One of the first things I did when setting up my own business was to cash in my pension. Obviously I'm not the kind of person who likes planning too far ahead but one thing I have already planned for my retirement (if I can fund it!) is to spend 6 months a year in Spain.
I love Spanish culture and have been slowly learning the language for the last few years. But I realised some time back that I needed to start learning much more than the language if I was going to make such big changes to my life in my retirement years (hey, it's not that far away you know!).
So, together with an Argentinean friend (living in Valencia) I setup a discussion forum called Irish In Spain with a view to learning as much as possible from expats. Sure, there are other forums for expats in Spain but there's no substitute for learning about the small, quirky differences in culture in a foreign land from your own countrymen.
Another friend of mine, a journalist, recently surprised me when he informed me that he and his girlfriend were taking a year out to travel around Spain in their shiny new motor home. Of course I couldn't let the opportunity pass without asking him to post his diary to IrishInSpain and thankfully he agreed.
So for any fellow Hispanophiles I'm delighted to announce the start of a regular series on his travels, entitled Spanish travelogue - "A Diary of Something or Other"
Ever get the feeling the universe is telling you something?
Just back from 2 weeks holidays in the canaries. After seeing the weather, cheaper living and taking into account the benefits of living 6 months abroad, my wife and I have pretty much decided we will buy out there. We had a look at a lovely one bed place, centrally located for just 65,000. Why wouldn't you.
Looks like it will be a very useful site. Cheers!
Posted by: Alan O'Rourke | October 28, 2005 at 01:38 PM
Alan, I'm very jealous! Fair play to you both for making such a big decision, I'm looking forward to hearing how it works out for you. Please keep us informed on the IrishInSpain forum.
What island were you on? I only came back from a week in Lanzarote last week myself and looked in quite a few estate agency windows while there but didn't come across anything of that value.
Best of luck!
Posted by: James Corbett | October 28, 2005 at 03:23 PM
By the way, congratulations on all the awards you're lined up for!
Posted by: James Corbett | October 28, 2005 at 03:28 PM
James,
I lived in San Sebastian (basque country) for 2 years back in the early 90s. I've been back a handful of times (twice this year - to san sebastian and seville). Spain is without question one of the best places in the world to live. Basque food is the best you'll find anywhere in spain.
Interesting fact: San Sebastian has the highest density of bars anywhere in europe - it also has some of the best food.
Posted by: Walter | October 28, 2005 at 03:49 PM
A greater density of bars than Ireland? Holy mother of.....
Alan, it was Fuertaventura I see. Welcome to IrishInSpain!
Posted by: James Corbett | October 28, 2005 at 04:08 PM
Heh at the moment it will take about six months before we can actually organise the money and buy and then another six months before a move can actually be made.
But the decission has been made.
But even in terms on investment and getting on the "Property Ladder" its a decent start.
And thanks :)
Posted by: Alan O'Rourke | October 28, 2005 at 08:23 PM
If you make it to Gernika in the Basque Highlangs you are very welcome to the only Irish owned rural country pub in Euskadi,Scanlan's Tavern has probally the largest collections of Irish whiskey in the world complimented with the owners wife pintxos.Punters are a nice mix of Basque/Spanish and a few expats all of who have intergrated,Fito is also a regular,good luck on your quest.
Slain abhaile agus Agur.
Posted by: Patrick Scanlan | November 14, 2005 at 12:17 PM
Thanks Patrick, much appreciated. I'll pass word on to my friend 'Kaycee' who's the one doing the travelogue on www.IrishInSpain.com
Posted by: James Corbett | November 14, 2005 at 02:01 PM
Just bought a property inland spain. Miles away from any tourists. Wifes town so we had assitance in the technicalities of buying houses as the spanish do. Any Irish looking for any advice on the steps to take if you want to buy inland drop me a line and I will give whatever assistance I can.
Posted by: Derek | November 13, 2006 at 02:03 PM
Thanks Derek, much appreciated. Enjoy your new house!
Posted by: James Corbett | November 13, 2006 at 02:30 PM
Hello all and a happy new year!!!Just like to say that if any Irish are passing tru Valencia they are welcome to give me a shout...there are tons of exotic Irish bars around.
Slainte.
Posted by: Patrick O´Connell | January 06, 2007 at 11:54 PM
Just a little more info. Found a great discussion forum, with excellent info at
www.irishinandalucia.com
Posted by: Derek | January 31, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Greetings from Seville
Posted by: Eugene | March 01, 2007 at 11:47 AM
Hi Patrick and all, We're heading to France and Spain April to June. a three months road trip, west France, north Spain, Madrid, south/east Spain and back. We're traveling in our camper (RV). We've been all over Europe and we'd love to drop by and meet people along the way. Roman
Posted by: Roman | February 13, 2008 at 07:57 PM
hi everyone my partner and i and our 4 year old son are planning on movring to granada next month im getting a bit nervous and to be truthful a bit scared i have never moved outside of ireland.we have planned on going to granada because we want to rent a cave house and once we are settled we are going to look into buying a lease.does anyone have any advise for me on weather granada is a good place and whats work and schools like in spain.thanks
Posted by: suzanne kelly | September 16, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Best of luck with your new life Suzanne, hopefully you'll get some
answers here soon.
Posted by: jcorbett | September 16, 2009 at 12:10 PM