How To Make Friends in Spain

Friday September 7th , 2007

Nothing makes you feel more at home than having friends and a network of people around you. It might take a little while, but one friend always leads to another, so it’s important you get out and start meeting people as soon as you get here. Here’s how:

Speak Spanish

You can get by without knowing a great deal of Spanish but your life will be richer with the language under your belt. It opens up opportunities for meeting local people, discovering gems of the area newcomers never get to see and having those ordinary conversations that brighten your day. And, of course, you’re bound to make friends in your Spanish class too.

Speak English

Strong and lively expat communities provide an easily accessible social life without the need to master Spanish, especially across the Costa Blanca. Check out the Costa Blanca News when you arrive for information on English speaking events and clubs as well as English bars and pubs. Our local expat staff can also advise you about what’s happening in your area.

Whistle while you work

Work is probably one of the easiest ways to make friends because you instantly have something in common with colleagues – your job! Try to look for jobs that seem to have a friendly work environment and, if you’re keen to settle in quick, consider taking any job that will get you out and about and meeting people, if only for a few hours a week.

Pick a passion

What do you like doing at home? Bridge? Ballroom dancing? Badminton? Bingo? Pursuing your passion abroad is likely to put you in the path of like minded folk. Across the Costa Blanca there are organised activities of all types in most areas and, if you don’t find what you’re looking for – you can always start your own group or club.

The nature of the World Wide Web means you may well meet people in your area if you get involved with websites and internet communities of people that share your interests, it’s a great way to make friends even before you pack your boxes to move.

Take friends with you

Don’t forget to invest energy in your friends back home. It’s easy to stay in touch by email and through cheap long distance phone calls and with low cost flights, friends need never feel far away.