Hi, Livia!

I love your article about Spain. It is very real . . . when living in Granada. Andalucia has this charm and at the same time this problem. Many expats live there because they have an excellent weather in winter and a slow-paced life for their age. (I remember a week in Cordoba in winter and as there is not heater in the houses, I was better outside than inside. I slept with some blankets on. Right).

I am from Madrid, and the situation is totally different. I was having a good salary, but I was living with a family in a condominium --I didn't want to spend much money in rent, because I wanted to travel.

I did the same during the almost 7 years I lived there. I am living in Chicago now, in a house, and I do the same --living with a Polish family. Anyway, I understand many people prefer paying and living very independently, but I am tight-fisted for rent.

We should stay where we are happy and do the kind of life we want. I am happy in Chicago; very much indeed, but my life is slow-paced.

By the way, Livia, your name is Italian. I wish you ALL the BEST in Spain or wherever you are. Louisa.