Surfing, Accommodation and Working in Spain / Portugal

[David]

Hi,

I live in Cornwall, UK. In August 04, me and a friend are leaving the cold beaches of the south coast and want to go on a surfing holiday for 6 - 12months.

We are going to start probably in Spain and spend a month travelling through to Portugal where we intend on staying for a few months. Your site is a great help for surf guides and I have looked at a few travel sites.

I was hoping you could give me some advice on how easy it is to find accomodation and work. We have the intention at the moment of buying a cheap car in spain or portugal. Basically any advice you have on work, living costs, accomodation, buying a car hire and anything you can think of would be greatly received.
Cheers, David

[surf patrol]

Hi David, welcome to Surfing Waves.

Sounds like you are going to have a great trip. I must admit to not knowing a lot about accommodation or living costs or working in Spain or Portugal, but I am sure someone must.
As far as buying a cheap car goes you might be better to get something before you go than buying once you are out there. Buying a van would sort out your accommodation problems - if you don't mind living out of the back of a van for a few months.
One thing I would suggest is taking some time to learn some Spanish / Portuguese (you can take a language each!) before you go. This will make for a totally different trip, make it easier to bond with the locals and make it much easier to find work.

Right, anyone got any useful information on working / living in Spain or Portugal - David needs to know!