Inspired or just plain foolish!

Our move to Spain after 18 months of pondering and planning. Adventure or calamity - only time will tell.

4 months and counting!
26 September 2008 @ 13:07

OK, OK, Perhaps the timing is all wrong, perhaps the credit crunch makes it all a bit foolish but if we dont do it now - we never will.

We decided to move to Spain in July 2007 and have been planning it ever since. We have looked at different areas, We started in the Costa Blanca North - then Costa Blanca South - then Mercia and have decided to go to the Costa del Sol. We must be mad because it is so much more expensive but inland is so beautiful!

We have decided to try about 20 to 30 minutes inland so that we have the advantage of being able to get to the coast for work.

We have tried and failed to sell our house in the UK so if we have not sold by November (fat chance) we are going to rent it out and rent in Spain. All the advice I get says we should do that anyway.

My hubby is retiring - lucky devil - but I need to work and I have been trawling the internet for jobs and exploring franchise opportunities. I hear all the warnings about lack of work opportunities but I have to give it a go.

I have been studying Spanish for a year - a long way off being fluent but hey - every little helps and I am impressed with how much I understand now. My daughter did Spanish GCSE and speaks better than me - so between us we hope to have taken the first step on the ladder.

I have read every book I can lay my hands on and searched hundreds of web sites. What frightens me most is not being able to get good reliable advice and making new friends. Hopefully by blogging my way in - I can overcome that. Its a pleasure to be able to do that.

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3 Comments

Jacqui said:
26 September 2008 @ 17:51

You are certainly approaching it correctly, having been here for 4 months ourselves, certainly the ability to speak some Spanish is a massive benefit, although be ready for the dialect making it difficult to catch what is being said initially, we have become tuned into it now. I would also agree with renting first, at least until you have gained work and know that you are financially solid. With all the other stresses of moving to a new country, the least pressure on the finances the better.

I would not change the decisions we have made and absolutely love being here, and yes, it is hard work at times, but if you come out here with a positive attitiude that it is going to work, then you are already 50% there.

I'll keep an eye on your blog to see how you are getting on. Best of luck realising your dream.

Chrissie1 said:
26 September 2008 @ 19:10

Fantastic. You are doing the right thing with learning spanish. I am reliably told that you will learn spanish even quicker when you live there. I have found that when they see you have made an effort the spanish people are only too happy to help. Go for it young lady.

Have you any ideas on where I can start with learning the spanish language?

Best wishes to you and your family.

Chrissie1 x

Steve said:
03 October 2008 @ 00:07

Moving to Spain four years ago has been the best thing my wife and I have ever done. We now have a two year old boy who was born here who loves every second.

Renting is by far the best way for the first year. I live in Javea on the Costa Blanca, where things are never to busy or quit! It takes in my opinion three years before you feel at home. I offer a self drive one way van hire service. www.way2gohire.com. So many times my customers returning to the Uk wish they had rented first. The place they fell in love with ended up becoming a prison where they were driving miles every day to be part of the human race. Paying a quite village a visit and living there is'nt the same thing.

Good luck! I am sure you will never look back after doing so much ground work.