Moving To Spain – Part 1: The Idea Sprouts
Thinking of moving to Spain? Of course you are! Want some hints and tips to make life easier? Of course you do! This is the first in a short series of articles aimed at helping you make those dreams come true. Enjoy!
Moving to Spain Part 1: The idea sprouts
So you’re on your holiday (vacation for our many American readers) in Spain – sat in a bar happily sipping your beer, and you spot that the bar owner has the perfect life. He gets to chat to customers all day while the busty blonde barmaid brings beer for him and all his mates. Of course you are absolutely right to assume that he only works 3 or 4 hours per day, 2 days per week. And it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to see that because his bar happens to be in a holiday resort – he is obviously on a permanent break and raking in the cash.
Of course YOU would be brilliant at running a bar in Spain!
Okay, so you have zero experience of running your own business, or being in a management position, or even doing anything remotely customer focused… and you struggle to keep to a budget when doing the weekly shop – but hey how hard can it be? You only have to pour a couple of pints and chat to a few people sometimes don’t you; apparently you’re quite the raconteur at parties. Anyway – you can get staff to do all the work while you top up your tan on the terrace. The money will just come rolling in. Happy days!
There’s always enough room for another “Red Lion”
It is vital that you realise that the resort desperately needs another British bar serving John Smith’s and cooking mediocre all day breakfasts. The Missus isn’t the greatest of cooks, and she burns water… but hey, she’ll learn – and anyway… you have all those staff to do it. It doesn’t matter that most the bars doing exactly the same thing have closed within six months – your enthusiasm will more than make up for your lack of anything remotely resembling experience or know-how. So what if the visitors to your new venture don’t like you? There’s a whole new planeload on their way right?!
It’s nice to share – ask away!
Feel free to ask any residents as many personal questions as you like. We are more than happy to discuss our financial situations with you – after all it’s your dream so privacy counts for nought, and we never get tired of being on the receiving end.
Example questions to ask the locals that you meet in the bar
- What is your bank balance?
- How much money do you make in a year?
- What’s your business worth?
- Do you fiddle the tax man?
Note from Elle
Last time I posted an article with this tone (how to get the best from your holiday in Spain), I was lynched on a couple of Social Networking websites by people who took it all too seriously. So I would like to point out that of course this article is written with my tongue firmly in my cheek – apparently I need to spell that out to some (cough). Not all of us have the same sense of humour… but hopefully it makes a few of you chuckle.
Moving To Spain – Part 2: Research
Julia Davies
February 1, 2014 @ 12:49 pm
Ha ha!! Love it Elle.
Elle Draper
February 1, 2014 @ 1:01 pm
Ha ha ha. So pleased you enjoyed it Julia x
Paul
February 1, 2014 @ 4:23 pm
Although writen tongue in cheek, Elle, I get the feeling you have encountered this perfil more than once ?
Elle Draper
February 1, 2014 @ 4:29 pm
Hi Paul – thanks for popping in. Yes… we have seen it many times. Wait until the next in the series… there are some corkers coming!
I have just looked at your website – and so it will probably resonate with you too.
Elle x
Paul
February 1, 2014 @ 5:01 pm
Looking forward to it Elle. We are in a bit of a niche area but most expats with the need to earn their living from other expats are failing or going back home. I also fall into that category but fortunately have enough work at the moment. But we have had the business 8 years and the clave, hablamos espanol ;)
Elle Draper
February 1, 2014 @ 7:04 pm
That’s great news (well, for you). Yeah, we’re the same… it doesn’t matter where we are in the world, as long as we have an internet connection. We build websites and obviously have some of our own (including this one) that pay the bills. Long may it continue eh!
wanderingeducators
February 3, 2014 @ 6:12 pm
Funny!! I bet you’ve seen a lot of this…
Elle Draper
February 3, 2014 @ 6:29 pm
Oh yes Jessie! More so via another of our sites http://www.lanzaroterelocation.co.uk but it’s certainly not uncommon x
Jennifer
February 4, 2014 @ 1:05 am
:) Still smiling out here in California — funny, Elle!
Elle Draper
February 4, 2014 @ 10:40 am
Tee hee. Glad you liked it Jennifer! x
Terry at Overnight New York
February 4, 2014 @ 9:33 pm
A hoot. Actually, this reads as a companion piece of sorts to your husband’s recent item on annoying expats.
Cat of Sunshine and Siestas
February 4, 2014 @ 10:34 pm
I couldn’t help but laugh and remember Joe Cawley’s first book! I think people who start businesses in Spain have to be in Spain. By the way, have any tips about becoming and SL? ;)
Elle Draper
February 5, 2014 @ 11:12 am
It must be his influence on me, Terry ;) x
Elle Draper
February 5, 2014 @ 11:13 am
Ha ha – yes! I loved both of Joe’s books.
Yes – we do have some articles coming soon about setting up an SL. Handy eh? x
Mary @Green Global travel
February 12, 2014 @ 6:07 pm
Too funny! Way to look on the positive side; another planeload of visitors are on the way. :) Love it.