I often wonder how long it takes for the holiday feeling to wear off on an extended winter stay. I can see myself eating out a lot, having lots of nice coffee breaks etc but after a couple of weeks I can see myself resorting back to type. At home here in Dublin I like my TV and home comforts. I also have my own bathroom and my wife has hers. Having said that I download a lot of stuff on to my laptop to watch, this can be done abroad. I have fairly decent broadband, so this would be a must. Reading up on winter in Seville I came across a Tripadvisor thread that said as soon as the sun goes down it gets very cold and good central heating is a must.
I wonder would I last the three months?
1. Having lived in Spain for extended periods over winter Spring, I can confirm that Grizzly is right. From late December to mid March the nights are cold. The days are sunny usually but definitely you would need warmth at night.
2. Initially, most would eat out much but this yearning wears off and you resort to normal cooking in your rented apartment. But, you would not cook the heavy dinners you would in Ireland. Well, at least, that is my experience.
3. Grizzly likes his separate bathroom but most rented apartments in southern Spain would have the main bedroom en suite and another bathroom with shower too.
4. Most restaurants and bars would have free wi-fi. Some apartments might not have wi-fi but receive the signal from nearby.
5. Downloading whatever you want to watch onto your lap-top is good. I did that and whenever boredom arose I resorted to the downloads.
6. Grizzly, I don't know if you would last the 3 months, but you could rent for a month/sixweeks/eight weeks or for more than 3 months if you wished. I suggest you rent a 2 bedroom apartment so that you could invite some of your family/friends for a week or two.
7. Slim asked about travel insurance; I cannot answer. But, I know you can use your EHIC card for up to 90 days in Spain for emergencies.
8. I do not know any resort without an Irish pub, so important televised GAA matches need not be missed. Remember you probably will have BBC/ITV television stations in your apartment.
Like I said in an earlier post, the Brits have spending winter/spring abroad down to a fine art. Us Irish hold onto Chrstmas/NewYear like we have for years. But, more and more of us are discovering that life in southern Spain is cheaper than Ireland. You can buy good quality wine and beer at fraction of what you pay here. I should point out one good point of living off season in Spain is that the supermarkets are closed on Sunday and for this alone Thank You God.