lynnlodge

hi all have spoken to other people on this forunm great sorce of help but as usual its the work problem, we are looking at relocating to this area and would like to know as much about it as possible, we would probably be a bit out of town as we need to rent something with land as i want to bring my horses with me, my hubby is a groundworker, ie does drains , drives, veihcle accesses, he also drives jcbs, any kind of plant really and also holds a hgv license, realistically what are his chances of employment and wages, im happy to do whatever job is available, also if anyone reads this post that knows anything about horses, any idea of the price of hay? i also have 2 teenagers coming with me, whats the social life for them like and schools and whats the social life like for me and hubby. would really like to make a go of this any advice wecolmed, thanks in advance
Lynn

Hillybilly

AEG - already a huge expat population with a great number of people trying to make a living from the sort of work your husband does. Wages about €10 per hour. The town/area is not to everyone's taste but others love it. From that point of view if you want to socialise with expats you shouldn't have a problem!

Horses - quite a few owners I know found their horses from the UK (depending on breed) couldn't tolerate the heat and so had to relocate to the North of Spain (or sell the horses in the UK and buy heat-tolerant ones here!).

Schooling - no personal experience but if your kids are teenagers (you don't say what ages) it may be more prudent to wait until they finish their educations in the UK first. Many teenagers seem to have problems "fitting in" at that age unless already fluent in Spanish and/or go off the rails and/or have trouble finding decent work with prospects.

Just my thoughts on a few of your q's. Good luck.

bfg69bug

one doing gcse´s (14/15?) and one doing a-levels (17/18?)

bfg69bug

one doing gcse´s (14/15?) and one doing a-levels (17/18?) i said to stay till they have finished. english schools with english curriculum aint cheap.

lynnlodge

hi again. 17yr old may decide to stay in uk and do a levels shes not sure yet, but i have budgeted for private school and that money would be available quite happy to do that, my horses i hope would cope with heat, a shelter would be made for them and i hope that would do, just feel like i would like to give it a go, planning on keeping a house in uk to rent out so not burning all bridges, i would look for work as well doing what i havent a clue, i have been involved in social care for kids for 20 years so would like a complete change, were all looking at learning spanish as of now and house on the market to test the water so will just wait and see but appreciate any comments good or bad
thanks

the sun is shining

Hi,
We are moving near to where you are and i am taking my 3 daughters, i know that you can pay for them to take some GCSEs and i dont think it is that expensive as they could go to a spanish school and do the GCSEs after.
I have gave my two oldest daughters the choice of coming over with us. and they have both said they want to come, they are also aware that will have to work a lot harder and are prepared for this.

laspain

[ i want to bring my horses with me, my hubby is a groundworker, this post that knows anything about horses, any idea of the price of hay?

Lyn,

I am a british riding instructress who has been here since 1997 and run various centres with horses. With regard to your question about hay here in Andalucia hay is in such short supply and, when you can get it, expensive and maybe bad quality. I have always fed a straw/alfalfa balance to make up for it. Straw is better quality than U.K. and O.K. for eating, and the alfalfa rich so straw conteracts that. In an ideal world if you have your own box etc., bring as much hay from home as you could and gradually change over, I think if you try and maintain a good quality supply of hay here, it would be difficult (but I do live in the South, they have more grass in the north of Spain).

Be prepared for your horses to have difficulty with the heat (especially if thoroughbred) their thin skins find it difficult to adapt, be prepared to buy plenty of fly remedy and take advice on different diseases over here and ways to prevent them i.e. tic fever.

Good luck ! many people do bring their horses here, some are fine, others are not, the best thing you can do is ensure they have the best stable management possible and get good, professional advice from people who understand english horses (spanish horses, my own personal favourite, are tough, beautiful and you may want one once you get here.... therefore spanish people tend to think other horses can be kept exactly the same... no, it needs extra thought and care, but it is quite possible.

Hope that helps,
Regards,
LA

jdr

Did you read the date on this thread ? ;-)

laspain

Oh, so sorry, no as a newcomer I did not read the thread date, but then again I ask myself.... does it really matter ? I am sure many people browsing may find help in old threads.....or is there a time limit on helping people out ?

jdr

No, there is no problem but a lot can happen in 8 months. ;-)