I moved to Mallorca, Spain, with my parents in 1985 when I was 15 years old. Changing schools at that age, making new friends and learning a new language
My parents had moved to Mallorca to buy a small hotel so I lived with them there. They visited the island a couple of times before they sold up everything in the UK and we moved here lock stock and barrel.
There are lots of expats in our area, many Europeans come to Mallorca looking for a different lifestyle although a large percentage don’t last long as it is not as easy as people think.What is your relationship like with the locals?
Great, my 2 children where born here and I run a successful business with my husband. We all speak Spanish and my children are fluent in the local dialect Mallorcan language (similar to Catalan). We have many friends who are locals and would consider ourselves fully integrated.
What do you like about life where you are?
Life in Mallorca can be quite challenging so it keeps things interesting, the weather is great, it is a very cosmopolitan island so we come into contact with a variety of people from all over Europe from many different walks of life. Mallorca has a little something for everyone, beaches, city shopping, Michelin and local restaurants, great wine and food, sailing, golf, walks, cycling, sightseeing and quaint villages. It also has a small part of the island dedicated to the party animals looking for discotheques and night life.
My favourite past time is enjoying the fresh air and sharing good food and wine with family and friends. We are very privileged to live here and make a good living.
What do you dislike about your expat life?
That is a difficult question, I guess the support system here is very different to the UK and the opportunities for making a living are not so easy.
What advice would you give to anyone following in your footsteps?
Do your research well, learn the language quickly and have enough money to survive on for at least 2 years as an income can be hard to find and there are always hidden costs which are overlooked.
What are your plans for the future?
My plan is to continue to grow my business and to encourage my children to become self sufficient, responsible young adults. I don’t envisage myself leaving Mallorca to live elsewhere but we do enjoy to travel as a family and explore different parts of the world.
Website: www.knoxdesign.net