What’s it like living in Granada?
I enjoyed reading this interview. First of all, Nikki lives in the same city we do so it is interesting hearing another expat’s point of view on Granada. Secondly, she’s done a lot of travelling and works in the travel business. There’s nothing I love more than travel.
An interesting interview highlighting why Granada makes for a great base in Spain.
Hi Nikki! Thank you for doing this interview. First of all, I’m interested in your story. How did you end up coming to Spain?
Hi, the first time I came to Spain was back in 1990 when I got a job as a nanny working for a British family in La Manga Club. I fell in love with Spain and ended up staying a couple of years before returning back to the UK. A few years later I got a job as a Holiday Rep with Thomas Cook and ended up returning to Spain and spent a few years living and working in different Spanish holiday destinations. In 2012, and following a divorce, I still had itchy feet and completed a TEFL course and came back to Spain working as a ESL teacher. Once again I worked in different parts of Spain and met my husband, Alberto (who is from Colombia) whilst living in Madrid.
Why did you end up choosing Granada as the place you wanted to live? Did you live anywhere else in Spain previous to Granada?
In 2018 I returned to the UK and ended up being there for 5 years, unable to settle back into the British way of live, My husband is fortunate that he does a job that allows him to work remotely so we decided to return back to Spain, we started off in Alhaurin el Grande, near Malaga. It was great, however rental prices in the area were really sky high and many properties were only available to rent in the winter, so we started to look into other areas and stumbled across Mojacar in Almeria. Although very pretty and quaint for me, Mojacar lacks a decent infrastructure and a good range of amenities as it’s very much suited to holiday makers and those that have retired. A client of my husband invited us to Granada to celebrate the May festival and we came here for the weekend and fell in love with the place. Furthermore, it ticked all the boxes on what we were both looking for. Good transport links, good range of shops and amenities, less than an hour’s drive to the beach and about 30-minutes drive to the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
What are the Pros and the Cons of Granada as a place to live as far as you’re concerned? What do you love about Granada?
I love everything about Granada, it’s a very friendly city and I live where you can walk pretty much anywhere. We live in Bola de Oro, a neighbourhood on the edge of the town. It takes me a pleasant 20-minute walk along the river Genil to get into the city centre. 20 minutes in the opposite direction and I’m out in the countryside. I can’t think of any cons. I love it here.
How is your Spanish and how well have you been able to integrate into life in Granada? Are your acquaintances mostly Spanish or other foreigners?
I am fluent in Spanish, my husband is Colombian so we tend to speak Spanish at home. I’ve probably got an equal mix of Spanish and foreign friends. I’ve found it very easy to integrate, there are lots of things going on and lots of Facebook groups that have helped me connect and meet new people
Expat networks. I’m wondering if you’ve found an expat network here. Have you met any expats? Can you recommend any FB groups or other means of meeting up with other foreigners?
Expats in Granada tend to be dotted about, there aren’t as many as down by the coast. There are however a few FB groups such as Granada – Girl Gone International and Expats in Granada, both groups are helpful and friendly, Daly’s Irish Bar also has a language exchange group on a Thursday, which is a great way to meet both expats and locals alike.
What are your favorite activities in Granada? What do you do to keep busy?
I love being outdoors in Granada, as a keen runner I love nothing more than running along the river Genil and heading up to Dehsea del Generalife and taking in the amazing views. I also love just to wander round the city with my husband and Archie, our 6 year old Morkie, we often end the day stopping off in one of the many wonderful tapas bars that Granada has to offer (and are also dog friendly) much more so than the UK.
Do you work Nikki? Do you have a business?
I teach English both in an academy in Granada and online. I’ve also recently launched my own little online travel business, something that I’ve dreamed of doing for a long time and now I’m making mine along with others dreams come true: booking holidays, whether it be a tailor made trip around South America or a package holiday to the Canary Islands. I’m really loving it and find it rewarding.
Editor’s note: You’ll find Nikki’s travel business website here. Her Instagram and Facebook pages also include all kinds of great travel deals/inspiration.
How was your adaptation to life in Spain and what are the biggest changes you’ve undergone since coming to Spain? Would you ever see yourselves moving away from Spain and living somewhere else?
I found it quite easy to be honest, I think it helped that I moved to an area where there weren’t many ex-pats so I had no choice but to learn the language. It was a case of sink or swim. I don’t see myself returning to the UK to live, to me when I’m there, I feel like a foreigner. I often don’t relate or see the things the same as my friends and family back in the UK. I would however consider a move to another Country in a few years’ time, maybe Colombia (the Coffee region or Leticia).
What neighbourhoods would you recommend for foreigners looking to love to Granada? Where do you live? And how was the process of finding an apartment or house?
I think Bola de Oro, where I live along with Huetor Vega and La Zubia are great neighbourhoods to live, not too far from the city centre and with the countryside on your doorstep. I do think word of mouth is the best way to find a rental as although you have websites like idealista that other people use, I find letting people know what you are looking for helps.
Do you have any tips (do’s and don’ts) for foreigners looking to settle in Granada?
Do make the effort to integrate and learn the language, take all the red tape with a pinch of salt and go with the flow (otherwise it will drive you mad). When you go out for dinner/drinks/tapas etc…. avoid the centre and bars aimed at tourists and check out your local bars in your neighbourhood, you will be pleasantly surprised.
So what’s the long term plan Nikki? Will you still be in Granada (or Spain) 10 years from now? What are your hopes and dreams?
Who knows!! If I’m still in Spain I would like to think I would be still in Granada, but I do love new adventures and travelling, so if my online business goes well I would love the opportunity to become a digital nomad and travel and work at the same time. I’m also open to ideas and suggestions so wouldn’t rule out anything!
Thank you for this interview Nikki!
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Although we are retired, we love adventure and living life in a positive and loving way. Loved her interview. Right now we will be living this next year in Santa Pola, but we are looking at Malaga and other areas in the future. We just moved to Spain from US 4 months ago on an NLV. Learning every day more and more.
What a terrific story. I will be sure to check out her site. Great interview!