hi everyone, i've been having a nose about on here for a while and thought it's about time i posted a thread up, so here goes.
i am very possibly moving out to Spain this year with wife and 3 kids due to a job offer in Cadiz, but i was wondering if anybody has any info/ experience of Cadiz or surrounding towns, relating to house prices( rental initially), schooling, Brit population, places to avoid at all costs and generally what type of welcome i could expect from the locals?
any info would be really helpfull

Hi and welcome to the forum.

There are loads of people on here from that area, so if you do a search for the area a few results should come up.

Cheers Matt, just been searching "Cadiz" but without local knowledge it's hard to find out the nitty gritty stuff.. hopefully i'll get a few replies

Try Keithwalters, he is in Jerez and is very clued up

cheers, i'll try that

Hi mattb..welcome to BE forum, have a search around I am sure you will find some info on your area, someone will come along with some advice soon, good luck .

Hi Mattb
Chiclana area is lovely, it does have everything, beaches, shopping etc etc. One word of warning though, without opening the debate once again, there are problems regarding legal electricity supply, so when buying make sure it has a legal metre (the problem is being takled but very very slowly!)
Good luck!

Hi Mattb

Crispygirl here and I live in Chiclana which is about a 20min drive (on a good day) from Cadiz.

As NicCol has said this area does have everything and if you already have the security of a job then I see no reason why it should not work for you.

Yes in this area there are problems with illegal builds and electricity but as more and more peeps are aware of this buying and you have some good advice at hand then all should go well. I don't have children myself but I do know of people who's children go to the local Spanish school and are more than happy with the education they are receiving. Good or bad depending on your outlook to life the area is growing in expat population, it is still no where near the other costa levels, there are a few British business' here which makes for a more cosmopolitan place to live in.

On the whole the Spanish people are friendly and good natured, but as a newbee you may find their ways a little strange at first

Are you thinking of coming over before to check us out, I would very much advise you on this, the property here has risen in price over the last few years but it seems to have leveled off. I think the average price for a 3br, with pool and aircon on a 600m2 plot will knock you back 280euros; it really does depend on the area you are looking at. If you go rural then the price will be a little cheaper or you will get more for your money. Obvioulsy the nearer the beach then higher the price.

Chiclana is a holiday area and for the months of July and August it can be manic with Spanish holiday makers taking over the area, but for the other 10 months of the year you are looking at a really great of standard of living.

Mattb I will pm you so keep an eye open for it.

Hi Matt
I too live in Chiclana which is about 15 mins from Cadiz. Chiclana is changing rapidly and the town is encroaching now more and more onto the rural areas. The beaches are the best with golden sand washed by the Atlantic. One of the joys for me is walking with the dog in the Autumn sunshine on the beach. It can take your breath away it is so glorious, but, on the down side is the Levante which can blow for several days at a time. Some people do not have a problem with it though but when it is blowing the house and pool are full of dust and grit.
You must look out for dodgy estate agents, lawyers etc and do not believe what they tell you until you have personally checked it out. Medina Sidonia is also a town that you may be interested in which is further inland but now with good road structure to the coast. You would be looking more at a town house there but it is a very pretty place with what appears to be a good community.
There are quite a few young families over here and the kids integrate well into the Spanish community. You really need to come over on a fact finding trip and see if it is the area for you. Some people find it too quiet and are unable to make a living. May we ask what kind of job you have had an offer on? Hope that helps. If you want to PM me please do.

Chiclana has the highest concentration of English people on the Costa de la Luz and from the northern suburbs you could probably drive to Cadiz in 20 mins but anyone who has tried to commute from there to the city will know that the roads are very slow moving into Cadiz (hence the need for a new bridge) at rush hours and the time then would be more like 40 mins. Most expats working in Cadiz itself, seem to live in El Puerto de Santa Maria which has a more reliable catamaran and train connections getting you into the heart of Cadiz in 15 mins. Public transport from Chiclana is poor which means that while it is a lot more "English", and very easy to get around if you speak no Spanish, getting to work from there to anywhere else is more difficult.

we live just outside Cadiz inland it is a lovely place we paid 300 E a month for a three bed flat the area is great, If you need any advice please ask
Sharon