A year in Spain - please help!

Costs are rising and times are tough.
Please consider a donation to keep this
place going.

Welcome to one of the most active flamenco sites on the Internet. Guests can read most posts but if you want to participate click here to register.

This site is dedicated to the memory of Paco de Lucía, Ron Mitchell, Guy Williams, Linda Elvira, Philip John Lee, Craig Eros, Ben Woods, David Serva and Tom Blackshear who went ahead of us.

We receive 12,200 visitors a month from 200 countries and 1.7 million page impressions a year. To advertise on this site please contact us.

You are logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >>Discussions >>General >>

Page: [1]

Message

<< Newer Topic Older Topic >>

Munin

Posts: 595
Joined: Sep. 30 2008
From: Hong Kong

A year in Spain - please help!

Hi folks,

Made a similar thread a loong time ago but...my situation is getting a bit more urgent now. Basically, I will be taking a year off from my studies to go to Spain for a year, perhaps in September or so. I realized that studying was taking way too much time that I want to spent both playing guitar and working for a while (I work from home/online, have my own business on the side)..

But even though the day of departure is (in theory..) creeping closer I am still kind of undecided what I actually want to do or where I want to go. I've sort of narrowed it down to either Seville, Granada or Cadiz, but I am open for anything really. If I was going to Seville, I would probably join the Cristina Heeren school for a year, but on the other hand I am not sure if that is not actually a bit *too* intense for me, time-wise...considering I also need to focus on my work a bit. And I've heard from my current teacher that yes, it's pretty intense and time consuming.

So my questions are basically for the people who have lived or are living in Spain and I would REALLY appreciate any help to ease my decision.

1) What options are there for me in terms of taking classes and so on? I want to be involved and playing flamenco all day, I probably just can't do it for 10 hours straight...what would be the best option for me, economically? Where should I go? I guess getting into a real "school" eases the integration process in terms of becoming actually involved with flamencos (as opposed to just taking lessons from 1 person), so I am really undecided on this.

2) My other big worry is accommodation...which of the 3 cities I mentioned would be cheapest to live in? I am most interested in Cadiz, but I assume it would be expensive...is it possible at all to get a tiny flat for a reasonable price there? What prices can I expect? I don't need much space. Just the very basics.

(On that note I vaguely remember a post on the foro from a long time ago where someone said he knew a teacher that rents out a room or apartment to someone who then also takes lessons with him for an extended period time. Something like that? Not sure where that was supposed to be or who posted it, but such an arrangement sounds pretty tempting to me..)

I think that's all I can ask for now. But really ANYONE living in Spain, in the towns I mentioned or otherwise - I'd appreciate any advice, comments, etc. at this point. I probably should have started to plan this earlier but this is just how I am...

Thanks!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2010 12:04:12

Kate

Posts: 1827
Joined: Jul. 8 2003
From: Living in Granada, Andalucía

RE: A year in Spain - please help! (in reply to Munin)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Munin

But even though the day of departure is (in theory..) creeping closer I am still kind of undecided what I actually want to do or where I want to go.

When I had to choose where to study in Spain I did a 10 day trip to all the possible places and fell in love with Granada and things just worked out to the point that I never went back

I suggest you dont plan but let Spain decide for you, go to all the places and see what happens, see how you feel, who you meet. You will know what is right for you.

Talk to Pimiento who also lives in Granada, Luke Parks in Sevilla and Sean in Cadiz to get recommendations for courses and teachers.

_____________________________

Emilio Maya Temple
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000CA6OBC
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/emiliomaya

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 10 2010 13:27:23

Munin

Posts: 595
Joined: Sep. 30 2008
From: Hong Kong

RE: A year in Spain - please help! (in reply to Munin)

Thanks Kate, yep I guess you're right. I think I'd at least look at 2 of the 3 locations before deciding.

If any of the guys you mentioned could chime in, that would be awesome! Because I really have no clue what to expect when it comes to rent prices and such..

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 11 2010 12:08:03

flybynight

Posts: 121
Joined: Aug. 14 2009

RE: A year in Spain - please help! (in reply to Munin)

For rentals, to get an idea of prices, try looking at..

http://www.pisos.com/alquiler_viviendas/sevilla/
http://www.pisos.com/alquiler_viviendas/cadiz/

etc.

And also for the other cities. Prices quoted are per month, usually assuming 12 month contract.

Sometimes agents charge 1/2, 1/4 month, or sometimes don't charge you at all... suggest you seek out one that charges nothing (by harvesting agent's details from pisos.com from ads in areas that are cheaper / you like), then they will do all the dirty work for you.

As always, make sure they hold the deposit (usually a month, sometimes two), not the landlord.

Good luck!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 11 2010 12:24:15

Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: A year in Spain - please help! (in reply to Munin)

Hey Munin. I remember writing a long answer to this last time you asked. Can you find the original thread? I cant remember what it was called.
I agree with kate. I travelled a lot in Andalucia before settling down and got hooked by Granada but everyone has their own experiences. I also lived in Madrid for a while too which is a very different lifestyle to Andalucia. Madrid is expensive!!!
You can probably rent a reasonable room in a shared house for around 200 euros per month in most Andalucian cities. Ive seen rooms for a lot less but then theres no heating, damp problems, limited water and electric etc.

_____________________________

Follow my blog http://pimientito.wordpress.com/

"Ceremonial" by Mark Shurey "Pimientito". CD and digital download vailable on Amazon and
CDbaby. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/markshurey

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 12 2010 0:20:52

Munin

Posts: 595
Joined: Sep. 30 2008
From: Hong Kong

RE: A year in Spain - please help! (in reply to Munin)

Yep Pim you are right, I completely forgot about that

I'll take a look at it again.

Regarding pisos.com, I looked at that too, only thing is most apartments there seem a bit overkill for me with their 50m2+ space for 2 people or more, when all I need is just a tiny studio, or even a single room or something like that. I'm not really sure how to find those opportunities.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 12 2010 3:15:11

mezzo

Posts: 1409
Joined: Feb. 18 2010
From: .fr

RE: A year in Spain - please help! (in reply to Munin)

quote:

I'm not really sure how to find those opportunities

Don't worry too much for accomodation. It is very easy to find a room in spain especially in big city where they are student like Sevilla, Granada, Cadiz or Malaga...

= habitaciones en piso compartido (roommate)

for example
http://www.segundamano.es/anuncios-andalucia/pisos-compartidos-y-habitaciones/?q=&ca=11_s&f=a&th=1&c=64&x=4&w=4&ps=&pe=&rrs=&rre=&ss=&se=&st=a

The prob i think is if you are going to play guitar 5 hours per day in your room, so you have to find a "cool" place. Whitout the neighbors or roommates are starting to complain.

_____________________________

"The most important part of Flamenco is not in knowing how to interpret it. The higher art is in knowing how to listen." (Luis Agujetas)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 12 2010 8:48:55

flybynight

Posts: 121
Joined: Aug. 14 2009

RE: A year in Spain - please help! (in reply to Munin)

The other way is to post a message in angloINFO spain, saying what you are doing , and what you are looking for, and for how much. It's a very popular board. I just found 6 month accommodation for really cheap, no contract, no hassle. Lots of people out here with small places they thought they could rent, but can't. And they're now open to longer term stays.

I'm on my second rented place in spain now. I went through an agent, and deliberately picked tourist flats a bit out of the centre. The first place - I had no neighbours - could play day or night. This place, I have one, who is in only evenings, so I can play during the day. Carefully pick a nice deserted flat/studio. ie surrounding flats have shutters down. Working for me!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 12 2010 11:09:13

Guest

RE: A year in Spain - please help! (in reply to Munin)

Hola Timo

Forget about Cádiz. It has the highest rate of unemployment in Spain and this means no work for the flamencos. So they all live in Sevilla or Madrid. The few who still live here (Mariana Cornejo, Carmen Jara, Angel Pastor, Juan Villar) don´t perform for buttons, so seldom sing here. The day to day flamenco is the dregs.

Furthermore, since Cádiz is practically an island with no room for expansion, house prices and rents are high. I live here for the climate. If flamenco were the most important thing in my life, I would live in Jerez.

What is left of flamenco is being conserved by the gitano families of Jerez (also Lebrija/Utrera. That´s where you should go.

Suerte

Seán

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 13 2010 2:55:28

Pimientito

Posts: 2481
Joined: Jul. 30 2007
From: Marbella

RE: A year in Spain - please help! (in reply to Guest)

quote:

What is left of flamenco is being conserved by the gitano families of Jerez (also Lebrija/Utrera).

But of a sweeping statement there but I kind of see your point. If I wanted to live or study flamenco in the Cadiz province then I would go to Jerez too...maybe spend weekends in Sanlucar.. plus you are very close to Morón, Utrera etc
Seville is a great place to learn too but just unbearable in the summer. I would never live there just because I cant stand prolonged temperatures above 40 degrees.
Madrid has a lot of flamenco but all the hassle and expense of a major European capital city...plus those guys all seem to sing about going back to Andalucia :)
Almeria doesnt really have a big scene....and its on the edge of a windy desert. Then there is Granada with its own thing going on. There is quite a thriving flamenco scene here but you need to be introduced to it. A lot of it is hidden away so take advantage of locals who live here to point you in the right direction.

_____________________________

Follow my blog http://pimientito.wordpress.com/

"Ceremonial" by Mark Shurey "Pimientito". CD and digital download vailable on Amazon and
CDbaby. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/markshurey

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 13 2010 7:47:31

Manos

Posts: 3
Joined: Jan. 7 2010
From: Melbourne, Australia

RE: A year in Spain - please help! (in reply to Munin)

Hey Munin, I actually did the same thing last year. Took a year off studies and worked in Seville. I had a job organised before leaving home so deciding where to live was already done for me. But I would deffinately recomend Seville. Awesome city. I didn't find the heat too bad and it does cool down considerably at night.

But yeh, it would be a good idea to travel around first and see which city you like most. just keep in mind that after mid september it becomes slightly harder to find a cheaper apartment (but still possible). Uni starts then and and all the students are after them as well. Lots of students in Seville.

Also, I found my apartment using this website:
www.loquo.com
I found it to be the best when looking for an apartment.

Cheers,
Manos

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 14 2010 1:22:11

luke.park

Posts: 114
Joined: Dec. 29 2005

RE: A year in Spain - please help! (in reply to Munin)

Hey Munin!

I know that feeling of the impending departure, and the feeling of being completely unprepared. Don't worry though, that's half the fun of it!

For classes in Seville there are a few academies that run separate from the fundacion, and perhaps that won't chain the guitar to your hands 24/7.. But I've got no experience with them really.. There are other guitarists who are here to perform professionally who teach privately, which is my option, but that's mainly due to my working hours as an English teacher. Ideally I'd be in the fundacion with the ball and chain :) Then there are the lessons with the pros. Miguel Angel Cortes lives and teaches in Seville, and he has regular classes through the week. It seems to be a popular option for those that don't go to the fundacion, and you meet other guitarists.
In terms of accomodation in Seville, there are plenty of little flats, some really nice ones, dotted around the city. You can find one pretty much all through the year, someone's bound to have a spare room going, but to guarantee you get what you're looking for the best time to find it is June. They come out from around 250-300€ a month. Mine is 250€ and I'm in Triana. Simple flat but it does the job.

That's the only advice I can give really, you probably knew most already. Flamenco, even in Seville, is still pretty underground. You've gotta have the time to put into meeting and playing with the flamencos if you wanna get into the scene, for that reason I'd highly recommend the fundacion.

Well matey, keep looking, anymore questions I'l try and answer from my experience. Hopefully see you out here soon!

_____________________________

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 17 2010 3:57:55

Munin

Posts: 595
Joined: Sep. 30 2008
From: Hong Kong

RE: A year in Spain - please help! (in reply to Munin)

Thanks everyone for the advice so far - every bit of information helps me!

Luke, do you know people who are in the fundacion? My main concern is that I wouldn't be sure whether to take the beginner or intermediate course because I am probably somewhere inbetween (except when it comes to accompaniment, where I am a beginner, but I don't know how much importance that has in the fundacion courses).

Also seems like I'd have to commit to the fundacion fairly early (they want a 600 euro reservation deposit, it seems), which clashes with my plans to just come to Spain and look around a bit at first - or does anyone know if they let you join a bit later as well?

Read about Miguel Angel Cortes too and I figured that might be an okay option - 2 hours of class every Monday, it seems. Just don't know how many he actually teaches or what the general level of students is there. Otherwise, that seems something worth considering, and I could supplement it with other lessons as time permits...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 17 2010 22:24:22