Ben lives with his wife Marina in Madrid, Spain, where he runs several Spain-centric Web sites and podcasts. The environment there is a far cry from his homeland in the UK, which he misses sometimes, but he's relishing the differences. Learn more about what life is like for this British expat in Spain, a country that's filled with contrasts, with warm and friendly people, and with succulent cuisine.

Ben Curtis

March 16 2007

-Where were you born?
Oxford, UK

-In which country and city are you living now?
Madrid, Spain

-Are you living alone or with your family?
With my wife, Marina

-How long have you been living in Spain?
Eight and a half years

-What is your age?
34

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Spain?
When I was living in London, unemployed and fed up, unable to cope with the idea of another British winter. Spain seemed like a much better idea!

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
Not for me. Being British I just had to get a Residence Permit. It meant a long queue in the cold one morning, that’s all!

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
No, it took one morning using a company called Asisa. I needed it then to get my residence permit, though I don’t think that is the case anymore. I’ve kept it on anyway, as a backup.

-How do you make your living in Spain? Do you have any type of income generated?
I have worked as an English teacher and a translator, but now I run a series of websites and podcasts about Spain and learning Spanish: Notes from Spain, Notes in Spanish, and Notes from Madrid, all of which somehow manage to keep us afloat! Other work has come as a result of the websites, such as working for Lonely Planet and Fodors travel guides.

-Do you speak Spanish and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
I am fluent in Spanish, something which is extremely helpful in Spain, especially when you don’t want to get ripped off by a taxi driver, or overcharged (too often!) in markets and bars. The Spanish certainly respect a foreigner who has made a real effort with their language, and life is harder for those that don’t make any effort to reach at least a conversational level.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
Of course I miss the people, and certain parts of the UK – the cliffs of Cornwall in particular, but all that is compensated for by the ability to travel regularly throughout Spain. It’s a wonderful country of endless contrasts, from desert conditions in Almeria, to the deep damp greens of the north.

-Do you have other plans for the future?
I hope to continue to develop our websites for years to come, but would also love to do something in the future that involved less time staring at a screen, and more time being outdoors and meeting people… Ben’s motorcycle tours of hidden Spain is an idea I keep coming back to!

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
We have a mortgage, like most young married couples our age in Spain.

-What is the cost of living in Spain?
Madrid used to be fairly cheap compared to other European cities, but since the introduction of the Euro prices have increased substantially, and Madrid is now getting closer to other big European cities like London and Paris. You can still find cheap places to eat and drink, but it is getting increasingly hard!

-What do you think about the Spanish?
Although the Madrileños can seem like a pretty rambunctious lot to outsiders, once you get to know them they are a warm, generous lot. There is a lot of stress running through the city these days, but it is soon forgotten about once everyone gets in a bar and starts out on one of the legendary Madrid nights out!
 
-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Spain?
Positive: typically relaxed outdoor Mediterranean lifestyle (and weather!), wonderful travel opportunities, and fantastic cuisine based on an appreciation for good raw materials.

Negative: Customer service in Spain is appalling, but you soon get used to it!

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Spain?
Yes, read the Expat Manifesto!

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Spain?
Notes from Spain for podcasts and blogging on Spanish travel and culture, Notes in Spanish for podcasts to help you learn and improve your Spanish, and Notes from Madrid which is full of tips on enjoying the city, as well as www.catavino.net, a great place to find out about Iberian wines.