Thinking of moving to Spain

[Hands_Only]

Hi all

Im looking for some advice on moving to spain. I have been watching the news back home and im now having second thoughts of moving back it just seems things are getting out of hand.

I was wondering if someone could advise me a bit on moving and finding work in the country.

Thanks
angela

 

[Susie H]

can't offer advise on Spain, but I can say;
I left England for 10 years and the country I thought I was coming back to doesn't exist any more. I have now been back 10 years and if I could I would leave, but another move would probably finish Paul of.
Do you have school age kids?
The things mine learned in junior school that they had never been exposed to shocked me and no I don't live in an inner city, I'm in Northampton and they went to a village school.
The north of England is apparently better but I would drop into a few chat rooms from around the country if I were you to make sure you know what you are coming back to rather then what you think you are coming back to

 

[shellpink]

I moving to spain this summer. what advise do you need, and what are you saying is getting out of hand? sorry obviously Im a bit slow this morning!

 

[mercedes69]

Well there are a few of us from Spain here on the site...

Maybe you could elaborate a little bit more...
Where do you want to move to?

Moving here is the same as moving anywhere... but it depends on your lifestyle...i.e do you have children?

Tell us a bit more and maybe we can help... xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Hands_Only]

Ok hopefully to answer all of you.

I dont like the idea of all these rises ie. rent,counciltax,electric,gas etc also i dont like the idea of taking on other peoples laws just because they dont like ours (well thats still to be delt with) It just doesnt feel like our home anymore. before anyone says im not getting anti on other religions etc I just think that if we went to their countries would they change their laws for us?

I dont know where in Spain I would like to go as I'm not familiar with the best places. I have 2 kids of school age (7 & 4) I just dont want to move back home and have to worry about what they might get up to when they are older (I'm from Glasgow) I turned out fine as so did alot of people and I love my homeland but I go home and its not the same as I remember things.


I hope that clears up some things for you all

Angela

 

[shellpink]

Ok, so your not happy with the UK, yes prices are rising but our wages are higher than other countries ie spain. what would you do for work? salon, freelance, can you speak any spanish?
Your children are a perfect age as they will pick up the language very well (in time). You would have to visit places in spain several times to find a good area to live in and find out about local schools, as this is very important! There are many beautiful areas of Spain, would you like to live in an area where there are alot of ex pats?
I have been going to my parents house in spain for years and am very familiar with the place, area, people and schools, we are learning spanish before we go and talk to our children in spanish everyday to get them used to it. (they are 2 & 8)
I see you are in Germany at the mo, have your children picked up any German?
Every country has it problems Im afraid, I would make sure you are moving to Spain also because you like the country, culture, climate, language & everything, as I do, thats why I want to go.
There are quite a few geeks from the uk in Spain on here, Im sure they will be along soon with some advise.

 

[ValencianNails]

I dont like the idea of all these rises ie. rent,counciltax,electric,gas etc

It isn't as cheap to live in Spain as it used to be, gas bottles increased in price at the new year, as did the electricity bills and Telefonica raised their prices too... food has gone up in price drastically compared to what it was when we first came here 4 years ago, the mortgage rate is high at the moment too... it isn't all rose tinted glass living here.

I don't regret moving here and the lifestyle is great but it's not all fun in the sun and we work harder here than we ever did in the UK.

I'm sure those of us who live here will be happy to answer any of your questions as best as we can :hug:

 

[Hands_Only]

I do know a little spanish as with the german i have learnt since being here. my daughter is taught german in school but my youngest only knows please thank you and hello.

i do love spain been on a few holidays there. it is true no-where is perfect but at least spain has a bit more to offer and i love the culture.

thank you all for your replys i appreciate it

angela

 

[mercedes69]

OK...here goes :lol:

Spain is a fantastic country...I love it...the people are very welcoming...although you wouldn't know it There isn't quite so much crime although it is most definitely there...especially in the major towns....even here in our little town...You do feel safer so to speak though.

The weather is great...if you like the sun...but it does rain...and it does get cold.

There are jobs...there are ways to make money...but it isn't easy. You have to work pretty hard for your money here...there isn't much time for sipping Sangria and watching the world go by unless you are retired. For ex-pats the main work for the men is in construction/tiling/painting/decorating... odd job men!!!!

Children I don't think have much problem when they are young...mine didn't. My advice...put them into Spanish schools...not International Schools. If you want them to integrate, learn the language properly and become part of the community this is essential. None of my children knew Spanish when we came here and now all 4 of them ( the baby has yet to learn it !! ) speak it fluently and only have Spanish friends...
I don't think it is essential to know Spanish before you arrive other than the basics. It is something you don't seem to be able to pick up in the classroom unless you are good at languages... you learn it from being here... Don't waste money on private lessons... listen to the Spanish how they say it...
here in Javea they speak a lot of Valenciano...so Castellano ( Spanish ) is a waste of time sometimes... Different areas have different accents...same as the UK...and there are a lot of Southern Americans who speak it differently again... So it is best to arrive...and listen...
It is amazing how two people who speak neithers' language can be fully understood...

There is a misconception that Spain is cheap to live. Far from it!!!!!
It might seem cheaper...but everything has risen sharply these last couple of years like Sandi said....
don't forget the wages are a lot lower too...so in comparison there isn't much difference...
If you smoke and drink alcohol...great...that is cheaper...but nothing else is.
Clothes are hard to find for children... school books have to be paid for....property is very expensive....( depending on where you want to live of course )....

As for anything to do with paperwork or authority in Spain...if you think the UK has lost the plot...then Spain is coming right up behind... honestly I love my adopted homeland and people...but they don't know their @rse from their elbow sometimes...

I am not trying to put you off...it is a great country to live in...but I have seen lots of people move here with visions of an easier, cheaper, more relaxing way of life... it isn't that way....but it is nice to wake up to the beautiful sea every day :hug: xxxxxxx

 

[ValencianNails]

The weather is great...if you like the sun...but it does rain...and it does get cold.
Most definitely... we've got through 2 tonnes of logs this year already and need to order more before the nights start to warm up a bit.

There are jobs...there are ways to make money...but it isn't easy. You have to work pretty hard for your money here...there isn't much time for sipping Sangria and watching the world go by unless you are retired. For ex-pats the main work for the men is in construction/tiling/painting/decorating... odd job men!!!!
I would say that to move here you have to have a plan, ie know what you want to do, have a trade of some kind, it's hard going but worth it if you can make it work. As Joanne said, you have to work hard for your money.

Children I don't think have much problem when they are young...mine didn't. My advice...put them into Spanish schools...not International Schools. If you want them to integrate, learn the language properly and become part of the community this is essential. None of my children knew Spanish when we came here and now all 4 of them ( the baby has yet to learn it !! ) speak it fluently and only have Spanish friends...
I totally agree, my children both went into Spanish schools, yes they were thrown into the deep end but it's been the best thing for them, they're both fluent (virtually) and likewise to Joanne's children mine have only Spanish friends, apart from my daughter who does have 1 or 2 English friends, but those were made outside of school.


Clothes are hard to find for children... school books have to be paid for....property is very expensive....( depending on where you want to live of course )....
Clothes for children can be a nightmare, I'm lucky in that we have 4 C&A's in Valencia city as well as an H&M so I manage ok, but sports clothes etc are expensive IMO.


I am not trying to put you off...it is a great country to live in...but I have seen lots of people move here with visions of an easier, cheaper, more relaxing way of life... it isn't that way....but it is nice to wake up to the beautiful sea every day :hug: xxxxxxx

We know lots of people who have moved back to the UK in the last 4 years, we all moved here at roughly the same time, for the ones who have gone back the main factor has been work and them not having a 'plan' or a trade before they came here.

The housing market has slowed down a lot in the last 6-12 months, I speak to estate agents all the time at work (advertising telesales) and although properties are still selling it's not like it used to be, this is mainly due to the increased prices. If you stay away from the coast then prices are generally cheaper.

The lifestyle is fantastic in the warmer months, eating outside on the terrace most evenings and being able to swim daily, that changes in the winter when most of us are huddled around our estufas (log burning fires), would I change any of it? sometimes, yes, but that's only when I'm all "Spain'd out" and have had a bad day with paperwork and communication problems :wink2:

 

[mercedes69]

Spain'd Out.... ??!!!

Is that a Spainism Sandi ???

 

[Sassy Hassy]

I would agree with the others. Living here isn´t a better way of life or an easier way of life, just a different way of life and it is what you make it. If you want to get away from taxes then this is not the place. I am self employed (autonimo) and I pay 250€ a month for national insurance alone regardless of whether I earn 1 cent or 1000€, it´s still the same (but it does give me a good pension in years to come and full access to the health service etc). I have to pay VAT (IVA) on ALL my services and products sold as there is no vat threshold here. I even have to pay tax on the salon rent I PAY . And then there is income tax which starts at about 18%!!!!! So all in all this is not a tax haven.

When it comes to paperwork it can be a nightmare and things can take a long time to proceed, however this is also true of the UK now with it´s bureaucratic trails of paperwork. But not everything is a mañana attitude. I bought a car and could have picked it up the next day, having been in the motor trade in UK this would have taken a week! My insurances were sorted out immediately. My bank account was mega easy to open.

However I love it here. I suffer very badly from SAD and the only time I had it this winter was when I went back to UK for Christmas and I could feel it coming on after the second day.

Just be careful of friends coming out though, trips to the airport including motorway tolls can be costly to you, so if they want to stay tell them they need to pay their way. Mine have thank goodness, but it´s easy to get caught out.

The language barrier can be difficult when it comes to legal stuff, but get yourself a good Gestor (legal advisor / accountant), essntial if you are autonimo, and all will be fine. However in places like Javea sometimes all you hear spoken around town is English! Having a spattering of German will definitely help as there is a large German community here too. But I agree to wait until you come out here to learn the language ... mind you I still haven´t enrolled on a course :o

A lot of ex pats are struggling out here, especially if they have a pension coming from UK as the exchange rate is so low at the moment. It´s not a bed of roses here, but I love it and I don´t foresee moving back to the UK for a long time, if ever.

Oh and be prepared for the Spanish way of driving - half the time they ignore the one way systems, the no entry signs, they park where they like ... the worst example I have seen was on a motorway slip road so the bloke could have a pee on the roadside (and yes they like to pee in public a fair amount!!!!!!!)

 

[izzidoll]

To be honest I don't think life is that bad here in Scotland....if that was where you were coming back to in the UK.
Don't be conned by all the scaremongering in the News, as I honestly think that the fear of crime is more rampant than crime itself!!
Truth be told that you have less chance of being a victim of crime now than you did 10 years ago!!
Unfortunately our inane Home Secretary Jaqui Smith has foolishly stated that she would not walk the streets in hours of darkness...I think you can tell how I feel about that inflammatory statement!!!
(Maybe if she hadn't tried to doublecross the police on their pay increase she would feel safer!!)

Sorry...I digress, but seriously here in Scotland, and I don't live far from Glasgow where I think you hail from, things are just the same as they have ever been.
Except maybe the shopping is better!!

 

[Martigirl]

lol at you Izzi yes I am absolutely sure Jacquie Smith feels unsafe after she did that the stupid stupid woman. These officers are the ones we all call 1st when we are in trouble and she denies them a couple of hundred quid, she makes my blood boil:irked:

I want my children to try for a better life elsewhere when they are older but I doubt I would move from Glasgow unless hubby got made an offer we couldn't refuse, which is entirely possible

 

[Hands_Only]

FAO Izzydoll and martigirl


Please dont missunderstand me I LOVE my homeland very much I am very patriotic towards Scotland.

I just think things in the UK in general are getting worse thats all.


And, its all up in the air now because Andy wants to stay in the army now so I wont be going no-where

why do men have to change their minds like the bloody weather.
thats me stuck again


Thanks again for all your replys though I really appreciate it.

angela

 

[Martigirl]

FAO Izzydoll and martigirl


Please dont missunderstand me I LOVE my homeland very much I am very patriotic towards Scotland.

I just think things in the UK in general are getting worse thats all.


And, its all up in the air now because Andy wants to stay in the army now so I wont be going no-where

why do men have to change their minds like the bloody weather.
thats me stuck again


Thanks again for all your replys though I really appreciate it.

angela

Didn't think for a minute you were dissing Glasgow hun:hug:

 

[Hands_Only]

God I love Glasgow its where i was born and bred just watching all the stuff and hearing stuff from my family I was hesitating about coming home because of the kids, if it was just me i wouldnt bother

 

[Anna Lee]

Clothes are hard to find for children...

Just out of interest.... and excuse my ignorance...

Why are clothes hard to find for children....?

Shops in Spain doesnt sells children's clothes...? Kids clothes or just teenager clothes...?

 

[ValencianNails]

Just out of interest.... and excuse my ignorance...

Why are clothes hard to find for children....?

Shops in Spain doesnt sells children's clothes...? Kids clothes or just teenager clothes...?

IMO it's more of an expense issue... yes, clothes for children are available, but at a reasonable price? no.

I couldn't afford to shop at Zara or Orchestra for children's clothes, luckily mine are older now so they're in adult sized clothing, C&A is perfect for them and also prefect for my purse strings :wink2:
When they were younger I used to stock up when we visited family in UK.

 

[Anna Lee]

IMO it's more of an expense issue... yes, clothes for children are available, but at a reasonable price? no.

I couldn't afford to shop at Zara or Orchestra for children's clothes, luckily mine are older now so they're in adult sized clothing, C&A is perfect for them and also prefect for my purse strings :wink2:
When they were younger I used to stock up when we visited family in UK.

Ah.... I get it... thanks for the info sandi...

Thank god for George at Asda, Tescos and Primark for us then..!!!!