Bilbao Travel Forum

hello everyone
I have an opportunity to work in bilbao and i am seriously considering it.
I have worked and lived in denmark holland belgium for considerable periods but never spain although have visited on a regular basis.
I cannot speak spanish but would be willing to learn.
What is the lifestyle like and the attitude towards brits especially as i would be living there not as a tourist.
Thanks everyone

There's a believable British Pub across the river from the Guggenheim.

There's hope.

Many Brits on the street in the Old Town at night.

Don't worry about the lack of Spanish as the local language is Basque and much different. English is spoken but not as widely as you might think. Most menus wil however have an English translation. If the job involves a lot of contact like a bar job you might find it difficult to start with. Like a lot of places foreigners taking jobs away from locals is potentially a problem although the locals are really friendly so it should be less of a problem than in other places. The lifestyle is relaxed and Bilbao is improving year on year. Sometimes I miss the old times when it was to me more exciting without being dangerous. The only area to really be wary of is San Francisco. If you can get a job I think you'll enjoy the experience. As the locals say "This is not Spain, this is the Basque Country."

I had beeen to Bilbao many times both for business and pleasure, even I know this is not the same as living there, I found their way of living quite relaxed, really nice and friendly people.

Yes their local language is Basque (Euskera), but I found it less spoken than Spanish in most parts of Bilbao. Different from San Sebastian and other towns, where you can hear more Basque than Spanish. Never had a problem speaking Spanish (maybe because I always start with a Basque salutation word, and I guess than having Catalan accent helps a lot there ;) In some areas (i.e. Cruces, where I used to work), a lot of the population was from Andalucian descent and no Basque was heard at all. I don't know if many people can speak English, I guess not many, so it may be difficult for you at the beginning to socialise.

In all the country is no animosity against the Brits (or any other foreigners, at least from the EU), as far you behave properly

I guess you may have a very interesting experience there. Go for it!

I am from Bilbao, I have lived abroad for a few years and I must admit I am quite impressed with what the people think/say about Bilbao.
Bilbao has had a lot of british influence due to all the people that came here during the industrial revolution, even the football club was founded by british and even nowadays we keep the english name Athletic Club Bilbao.
In Bilbao you will not find any trouble speaking/learning spanish because most of the population speak in spanish and do not speak a word of basque, specially those over 40 years, now is a little bit more popular than before but even though people use spanish as the main language.
People are friendly, and you will not have any problem, specially if you say you come from Newcastle :o), that was the las british football club visiting the city and the people still remember this night as something special because of the great atmosphere with all the supporters having fun together.
The number of foreigners is increasig specially students.
One thing I must admit is that the level of english is not very good among the population but above the average in Spain.
The basque population is split, half and half, there is a half looking to e independent, (just 10% support ETA) and the other half feel themselves so basque as spanish.
A pleasure...