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People from the US in Spain
Posted: 04 November 2007 07:47 PM   [ # 106 ]  
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Hey Lorena???? Go Dolphins they Suck!!!! but over here theres no much NFL!!!!!! I just talk to my mother in Miami i just found out there is today an hour less than before she said today is a beautiful day a great weather i do miss that but i will be there for Christmas holiday. In regards to what Yankeegirl is saying is true on my case i do not work I AM A BUM???? Just kidding i got a NON Lucrative Visa that will later convert to Residencia but that does not mean i have work permit. I am older than you and i was fortunate enough to make allot of deals and Money before the Housing Meltdown in Florida so i do not need income. I just got back from florida in begining October i went for 10 days to resolve some things over there and the Housing crisis is taking a toll on the local economy most of Downtown"s apts are empty i hope it gets fit soon. But don’t think is that good over here in Andalucia were i live specially in Marbella there is a Housing Slump and economy is not doing so good here. It’s like they say when the U.S Sneezes the world catches a Cold?????? Be aware that if your parents sent you any money or if you bring any dollars from the U.S You will loose 40 cents per dollar so you will see your ceros shrink but don’t be discourage allot of the prices for cloth and electronics are very similar to the U.S. The only thing that is more Expensive are the Utilities, Gas and services and Going out to eat?????? but you could manage that. Lie i told you even for EU citizens from other countries they have to do allot of paper work to work legally in Spain. Just prepare yourself goverment services here SUCKKKKKKKKK are very slow bourocratic ????????

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Posted: 04 November 2007 08:44 PM   [ # 107 ]  
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Hey Roki,

It’s ok, I don’t like NFL at all hahaha. Baseball yes, NFL, nahhhhh. It is really nice over here right now. I am going to Nicaragua for Christmas. I went there to visit my family for the first time this past September and I fell in loooooove with it. I even met the man of my dreams! :D
Anyways, Im prepared for those things but I guess experience speaks a million words in itself. I hope that the whole job situation will work itself out. I will be keeping you posted! As for housing, well my parents own a home they bought in cash in Hialeah Gardens 12 years ago and my dad owns some duplexes in Hialeah. I however live in Plantation, fl with a roomate and rent. My life is centered around DAive/Plantation/Ft. Lauderdale because I work at NSU, go to school there and live just 12 mins away from the school. I enjoy living here away form Miami. I got so sick of it :sick: But its funny cause today I called my mom to let her know I was coming down to “CUbichiLANDIA” like i call it playing around to take my family out to eat some Cuban food since I do miss that at times. Im proud of my roots. Both of them!! 😊

Im looking to rent first in Spain like I am here and then see what the future brings. I dont really rush into things, I do a lot ALOT of research before taking big decisions. Like the move, as you can see it will take me another 2 years approx. and I am already networking/researching. THanks for all your help! I read a lot of places that I need to prepare myself big time for the slow pace. Ifs funny too cause when I went to Nicaragua I got my first glimps of the slowness and at times it irritated me! HAHAHA but I have patience and virtue. THe whole point of my move is to start a new life from what I have already known al my life and begin a new life with my honey. 😊 Im excited.

<3

Lorena

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Posted: 04 November 2007 09:45 PM   [ # 108 ]  
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yankeegirl - 04 November 2007 04:17 PM

Lorena,

Transitioning to Barcelona will probably be fine, but you have to be realistic. Getting a European work permit is not at all easy. Most Americans here are students, and they cannot legally work in the EU. Getting a student visa is no problem as long as you’re enrolled in school here. But, working here is a different thing. About 6 years ago when I was studying in France I contacted the European branch of an American company I had previously worked for back home. I was qualified and they said they would hire me, if I had the EU work permit. Well, I didn’t have one of course so I hoped they would sponsor one for me. But, they made it clear that they would only hire non-Europeans who ALREADY had the EU work permit. So how does one get an EU work permit -an employer has to sponsor one for you so it’s totally a catch 22. And most companies will only sponsor a visa for someone who has a specialized skill that locals don’t offer since sponsoring a visa is costly and time consuming for them. It’s much easier for them to just hire Europeans. And I imagine that companies in Barcelona will ask that the applicant is fluent in Catalan. Now I’m married to a Spaniard so the work permit mess is less of an issue for me. But, you never know -good luck with the seach and let us know if you find something. If it’s just that you want to experience living in Barcelona you might just want to sign up for some classes.

According I have understood, neither it is easy task to work in United States, because they demand english and because they only request qualified works and with experience

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Posted: 04 November 2007 10:08 PM   [ # 109 ]  
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Yeah, your right, I guess it is difficult wherever you go. There are a lot of illegals here so you can imagine how hard it is.
But, lets see what I end up doing…

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Posted: 05 November 2007 01:27 AM   [ # 110 ]  
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I am sorry chico in The U.S if you have an education like her you could fine a Job more easily than you do over here. The difference is that the Spanish states gives allot of Spaniards assistance in housing food and money to spend way more help that you get in the U.S. I have met allot of Young people here living of the goverment!!!!!!! they don’t care…..

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Posted: 05 November 2007 01:33 AM   [ # 111 ]  
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Lololiza - 04 November 2007 10:08 PM

Yeah, your right, I guess it is difficult wherever you go. There are a lot of illegals here so you can imagine how hard it is.
But, lets see what I end up doing…


Lorena is more easy in the U.S than here but the experience here is great??? I went to nicaragua in 2006 i have a friend that lives in Managua and i was able to go to Granada which is beautiful colonial town. But Nicaragua is very very poor so of course everything is extremely slow but in Spain which is consider a develop country they are just as slow as Nicaragua and other latin american countries. I just wanted to let you know i think Nicaragua is beautiful is just poorly manage by the government an now it will probably be worst with this communist Daniel Ortega???????


P.S Oye se te olvido decir Hialeah tu madre y la cerveza??? Sawesera??????

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Posted: 05 November 2007 02:02 AM   [ # 112 ]  
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chico - 04 November 2007 09:45 PM

According I have understood, neither it is easy task to work in United States, because they demand english and because they only request qualified works and with experience

Chico, I’m not sure that you have understood. The point is that it is not realistic to walk into a foreign country without a work permit and expect to find employment any way you slice it.  If you’re a US citizen finding work in the states isn’t a big deal! But before I was married finding work (legal work. not bartending and getting paid under the table) in Europe was pretty much impossible. Your employment rates are not as high as in the US either, so the chances are even lower. And no, it is not that easy for foreigners to just walk into the United States and find legal work either. It’s the same deal with sponsoring a visa, etc. though I will say that at my last job in the states about half of the staff was foreign from just about every place: Russia, France, Iran, Egypt, Canada, Mexico, etc. That was a large fortune 500 company which was sponsoring visas at the time. I hope you find something like that Lorena… but to tell you the truth if you really just want to experience living in Spain, I think you’ll have the best time just being an exchange student. It’s zero stress, you meet a ton of people, have a ton of adventures and life is good. You’ll gain cultural insight that way too. it’s not like you’ll be wasting a year buming around… and perhaps it’s a way for you to get your foot in the door if your ultimate goal is to work internationally. If a company sees that you’ve lived and studied in their country before, they’ll be more willing to take a risk with you. Last thing they want is someone backing out after they’ve gone through the trouble of sponsoring a visa. Actually, you haven’t said if you have or haven’t studied abroad before. I guess I just assumed that you hadn’t since you say that you’re ready to experience a new culture. Have you been here before?

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Posted: 05 November 2007 02:17 AM   [ # 113 ]  
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Yankeegirl i agree with you!!!! But as an american like me do you agree that Spaniards are not so career driven as they are in the U.S like i said from my previous post allot of Young Spaniards live from the government assistance they get everything for free no sacrifice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They don’t care

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Posted: 05 November 2007 06:04 AM   [ # 114 ]  
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JAJAJA!!

I ate at El Riconcito today in Hialeah GArdens which is Cuban/Puerto Rican. I ate Bistec Empanizado, arroz con gandules, platanos maduros and mofongo, I ended up eating Puerto Rican food in La cuidad del Progreso! JAJAJAJA!!!!! But I have been eating there forever and I love it. La ‘Sowesera!” That was funny. I always say that with my parents and some friends but didn’t expect to here that on Spainexpat.com!! 😊

Yankee girl, thank you for the advice. I have never studied abroad but I would want to work and live there. I want to have my education here. The thing is that since I work at this university they pay for my degree. I will be going to DUBAI next september for a week that is included in an International Field SEminar course so Im hoping that that would look good on my resume that I have experience in going abroad for school work. I dont know :/

You guys are here to advise me from an experienced point of vies and are doing a great job.

THANKS!!!

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Posted: 05 November 2007 07:06 AM   [ # 115 ]  
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It is a very small world!!!!! I am Puertorican of Cuban Parents and i have been living in Miami for the past seven years until i moved to Spain 4 months ago. I have gone to el Rinconcito like probably 4-5 times and i love el Mofongo relleno de Camarones. I know were it is is in Hialeah Gardens right next to el Palmetto Expressway!!!! The food is Great ” El Rinconcito de Santa Barbara” believe me us from Miami Beach also have the craving to go to la Sawesera. I also miss La Carreta Rest. and el Versalles!!!!!!!! I also miss the service that i use to get at any restaurant in Miami or Ft lauderdale area!!!!!!! My mother and sister live in Pinecrest by the falls so i am bound to always go back to Miami. But for me Home is my beloved island of Puerto rico were i was born and raise all my life!!!!!! If you like Puertorican food there is a Place in the Gables on Red Road a 52st is call Old San Juan is more Upscale but is good too. It is extremely late here and i am probably up all night i come and go here all i do is party people here party allot is like South Beach 24 hours every day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Posted: 05 November 2007 07:29 AM   [ # 116 ]  
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Lololiza - 05 November 2007 06:04 AM

JAJAJA!!

I ate at El Riconcito today in Hialeah GArdens which is Cuban/Puerto Rican. I ate Bistec Empanizado, arroz con gandules, platanos maduros and mofongo, I ended up eating Puerto Rican food in La cuidad del Progreso! JAJAJAJA!!!!! But I have been eating there forever and I love it. La ‘Sowesera!” That was funny. I always say that with my parents and some friends but didn’t expect to here that on Spainexpat.com!! 😊

Yankee girl, thank you for the advice. I have never studied abroad but I would want to work and live there. I want to have my education here. The thing is that since I work at this university they pay for my degree. I will be going to DUBAI next september for a week that is included in an International Field SEminar course so Im hoping that that would look good on my resume that I have experience in going abroad for school work. I dont know :/

You guys are here to advise me from an experienced point of vies and are doing a great job.

THANKS!!!

WOW!!!! Dubai i went for the first time this year before making the decision to live in Spain!!!!! Dubai is an experience of a lifetime is the fastest growing city in the world is a very exciting city of new and opulence believe me!!!!!  I see that you are going next September please verify Ramadan which is the Holy month of Muslims. Ramadan always falls between September and October and in Plain English it sucks!!!!! Everything is close Malls, attractions,Shopping ,venues and Restaurants Everything pauses for the daylight from Sunrise to Sunset the Muslims are fasting and MOST don’t work and you will not find food unless the hotels provides it for you please check dates and verify if the conflict with the Ramadan month??????? I was very fortunate i went   after Christmas with a Engineer friend of Mine that is currently working over there i stayed 2 nights in the World Famous Burj Al Arab then i stayed the rest of the night at it sister hotel Jumeiraih Beach Hotel i am telling you words can tell you what those hotels are but you have to see them. NOW beware if you are not staying in any Jumeiraih property and you want to visit the Burj Al arab tallest and most luxurious hotel in the world the are going to charge you an entry fee i was told is like 40 dollars!!!!! Visit the Mall of the Emirates largest mall in the world. An American style mall very luxurious and big inside of the mall you will see SKI DUBAI is the largest man made indoor Ski park in the world.I am telling is an experience you will never forget and if you like shopping everything is like Duty free from the Original designer to all Knock offs anything and anything you can imagine!!!!!! Enjoy

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Posted: 05 November 2007 01:28 PM   [ # 117 ]  
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rokipatel - 05 November 2007 01:27 AM

I am sorry chico in The U.S if you have an education like her you could fine a Job more easily than you do over here. The difference is that the Spanish states gives allot of Spaniards assistance in housing food and money to spend way more help that you get in the U.S. I have met allot of Young people here living of the goverment!!!!!!! they don’t care…..

The life in Spain has risen in price (mainly in the topic of the housing) in a brutal way in the last years, mainly with the current and solemn twit that we have in the government. So there has been a great difference among the prices (mainly that of the housing) and the wages with not good remuneration. If the high wages already have certain problems, I don’t want to speak of the salaries with little remuneration  
 
I don’t know how much people will live of the government, you make a stupid generalization, I personally don’t have any friend that lives off the government. So don’t generalize nor speculate about the life of people in Spain if you don’t know each person’s personal situation, because at least I don’t know so many facilities nor so many help, as you you say, also that many of these help are for foreigners, not for spaniards, this way I have understood

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Posted: 05 November 2007 07:18 PM   [ # 118 ]  
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Thanks for the tips on Dubai. The exact date is not established yet because a group is first going to India next MArch and all the preparation is going to that trip first. The Professor in charge will then coordinate the dates of the next trip which I assume will not be around Ramadan. It seems you have been to so many places. Well, I live in Plantation so I hardly ever go to Miami anymore, let alone the Gables so Imagine.

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Posted: 05 November 2007 08:21 PM   [ # 119 ]  
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Lololiza I have been very lucky in life everything that i have done turns into gold i think God has been very good to me and i cannot complain. But i remind you nothing was easy actually it took allot of sacrifice for me to get here. If you have discipline in life and love what you are doing you are going to be successful no matter what.  I have been very fortunate since a young age with my parents and later by myself to travel allot or the world. The good thing about traveling is that you get first hand experience and that is priceless and you learn to appreciate your home country. The reason why i took the step to move to Marbella andalucia Spain is because all my Family from my Dad’s side is from here actually me and my sisters are the only ones born in America. My Grand Father is very old and i love him very much even thou he lives 2 hours from my house i visit him almost every week or he comes down to the beach were i am. For me i wanted to experience and all the Fuzz about Europe and living in Spain i have to say you have more time for your personal life but at a cost of not reaching what ever goals financially you may have. Europeans are less worry about there financial success than Americans are because the governments down here are very Social minded Socialist system within a Capital-Social democratic system. Most Spanish are more worry about filling up there bellys with good food and wine than having a good house a good car or good things in general they are less materialistic than Americans. In a way that is good but in another way is negative it takes individual achievement out of there lives and replaces it with complaisantly. In the area that i live is very High End very comparable to certain areas of Miami Beach and Coral Gables. Is Very touristy but more than 80% of the expats down here are British, then some Germans and some Americans. I have met some Cubans which are going crazy to get a Visa and live in Miami with friends and Family. Understand that also in Spain there is a Big Problem with Illegals and the Police is very proactive and rude against anybody that looks and speaks Spanish with a latin american accent. So i have had some problems i have to show my papers at least twice to cops is very upsetting experience. Allot of the Immigrants down here may have visa to live but they don’t have permit to work and that has created allot of unrest and crime in some areas. Also be reminded that Spain is Smaller than Texas and in an area like that if you look non-european you are going to be ask for your papers in my case i have copies of my visa & american passport with me at all times as well as all my documentation of my vehicle because when they see me driving my Mercedez they think i stole it!!!!! or something. the good thing is that already in My area all the cops know me and some people do to so i am starting to get accepted. I have the rigth under law to acquire a spanish passport so i am looking into it my father was a Spanish and American Citizen and My grandfather of course is Spanish all i need to do is show up with my Certificate of Birth a copy of my dads Passport y una declaracion Jurada and in 3 months i am a Spanish citizen but i will never denied being citizen of the greatest country on earth the U.S.A….. Once again Plantantion seem so far for me the only places i have been in Southwest Broward is Weston, Sawgrass area the Sawgrass mills mall which in fact i went with my sister a few weeks ago to an area of Upscale Outlets call the colonnades!!!! i also now very well the Pembroke pines area and so for don’t ask me about plantation because i really don’t know that area

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Posted: 05 November 2007 10:03 PM   [ # 120 ]  
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And on that note I’m going to close down this thread. Thank you to everyone for participating, but please continue the conversations at:

Spanish politics: Zapatero, UPD, etc

Brits in Spain -now it?s your turn :p

Americans in Spain

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