This month, Cheap in Madrid is talking to British Expat Ali Meehan, founder of Costa Women, a social and business networking community for women living in Spain. This community, which brings together expats and locals for social and professional activities, recently won Telegraph’s Best of British Social Club award.

CiM: Where are you from originally?
Ali: I’m originally from the UK but I have been a bit of a serial expat! I lived in Australia in the 1990s and then Spain, Dubai, Thailand, and now I’m back in one of my favorite places in the world . . . Spain!

CiM: Why did you move to Spain?
Ali: To be with my (now) husband. He was already living and working on the Costa del Sol. I was working from home in the UK for a company in the Middle East, so I managed to transfer my work operation to home in Spain.

CiM: When and why did you start up Costa Women?
Ali: Costa Women was started at the end of 2010. Having lived in multiple countries, I soon appreciated the importance of networking, either socially or for business, with other women. Especially if you are new to a country, questions can easily be answered by longer-term residents and make a difference to your day-to-day experience of the place you now call home.
Originally just for women living on the Costa del Sol, the reach and awareness of Costa Women soon spread all over Spain, as did our social get-togethers. We have meet-ups on the Costa del Sol (East of Malaga, Fuengirola, Calahonda, Marbella, and Sotogrande) as well as in Granada, Barcelona, Valencia, and Tenerife—with Costa Blanca North soon to follow. I’d love to start a group in Madrid! Any takers?

CiM: What kind of services and activities does Costa Women offer?
Ali: We have nearly 70 groups offering everything from Costa Creative for the crafters amongst us, to a Writers forum, Inspiration to a 365 day Gratitude project, Natural and Alternative Health to Entrepreneurs, Green Fingers to Moving to Spain. Over 600 blogs have been written and shared. We have a forum for questions, jobs pages, a business directory—and it’s all free! Whilst everyone isn’t able to attend a meet-up (yet!) they can engage and make new friends on the website with more than1,530 other members.

CiM: Tel us 3 things you miss about your hometown.
Ali: Only friends and family; I left my hometown many years ago now. However, I must admit that it’s lovely to go back to England and not have to think about how to say something in Spanish.

CiM: What big differences and changes did you experience after you arrived in Spain?
Ali: The whole way of life is so different. Coming from a very busy corporate environment and being on call virtually 24/7 to the laid-back lifestyle here was a breath of fresh air. The Spanish are generally very friendly and happy to chat at any opportunity; we are on first name terms with all our neighbors. I’ve also developed a love of flamenco, and we are spoilt by the festivals and ferias in Spain and of course the sunshine! Any country brings some great opportunities to learn and appreciate other customs, if you choose to integrate.

CiM: What habits have you come to adopt?
Ali: Some people complain that there aren’t the seasons you get in the UK, but if you follow the Spanish traditions, there is so much more to mark the calendar. Particularly in Andalusia, we have ferias and festivos and religious days marking changes throughout the year. The longer I stay here, the more aware I am of the local events which aren’t publicized—you just have to be in the know.
Also, our diet here is excellent. When I first arrived, processed meals were few and far between, so it was back to the cookbooks. Generally, the old way of eating (main meal at lunchtime and tapas later in the day) is so much healthier.

CiM: Tell us 5 facts every Guiri needs to know before arriving in Spain.
Ali:
1. Rent before you buy so you can see if you really like the area you are moving to and it provides what you are looking for in terms of lifestyle. Living in the campo (country) may sound idyllic but what happens when you need a pint of milk?!
2. Get feedback from local Guiris on the ground about schools, areas, laws etc. before moving. Facebook and forums, including Costa Women, are great for this
3. Don’t expect you can come here and either get a job, or earn a decent wage—both are very scarce.
4. Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition, so be prepared for the bureaucracy to take a lot longer and be more difficult than you can imagine!
5. Get ready to change your wardrobe! What works in the UK doesn’t here—the weather and generally laid-back way of life mean the suited and booted lifestyle doesn’t cut it.

CiM: What were your hardest moments after moving to Spain?
Ali: Learning Spanish!! And I can’t say I have cracked that one in any shape or form!

CiM: What’s the longest time you’ve ever spent away from your family?
Ali: Eleven years to date, although I am here with my husband so maybe that doesn’t count.

CiM: What’s the funniest thing that happened to you in Spain?
Ali: Realizing that after being brought up in the UK and years of foreign travel, Spain is very much home. And long may it continue to be so!