julie22

I used to work at Laycocks between 76 and 80. Worked in the typing pool as an office junior, but one of my jobs was to hand out the wages on a weekly basis to the factory workers both at Archer Road and at Little London Road. Can still remember all the wolf wistling as I had to walk across the shop floor (I was only 16/17 years old at the time). Remember the 2nd Christmas I was there, the MD sent a note around the offices saying that everyone had to be back at work by 2.00pm. Our typing supervisor (we called the Dragon) told us if we were not back by 2.00pm we could get sacked. A work colleague and I (both 17 at the time) went to the Sheaf Pub and at 2.30pm decided we would stay out all afternoon, as Laycocks could not sack us, we were so indispensable!!! (Jobs were plentiful at that time) We never got sacked!!!

Cowgirl - thanks for the link to the website, didnt know it even existed!! Glad to see you are settling in. When I came over here 2 years ago, having had a demanding job (and known by my friends as a workaholic), I was slightly concerned at what I would do all day!!!. I really love being here and dont miss working one bit!! - dont have any inclination to go back to the UK at all, not even for a visit. Everyone out here is very friendly and as everyone is in the same position, eg moving to a new country, most people are eager to make new friends, bit different from the UK, where everyone is too busy!! MelanieC - hope my previous EMAIL did not seem pessimistic to you. Things are not all sun and sunbathing here, and I do think that many of the TV programmes portray everyone succeeding here and having a wonderful life without looking at the day to day living!! However, I totally agree with Cowgirl, you have one life, go for it. If not you will always regret it. Even if things dont work out at least you have tried. I certainly dont regret moving here and would never swap my life here for one back in the UK.

I moved to the Almeria 2 years ago from Sheffield and have never regretted it. However, finding work is difficult, and wages are low (but so is cost of living). There are a number of websites that are useful for people thinking of moving to Almeria/Andalucia, eg costaalmeria.com, or andalucia.com. With regard to moving out over the summer, you may find it difficult to find a long term rent over July and August as most landlords can get more money for short term rents. Coming out for a year and renting is a good idea. If you can afford it I would recommend selling all your furniture in the UK (storage and relocation costs are expensive and furniture from the UK never seems to match the andalucian lifestyle/houses. Where you locate depends on whether you want village life or the coast. However there are very few villages that now dont have Brits living in them and there are many Brits who have lived here for years and still dont speak a word of Spanish!!. However dont underestimate the difficulty your children will experience going to school and learning in a foreign language, there is limited provision for them to learn Spanish at school and most just have to sit in the lessons and pick it up!! Good luck in your new venture