Reproducción asistida con donante

Destination Spain

Spain has become the favourite destination for Britain’s who choose this country as their permanent residence

As soon as you land in Granada’s airport you realise the light is different, brighter and more intense than what people from England is used to. The heat from the sun hits you like a giant wave and the jacket is no longer necessary, but yes the sunglasses to look at the blue, clear sky. The green olive trees planted in a dry land gives a magical view to the visitors and accompanies you along the journey through the region in south of Spain. This country is visited by many British who choose it like a preferred destination, not only for holidays but as a permanent residence.

Olive trees typical of the region of Andalusia

 According to INE (National Institute of Statistics) in January 2018 there were 240.934 English people living in Spain, although is estimated that there are in fact twice more this amount. What is interesting is that this doubles the number of Spaniards who have emigrated to the United Kingdom, 127.920 to be presided. Spain has become the favourite destination not only for European, but also for English population as this sunny country is hosting the largest number of British expatriates in the European Union, according to the Eurostat data. No wonder why Brexit is a cause for concern, not only for European residents in the British Islands, but also for those who one day decided to move to the Iberian Peninsula looking for a cheap country and good weather. An example of this is Tim from Leeds, who one day decided to emigrate from England to Spain with his Family. Married to Sabine, from Germany, the coupe left London just a couple of month after the Brexit. Despite they ensure that their decision was not influenced by the result of the referendum, now they are very happy that they left right after. 

Our friends asked us if our decision 

was influenced  by Brexit, 

but it has been just a coincidence. 

Sabine and Tim live in the heart of Andalusia, at the foot of the Chinchirilla Hill, in a town called Pinos del Valle belonging to the province of Granada. Under a scorching sun, the white houses, orchards and olive trees are witness of how its inhabitants are faithful to their traditions, their promises to the Santo Cristo (image of the Hermitage that crowns its summit) and desires fulfilled by his venerated Saints, San Roque and San Sebastian. Traditions which Sabine and Tim have adopted, being fully integrated in the customs of the town. 

Views of the Hill Chinchirilla

It is very striking that increasingly are more who has established in South Spain, including this lost town of the Lecrín Valley. With only 693 inhabitants, according to data from INE, Pinos del Valle has become a benchmark for many foreigners, especially British. Guided by the curiosity of why this couple decided to emigrate and why they choose this small village to live, I decided to interview them.

-Did have the Brexit something to do with your decision of leaving London?   

-Not at all, although many thus believe it because we just left a month after the referendum. Our friends asked us if our decision was influenced by the Brexit, but it was just a coincidence. We are currently really very delighted of our choice and decision of moving here because of what is happening since the referendum. Now the situation is very unpleasant.   

A group of people began to 

shout at few Germans  

"go home" "go home" 

-What do you mean that the situation is very unpleasant?  

-Recently we were in Richmond, a suburb of London, and we lived there a situation that we have never seen before. A group of people began to shout at few Germans "go home" "go home", including us. It was something horrible and we believe that Brexit is promoting this behaviour among the English. Before the British people was very tolerant.  Now we do not see it the same way. In that sense now we believe Spain is much more tolerant than England.   

-What is your opinion about the Brexit?   

 From a personal perspective, we feel a lot of uncertainty as no one know what will happen because nobody has stated how it will affect the citizens of both countries. At the moment, 

what is certain is that the pound has been devalued a lot and for us now everything is more expensive. 

-How was the welcoming in Spain?   

-It has been fantastic. Our neighbours have been very kind to us and always make their best to make us feel at home. A few months ago Tim had a heart attack and all our neighbours helped us a lot, even they brought food to the hospital and we felt very grateful for the interest and help.   

-If it was not Brexit, what was the real reason why you decided to move to Spain?    

-Because for 10 years we were coming to Granada for holidays, and we always were very sad when the summer ended and had to return to London. That is why two years ago we decided to move permanently. 

-Why did you choose Pinos del Valle?  

-It was somewhat by chance since we were looking for a house to buy in other surrounding villages. But one day an acquaintance told us that he was selling a house in Pinos del Valle. We were not very convinced at the beginning because the village is a little far away, but as soon as we saw the house and the wonderful surroundings we did not doubt it for a minute and we bought it right away.  

 -What are the differences of living in Spain in regards to England?  

-The weather and also that life is much more relaxed in here. We do not miss nothing the hectic London life. 

-Is there anything you miss?  

-Yes, our friends and the tea (laughs). In Spain the tea is not the same. We also noticed that there is less cultural offer. We like to go to the theatre but there are not many options, and when we go to Tim finds it hard you understand the language as he is still learning Spanish.   

-There are many English people living in this town, do you hang out with them? 

 -Not really. We all know each other but we do not make plans together. The truth is that we prefer to socialise and integrate with the locals. We find it more real and want to feel we live in Spain.  Also for Tim is better because he is learning Spanish.

Tim and Sabine in their house in Pinos del Valle 

We miss our friends, tea 

and more cultural offer. 

- How is your daily life in Spain? 

-In the morning we take the girls to school, we have two daughters 11 and 13 years. Then we return home and always there is something to do or fix. We also work from home. We have a business in London that we manage from here and that keeps us busy. The rest of the time we do the typical activities of a normal family like going shopping or spending some time together. In London we barely had free time, but here as we work from home we can enjoy more quality time in family 

-Sabine speaks a perfect Spanish, but you Tim are still learning Spanish, how do you manage?  

 -Not very good if I am sincere, but I hope that one day I can learn it. For the moment I can manage when shopping, going to doctors and things like that. 

Although it is only 7pm, Tim and Sabine are ready for dinner so I end my interview.  

-As you can see here we maintain the English schedule (laughs). That does not change- says Tim.