An Independent Guide to Living in Spain

Assuming that you have successfully purchased your dream home, you have all the papers, the keys and have figured out how to connect to the mains supply, telephone and English TV. Now what?

After the first three months of your new lifestyle in Spain you begin to get mildly fed up with sitting in the sun all day, you can't go any browner and anyway it is not good for your skin. Now the novelty of coming to live here begins to wear off. The day to day routine begins to take shape and suddenly you begin to notice a lot more about Spain and your immediate environment.

With a bit of luck or good planning and foresight it turns out that the Health clinic isn't too far away and there are a few voluntary translators there that make the trip to register with your doctor somewhat less daunting. Hopefully the chemist is within walking distance for when you know longer have your driving license due to old age or failing a breathalyser. Meanwhile it remains easy to park and there aren't too many nearby late night bars or mopeds screaming by your door at all hours.

Wheelchair access is bound to be no problem for when your knees pack up and of course the supermarket is just round the corner for when you have run out of loo roll or unexpected visitors arrive for a wine or two. If you have been used to a life of commuting and work and have made no preparation for retirement activities have you given any thought to how you might fill your time? Drawing on the experience of living and working here for years the SPOG team can hopefully give you a few pointers. Explore in our articles the wide range of tips and options to either do nothing more fruitfully or discover a whole new range of fun things to do. If you have any tips or questions email us at spog@telefonica.net.