A success project!
I know this QOTW is for fails. But I think we do deserve the odd success story or two!

Anyway this is certinately one! Entitled: How a shy IT geek with no mates from the North of England successfully buggered off to Spain for a new life!

But I did it! Back in January 2007, I took a few days out to a well known Costa in Spain not knowing that in 4 months time i'd actually be living there!

I've always had the buzz to move abroad I think. I wanted to move to the states many years ago, but then 9/11 happened and things got all messy and stupidly complicated with visas and stuff. I really didnt want to be somewhere trying to build a new life knowing I was only on temporary visas and stuff. So the U.S soon lost its appeal.

But how awesome is Europe? And how awesome is our british passport? Allowing us limitless travel and stay in anywhere in Europe.
I had a bit of a messy break up from a serious relationship. My friends had all gone to Uni and never came back. I also ended up being in a car crash too writing off my car. So decided sod it! I'm going to do what I've always wanted to!

Taking a huge risk, I put my notice in as IT Manager which was a really good paid job and I gave up my rented apartment. A month later I took a one way flight back out to Spain.

I had a hotel booked for a week and a car hired and a couple of grand in the back pocket. That was it. I knew no one, had no work, didnt know the place and didnt know the language or anything. I just took the chance!

I got my CV out and about. Drove up and down learning the coast and put myself out there. I participated on loads of forums for expats and started meeting people. Despite at this point being prepared to work in Maccy Dees, I got a job as an IT Technician 2 weeks after landing!
It was long hours and low paid. But there I met the best team of people I ever could have done who have since become life long friends. Although that job finished 9 months later with the company going bust, we've all kept in touch, and I was straight back on my feet again and landed another job as a technician for a well estalished firm. I have now been there 18 months. I've been promoted up to Senior and life is just damned well amazing!

I have a great bunch of friends. Live in an amazing town in Spain. I've overcome so many personal barriers with once being a socialphobe, and my confidence is through the roof. I took on a project, and a challenge to turn life around and succeeded in doing it.

Even now I drive down the road, under the sun, with the sea to my right and think.. Woah I did it! Finances are good, work is solid, and I am very very fortunate. The economic crises has had a huge impact on people here. So many are having to return to the UK. Whereas I have managed to stay, and I certinately have no reason to leave.

It wasnt easy, but with the experience I've gained on this venture, If I did feel like leaving.. it would simply be a question as to where to next!

I've never been so happy! Just need to find someone to marry now!
(Miggyman, Fri 4 Dec 2009, 17:08, 14 replies)

Jealous??
Me?

Never*










*may be a lie.
(dchurch bah, Fri 4 Dec 2009, 17:13, closed)

I have to say
you've got bigger bollocks than I have.
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Fri 4 Dec 2009, 17:15, closed)

That's great!
Can I marry you?
( SpankyHanky, Fri 4 Dec 2009, 17:23, closed)

... promoted up to Senior...
Why did I read that as "Promoted up to Señor" ?
(GoodLord doesn't have time for sigs., Fri 4 Dec 2009, 18:10, closed)

haha
Senior.. or a Señor its all the same in Spain :)
(Miggyman, Fri 4 Dec 2009, 19:14, closed)

hola
hola tengo una vida nueva en españa y ¡ya soy un ganador!
(butterednuts broiling, Fri 4 Dec 2009, 20:01, closed)

Someone to Marry?
Good god man, why ruin it?
(Scritty Bakerman., Fri 4 Dec 2009, 20:46, closed)

lol
I think you have a good point there!
(Miggyman, Tue 8 Dec 2009, 14:10, closed)

Living in Spainland...
.
Me Too! Me Toooo! I drive along the N340 between La Cala and Fuengirola every (sunny) day, looking at the sea whilst laughing to myself about how cold it is back home in Blighty... Tee Hee!
:)
(Arcazule, Sat 5 Dec 2009, 5:32, closed)

awww youre on the nice side!
I got Estepona to Gibraltar to worry about! haha :)
Its nice down here isnt it? hehe
(Miggyman, Tue 8 Dec 2009, 14:05, closed)

me too
though mine was a lot more planned out.

been here almost 4 years, got a fairly successful company up and running in the last 2 years.

where u at?
(bamboozled Can hear you getting fatter, Sat 5 Dec 2009, 21:56, closed)

i applaude you!
been thinking similar things but i'm ok where i am.. for now :)

good on ya!
(DreddPirateBob has watched every scifi film ever on, Sat 5 Dec 2009, 22:27, closed)

get out, stay out
1995 aged 23 buggered off with 2k and not looked back. Asia was my destination. 12 single years to start (yeah, it was a tough old time) then I got married. And now Mrs Prescottsflu and I have young Prescottsflu. With Skype and cheap air travel the Grandparents/uncles/aunts have loads of contact and come over and spend weeks not a couple of hours and everyone gets on super well as we're not under each others feet constantly. Lovely to say hello and lovely to wave them goodbye.

However tough it gets - and unless you are extraordinarily lucky there will be very tough times - stay the course, it's well worth it. Good luck to you and well done.
(prescottsflu infected you at, Sun 6 Dec 2009, 3:31, closed)

Thats fantastic :)
Good on you! Asia sounds coool!
(Miggyman, Tue 8 Dec 2009, 14:09, closed)