since i'm french, but i'll say it's way cheaper than France or northern europe.
3/ ETA (the group that puts bombs) is declining, many of the leaders are in jail. The situation is not over but at least the bombing has stopped for a while. When you see the crowd every summer in Spain seems that foreigners aren't worried much about it.
4/ No, many northern european do retire in spain : life is much cheaper there, the weather is mostly warm and nice and again great food and friendly people.
5/ Spain has a constitutional monarchy and is runned by an elected President of government, actually it's the left wing party who is in charge for a 2nd term. Many communities (kind of US states) are autonomous with their own elected parliaments, capital,health, education,...
Even if the country is meanly catholic, homosexual has the right to marry and adopt

aranxta

Go to the right places and spain is even better than the pictures. The country has so many hidden wonders:)

spain is a little more expensive than the u.s overall. But id say everything is definetly worth what it costs.

its not likely for terrorist attacks. they can happen anywhere in the world at any time

no. living in spain is awesome. its definelty a lot healthier than the u.s. and it is a great place to raise children.

a lot of freedom? in what sense? spain is as free as america is. its NOT a poor ungovermented country...

dzina_dzina1

1.yes
2.yes
3.no
4.yes
5.no

AnnaBee

1. It is just as beautiful. I lived there for 6 months and loved it. Some parts were just normal and comparable to Milwaukee (I live there now), but their parks are fantastic. Generally places are either stunning or charming. I loved it.

2. I was there when the euro and $ switched places. Now that the euro is more powerful, it would be an expensive place to visit, but if you worked there and earned the euro it wouldn't be bad.

3. They mainly focus in Madrid and were once every few years.

4. I would live there, but my family is afraid of flying and it would be sad for me to think my parents are never going to see my home.

5. It has the same amount of freedom for students and visitors. I'm not sure about freedoms and taxes for working people. It does have universal health care, which is a bonus.

What cities are you looking at in particular?

autora

Answer from an American living in Spain for 16 years...
1. Yes, it is very beautiful, but believe me there are also places that are not so beautiful.
2. The cost of living varies depending on where you live. I live in the center of Barcelona and housing is very expensive...other aspects are probably comparable to the US. Of course if you are thinking in terms of dollars everything is expensive as the euro is much stronger than the dollar.
3. Unfortunately, nowadays, bombings can happen anywhere in the world at anytime. But generally speaking this isn't a BIG concern here.
4. Personally I love living here. There are good points and bad points as in anyplace. When you are a "newbie" you have to remember that things are different and have patience...lots of patience. Also you should speak Spanish or have the intention to learn it.
5. Freedom? Yes, we are free. Some rules and regulations are different, but easily adjusted to. One nice things is that guns are NOT easily purchased by anyone who wants them.

Jay

get a frommers guide book from amazon.com also go to wikipedia and search SPAIN.

wet26

Spain is really beautiful, but it's the places that aren't in the pictures that are the best. There is so much variety in architecture and nature, it's a great place.

It can be expensive, depending on where you live and where you shop. If you buy your food at the local market instead of the supermarket it's a lot cheaper and better quality.

There's no need to worry about bombings. If you are concerned, the best place to live would be in Basque Country, this is from where the ETA seperatist movement originate and they don't bomb themselves.

It's a great place to visit and live too. I visited here a couple of years ago then came back to live. I've been living in Spain for a year now so it has something going for it! Spain is different and can be frustrating at times but it's not a big deal.

I don't know what sort of freedom you have in America, but you can't carry guns in Spain. I don't hear of many people getting shot. I believe it to be a very safe country in which to live.

SUE

1) Yup. Even more so.

2) A little more, especially if you are starting out with US$, but the dollar is slowly creeping up lately, so by the time you get things worked out, maybe not so bad.

3) Bombings. Rare. Nothing to worry about, especially if you are not in the Basque country.

4) Difficult to live there. You need to have a work permit, which is tremendously difficult to get, and with the current economy there (not a lot of jobs) they aren't hiring foreigners. REALLY nice to live if you can make a living or don't have to.

5) Lot of freedom, more prejudice (sometimes...depends who you hang out with, really) LOTS of red tape. Apparently, you can go to the office of _________, go get the paperwork to get your permit for ___________, and while you are filling it out, the rules might change, and you'll have to start over again...so they say...I think there's a bit of exaggeration, there, but you get the picture.

There are rules for a lot of things that we don't have rules for. For instnace, you need to have a residency permit, even if you don't have to work for a living. The health insurance is an issue, and there is some sort of national pension (I guess it's like social security, here). I don't know all the regulations, but I know those are things you need to be aware of and check out.

Good luck! If I could, I'd go with you...LOVE Spain. Lived there in College.

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