Going to Live in Spain : A Practical Guide to Enjoying a New Lifestyle in the Sun

Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 13 Facts, facts and more facts......Page 14 Governing modern Spain......Page 17 Pros and cons of life in Spain......Page 20 The big number one – climate......Page 23 Summary......Page 27 The heritage of the Moors......Page 29 Conquering the world......Page 31 The Franco era......Page 33 Stunning national parks......Page 35 Diverse farming......Page 37 Distinctive architecture......Page 41 More than just Dali......Page 42 Quixote, Lorca, Hemingway and others......Page 43 Summary......Page 44 The documents required......Page 46 What clothing to take......Page 50 Taking your pets......Page 51 Learning the language......Page 52 Moving your furniture......Page 54 Organising your travel......Page 56 Summary......Page 58 Planning your income......Page 60 Keeping healthy......Page 66 A new lifestyle......Page 67 The frequency of moving house......Page 68 The results of the International Passenger Survey......Page 70 Statistics from Newcastle......Page 72 Seeking more that pleasant amenities......Page 74 Summary......Page 75 Equal opportunity......Page 77 Casual, seasonal, part-time or full-time work......Page 78 Teaching......Page 80 Your contract of employment......Page 81 The black economy......Page 85 Having your own business......Page 86 Getting started......Page 90 Business on-costs......Page 93 Summary......Page 94 Deciding where to go......Page 95 A roof over your head......Page 104 Property rental......Page 110 Summary......Page 112 Considering the pros and cons of each house type......Page 113 The people involved in buying......Page 117 Understanding the legal documents......Page 123 Money matters......Page 126 Summary......Page 129 8 The Education System......Page 130 Secondary school......Page 131 Vocational training......Page 132 Private schools......Page 133 Summary......Page 136 The romantic culture of old Spain......Page 137 El toro (the bull)......Page 139 The Spanish character......Page 145 Summary......Page 154 Classic dishes of Spain......Page 156 Eating well......Page 159 Regional food......Page 162 Eating out......Page 164 Tapas......Page 166 Bar or café......Page 169 Introducing wine......Page 170 Classifying wine......Page 172 Sangria, sherry, brandy and others......Page 175 Summary......Page 177 Enjoying a new lifestyle......Page 179 Enjoying sporting activities......Page 180 Involving yourself in social activities......Page 188 Holidaying in Spain......Page 189 Summary......Page 191 Knowing banks and currency......Page 192 Dealing with red tape......Page 194 Learning about taxation......Page 200 Summary......Page 205 Understanding the health system......Page 207 Instituto Nacional de la Salud......Page 210 What to do in an emergency......Page 211 The beginning...and the end......Page 212 Keeping within the law......Page 215 Summary......Page 217 Forget Marks & Sparks......Page 219 Best buys......Page 224 Purchasing utility supplies......Page 228 Summary......Page 229 Travelling by road......Page 231 Meeting motoring regulations......Page 236 Travelling by train......Page 238 Telephone communications......Page 242 Postal communications......Page 245 Getting the name and address correct......Page 246 TV, radio, newspapers and books......Page 247 Summary......Page 249 1 Gibraltar – a Rock in a hard place......Page 251 2 The British Embassy and Consulate – what do they do?......Page 255 3 The Spanish Constitution – extracts......Page 258 4 Income and expenditure checklist......Page 260 5 The best of Spain......Page 262 6 Saying hello......Page 265 7 Classic Spanish recipes......Page 267 8 Public holidays......Page 270 9 Clothing and shoe sizes......Page 271 10 The Communities of Spain and their Provinces......Page 272 11 Useful addresses......Page 276 12 Further reading......Page 280 C......Page 285 F......Page 286 M......Page 287 S......Page 288 W......Page 289 There are many reasons for going to live in Spain. This book tells you how you can actually do it. The author, one of many Britons who has chosen to make Spain his home, endeavors to provide all the information needed to get the most out of this vibrant and exciting country