Adapting to life in any new country is a continuous process. Frustration and confusion arise anywhere when you buy or sell a house. Spain is no different other than that frustration and confusion are subjects in which it is possible to obtain a doctorate in a relatively short period. The good news is that it doesn't take too long to get used to this state of affairs.

There are many reasons why a family may want to leave the security and comfort of their own country but the primary reason among expatriates seems to be the desire to live in a land which is not quite so generous with the rain and cold. For others, as old age approaches, thoughts turn to health and many are aware that the Spanish Health system has an excellent reputation with no significant waiting time for treatment.

The majority of foreign residents in Spain originate from northern European countries, all of which suffer from a poor climate. There are more UK residents in Spain than all other foreign residents combined. Many parents, particularly young ones, don´t like the idea of their children growing up in conditions of anti-cyclonic gloom and look to to other countries as an alternative.

Spain, with its 315 days per year of sunshine, large expatriate communities and low cost of living is the logical choice and high on most lists. However, there is much to think about before such a move is undertaken. If you have no need for work, read no further - the Spanish sun is waiting to welcome you. On the other hand, if you require a regular income in order to be able to support your family then you need to give careful thought as to how you are going to achieve this.

For the majority of people, their introduction to Spain starts as a holiday. For some it continues and becomes an affair for life, with returns for holidays year after year. Many purchase holiday homes for themselves and family, visiting Spain not once but perhaps several times per year. In a surprisingly large number of cases, the call is greater and whole families move to Spain and take up permanent residence.

There are many problems for these people among which may be children to educate, a home to buy and work to find. There will be many other problems which will crop up, most of which will not have been anticipated or envisaged. However, the truth is that most who set off on this exciting journey arrive safely, soon settling in to their new surroundings and enjoying their new lifestyle.

The Spanish are extremely tolerant of their country's invasion by so many foreigners. Seemingly there are no problems, with nationals of many different countries living harmoniously in Spain. Spain is a "melting pot" for EU citizens and is probably the most international of any of the World's countries. Many Spaniards speak several languages.

A significant minority of British expatriates are destructively critical of Spain, complaining about the Spanish "tomorrow" mentality, the lack of sophistication, poor services, even the weather is criticised sometimes for being too hot, other times because it may be raining.

Time and time again you will hear the same people saying "back in the UK" etc. The question is: why if the UK is so good don't they return?

If your idea of heaven is the UK with permanent sunshine, no matter how hard you try, you won't find Spain measuring up to what you want. Spain is different - very different!. The differences are those things which make up the character of both the country and the people and which help to make it so attractive to the many foreigners who holiday and who often go on to live here permanently.

In the final analysis, the figures must speak for themselves. 60 million tourists and one and one half million foreign residents are proof enough that Spain has much to offer. When you arrive, be positive and look for the good.

Enjoy the beautiful climate. Go out and make Spanish friends. If you have children, you have a whole new experience of learning how to cope with them not being under your feet but instead spending most of their time under the sun. Spain has so much to offer.

What you do and how you do it, is entirely up to you and this alone will determine the quality and length of time you spend under the Spanish sun.