Happy factor boost for Spanish property
By Sue Brown, 26 Jan 2011
More than two out of three ex-pats are happier in their adopted countries compared with their countries of origin and even more say they are convinced the cost of living was lower...
With its 300 days of Costa sunshine, lower cost of living and generally healthier lifestyle, it comes as no surprise that British expats living in Spain are the most contented of all foreigners living abroad.
Of those ex-pats living in Spain, 75.9% said they were happier in their new country than they had been in Britain.
This is the finding of research carried out by Lloyds TSB International, who asked 1,000-plus British citizens in the 10 most popular expat destinations to rate their lives abroad based on factors including quality of life and cost of living.
Word on the Spanish “Happy” factor is out, as a growing number of Brits plan to buy a property in Spain and already in the first weeks of 2012 they are helping to swell the wait-lists to grab bank-owned bargains in the most popular holiday resorts on favourite Costas.
John Kramer, a British expat who lives in Andalucia, is not surprised by the research findings because its “outdoor lifestyle, traditional family values, and positive outlook on life makes Spain a very comfortable place to live.”
Despite Spain’s economic problems, 80% ex-pats agreed that the cost of living was lower – a higher percentage than in any other country. However, salaries are also lower.
Sarah Drane, who runs a marketing company in Majorca warned: “While it is undoubtedly true that going to a land of sand and sun, a place of cheap wine and siestas, does put a smile on many a face, living in Iberia is not without its problems. The bureaucracy is a nightmare and the banks are awful.”
Ex-pat good pointers:
• Weather is great
• Cost of living is low
• Food is great
• Generally healthier lifestyle
• Health service better than NHS (quicker, more efficient, cheaper)
• Road network better – smoother traffic flow, shorter travel times
Ex-pat bad pointers
• Government and corporate red tape and bureaucracy
• Few Spanish companies have heard of “customer service”
• Salaries are low and contract jobs a rarity.
• Some police and government officials are corrupt and in jail
• Spanish drivers are a nightmare (not all of them)
• Property market is dying a slow, painful, public death