Saying adéu for good

People choose to come to Catalunya for many reasons: a job offer, to learn Castilian or perhaps simply to improve their quality of life. Up until last year, there was a steady increase in the number of Europeans choosing to settle in Catalunya, but last year the number of European immigrants began to fall, in particular among the British, French, Dutch, German and Portuguese. Inevitably, Spain’s stagnated economy has played a key factor—but, as these five people testify, there can be any number of reasons why some people choose to move away…

EDUCATION

Carolin Munter (37) and her husband came to Sitges in the summer of 2006, seeking a change of lifestyle. “We wanted to go abroad, broaden our horizons and live next to the sea and an exciting city. Barcelona seemed perfect for that.” At the time their daughter was just three months old and the issue of education seemed a distant consideration. But when the time came to decide where to send their daughter to school, Carolin realised she wanted to return home to Germany. “A Catalan school was not an option and the international schools didn’t offer optimal quality either. The German school was too far away from where we lived. It seems so distant now when I hear stories about children starting kindergarten/school in the Catalan system crying non-stop for a month every September. This just doesn’t exist in Germany; people don’t believe me if I tell them this. Here, there is the possibility of a soft start and a more child-centred education.”

Now based in the heart of the Black Forest, having moved back last summer, Carolin is also appreciative of Germany’s renowned efficiency, the vast choice of products in her local supermarket as well as the significantly lower cost of living. She describes the time she spent in Sitges as an “extended holiday” and doesn’t regret her decision to move away. “When we see how happy and more self-assured our daughter is, there is no way back. Moving away from a bubble to ‘real’ life has been rewarding and provided us with new experiences, friends and the feeling of belonging to a community.”

LANGUAGE

Claire Williams (42) worked in the media in London but was desperate to escape the rat race after work commitments became overwhelming. “When you miss your own 30th birthday due to being stuck at work, you know it is time to move on.” She spent nearly 10 years in Barcelona, establishing her apartment rental business, Bcn Bound, which she juggled alongside looking after her two small boys. Despite describing her time in the city as “happy” with some “great times and friends”, the issue of language for both her and her two sons became a major issue. “I was not too impressed with their Catalan primary school plus I would rather they learn Spanish than Catalan. As time went on I increasingly wanted to speak my own language. My grammar is good but but no one understood my south London accent! When I said ‘Hola!’ every morning, I got the usual response of ‘¿Cómo?’ from the locals.” After spending many holidays in Australia and falling in love with the culture there, Claire has now relocated to Sydney where she still runs her business and plans to replicate the model locally.

MISSING FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Victoria Lomas (32) only wanted to spend a month in Barcelona but ended up living and working in the city for almost 10 years.  She did a fast-track Castilian course and went on to work for two different estate agencies, latterly with the international luxury real estate agency Lucas Fox, which she describes as a “really happy” time. However, as time went by, Victoria says, she began to miss her family and friends in England more and more. “I would fly back maybe two or three times a year but it was expensive and hard to find the time off work so I missed out on a lot of family occasions and friends’ weddings, etc. I found that quite a few friends of mine who’d been living and working abroad had also returned to the UK, which effectively made my decision to go back easier. I think if you’ve had a positive experience of growing up there you eventually feel the ‘pull’ to go back home.”

Before going back to England, Victoria spent a short period travelling in Singapore and New Zealand. When she returned, she found a job as an account manager for a food export company in Bath, where she regularly uses her Castilian. “I thought I would miss Barcelona more but I’m really enjoying being back in the UK, rediscovering places that I took for granted before—I forgot England was so beautiful! I had an amazing time in Barcelona and I think it gives you a massive amount of confidence moving to a foreign country by yourself, being exposed to a different culture, learning the language, working and living in such a cosmopolitan city.”

WORK

Dutchman Henk Vrijheid (47) and his Catalan wife decided to leave Barcelona for the UK two years ago after Henk was made redundant from his job at General Electric (GE). Despite wanting to stay living and working in Barcelona, he struggled to find another position at his level. “The job market in Spain for more senior executive European positions is very difficult. Also for more senior positions in local Spanish businesses the market is tight. In general, companies are very risk-averse in offering positions and prefer to work with the current teams. As many companies are facing the need to adjust to the new economic reality, meaning they have to restructure, the appetite to invest in new employees is low. Furthermore, the pay levels in Spain are significantly lower than in other countries, like Germany or the UK.” Henk found another position within GE in London and appreciates all the perks that go with a higher salary. Henk has not ruled out the possibility of returning to live in Barcelona as his wife is Catalan and admits there are some aspects of the city which they miss hugely. “The pleasant weather, our friends and the enjoyable lifestyle. Also the opportunity to make short excursions to the coast or to the mountains in the winter was very pleasant. That is more difficult in London.”    

COMMUNITY

Rebecca Laidlaw (36) moved to Sitges in 2000 when her husband started working in Barcelona. She continued her job as a marketing consultant and also set up her own website business for international families relocating to or living in Spain (www.mumabroad.com). When her eldest child reached school age, however, they began to start thinking about moving back to the UK. “My son did a year at the local Catalan school and was very unhappy. We had a place at an international school which we turned down as we felt if we lived here our children should feel part of the local Catalan community. However, after a year in our local school I realised this wasn’t a long-term solution.” Rebecca was also increasingly conscious of not feeling like she ‘belonged’—being part of the ‘expat community’ was no longer enough. Rebecca and her husband chose to move back to the UK after 15 years abroad and she admits that she finally feels a genuine sense of belonging. “We appreciate being able to help our elderly neighbour, walk to the butcher, have a paper delivered, take part in village events, etc. The kids do really feel they belong here and I feel they have both flourished. It’s also great having grandparents and cousins on tap.” Rebecca has carried on working on her web-based business but travels back to Sitges during the holidays—“having our house in Spain has definitely helped to ease the pain.”