Living with Locals

We are a mature aged backpacking couple. We have been travelling for a number of years, usually in Asia, South America or Australia. To get off the road occassionally and be part of the local scene we often do housesitting, farmsitting or WOOFING (Willing Workers on Organic Farms=where we work for a few hours a day in exchange for family life, accommodation and food). We are reasonably multi=skilled.
We are travelling in Spain and will be spending the next couple of months in the Andalucian area. Does anybody have any good ideas how we may be able to find similar arrangement in small towns, villages in this area or similar area where we can do some nice day walks.

I'm not sure if you've heard of globalfreeloaders.com or hospitalityclub.org or not, but my partner and I are similar minded in that we find the richest travel experiences are derived from hanging out/staying with/being shown around by locals. We've used these sites all across Europe as well as Russia and Turkey and have found it to be most rewarding. Check it out!!!

I agree with the above - hospitality club, couchsurfing etc. are great.

Or, try helpx - people wanting some help for a few hours a day advertise for travellers willing ot work for a few hours a day in exchange for accommodation and sometimes meals. LOADS of placements in Southern Spain - mainly organic farming or conservation or restoration work, but some on homestays, campsites, animal care etc. Some promise good cultural and social activities when not working. I haven't used this yet but I am taking a gap year next year and I really hope to do a stint - I have seen a fabulous looking offer.

We'd like to live your lifestyle when we retire but it won't be for about five years. One thing I've often wondered about doing it though is how do you manage with health insurance etc. I have a couple of ongoing non-leathal health issue which would mean I have to see doctors regularly and I've been worried about whether this would be a major hurdle for us.

Thanks
Robyn

You'd have to go private - health insurance though is not as expensive as in Australia. I use a private clinic membership as the wait for social security care is horrendously long - we pay 11 euros a months for 2 people which includes a free check up whenever you want, free injections and minor care, and a 15% discount on specialist visits. Works out fine.
For that no questions are asked but if you want straight forward insurance I do not know how much it'll be with your pre-existing condition - depends how serious it is. PM me if you want and I can ask at my clinic.

Guejar Sierra is a very nice village about 30 kms from Granada in Sierra nevada. Locals are very friendly and its easy anc heap to find a place to stay or an small apartment for rent. Maybe you are lucky with the other things too.