Advice Needed From Brits In Spain
 

Hi everyone

We are looking at all the options just now for our move abroad and thought we would ask you all what you think of your new lives so far. We would be moving with our son who is 11 and really like the andaluscia region of Spain.
Our main worries for our move is the problems finding work there seems to be some who say its impossible is it really that bad?
We are (partner and I) experienced in bar work, waitressing, cleaning, tyre & exhaust fitting, social care, gardening the list goes on lol we have had loads of jobs! We would be willing to try anything and I am studying just now for my TEFL. Do you think we could get jobs over there?
We are not wanting to be rich (well would be nice!) just have enough money to pay the basics and have a few family trips out.
We dont have any property to sell so we will be moving with our savings and plan to have enough to keep us going for a year we would have to rent to begin with.Australia is another option we are thinking about due to the lack of problems we would face in Spain.
I will stop now before I type a novel again! We know we wont really know what life is like until we get there but we are feeling quite low at the moment and some positive experiences would be great to read.
Thanks alot xx

Re: Advice Needed From Brits In Spain
 

To rent a 2 bedroom apartment you are looking at around 600 - 800 per month at a Conservative estimate.
The jobs you describe pay on average around 600-800 euros per month if you are lucky. Except for the tyre and exhaust fitting of which I've not seen any specialised centres. The local garages tend to deal in everything.
Without fluent Spanish you would be relying on the Ex pat community for a job.
Unless your son is enrolled at a local Spanish speaking only school there will be fees to pay.
Sorry to sound so pessimistic. But these are the facts.

regards
BW.

Re: Advice Needed From Brits In Spain
 

Getting a job in Spain is not easy. We did an article about this recently. You may find it helpful and interesting. Click the link below to read it:

Working in Spain

Re: Advice Needed From Brits In Spain
 

Hi BW

Thank you for your advice no you are not being pessimistic at all its better to know the facts than to wear rose tinted glasses, we have always thought that the move to Spain would not be an easy one. We have every chance of moving somewhere else but like Spain alot and also its distance from the uk was a factor in moving there we are never going to know if we will make it unless we actually go its just such a risk but only we can decide.
Take care xx

Re: Advice Needed From Brits In Spain
 

Hi thank you its is a very interesting article we are not in the position to sell our house so we would be moving over with the little savings we have and be hoping to make a go of it within a year I think there are so many others like us! More thinking to be done by us all but I suppose there are no guarantees where ever you move to.
Thanks again x

Re: Advice Needed From Brits In Spain
 

One possibility you could do is to rent for a while to see if you actually still like the idea, you could ask around re jobs prospects schools etc. I have a firend who is renting at Nerja for 400 euros a month.
Also re tyre fitting etc, near to Almerimar we use a kwik fit type of operation, they fix all the usuals including topping up aircon.
I wish you luck in whatever you choose to do.
pwwm

Re: Advice Needed From Brits In Spain
 

Hello, just read your post and it mirrors my own family's intentions. We too are intending to move to Nerja this November with our two young daughters. I will be looking for work as a TEFL tutor in the Nerja area so I was wondering how it all went for you and for your family. I do hope it all worked out and if you have any help or advice it would be much appreciated. Cheers Iain.

Re: Advice Needed From Brits In Spain
 

Sorry to put a dent in your dreams but even if you spoke Spanish fluently you would find it difficult to find work in Andalusia which would support your family. TEFL jobs are hard to come by even in Granada and Sevilla.
You're probably better off going to Madrid since there's far more work there and you'll find a TEFL job within days if you make the right effort. I know it's not the same as Andalusia but I think you'll find it much easier being in the capital.
Another thing, does your son speak Spanish? If he doesn't then he's going to have a nightmare fitting into a Spanish school. You might want to consider sending him to a private bilingual school but this will cost quite a bit.
Like I said I don't mean to shit on your party but you really should think about this carefully. I made the move to Spain in my early twenties without any dependents and that was hard enough but for you it will be much harder. Economic opportunites are hard enough to come by for the locals and you may find that all your hard-earned savings will dwindle very fast indeed.

Good luck.

Re: Advice Needed From Brits In Spain
 

Hi to the Bowles Family,

Congratulations on your decision to move to Spain. As you say it is close to the UK should you need to get back in a hurry.

I am ancient and so have not had to work too hard at finding employment since we moved here, but in life my experience ha been that there is ALWAYS work to be had for anyone prepared to get off their behinds and go and look for it. Spanish would improve your chances of course.

Rather than go to the Costa del Sol with the other ten million Brits all wanting to get lcuky why not try somewhere else that is just opening up. We live right across on the western end of Spain, just across from Portugal where there is considerable development taking place and of course lots of stuff being purchased by Brits. They all need their hands held either from afar or when they get here, just check out the Costa Esuri thread, and there are plenty of estate agents and furniture people and tyre specialists.

So far as waitressing is concerned, by all means, but you will be in competition with recent immegrants from places like eastern europe and they are not exactly overpaid even though by their standards they are well off. You would probably find it a survival wage only.

As you can gather I am not qualified to advise but if you are deetermined to make a move look on it as if you were moving within the UK but gaining sun. The problems are similar and of course the language is a barrier.

good luck

Re: Advice Needed From Brits In Spain
 

You'll find that everyone has widely varying experiences.

We rented a four bedroom townhouse for 400 euros a month in Jerez.

My wife is also TEFl qualified but wasn't looking for a job as didn't need one. That didn't stop the job offers flooding in once we got known in the area. The key was being in an area where the Spanish don't speak English but need to learn, and there is hardly any competition from fellow Brits. Fulful those requirements and they'll be biting your hand off. Speaking spanish was not a requirement, but helps enormously.

One job in a local school offered 1300 euros per month salary. We have also been offered temporary work doing translation. Eg, an american construction company needed someone on site for one month only, but the money offered was excellent. Real Estate was another one - no qualifications required. I was offered a job in a local agency desperate for an english/spanish speaker. 1600 was the salary offered plus commissions if I made any sales.

If you can avoid the costa del sol and learn to speak spanish I think you will find your options will be much greater.

Re: Advice Needed From Brits In Spain
 

we are about to move in September and have a 2 (and a bit ) bedroomed house in a lovely Village just inland for 500 euros a month
600-800 is only if you want to stay in tourist urbanisations or
you want real luxury.

we've been learning to speak spanish like mad and are quietly proficient.

I thinks thats a great boost if you can ask questions in Spanish ( and answer them)

good luck in your move if it doesn't work out you can always go back.

cheers

Re: Advice Needed From Brits In Spain
 

My advice from experience, do as much research as possible before you take the plunge.
Apply for as many positions as you can using the net, however, many employers will simply discard any applications without a permanent Spanish address as they will not beleive you are 100% commited to staying put.
Rent for the first year or 2 until you find your feet.
And finally....

It will be hell.
Stressful, annoying at times, frustrating.
Please please give in a minimum of 18 months before returning to Blighty with your tails between your legs...
It will be difficult, every day for at least 12 months, that's just a fact.

It get's easier once you fit into the new life and eventually it will be the best decision you ever made but you will have a few extra lines on your brow :rolleyes:

Good Luck.