javi-nottinghill

Hi all,
I have read various threads regarding moving back to the UK, some people say no things are bad others are glad they did. I will be moving back to the uk after being here in spain 20 years, the reason being job security and some future for my two kids. In the 20 years I´ve been here I have always worked but never have been properly insured bosses here are always cutting costs even when the money boom was in full effects, I spent 8 years in a company that print a magazine in Torrevieja, we worked in a basement with no aircon or windows, never got paid overtime or proper holidays, when coming driving back home on the motorway a man fell asleep at the wheel and hit my car causing it to jacknife, cartwheel 4 times and fly off the AP7 4 lane motorway. I spent 3 months recovering and the thankyou I got when I got back was...the sack, she was spanish and socialist. I found a job in an english newspaper and enjoyed the change until I had to ask about my insurance, 6 months every month asking to be insured and they blamed the gestor, which was bull cause I know it take 3 days to get insured, when finally i did get insured it was for two hours a day another 6 months moaning until they done it for 4 hours. We dont get the proper bank holidays just red days and if sick less than 3 days no pay, and I thought it was just the spanish. After 5 years my work load has trebled yet never have i been given a rise and I earn 700 euros and have two kids to feed. Fed up with the p**s being taken I have decided I want to go back, I feel sorry for my son and daughter they were born here and dont won´t to go back but I know they will have more of a future in england than here but the changed will be some shock, no friends, language barrier, all day stuck indoors.
I´m originally from Notting Hill but wont be returning to live there cause since they made the film on my road the cheapest house cost 1.5 million quid, I have set my heart on Ashford kent, rent is cheaper and crime is lot less than were I used to live. I feel scared with the move as I am worried I won´t find work soon enough, Iam a graphic designer, my wife a hairdresser and will have to survive on 5 or 6 grand. I will miss spain and dont want to leave but if i stay i will never have a decent pension or insurance or the chance to go on holidays because and the end of the month im left with 30€.
Just wanted to know other people opinion and the effect on their kids, my son is 13 and daughter 15 of moving back and how long did the paperwork take, like getting them into a school, getting a GP and any benefits i might be entitled to, I worked for 8 years in banks in the City before a came over so I suppose my NI number is still valid. Anyone know Ashford and whats it like to live there?
Thanks again
Javi

steviedeluxe

Hi - I can't advise on the schools issue in Ashford, but on the jobs front I notice you are a graphic designer.
It may (and ask around for other options) be better to go self-employed straight away, rather than try and get something from the dole office - they're making it harder and harder for anyone to qualify. By being self-employed, so long as you demonstrate you are taking steps to find work/clients, you will qualify for tax credits (and also housing benefit). Of course if you get offered a full-time job, nothing stopping you doing that, but in the meantime you know you'll have a guaranteed income for your family (although it will take time before it's paid up, and if you think Spanish red tape is bad, wait until you see the 60+ pages for tax credit form).

Also - ask the mods to move this thread to the "moving back to UK" forum - you'll get a lot more advice from people and probably one or two who know Ashford.

Lynn R

For what it's worth, I think you are doing the right thing for all your family, especially the career prospects of your children. Some friends of ours moved back a couple of years ago, they had been in much the same position as you having worked for years in Spain but without a proper contract. Their children were born in Spain and had never known anything else, they were a little younger than yours as their elder son was due to start secondary school when they left. The children have adapted very well and their son took his GCSE Spanish at the end of the first year at his new school and passed with flying colours! The mother had not worked in Spain as it was so difficult to find work that fitted around school hours without having to pay for childcare which would have used up most of her earnings. She found work as a classroom assistant in a school, went to night classes to get her Spanish 'A' level (she was bilingual) and last autumn started a teacher training course, so her future is much brighter than it was had they stayed here. I hope yours will be too, good luck.

Rosemary

As Concierge for the Spanish section of BE I would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

mogsmum

Well you cannot be accused of not giving it a go. You need to do what you think is right for your family, good on you. I know of Ashford but not enough to advise.

Best wishes to you

windsong

I know of another graphic designer who moved countries. He was English-born but moved to France at an early age and started his career by freelancing there. Then he moved to England and kept some of his French clients and gained new ones in England. Later, he moved to Scotland and added to his client base again. He is doing VERY well.

primaldivine

I am moving back to the UK after 23 years in Canada. I have found the UK to be so much more exciting than I remembered it. There have been many changes for the better. Compared to Canada, food is cheaper (my grocery bill is half), rent is much cheaper, people generally are more educated, more good humored, and even (WOW THIS ONE SHOCKED ME) less racist and less homophobic than I have become used to in Western Canada. I have had more job offers in 6 months, than in the last three years in Canada. I am getting paid more for the same work. There is gluten free food in every supermarket. In the countryside where I am moving to in the SOuth-East I can buy a dozen free range organic eggs for £1.50... that would cost about $7 (about £4.50) in Vancouver.
Anyway, not wanting to bash Canada, but just wanting to let people know that the UK is not the same place that it was under Margaret Thatcher, who was the main cause for me jumping ship back in 1989. I am finding the Uk to be a place of hope and optimism and I have a renewed vigor in my step again. Cheers!

Perth

Thank you for this! I despair when I read the stories of those who did not acclimatise well on their return. Makes for a more balanced perspective, whilst still understanding that everyone has their own unique experience.

kirstyp

Hi Javi,

Ashford is about 20 minutes from where I live.... I don't have kids i'm afraid so can't advise much on schools but have colleagues who do and they are getting on really well in school.

We recently wrote a blog about living in Ashford on our website (link below) which gives you a little bit of info on things to do and the town itself.

The one stand out thing i'd say with regard to working is that it's a great commuter spot. London is 36 minutes by the new high speed rail link, plus there are several large towns nearby (Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury) which really opens up the opportunities.

Hope this helps?

Kirsty