Five traits of the average Brit in Spain

Spain’s diverse attractions appeal to a wide scope of Brits, but many share similar traits

If you are still undecided on whether to move to Spain or buy a Spanish property, here are five traits that the average Brit in Spain possesses. If you recognise yourself in even just one of them, then life in Spain really could well be for you…

1. The average Brit in Spain… is of working age

Forget the image of sunburnt British retirees lounging around Costa ‘caffs’ serving all-day English breakfasts – nine out of ten Brits who live in Spain are of working age, with the largest group aged between 25 and 44, according to figures published recently for the European Social Survey.

So if you think you’re too young, too driven, too ambitious or too ensconced in your career to even countenance a move to Spain, think again. While the current job market is depressed, the economy is moving in the right direction. It is possible to forge a steady and enjoyable career for yourself in Spain provided you have the required skillset, qualifications, attitude and desire.

Make it happen: Learn Spanish. Mastering the language opens up a great deal of employment opportunities.

2. The average Brit in Spain… is very happy, on the whole

The European Social Survey analysed hundreds of British migrants to various southern European countries between 2002 and 2010. When asked how happy they were on a scale of 0-10, Brits in Spain scored an average of 7.3, which indicates across-the-board satisfaction with life in the country.

There will always be those who complain, denigrate their host country, or simply do not fit in, but that is an encouraging score if you are still on the fence about whether to move to Spain. The only way to truly know is to simply dive in, and the great thing about Spain is – if things don’t work out – it is extremely easy and inexpensive to head back home again.

Make it happen: Do your research. Ask questions on expat forums. Assess everything from jobs and culture, to language and lifestyle in order to really get a feel for life abroad.

3. The average Brit in Spain… misses the UK

And you will too. It’s perfectly natural. The country that shaped you into who you are holds a spell over you that no other nation will. Living in Spain offers something different; a fresh perspective, a more gentle lifestyle drenched in more sunshine and warmer weather all year round. But it is not the UK, despite its best efforts.

If you move to Spain you are bound to meet Brits who will happily rant about how they’re “never going back” and are “glad to be out of that dump”, but often these types doth protest too much. So don’t worry when you encounter that first pang of homesickness. It’s normal, to be expected, and even something to be encouraged. It does not mean you have made a bad choice, just that you now have two countries that you love, rather than one.

Make it happen: Book flights to the UK asap. Once you arrive, it helps to know that you’ve got a trip back to Britain planned for, say, two months’ time. Knowing this will help you focus on settling in rather than what you miss.

4. The average Brit in Spain… will not speak fluent Spanish

If you’re worried that your stuttering attempts to master even a few simple phrases in Spanish will have you laughed out of restaurants the minute you arrive, then relax. While the image of the monolingual Brit in Spain is outdated, the majority often get by with a smattering grasp of Spanish, rather than complete fluency.

Being fluent in Spanish is the ideal, there is no disputing that. But making an effort to show that you are learning is appreciated, particularly on the Costa del Sol where the majority of Spaniards speak pretty good English anyway.

Make it happen: Book a language course. Books, apps and websites will give you the basics, but a course forces you out of your comfort zone and will rapidly improve your pronunciation, understanding and confidence – all of which are key.

5. The average Brit in Spain… travels the country

The Costa del Sol is adept at keeping you in one place. The beaches, the bars, the restaurants, the shopping – it has it all. So if you live and work in the Costa del Sol, you will play there too. But most Brits who have been intrepid enough to move to and live in another country have an innate wanderlust, and it doesn’t disappear at Málaga airport.

Ask the average Brit in Spain about Barcelona and, most of the time, they will be able to recommend a great little tapas place for you to visit. Ditto Seville. Ask them about Granada’s Alhambra and they will sigh a wistful sigh. Enquire about Madrid’s nightlife and expect a puff of the cheeks. And wonder loudly whether you should head to Ibiza in the summer and prepare to be met with vigorous nodding of the head. Moving to Spain means moving to an entire country blessed with incredible diversity, things to see and do, masses of history, stunning mountain ranges and more paradisiacal beaches than you could ever imagine.

Make it happen: Buy a car. Running a car in Spain is cheaper than in the UK and, instead of a two-hour M6 journey to Manchester in the rain, a two-hour car ride from the Costa del Sol can get you to Seville, Granada, the Sierra Nevada, Cádiz, Gibraltar, Tarifa, and – at a push – Portugal and Murcia, too.