Barcelona Mum

Interview with Felicity Percival (Catalunya Life Magazine)

How long have you lived in L´Ametlla de Mar and what attracted you there in the first place?
We have lived in L'Ametlla de Mar for almost 4 years. We came here because we found a house we liked and because Catalunya has 'seasons' not just hot, hotter and even hotter.

What is your line of business?
I started as a massage therapist and then began the magazine Catalunya Life, which is now only online, and have just developed a new directory called www.tbdspain.net

How would you sum up your town?
This is a fishing town, dependent on its fishing fleet and restaurants.

Are there many expat families living in L´Ametlla de Mar and surrounding areas?
There are a large number of British expats as well as many other nationalities in the area.

Are the expats integrated into Catalan society or do they tend to socialise mainly with one another?
Very little integration, fault on both sides of the divide

Are there many meeting groups for expats to network? If so would it be possible to name a few?
Meetings groups? Apart from the pubs I can only name the El Perello branch of the Freesia Group (a cancer charity) and the Enet group for all nationalities to meet and enjoy all types of activities.

What age group are the majority of expats?
Most expats, of all nationalities, are probably retired!

Are there many expat businesses i.e shops, services etc? If so would it be possible to name a few?
Yes Loads of businesses, of the more obvious I would name A Taste of Home supermarket, Acorn Building, Perello Properties and Independent Power Systems.

Are there many young families in L´Ametlla de Mar and surrounding areas?
L'Ametlla and surrounding area has several young families but this age group seems to be a moveable feast as they come and go depending on how they adapt.

Would you recommend L´Ametlla de Mar for a young expat family? If yes, why and if no, why not?
L'Ametlla has an excellent school system and after school activities are good but I would only recommend it to a young family if the parents had some means of supporting themselves. Most businesses here are family concerns and work for foreigners is quite hard to come by. I would NOT recommend it if the family were unable to amuse themselves as the only entertainment is the pub and I have watched many young couples slowly fall apart during only 4 years.

Do many tourists visit L´Ametlla de Mar ?
We get flooded by tourists who mainly come for the restaurants but who also use L'Ametlla as a staging post for touring the region. Lots of French and Dutch.

What do tourists do in L´Ametlla de Mar ? Are there any particular activities you would recommend for a young family on holiday in your region?
There is so much to do in the Terres de l'Ebre region if you have a car and can get about but it is all physical activity such as pot holing, water sports, mountain biking, walking, etc.

What do you think is the main reason that expats move to your area?
Most expats come here because they can still find cheap properties in the coutryside (however no mains water and the need for solar panels and generators are quite often a shock after the romance has worn off)

What do you think L´Ametlla de Mar needs to make it more attractive to the International Community?
Enthusiasm and less apathy on the part of the town/regional officials