I bet a lot wish they had bought in France, at least the property is generally legal. As for the spanish welcoming the British….well they do if they earn from them, otherwise they generally dislike us. Some of the spanish forums and newspaper comments are eyeopeners 😆
Only just noticed this thread. Marks article is tosh, sorry Mark but really. 🙁 How much time have you spent in France to arrive at those opinions?)
I have lived in both countries and quality of life in France is vastly superior. If you live in the south as I do the climate is comparable with Spain. I mention that only because everything else is exceptional.
Spain is a third world country in comparison to France.
It’s like making a comparison between fois gras and soap. 🙂
Only just noticed this thread. Marks article is tosh, sorry Mark but really. 🙁 How much time have you spent in France to arrive at those opinions?)
Ah, takes me back.
This article was not meant to be taken too seriously. The whole idea was to have some fun with the French Mistress (Helena Frith-Powell) vs. The Spanish Property Doctor (me). Like in a debating society my job was to defend Spain and trash France, and have fun in the process. I think you missed the point.
As it happens I love France and love going to the South to visit friends like Helena. It takes me just two and a half hours by car to reach them, which is great advantage of living in this part of Spain.
OK Mark I understand the point. The comments in the article seemed so one sided and a caricature of a typical British view of the French I should have realised.
I think you will still agree if you know France well that position is tosh.
It’s misleading anyway to compare the two countries. France is a rich, advanced, developed, democratic nation. Spain is a relatively young country developing quickly and now struggling.
I say young in the sense that the modern state was only born after Franco. In the Franco years it was positively medieval.
I would agree the French people take some understanding. However learning their language and exchanging social dialogue goes a long way in France. Their values are different. Wealth creation is secondary to ‘joie de vivre’, self understanding and their place in the world. It’s also very socialist politically despite the far right.
The Spanish equally love life but their main centre of focus is family.
In both these values systems the British as ex pats will always be outsiders looking in. It’s for these reasons the British fail to integrate very well in either country and stick to their own communities.
Both countries have something to offer as a place to live. Spain used to be attractive for a low cost of living. That has now gone. The climate now is the principal, perhaps only advantage.
France has much more than that and as a destination for the British second to none in Europe or even the world.
I love France. When my Daughter worked in Paris I visited about 5 times a year, was sorry when her 3 years was up 😀 Most of the country hasn’t suffered from the developers, even in the South inland villages have remained unspoilt, not so Spain they all now have cement blocks in every small village. French houses are better built for home comforts and better value.
Bottom line is that I just really wouldn’t want to live there.
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