Living in Spain since 1998, the expat life has its ups and downs. Things aren´t always simple when you live in another country. Different ideas, different cultures and foods. On this blog I like to share advice as a long term expat to help people looking to move abroad. Often the move is maade with the best intentions but learning the local language is harder than it seems. As a bilingual speaker in Spanish and English I try to see both sides of the coin and suggest solutions that can work for both sides.
Expat Life style
There is a saying in Spanish ´hablando se entiende la gente´ speaking makes you understand people this is useful when thinking about adjusting to a new life abroad. IF you cannot speak to the locals of course it makes everything much more complicated. Over the years here I have seen people come and go.
I try to give a grounded realistic approach and keep the romantic ideas of an eternal holiday at bay. In Spain we do live in the sunshine most of the year but we still have to clean the house and work every now and then. Expat Life can be very rewarding especially on a cultural level. Learning a second or third language is a huge benefit for your brain and possibly your career but it may not come easy at first. Learning a new language takes a lot of time and discipline. Total immersion is one of the best ways to accelerate this process of course.
Tips towards a Digital Nomad Lifestyle + Career Have you dreamed of becoming a Digital Nomad. Non location specific jobs like a Flight attendant or cruise ship worker used to be the only, or “popular,” jobs. People would take on when they wanted to travel the …
Photo via Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash Saving up for your holiday is only the start of it. Don’t forget that you’ll need spending money to take with you, otherwise how will you buy essentials like food or enjoy extra activities and bring home souvenirs? Even if …
Since Spain announced its new Visa for Digital Nomads earlier in 2023 there´s been lots of discussion about the best cities across the country to be a Digital Nomad. As I have been location independent since 2015 I have my own opinion on this topic. Here´s …
Planning ahead of time at Christmas helps to keeps the chaos under control. Expat gifts for friends and family who live overseas may need early planning. I like to book delivery as soon as I can to keep my stress levels down over the festive season. …
Online Tools for Small Business Owners You can find a great deal of help with online tools for small business ventures and entrepreneurs. While it could be daunting to set up on a company. If you should seek out help and support things will be easier than …
In this Cost of living in Granada guide I will include all the types of bills and expenses that you may come across. Whether you purchase a property here, rent or share a place. If you have already read my Moving to Granada article, you may …
If you spend any amount of time in Spain, in December you will notice that everyone starts selling Christmas Lottery tickets. It´s quite a phenomenon. When you go to the hairdressers, the gym, any shop… most local businesses have their own number. The Spanish lottery is …
Whether you are writing a 500 word essay, business pitch or even a blog post. These ideas and format planning tips will help you structure your piece. Generate your idea Let’s prepare a good idea. First you should read academic papers or related books to understand …
Let’s face it, we all love holidays. In fact, Brits are estimated to go on 1.3 holidays per year. Yet a few weeks in the sun may not be quite enough. If feel like you need a break, then a sabbatical year could be for you. …
At Christmas in Spain , celebrations vary slightly from the festivities in the UK or USA. Celebrations in Spain generally begin around the first weekend in December and continue right through to the end of 6th January. If you want to know specifically about Christmas in …