By Jacqueline van Beveren, Holland
For many years I had wanted to change my life. I really wanted to experience life in another country; whenever I was on holiday I never wanted to return to Holland. Even though I had a wonderful job as a schoolteacher I wanted something else. I wanted to experience everyday life in another country and where better than in Spain? I didn’t want to live any longer in a part of the world with so much rain and grey skies: I wanted the sun in my life.
My kids were still very young, only 5 and 6 years old, the best age to emigrate. We came to Spain 6 years ago. My kids go to a normal Spanish school and speak better Spanish than Dutch.
In Spain you have more quality of life, better food, better wines and above all better weather. Kids can play outside more often than in Holland and you don´t have so many work related meetings in the evenings as in Holland. Evenings and weekends are for the family!
Spanish people are very nice, friendly and appreciate it very much when you (try to) speak their language. If you get to know more Spanish people, you feel more like a part of the country!
Over here you have always 50 different shades of blue instead of 50 shades of grey, like in Holland. Holland is nice, but to be honest: I prefer Spain.