September 25, 2020
It’s always a pleasure when I get to interview friends for the podcast. This was the case this week as l got to chat with Albert and Barbara Roldan who have made Valencia their home after a stint in France. Having known them for about two years now, I have enjoyed seeing them on a regular basis and have been keen to have them share their story. The stars aligned, and l was able to corral them for a quick chat on life in Spain, and beyond.
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Experimental Expats In Spain Interview with Albert and Barbara Roldan
Most long-time readers know our story of selling up and moving to Malta, then Malaga, and then Seville before finding our home in Valencia. I absolutely love hearing stories from people who are not afraid to make moves, and move again if needed. I´ve always said there is nothing to lock you into where you go first. People change, and your wants and needs might change.
Albert and Barbara share this sentiment as they also moved from the U.S. to their first stop which was the south of France. From a past episode, we met Jeanette who kept moving till she found her place. Our conversation flowed and l loved the way they have embraced their retirement journey. Being naturally nosy, I enjoy finding out what the determining factor was when people take on what is arguably the biggest leap of faith into ex-pat life. Their zest for life is infectious.
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Highlights of the Expats Podcast:
- Where they were living in the states ( a dream life for many, including me at one point)
- What made them decide to move and what countries were on their radar.
- Why they chose France specifically.
- How long they were in the south of France
- Why they decided to move away from there.
- The cost of living in France versus the U.S.A.
- Comparing the cost of living in France compared to Valencia
- How they came to pick Valencia as their next destination.
- Their lifestyle in Valencia and why it’s now home.
- Travels around Europe and their favorite travel memories so far.
- Their message to others who want to retire to a better life.
I found myself nodding and agreeing with a lot of what they were saying because it rang true to me. I experienced quite a bit of the same feelings. The truth of the matter is more like that saying “if at first, you don’t succeed…”. At the end of the day, you only have to answer to yourself. If we all spent our time making decisions solely based on what others think, we would never really do anything.
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I for one, (Federico feels the same) am glad that they found themselves in Valencia as we count them among our dearest friends, ones we would not have met if they hadn’t forged on ahead after realizing that France didn’t resonate with them. We´ve been discovering Spanish food and wine together, past lives in California, and of course politics.
Listen to the episode here: *Don´t forget to subscribe for future episodes and posts.*
I apologize for the crackling noise in my headphones during the conversation. Fixed now, but l found out after the recording.
Other podcast episodes you might like:
Have you harbored any thoughts on moving? If you have, are you happy where you´re at? Or are you itching for a change?
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Congrats Kemkem on another wonderful interview!
Barbara & Albert were so warm and generous in sharing their experiences. Please thank them for me! I can only imagine how great it was to live in the south of France for 3 years, before moving their heavy furniture to Valencia. Ha HA! I agree with Barbara that small town living is not for me for day-to-day life. I, too need city adventures!
You will be proud of me that, in preparation for expat life en España, I started studying Spanish. Duolingo has been very helpful and I haven’t missed a day, I intend to complete all the lessons. I also looked online for some apartments en y cerca Valencia to convince my husband how affordable it is. He’s not thoroughly convinced, and has offered the U.K. as an alternative. So we may take the circuitous route to get to Valencia, but I’m determined after our daughter graduates high school in 2020. We are even adding universities in Europe for her to apply to. Until then, I will remember Albert’s advice and remain Tranquilo!
Regards from Texas! Patricia J.
Thanks so much Patricia! I´m glad you enjoyed it. Yes, they are indeed lovely people, and trust me when l say their furniture is super beautiful but amazingly heeeaaavvvyyyy!!!! It´s good to know what you like and then try and make it happen. If it doesn´t work though, just move on l say. I am somewhere in the middle… I want to be around the city, but not right in the center.
I am extremely proud of you! That is just awesome and will help you a whole lot when you move. Even the most basic rudimentary Spanish is good and they help you out so much.Haha! Tell your husband it really is affordable her. Show him this YouTube video on an apartment right smack dab in the center of Valencia. Please subscribe to the channel too (ain´t too proud to beg! 🙂 ). https://youtu.be/KnbsuQ6uHy0
No, the U.K is so much more expensive. I will soon have an interview with a couple who had tried the U.K!!! Good luck with the plans, and yes… tranquilo por favor! :-).
I think wine and cheese alone are a very good reason to move to France…but seriously a small town would not be my choice, so I can totally empathise with how they felt. But it is great that they got it spot on with moving to Valencia, a fantastic choice. Interesting that their costs are a lot lower in Valencia than in the small French town, I would not have guessed that. Great podcast, thank you KemKem.
Haha! I agree, maybe not so much on the fromage, but the wine. Yes, most definitely. I think after their high-pressure life in the San Francisco area, they thought the opposite would be the answer, but you probably have to ease into that lifestyle, it was too extreme a change. They are loving it here, and are being social butterflies. I was also surprised that the cost here is lower than in the South of France. Thanks for listening. 🙂
Hi Kemkem!
Hello from San Francisco, CA USA! I am a healthy, young at heart, 67 years old adventurer who is currently thinking of moving to Spain. I am one of your subscribers, and I want to know what’s a good health insurance to buy from Spain. What company can you recommend, and if you could possibly share the name of the contact person.
Hello there Maria! Glad to have you. I love the fact that you are young at heart, you will be in great company in Spain. I have sent you an email :-).