We have just moved to the Miraflores - although we have lived in the Malaga area for the last 6 years so are not new to Spain.

My husband and I are Retired and love living in Spain.  My husband had a stroke about 18 months ago and we were so impressed by the Spanish National Health service.  He was taken to hospital had every test you could possibly ask for and saw a Consultant within the first 15 hours.  Turned out he is a diabetic but because he has had heart bypass in the past they wanted to check there was no problem there.  He stayed in hospital for 8 days and attends the clinic once a month to get his meds.  I honestly don’t think he would have received treatment that even came close in the UK.

One of our grandchildren was having all sorts of problems in school in UK they said he had learning problems and moved him to a remedial class.  He came out here and we put him into a private (English Speaking School) he changed almost overnight, he loved learning, did well, got on with the other kids, passed his exams even one in Spanish and is now back in UK working in a Bank.  Its worth checking out the private schools over here they are not that expensive abount ?5,000 a year (well that was when the pound was doing well - lol).

I love Spain - just wish we had moved here 30 years ago. 

What do I miss?  The rain (but not a lot) - Good Cooking Apples - can’t think of anything else - must be happy here.

Hi Zozosgran,

So lovely to read your post and glad that your husband got the treatment he deserved.  We are planning to move out to spain in September all being
well and can’t wait to leave this country, although today is nice because we are getting a bit of SUNSHINE.  I have shown my mother-in-law your post
as she would like to come with us but is concerned about healthcare.  She is a Coeliac and has been suffering with her health the last year or so since
losing her husband.  She is fed up with the health service here as all they seem to do is palm you off with pills which she is unable to take. I have heard
nothing but good about the health care in spain and hope that I can convince her.

So glad that your Grandson is so happy now.  Our son is slightly Dyslexic and I have had to fight to get extra help for him in this country, the children get lost in the large classes here.  I am coming out to visit schools for him next week, he is really excited about the move so that is an advantage.

Regards

Gina g

Hi Gina g

I know you will love it out here.

Assure your mother that the health care out here is 1st class.  We also subscribe to http://www.helicopterossanitarios.com/ in case of medical emergencies, they speak english and come to you.

The weather is always nice although we could do with a little more rain!  (Weather site translated by google = http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://www.canalmeteo.com/ciudad.php?id_ciudad=33&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=es&tl=en )

You can’t get some foods that you can get in UK but these are mainly things like fresh cream cakes, fruit cakes, ready made meals, etc.  But I enjoy cooking and make my own.

1 of my sons already lives here with his future wife - he runs Bunkers Bistro (yes he cooks as well - lol) and another of my sons hopes to be out here within the next 18 months, his wife has to complete her 2nd year as a Maths Teacher before she can take a job at a school out here.  They were here for 2 years, they own some land and lived in a London double decker bus which they had converted into a house (3 bedrooms upstairs + bathroom) kitchen and lounge downstairs (I kid you not).  They returned to UK because daughter in law wanted to use here maths degree to become a teacher and had to do a couple of years teaching.  But they will be back ............ living in Spain spoilt them ..... to many rules in the UK.

Living in Spain is like living in the 1960’s tell your mum - people are nice to each other - shop assistants are helpful - you walk into a bar (you have never been in before and shout hello and people don’t look at you as if you are a green monster from outer space, they say hello back!!

Public transport is cheap, the air is clean (well it is in the Malaga area anyway) - modern apartments have central heating/cooling systems. 

One word of caution - don’t rush to buy an apartment - start off by renting - long term lease is 11 months - take your time to find the right place for you (property prices are falling so you will be better off waiting to buy).

Yes there is crime here, but I feel safe walking the streets even late at night (but then I am not a young man (they have to be careful all over the world and I think that has always been true)).

My husband had a flat tyre and a police car pulled up by him as he was starting to change it - in UK they would have gone over the car until they found something wrong with it - the Spanish police changed the tyre for him!

When you move out - don’t keep wishing it was more like the UK - look at the flowers and the sea and just be glad that you are learning to slow down and live life.

Good luck and I know you will have a wonderful life over here.

Carol

Hi Carol,

It sounds like you are really enjoying your life out in Spain and also lucky to have your family around you to share it all with.  Thank you for the medical
link I will look into that.  I am just packing getting ready to come out for a visit next week which I am looking forward to and having another good look
around the area.  We have decided to move to the Valencia region just Inland from Gandia, fell in love with the countryside and beautiful beach at Gandia.
My friends husband is Spanish and his parents have a Holiday apartment in Gandia but spend the rest of the time in Leeds to be closer to their children
and grandchildren.  I have been to Malaga many times and it is lovely, but it is so hard to choose where to settle as it is all lovely. 

I will be glad to get back to the 1960’s we have all become so busy in this country working that nobody even has the time to chat and take time to enjoy life, and like you say
if you do try to pass the time of day with someone they actually look shocked. I won’t ever wish it was more like the u.k, as much as I love this country
it is not a good place to live at the moment especially with children.

I will let you know how I get on after my trip, brushing up on my spanish at the moment, more worried about driving the car on my own without a map reader
but am sure i will manage.

Love the Gingerbread man, my favourite character from shrek!

Best wishes

Gina