Thinking of swapping drizzle for sunshine and starting a new life in Spain? Moving abroad is exciting, but it comes with surprises, adjustments, and lessons you only learn by living it.
Marijke, a Dutch national who left London to live in rural Andalucía with her British husband Hilary, shares the 10 biggest lessons she learned in her first year abroad.
“Finding friends has been hugely important to make us feel at home, here in Spain… And our little kittens – though no longer so little – are continuously introducing rabbits, mice and birds into our living room. Now, that feels like home!”
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1. Your holiday home feels very different once it’s permanent
Many of us fall in love with Spain on holiday, but living there is a different experience.
“It still feels as if I’m on an amazing, extended, wonderful holiday.”
At first, every day felt like a holiday – long breakfasts of freshly pressed orange juice, hot rolls, and Manchegan cheese – but slowly, daily routines emerged. The excitement of new surroundings is real, but so are the practicalities like sorting internet, car registration, and local paperwork.
2. The pace of life is slower – and that’s a good thing
One of the first cultural shifts Marijke noticed was the slower rhythm of Spanish life.
“My new life will be about taking time to do things, reflect, read and learn new skills… Not sure what skills those are yet, but I definitely can improve on painting walls!”
From siestas to long morning coffees and evening paseos, embracing the slower pace is part of the joy of moving abroad.
Excited about the prospect of a new life in the sun?
Navigating Spanish admin can be daunting. Marijke jokes about taking “brave pills” whenever she faces something new, like speaking Spanish on the phone or visiting the town hall.
“Ever since we moved here… I’ve been relying on Hilary to deal with deliveries, trades people, Spanish administration. Not fair on him perhaps, but he does speak Spanish really well… A few days ago, I had a big problem with my Spanish telephone. So I took a brave pill, and phoned the mobile phone company… The call went brilliantly!”
Top tip: Work with a local gestor to smooth the process for things like your NIE, residencia, or registering your car.
4. Learning Spanish is essential for real connection
Even if you settle in an expat-friendly area, daily life requires Spanish – especially for things like visiting the doctor or sorting utilities.
“I want to understand my Pilates teacher when she tells a joke and the whole class laughs out loud – apart from me!”
Marijke’s tip: mix formal classes, apps like Duolingo, and real-life practice. She even started walking with local friends:
“Half the walk we speak Spanish for my benefit, and the other half in English for hers.”
5. Summer is hot – really hot
“We thought we’d relish the heat – the warmer the better – though even for us 45 degrees felt a bit much!”
Living in Spain means adapting to the seasons: shutters closed in the afternoon, early morning walks, iced coffee (café con hielo), and maybe a siesta.
“We’ve started to appreciate early mornings – which is a miracle for those who know me well!”
6. Early mornings and siestas become your best friends
Spain teaches you to listen to the rhythm of the day. While the UK is a 9-to-5 culture, rural Spain is built around:
Cool early mornings for errands and chores
Long, quiet afternoons (shops close, the sun is intense)
Late evenings for socialising and outdoor meals
“The best time for eating outside is from around 8 pm, when the temperature begins to drop – slowly.”
7. Neighbours make a house a home
Community is everything. Moving abroad can feel isolating at first, but a warm welcome from neighbours makes all the difference.
“Local people have been immensely generous, friendly and accepting of foreigners in the village. And even though there is a language barrier, we all try to communicate.”
From Christmas drinks parties to sharing homegrown vegetables, friendships turned their house into a home.
8. Food is a joy – whether from the market or your own garden
“We’ve been given vegetables, tomatoes, capers and olive oil – very colourful and utterly delicious!”
Hilary and Marijke also started their own orchard with lemons, limes, and figs, though the local rabbits often had other ideas.
“Planted one day, eaten the next!”
Does your Spanish dream involve growing your own food?
Living abroad isn’t just sunshine and sangria – expect the unexpected.
“Our house deeds say the number is 107, the previous owner was 170, and the letterbox says 16c. Go figure!”
Whether it’s confusing addresses, local traditions, or cultural differences, rolling with the surprises is part of the adventure.
10. You’ll never regret the leap
Moving to Spain can be challenging, but the rewards are immense.
“I’m certainly enjoying the slow transition from holiday to normality, and hope that we manage to keep an element of holiday feeling in everyday life.”
Marijke’s advice? Prepare well, be patient, and embrace every experience – because living in Spain is truly a dream come true.
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