Dharmachari Bahiya (ordained Buddhist na
@DhBahiya
English expat in Spain
Forum posts
44
About me
English
Lives in Alaior, Menorca
Speaks Some basic Spanish
Registration: 10 February 2014
Best season to move to Spain by Priscilla
Hello, Many expats choose to move to Spain at a specific time of the year, and we invite you to share some tips about the best seasons to move to the country. What is the best season/time of the year to move to Spain, and why? How do rent ...
Yes, the Balearic Islands are certainly the most expensive parts of Spain and Menorca in particular. However, it is claimed that Menorca is also one of the safest parts. Read More
Best season to move to Spain by Priscilla
Hello, Many expats choose to move to Spain at a specific time of the year, and we invite you to share some tips about the best seasons to move to the country. What is the best season/time of the year to move to Spain, and why? How do rent ...
Anyone considering moving to Menorca should first of all spend a couple of weeks here in the winter. Menorca is a wonderful island but the winters can be tough. There's seldom any frost and only occasionally a little dusting of snow, but ... Read More
How to deal with stress when moving to Spain by Priscilla
Moving abroad is no easy feat. Everyone has their own ways of dealing with stress, so we invite you to share some insights regarding this topic. What are the main factors that contribute to stress when moving to Spain (cultural adaptation, moving ...
They say that moving house and holidays are the two most stressful things you can do. As an ordained Buddhist I have taught Buddhist meditation practices for almost 30 years and whilst the benefits of meditation go far beyond stress reduction and ... Read More
The best apps for expats in Spain by Priscilla
Hello, We invite you to share information regarding some of the apps that have helped to facilitate your move abroad in Spain. This will help expats-to-be who are making the move as well. Which apps did you use while preparing your move to ...
I forgot to mention the wonderful online parking app they use in our town. You pre-pay whatever you wish. No need to lob in too much as parking is very cheap. When you park the app finds your location on a map and asks you to confirm how long you ... Read More
The best apps for expats in Spain by Priscilla
Hello, We invite you to share information regarding some of the apps that have helped to facilitate your move abroad in Spain. This will help expats-to-be who are making the move as well. Which apps did you use while preparing your move to ...
The only app that I find indispensable is Tranferwise to make secure payments in the UK and transfer funds from sterling to euros. Their rates are competitive and they are remarkable quick, often completing the transfer the same day. Once you have ... Read More
Raising kids in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, How is raising kids in Spain different from raising kids in your home country? What are the activities that your kids seem to enjoy the most in Spain? Do you feel that the country is "family-friendly"? Do you recommend ...
Spain is a big country so I can only comment on the very small part of it that I live in; Menorca. We moved to Menorca when my son was just 11 years old. The advice we were given was to avoid putting him into a state school that had a large group ... Read More
Traffic in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Which city or area do you live in in Spain, and how do you find the traffic? How long does it take to commute to work or run errands? Is there a rush hour in your city? What times of the day would you recommend people to ...
Although I now live on the small island of Menorca I have driven a fair bit in Spain as I lived in France just an hour from the Spanish boarder for some 10 years. I don't find them any better or worse than drivers in the UK and certainly far ... Read More
Online shopping in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Shopping online can be far more convenient and offer greater choice than going into shops, be it grocery shopping or retail. Are there options for online shopping in Spain? Which sites or apps do you use most frequently and ...
Lots of good advice from previous subscribers. I usually buy from UK but have now made a number of trouble-free purchases from Spanish stores and my confidence is growing. All the different couriers now know where we are, recognise us and know ... Read More
What to expect when moving to Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Is there anything you wish you had known before moving to Spain? For example, transportation, internet speeds, types of housing, aspects of the culture or social life. In your opinion, what's the most important thing to know ...
The most important thing is not to imagine that Spain is just like the UK only with more sun. Its a vastly different culture which can vary widely depending on which part of Spain you choose to live. The second most important thing is not to be ... Read More
Festivals in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, What are the main festivals in Spain? Are there art, food, music, film, or other festivals expats can attend and participate in? When do the festivals take place? How long does each festival usually last? What activities go ...
Menorca is known for its unique Jalea. Each town has its own fiesta but each one will feature the Jalea where specially bred un-gelded stallions, ridden by Caixers dressed in traditional costumes, ride into the square where they are trained to spin ... Read More
Retiring in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Why did you choose to retire in Spain? What are the advantages compared with your home country? What were your main considerations when deciding to move? For example, taxes, ease of transferring your pension, etc.. Are there ...
I didn't really retire in the conventional sense, I was more of a economic migrant. Having lived a fairly itinerant life as a younger man and married and divorced more than I should have, I was left with very little other than a UK state ... Read More
The best things to discover in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, What have you discovered in Spain that you would recommend to other expats? Are there any places that you enjoy visiting on the weekends, be it areas of natural beauty or shopping malls? Are there any Spanish dishes that you ...
I can only speak for the island of Menorca where the 'must see' is their unique ‘jalea’. During the fiesta season each town has its own way of celebrating but in every case it will feature the spectacular caixers (male and ... Read More
Mistakes expats make in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Did you make any mistakes when you first moved to Spain? What were they? How did you address your mistakes? Did you learn anything from them? With hindsight, what would you do differently? Are there any tips you could ...
Our early mistakes were mainly linguistic. Many years ago when we were struggling to learning Spanish, we were invited to visit the home of some new friends. They served some excellent local cheese and my wife asked what it was. They explained it ... Read More
How has your life changed in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Has your life changed since you moved to Spain? If so, in what way? Tell us more about all the changes in your life regarding your family, job, or friends. What about your frame of mind? How would you define your mood? ...
We could describe ourselves as economic migrants. I was well past retirement age, collecting a state pension and running a part time consultancy to supplement it. However costs were rising too quickly for us to keep up with them and we knew if I ... Read More
Best usages and practices in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Spain means learning new ways of doing things and incorporating to your daily life unique practices. We invite you to share unique practices, tools or methods that could also make a difference in other countries. Here ...
You have to go with the flow in Spain and the first thing to get used to is shop opening hours. It can be frustrating at times when you realise that you are too late, the shops are shut and you have to wait for them to open again at 5 o'clock. ... Read More
The holiday season in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Are you about to celebrate the holiday season in Spain? In many countries and cultures, the festive season is the time for happiness and reunions/gatherings. Is it so in Spain? How do Spanish celebrate this very special time of ...
Generally the main family meal of Christmas is on Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) and usually comprises various types of fish. Christmas Day is not as important as it is in the UK and usually doesn't involve giving gifts although in areas with a high ... Read More
Pets in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Many of us in Spain have four-legged friends. What about you? Do you have one or more pets? Share your experience with us! What are the formalities to import pets in Spain? What about pet adoption procedures in the country? Did ...
Hi Jules66, We are retired and our State pensions are paid directly from the UK into our Spanish bank account. We were happy with that arrangement as we have no savings or other forms of income. The UK Pensions agency always gave us the ... Read More
Banco de *** - worst customer service ever! by CooleyCasa
Hi All, My husband and I have been in Barcelona almost 2 months now. Before we arrived we contacted *** to find the best way to bring money over from the US. The agent stated a cashier's check would work fine. So, we brought a check over and ...
Firstly, change your bank. Talk to others about the quality of service they receive from their banks. My preference is a small bank who have the time to get to know you personally. My absolute favourite is Colonya, Caixa de Pollença. Check ... Read More
Eye tests in Spain by DhBahiya
Are eye tests in Spain usually free - if not, any idea of cost?
Thank you. With your advice I received a very efficient eye test using the very latest equipment. I was treated extremely well. Unfortunately, as a pensioner hit hard by the weak pound I am unable to afford the bifocals I would like to have. ... Read More
Pets in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Many of us in Spain have four-legged friends. What about you? Do you have one or more pets? Share your experience with us! What are the formalities to import pets in Spain? What about pet adoption procedures in the country? Did ...
About 8 months ago we took on a dog from a local pet rescue centre. Its owner was now in his 90's an no longer able to look after him. Unfortunately he recently became unwell and required x-rays, medication and many visits to the vet at some ... Read More
Eye tests in Spain
Are eye tests in Spain usually free - if not, any idea of cost? Read More
Are you happy in Spain? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Spain? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
We now live permanently in Menorca and have done so for two and a half years. Many years ago we lived in France close to the Spanish border at Frontarabia, northern Spain. The contrast between the way the French and the Spanish engaged with life ... Read More
Common misconceptions and clichés about life in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Old clichés die hard, as the saying goes... and living in Spain can generate lots of misconceptions in the eyes of the people. What are the most common misconceptions about the expat lifestyle in Spain? What are the most ...
I guess the most common misconception is that Spain is hot all the year round. Although it is comparatively brief, we do indeed have a winter, even in the Balearic Islands. Homes in the Mediterranean side of the peninsular are designed mainly ... Read More
Dealing with homesickness in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Being an expat in Spain can turn out to be a wonderful human, social or professional adventure... with potential moments of nostalgia and homesickness along the way. What are your personal tips to prevent homesickness? How ...
As previous ex-pats have commented,there are fewer reasons to be homesick these days with Facebook and Skype to keep us in touch with friends and family who live elsewhere. If you want to watch UK TV that is available in various ways and downloaded ... Read More
Customer care in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, The way customer services are handled can greatly affect your views on certain brands, products, companies or stores. As a consumer, it is important to get familiar with local practices regarding client assistance in Spain and try ...
Spain is such a big country with so many regions, different languages and customs, it is impossible to generalise, so I can only comment on Menorca and Majorca, the two Balearic Islands I am very familiar with. When dealing with local traders and ... Read More
Your new local habits in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Living in Spain is a great way to immerse in a new culture and lifestyle. Have you embraced local customs since you've lived in Spain? If so, which one(s)? Did local customs change the way you see things, appreciate life or ...
There are two major cultural differences to embrace. The first the siesta and the second is eating later. However, as soon as July and August bring the blistering heat, these begin to make sense. Mid afternoon the heat and humidity can make life ... Read More
Adapting to the climate in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Adjusting to new climatic conditions is key in any expatriation process. Moving to Spain is no exception. What are the climate characteristics of Spain? How does the local weather impact your daily life, mood or ...
I guess you wouldn't move to Spain unless you like hot weather. However, July and August can be extremely hot and if you are new here, it can be a struggle. My advice is to watch what the locals do. They are up and about early in the ... Read More
Aussie moving to Valencia by LynnA59
Hi All, my name is Lynn and I was born in London, UK and immigrated to Australia with my parents when I was 9 years old. Before I retired I was a Special Education teacher. I have been married for 34 years. I have been living in Vietnam for the past ...
Hi Lynn, Both a vegetarian and a Buddhist. I lived in in France for many years on the border of the Basque Country. The tourist guides to this region said, "If you are a vegetarian, be prepared to compromise or starve". I compromised ... Read More
Aussie moving to Valencia by LynnA59
Hi All, my name is Lynn and I was born in London, UK and immigrated to Australia with my parents when I was 9 years old. Before I retired I was a Special Education teacher. I have been married for 34 years. I have been living in Vietnam for the past ...
Hi, I don't know what it's like finding vegetarian food in Valencia but here in Menorca its rarer than tits on a boar. Most locals think that fish are vegetables, likewise they think a vegetarian dish is one than has vegetables in it as ... Read More
What am I missing? by lagunacat
Ok so my first few days in Spain (Málaga) I have found the Spainards to be very friendly and accommodating. One couple even invited me to join them at their table. However now I am in a small town up north for a week now and I have had a ...
You should understand that social contact is incredibly important in Spain and comes before everything. They meet friends in a supermarket and begin to chat. They become so engaged they are unaware of anything else. Most common is when a car ... Read More
In retrospect, would you move again to Spain? by Christine
Hi all, If you had to look back on your expat experience in Spain, would you heartily say "lets do it again"? From the preparation stage to your actual everyday life in your new country, what did you enjoy the most? Would you do certain ...
"Would you move to Spain again" is an easy question to answer, as I did exactly that. We moved to Menorca about 20 years ago and lived there for 5 years before moving to France for 10 years. A further 10 years back in the UK and we ... Read More
Moving to Spain with your family by Bhavna
Hello everybody, When settling abroad with your spouse and children, the expatriation process requires an extensive preparation. What are the considerations to take into account when moving to Spain with your family? What challenges have you ...
When we first moved to Menorca, our son was just 11 years old. Our immediate requirement was to enroll him as a local school. One of the schools had a number of English children and our first thought was to enroll him there. However, other ... Read More
Environmental protection in Spain by Kenjee
Hi, Environmental protection is a challenging issue for all the countries around the world. Would you say this issue is deemed of significance in Spain? Is the country going green through initiatives like waste management and selective sorting ...
TenerifeDiver makes a couple of good points. There are already substantial fines for not picking up dog poo but the pavements remain a minefield. However, the UK has been into domestic dog ownership for far more years than the Spanish and it took ... Read More
Environmental protection in Spain by Kenjee
Hi, Environmental protection is a challenging issue for all the countries around the world. Would you say this issue is deemed of significance in Spain? Is the country going green through initiatives like waste management and selective sorting ...
As with everywhere including the UK, there are those who take recycling and the environment seriously and those who don't give tuppence. There are regularly emptied waste bins and colour coded recycling bins everywhere and less than a 5 minute ... Read More
paying for insulin medication by Chezidon
my husband is insulin dependant diabetic, do we have to pay for all the medication
I am a pensioner and a diabetic. I am signed into the Spanish health system and get my medication on prescription and pay a small percentage of the cost. There's a limit to how much you pay in a month but I don't think I have ever reached ... Read More
Tips and advice to thrive in Spain by Priscilla
Hi, When living in a foreign country, you have to adapt to a new environment, various cultures and different social codes. How did you manage to adjust to Spain? How long does it take to feel at home? Would you say it is an easy ...
Learn the language. Avoid becoming too involved with ex-pat groups. Learn not to get wound up by Spanish bureaucracy, accept it for what it is and go with the flow. There's a reason for taking a siesta and eating later - find out what it is and ... Read More
Meditation classes in Menorca
Thank you Bhavna, I will do so. Kind regards, Bahiya Read More
Meditation classes in Menorca
I have been teaching meditation for nearly 30 years and run a small weekly meditation class on Wednesday mornings in Alaior, Menorca. Most of the group is English speaking but we can provide translation if required. There is no charge. If you are ... Read More
Spanish cuisine by Priscilla
Hi, When living abroad, tasting the local cuisine is part of discovering the country. What is your favorite food in Spain? What is the local speciality? Share with us the local tastes of Spain and why not your best recipe. Thank you ...
I'm vegetarian, which is not really suited to local Menorcan cuisine, so eating out is a problem and I either have to sit and watch others eat or compromise. So I usually compromise and eat fish. Being a small island the fish is particularly ... Read More
Your experience of culture shock in Spain by Christine
Hi, Living in a foreign country implies to discover its culture, to learn and master the cultural codes. How did you deal with that? Share with us your culture shock stories where you experienced a funny or awkward moment in Spain. What is ...
I have been visiting Menorca for many years so I didn't expect any culture shocks when we moved here permanently and certainly there have been no negative ones. However, there were some positive surprises, the first concerned my new bank ... Read More
Your experience of culture shock in Spain by Christine
Hi, Living in a foreign country implies to discover its culture, to learn and master the cultural codes. How did you deal with that? Share with us your culture shock stories where you experienced a funny or awkward moment in Spain. What is ...
I have been visiting Menorca for many years do I didn't expect any culture shocks and certainly there have been no negative ones. However, there were some positive surprises, the first concerned my new bank account. I opened a joint account ... Read More
Looking for work - we have basic spanish by Matkym1
Hi guys , myself and fiancé are both looking for work , we only have basic Spanish at the moment . We are looking for any type of work . I am a Carpenter / painter decorator and experienced locksmith , my partner has worked in admin , and with ...
I seems that you don't pay much attention to the international news. Unemployment is running at record breaking levels in Spain so you will need to have some unique skills in order to obtain work here where millions of young people are ... Read More
Safety in Spain by Christine
Hi, We would like to talk about a sensitive but important topic: do you feel safe in Spain? How would you define the level of safety in the country? Can you walk safely during the day and at night without any fear? Do you think there is ...
I am a male so it is difficult to respond to female concerns. However, I live in Menorca where it is unlikely that your security would be jeopardised anywhere on the Island. We have a prison here so obviously there must be crime and convicted ... Read More
Tips for getting your first job in Spain by expat.com
Hi, What are your tips and advice for getting a first job in Spain? What are the job hunting steps to follow? Where to look for offers: newspapers, Internet, recruitment agencies, word-of-mouth? What are the top hiring sectors? What ...
Firstly, the unemployment rate in Spain is staggering with businesses closing every day so this is really not a good time to be job hunting. You will need to have a very particular set of skills or experience, speak good Spanish and be prepared ... Read More