Greetings everyone.

I am a new member to this forum. and am seeking help with a dilemma I currently face. As a 17 year old living in the state of Texas, I want to leave this country and start life elsewhere. Even though I love my country, I’d like to experience what the world, most importantly Spain, has to offer. 

Because I took four consecutive years of Spanish in High School I consider my self semi fluent in the language. However, because Spanish is such a beautiful language I can never truly understand it’s intricacies as a non-native speaker. Anyways- the language barrier will be trivial for I think I can quickly pick up the language via immersion.

So I come here to ask what is life like in Spain. Is it much more laid back than the United States. I want to live a fruitful, full life full of culture and vibrant. In the US where the “live to work” mentality reigns people often forget the important things in life; love, laughter, and happiness. For example, I’d much rather enjoy a scintillating conversation or great food than worry about not being able to pay the atrocious cost for health insurance. Spain seems to offer a more laid-back, open minded vibe.

Is Spain a country of accepting and open minded people? How do they treat Americans who are open minded?( I am from Texas but that doesn’t mean that I am an ignorant redneck Sarah Palin/bush loving fool).  Likewise, should I complete my 4 year university in the States before moving to Spain? When I move I will be relatively young (19-22), so at that age what kind of jobs are available in Spain? Lastly, how are the women in Spain :D?

Thanks for the help, and i’d love to hear you experience as an expat living in Spain.

Hi,
I think you have a few things to consider.
1. Definately finish your degree in the US. In fact train as something you may be able to work in in Europe and make sure you will be able to transfer your qualifications.
2. Find out what you have to do in order to become legally resident in Spain - it’s very complicated. What makes you think you won’t need health insurance?
3. Visit Spain as a tourist on a 3 month visa to get a feel for it.
4. Sorry but I lived there for nearly 20 years and never had a ‘scintillating conversation’ with any Spaniards. Have been back in the UK for 9 months and have had several!

I think you have a dream that may not match the reality. If you go and hang out in Spain for a year or so I’m sure you’ll have a lovely time but you’ll have nothing to show for it at the end.
You need to take your head out the sand, finish growing up a little and do some serious research.
Best of luck

Antonia thanks filling her in there .

what part spain where u ?

Jurdy

Hi Jurdy
We were in Granada. It changed a lot during the time we were there but for me it was essentially a dead-end on many levels. (Actually I think Lorca might agree with me there as he is known to have once said ‘Granada is full of great ideas and a complete incapacity to carry them out’ or words to that effect!)

Maybe I’ve come over a bit harsh in my reply to shanflash but I think he needs to understand that life is basically the same all over the world. Also, I didn’t mean to disrespect the Spanish in my ‘scintillating conversation’ comment, just that that was my experience…
Saludos

Maybe I?ve come over a bit harsh in my reply , dont think you have , spain is big and lot off good ideas , but it hard to start from new , any where , paper work what killing spain and over pricing . experience is the same ere aswell i have found . here one for u . when i want some think , i ask in english and spanish
lots off the time i get faster and cheap then would via the English system , two mnay try to drag money out one outher . One i keep hearing from Irish guy is dont trush an irish man abroad ... he rip you off . ( yes i come across this few time with the Irish ... and frist hand )

last week i asked some one (spanish do some for me ....still waitting on email back , ) wait until the holidays in Aug and the culture bankholidays , this can last a week in some areas

O spain you do try me

My OH describes Spain as a country of contradicitions.

As for conversations its the only place I’ve been too that can have a group of people discussing the days weather for 20 minutes.

And that’s a sunny day, in the north of Spain, that can have many different weather patterns a day you could extend the topic to several hours.

Southern Spain the people are mostly simple, they tend not to travel outside of their region, even on holidays. Generally they try to make up for their lack of knowledge by trying to have an opinion and knowledge of everything, of course this is a stereotype and I’m sure there are many I haven’t meet who are exceptions to this.

As for women it’s the only place I have experience of a boss meet my wife and explain to her the benefit’s to a husband of having a wife at home in preference to one with a career and how women should stay within the home.

Classic.

We have friends who’s husbands are of that mentality and if a meal after work is not provided trouble will follow, although they are from the south and its not typical of most regions of Spain, my sister in law and my OH would stab us husbands to death if we tried that sh8t.