Why Living in Spain is Better than Anywhere Else

Aye we have a holiday home in the mountains of southern Spain.We live about a mile from a little village it is brilliant we have never had a problem in 25 years.Most of the people are native Spanish,there is no violence or drunks in the street.

Have you seen how they kill the cows and bulls to make your steak 🥩?

Don't be fooled Stu. The sole reason for Strimpel's article was to do Spain down for its humane and fully justified stance against the war crimes of Israel. She does not believe any of the tosh she wrote. In fact, judging by the number of times she visited, I'd wager she loves Spain. However, to gain points with her Zionist buddies, it looks good for her to write this sort of garbage. Don't be fooled by this woman's sophistry. Fortunately, she swore never to return to the wonderful country that is Spain, which can only benefit everyone.

I see very industrious workers everywhere in Valencia. If they aren’t servicing patrons they are cleaning. It’s wonderful here.

I love Spain to visit, but not to live. Americans tend to romanticize Europe. Many Americans and Brits never learn the local language. Spain has the best standards of living than any other country in which I have lived. Try living in the south of Italy.
An 11% unemployment rate reflects work ethics in Spain if you ask me. Spain is a great country, but it could be better.
When it comes to Spain food, I have no complaints.

I loved my nine years living on the Costa Del Sol, at Marbella and later Mijas Pueblo. Yes, the siesta time was problematic for us as we would travel from home to Malaga City to buy things for our business, but often we would have to wait through the siesta time to complete our errands and we had nothing to do except drink coffee and wait... It was frustrating, but just part of life at that time. In the 1970s things were closed even in Malaga City during siesta time. Maybe now in 2024 it is different. I wish I could still live in Spain, but life circumstances changed and I was forced to move back to Vancouver Island. I miss Spain a lot.

If you go to a place like Sevilla and are out walking the streets between 2pm and 5pm in mid summer you must be a tourist or completely mad ,it is so hot

I absolutely agree with you about bullfighting, to say you don't have to go is avoiding the issue. You can't escape the posters, the souvenirs and the fact that we are supposed to be the same species as those who torment animals for some perverted form of "entertainment".

After attending a corrida with El Portugués and El Viti in Madrid in 1964, yes, I saw art in the bullring!

I would hate to think about what kind of "art" goes on in that author's proverbial basement.

It's all propaganda this media hatred on Spain Stu. In my opinion and more than 30 years living in Spain, anyone saying Spain is the worst place are hypocrits and maybe need a long holiday or stay in Spain to criticise imho, best regards Marco 😉👊🇬🇧🇪🇦

and on the subject of immigration Stu, it's in some ways laughable. Most of the complainers are British and they need to remember that British are immigrants whether they live in Spain or on holiday. Very simple, integate in Spanish culture, learn the language and rules and respect them. Life in Spain for many reasons can be better when you integrate imho 😉👊🇬🇧🇪🇦🍻🍷

Spain is a great place to live if you can get away from the tourists areas. We never go to the beach and we don’t go drinking every night, we lead a simple social life as our Spanish neighbours do.

the Andalucian sauces derived from cooking Rabo de toros o carillada or osobuco are fenomenal. agree with your take on their blood sport as i am against any enjoyment derived from killing any animal foxes/deer/ birds por ejemplo

If 95 million people visited Spain this year, why did they? Because it’s wonderful, fascinating, delicious! Btw, everyone should visit the Archaeological Museum and the Colecciones Reales in Madrid! Fantastic!

Que sera sera... Tony cuenca

So, what is it exactly, that makes Spain so much
better than your country of birth, Australia?

Hi Stu, you're absolutely bang on about bull fighting. Great vid cheers

About sauces: we had the most delicious cuttlefish in a thick, savoury, inky sauce at Taberna del Alabardero in Madrid. Rabo de toro at La Giralda. We’ve had nothing but good luck with sauces! I’m dreaming about the food!

As a Spaniard I want to comment in 3 topics:

1. Italy and Spain have the lowest levels of alcoholism in the world, except the muslim countries (and not all), which is a bit surprising. Getting drunk is rather shameful for us, that's for sure. We have very low social tolerance for that, even more in gatherings with friends, family and in work-related parties.

2. Food. If you eat a daily "menú del día" you will find it kind of repetitive and dull. They offer a limited set of choices to apply "economies of scale" with no much variation depending on the day or place; Sauces: no, we don't add sauces for sure, we like the natural taste of the food. Basically, our dishes don't combine many different types of food in the same dish (some exceptions as the paella are great, and better with alioli sauce). Also, yes, we always eat with bread but you can skip that! Our lunch is heavy, our breakfast and dinner are light.


3. Bullfights: It is hard for me to judge because I was raised in this culture, so it does not shock me. Mainly, I find it boring and not really pleasant when you see it from a short distance (yes, I guess it is brutal). Notwithstanding, it is elaborate and complex.

Bravo stu for highlighting the barbaric bull fighting! 👏 Absolutely no excuse, it's not a culture, neither a sport or anything else other than financial revenue! My daughter has lived in Granada since she was 9 years old ( now 30) embraces ALL aspects of Spanish culture, but NOT this barbaric activity that in my view turns anyone who supports it as mindless , heartless cruel individuals.. rant over . Keep up your great videos Stuart👏

Whoever says Spain doesn’t do good sauces has never savoured Callos!

Τhe original Spectator article written by mrs. Strimpel is full of misery and exageration. Not worth reading at all!

Work to live, don't live to work.” Yes, work is important, but why do we work?

Glad you found the article useful and interesting. I agree with a lot of what he said, but feel as you do about bullfighting

I have lived here in Spain for over 26 years, much of it in the Sierra Segura in Jaen Province. I am perplexed by those who denigrate my Spanish neighbours, many of whom I share their problems with me. I and my family have been welcomed in my Aldea with open arms and have been recognized by the Government of Jaen for our integration into the local community. I am not a tourist, holiday maker or summer only resident. But rather a permanent resident .

From a distance Spain seems wonderful. It felt so safe when we were briefly there last year. We had bullfighting about 20 minutes south of us in Tijuana. I might have attended as a child (don’t remember). Definitely not my cup of tea.

Let's face it, on coffee and cakes, Portugal wins hands down. Wine, it's 50/50. Main meals, Portugal and Spain very different. Beer, well, neither have much beyond good hot-weather lagers.

I lived in Tenerife between 2006-2008 and unfortunately I got bored of the place and the fact that you have to work double the UK working hours for the exact same payment isn't worth it and over time the feeling of living abroad fades away because by the time you've finished work you're exhausted after working in the heat and you don't get much time to see anything else and before you know it it's just like living back home because your rent and bills still need to be paid.

Would like to mention:
Shops may well close between 2 and 5, however they open again from 5-8. The obvious reason to anyone who has actually lived and work here is the mid day heat. (see: Mad dogs and Englishmen)
As going out doesn’t require drinking till you’re 💩-faced, no babysitters are required, children accompany parents and see being in bars and restaurants as normal.
A HUGE plus for those working here are the pensions-your last salary for life with a double payment in July and December.
Viva España!!!

Well Stu if you lived where I am a the moment near Pillar de la horadada you may consider other differences in Spain all month the nightly noise made until 7am by a fun fair pretending to be a "fiesta" and organised by the council you may see a different view of Spain. Yet the police will knock on the door of a local bar if they make any noise after 10pm! It's a whole different part of Spain that many wouldn't believe as there is no logic. Most of the times there is no one at this "Party" but it still continues until 5am to 7am as it did Sunday

I used to be a part-time resident of Spain, in Sitges outside of Barcelona. I think Spain is an absolutely wonderful place to live. You have to appreciate “ the Spanish clock.” If you want a regular 8 to 5 or 9 to 5 day, stay home. The idea of the siesta on a warm and sunny afternoon is truly magical. Time for parents and children to play together, time for a very long and leisurely lunch with friends, time to just lay out at the beach.
The food is justifiably renowned. Most “ sauces” are based on olive oil, with wonderful spices and pimientos. The notion of tapas has taken the rest of the world by storm.
The political system is the same as every other parliamentary system in Europe, except for the UK— coalition governments.

I was wandering through a Spanish town and came across 30 children attending band practice in a square.

Every country could fit Ms. Strimple’s opinions, if you had a closed mind and negative outlook! Plenty of Brits have spent many vacations or even moved to Spain and they love the place! Millions of people wouldn’t care to live in the overcrowded and noisy UK and politics there are just as raucous as Spain’s’ !
I personally do not appreciate bull fighting, I don’t find it sporting or artistic but, as a Canadian winter tourist, Spain is awesome!💕🇨🇦

Spain is an amazing place to live. Quality of life is amazing and across the country you can experience different ways of life. As stated, you rarely ever seen Spanish drunk people or violence. Note, in Madrid, most things are always open except small stores like some pharmacies, etc can close mid day for a few hours. The only down sides to Spain are compensation in certain industries (where you can make much more in other countries - but beware that many jobs pay more than Spain but I would guess many Spaniards live better at lower salaries than people in other countries at higher salaries), government bureaucracy (but not the worst), and taxes depending on your situation. Not a fan of bull fighting though.

I live three kilometers from Laguna Beach in Southern California. California offers good weather, ethnic foods, much better job opportunities, great scenery (Like Spain) but in other standards of living, Spain is a lot better. The costs of living is a third less, safety you can't even compare (Two shootings very closed to my house and I live in the second safest city of California. The Alabama shooting was the number 402 mass shooting of this year so far), architecture ( Not even close), culture, history, traditions, night life, work/Leisure balance, low cost traveling, health care, public transportation, life expectancy etc... I am from Asturias and when I take my American wife, family, and friends to my region they always tell me that is "Like a fairytale dream that they don't want to wake up from". Of the many American people that I know and have visited my country, I can only tell you that they don't stop raving about it. Every year in the last 3 years the number of American tourists visiting Spain increases and is about 30 to 36% more every year (The most of any visiting country), and I fear that in the coming years we may have an American invasion. Of course Spain has to improve the lack of good jobs and business opportunities, bureaucracy, convenience and customer service but in many categories what Spain offers it is hard to beat.

Spain is one of the best countries in the world, made up of tremendously kind and hard working people. I wish I had discovered it earlier in my life. Thank you.

We plan to move to Matorral

To claim Spain is better than anywhere is as daft as claiming it is the worst..

Love Espana its like Queensland In Australia 30 year ago only punters speak Spanish Viva Espana

The only thing I can complain about Spain so far, is the compulsive smoking, you become a second hand smoker in any big city 😒Aside from that, I'm enjoying everything else, specially the food and stunning views, historical architecture, and good road manners (compared to my Latin-American country of origin 😅).

Why would you interested in spanish politics? The anwer is: if you are a straight, white guy you wouldn't. But if you are gay or your skin color is not white you don't want to go where right-wing extremists like Vox are in charge or have a lot of influence.

I love my time in Spain especially El Puerto…..the friends I have made here are super even though my Spanish is basic. & not just because I have Cruzcampo on draght. Lol 😝

I didn't like owning a businesses here BUT it is the best if you don't need to work & have money to survive on 👍🏼 clean air, healthy food, it's good for healing your body

I’d never live in a Country filled with so many British drunks.

Standards have gone down the nick , since the days of the Junta , & losing its national identity by stealth since it joined the EU .

I first experienced Spain back in 1972-1976 as a young 19 year old Marine stationed at Marine Barracks Rota, (Cadiz)

Now 50 years later, my wife and I are fulfilling a dream of living long term in Rota. I have acquired my permanent residency and continue to work on my Andalusian
accent. Love the slow,
peaceful and very affordable
lifestyle. We still have friends and family from 50 years ago. Lots of retired U.S. military servicemen married to Spanish women here. This province is very friendly toward American military.

To live yes, to earn money no. Cheers ¡

Spain is the best. Great weather, food, beaches and people. I don’t even think about going anywhere else on holiday. I’ve got a Camino de Santiago booked in April, La Costa Brava in May and Almeria in August. Don’t listen to the news or politics! Spain is still the best.