A new life...

We are moving lock, stock and barrell from the UK to Spain. Hopefully at Easter next year.

A new life on the Costas
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 @ 1:16 PM

Well, I don't really know where to start as I tend to babble so here I go...

I have always wanted to re-locate from the UK and I did manage it 8 years ago when I moved to Cork, Ireland for 3 years. I came home after thinking I was missing out on family and friends but after nearly 6 years back in the UK, i realise I never should have returned! The only good thing was meeting my husband and starting my family. I have a daughter who will be 3 in January and another little girl due in December. My 30th Birthday is fast approaching and my mum is re-locating to Spain in the early part of next year so my help will be gone!!

It was on holiday in July 07 that we decided that the Spanish lifestyle was for us and that we would set the ball rolling on finding the ideal place for us. At first we decided on the Costa Blanca. Over-whelmed by the beauty of Moraira, then we ventured further south to Torrevieja and thought we had found the place we wanted to be. It was only by chance on a propery viewing trip that we ventured to the Costa Del Sol and I fell in love instantly with the beauty of it, especially 30 mins or so in land. My heart was then set! For us as a family it is perfectly located for jobs, schools, airports and everything else we could possibly want!

So once my daughter is born, we can finally plan to go and start a new life, away from the doom and gloom of the UK. I am by no means blinkered by the thought of it all being plain sailing!! I know it will be very hard and it will take everything we have to make it work, but we are determined our girls have a great upbringing and are able to enjoy their childhood without having to sit them in front of the TV as the weather is bad or for fear of them getting in with the wrong crowd!! I know everywhere has it's problems but I know you will all agree that the UK is doomed at the moment and thought of my children growing up here fills me with dread!

I am looking for advice more than anything, if anyone could pass on words of wisdom on schools, jobs, any tiny bit of information they think will help us, I would be most grateful. I currenly work in HR but I am willing to do anything to spend more time with my girls. My husband is a Data Processing Manager (very boring IT based job!). I am really looking forward to hearing from other Ex-pats about their words of wisdom and experiences about moving to Spain! Are we doing the right thing??!!

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9 Comments

Wetone said:
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 @ 1:31 PM

Sorry, but you may find it very difficult as there are no jobs to be had, even for Spanish nationals and no dole either. So unless you have a unique business idea or a private income/pension I suggest you firstly come here for a month or so before burning your bridges.

simon said:
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 @ 6:37 PM

Hi

We are also moving to spain soon, costa tropical region. We have a stunning place out there but we are cash poor so also need to do some! work. we have a few options/ideas. Its difficult but life is/can be. Be positive, you can!! get work in spain if you get yourself about and try. all the english people I know in Almunecar which is much more Spanish than other areas along the cost are working and enjoying life. doing whatever they can like airport runs, cleaning, change overs, pool cleaning etc etc. I am sure life would be much worse just festering here in the UK forever and never trying for a better quality life. Its Mierda! here so go for it and try and enjoy all of it on the way, thats what we are going to do, if it doesnt work out you will have great memories and theres other places in the world where getting work is easier and the quality of life is better (doesnt take much) like Australia, canada, new zeland etc. All the best..

Jenny said:
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 @ 7:13 PM

I agree that you should try and come for at least a few months to look around and hopefully find the right place and get some connections. It is not as easy as it use to be. The person who says that you can live on airport runs etc:- could be wrong on that, as things are tightening up here on BLACK WORK. For your sake and your family you need assured work with a contract especially if you are young. You are then into the system here for Pension etc:- Schools are good and the quality of life you have is completely in your hands as long as you have work. There is no unemployment system here and there is no National Health like good old blitey. I can assure you many ex-pats here dash home and use the system which is totally wrong and Spain has tightened the reins on the younger person using their system. For us Pensioners all is OK. Please do not let your Heart rule your Head. Step carefully do not listen to a lot of useless chat from people who maybe have got by with luck. I can tell you that if you come here you will like the lifestyle and there is an opportunity for you to work from home whilst being with your children. write to me if you can jennifer_brotherston at ya hoo co uk

Liz said:
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 @ 7:32 PM

My advice would be to come and rent a place for a couple of months and try and make some local contacts. The schools are good, and a good way of getting to know people too. Don't burn your bridges quickly though - leave some security at home for a while. Rent your place out in England while you're away. Take out health insurance too. Then go back home with what you have learned, and plan from that point. If you can, learn some Spanish, it is a big help. There is work to be had, but you have to be flexible about what you'll do. And you are right, the life-style is good. But without a reliable income, any place becomes less attractive. I wish you luck, and applaud you for wanting to follow your dreams. With a bit of caution, you can definitely achieve them. Knowledge is everything, though. Don't make plans without it.

Andy said:
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 @ 2:25 PM

My advice would be pretty much the same you need to plan very carefully, you also need to speak the language if you would like to work over here. I have been living in Spain for 2 years now after relocating from the UK however I am fortunate as my wife is spanish. I found a job here withing 2 months of moving out. I love it here and have only been back to the UK twice since moving here. The most important thing is to plan everything learn the language as soon as possible and intergrate with the spanish community.

Andy said:
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 @ 2:31 PM

My advice would be pretty much the same you need to plan very carefully, you also need to speak the language if you would like to work over here. I have been living in Spain for 2 years now after relocating from the UK however I am fortunate as my wife is spanish. I found a job here withing 2 months of moving out. I love it here and have only been back to the UK twice since moving here. The most important thing is to plan everything learn the language as soon as possible and intergrate with the spanish community.

Ana said:
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 @ 10:00 PM

As far as I know Zapatero, Spanish Prime Minister, is giving €2500 for each child born in Spain. This was in the news some months ago. So if you decide to go to Spain before your daughter is born you will make some cash out of it.
Find more about it as I am not sure whether it is still available.
Best of luck on your move

Ana said:
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 @ 10:02 PM

As far as I know Zapatero, Spanish Prime Minister, is giving €2500 for each child born in Spain. This was in the news some months ago. So if you decide to go to Spain before your daughter is born you will make some cash out of it.
Find more about it as I am not sure whether it is still available.
Best of luck on your move

Simon said:
Sunday, October 12, 2008 @ 5:41 PM

Hi again.

I was not saying that you can live out here doing airport runs. I am saying I know a lot of people with the same concerns as ours and are very happy now living out in spain and yes part of there weekly life is the odd airport run etc, but with some positivity and desire anything is possible. Spain is still a great option to relocate to. just be realistic and enjoy!!

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reesyroo
I am nearly 30 and expecting my 2nd child at the end of the year. I have a daughter who will be 3 in January and my husband and I are seeking a better life for them.