Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving insi
#1
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Joined: Jun 2016
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Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving insi
Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving insight from those who've done it!
We're an English family of 4 with 2 kids (12 and 7) and 2 dogs. We've been craving life in a warmer climate for years. We're very unsettled here in Doncaster! We love travel, new cultures, people, places and food.
We plan to move in 12-18 months time and learn the language of our chosen country between now and then. In France we've visited Provence and Dordogne - loved both. In Spain we've visited Marbella, Estepona, San Pedro, Mijas - quite a bit of that area. We love that too!
We plan to put the kids into an International School - at least for the first couple of years and see how that goes. Our eldest is in private school now and the other is in state school for the time being. We think they will settle relatively easily as they are fairly confident kids.
We plan to rent for 12 months while we explore and learn about our new home. Then, if we settle, we will buy.
We are unsure which country offers the best solution. We hear people say the French are generally less welcoming to expats / more frosty but I have not experienced this personally during our holidays there. Does anyone have any experience of integrating into a French community?
We hear the Spanish are warmer and more sociable. Spain has the better winters but summers seem stifling - not sure how our kids / dogs would cope with the heat.
France seems to offer much more property for your money but has colder winters. Climate is a big thing for us. I am not sure if the longer, warmer summers in France would make the winters seem less of a hardship. How bad are the winters in the middle/south of France?
We want to be close to sea and / or mountains ideally.
The dilemma is how the hell to choose out of all the possible towns and cities without visiting them all which is not practical! Hence we're reaching out for some opinions that might help and guide us.
Access to good schooling is obviously important and we need a home with a garden and room for the dogs to exercise as well as a pool. We realise this means we need to live a little outside the towns/cities. But we don't want to be a long trek from schools and entertainment. Rent budget is probably up to 1,800 Euros per month. Purchase budget would be up to 600k ish, maybe a bit more if necessary.
Help!!!!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
A puzzled.....but enthusiastic, would be expat family.
We're an English family of 4 with 2 kids (12 and 7) and 2 dogs. We've been craving life in a warmer climate for years. We're very unsettled here in Doncaster! We love travel, new cultures, people, places and food.
We plan to move in 12-18 months time and learn the language of our chosen country between now and then. In France we've visited Provence and Dordogne - loved both. In Spain we've visited Marbella, Estepona, San Pedro, Mijas - quite a bit of that area. We love that too!
We plan to put the kids into an International School - at least for the first couple of years and see how that goes. Our eldest is in private school now and the other is in state school for the time being. We think they will settle relatively easily as they are fairly confident kids.
We plan to rent for 12 months while we explore and learn about our new home. Then, if we settle, we will buy.
We are unsure which country offers the best solution. We hear people say the French are generally less welcoming to expats / more frosty but I have not experienced this personally during our holidays there. Does anyone have any experience of integrating into a French community?
We hear the Spanish are warmer and more sociable. Spain has the better winters but summers seem stifling - not sure how our kids / dogs would cope with the heat.
France seems to offer much more property for your money but has colder winters. Climate is a big thing for us. I am not sure if the longer, warmer summers in France would make the winters seem less of a hardship. How bad are the winters in the middle/south of France?
We want to be close to sea and / or mountains ideally.
The dilemma is how the hell to choose out of all the possible towns and cities without visiting them all which is not practical! Hence we're reaching out for some opinions that might help and guide us.
Access to good schooling is obviously important and we need a home with a garden and room for the dogs to exercise as well as a pool. We realise this means we need to live a little outside the towns/cities. But we don't want to be a long trek from schools and entertainment. Rent budget is probably up to 1,800 Euros per month. Purchase budget would be up to 600k ish, maybe a bit more if necessary.
Help!!!!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
A puzzled.....but enthusiastic, would be expat family.
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hérault (34)
Posts: 8,890
Re: Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving
Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving insight from those who've done it!
We're an English family of 4 with 2 kids (12 and 7) and 2 dogs. We've been craving life in a warmer climate for years. We're very unsettled here in Doncaster! We love travel, new cultures, people, places and food.
We plan to move in 12-18 months time and learn the language of our chosen country between now and then. In France we've visited Provence and Dordogne - loved both. In Spain we've visited Marbella, Estepona, San Pedro, Mijas - quite a bit of that area. We love that too!
We plan to put the kids into an International School - at least for the first couple of years and see how that goes. Our eldest is in private school now and the other is in state school for the time being. We think they will settle relatively easily as they are fairly confident kids.
We plan to rent for 12 months while we explore and learn about our new home. Then, if we settle, we will buy.
We are unsure which country offers the best solution. We hear people say the French are generally less welcoming to expats / more frosty but I have not experienced this personally during our holidays there. Does anyone have any experience of integrating into a French community?
We hear the Spanish are warmer and more sociable. Spain has the better winters but summers seem stifling - not sure how our kids / dogs would cope with the heat.
France seems to offer much more property for your money but has colder winters. Climate is a big thing for us. I am not sure if the longer, warmer summers in France would make the winters seem less of a hardship. How bad are the winters in the middle/south of France?
We want to be close to sea and / or mountains ideally.
The dilemma is how the hell to choose out of all the possible towns and cities without visiting them all which is not practical! Hence we're reaching out for some opinions that might help and guide us.
Access to good schooling is obviously important and we need a home with a garden and room for the dogs to exercise as well as a pool. We realise this means we need to live a little outside the towns/cities. But we don't want to be a long trek from schools and entertainment. Rent budget is probably up to 1,800 Euros per month. Purchase budget would be up to 600k ish, maybe a bit more if necessary.
Help!!!!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
A puzzled.....but enthusiastic, would be expat family.
We're an English family of 4 with 2 kids (12 and 7) and 2 dogs. We've been craving life in a warmer climate for years. We're very unsettled here in Doncaster! We love travel, new cultures, people, places and food.
We plan to move in 12-18 months time and learn the language of our chosen country between now and then. In France we've visited Provence and Dordogne - loved both. In Spain we've visited Marbella, Estepona, San Pedro, Mijas - quite a bit of that area. We love that too!
We plan to put the kids into an International School - at least for the first couple of years and see how that goes. Our eldest is in private school now and the other is in state school for the time being. We think they will settle relatively easily as they are fairly confident kids.
We plan to rent for 12 months while we explore and learn about our new home. Then, if we settle, we will buy.
We are unsure which country offers the best solution. We hear people say the French are generally less welcoming to expats / more frosty but I have not experienced this personally during our holidays there. Does anyone have any experience of integrating into a French community?
We hear the Spanish are warmer and more sociable. Spain has the better winters but summers seem stifling - not sure how our kids / dogs would cope with the heat.
France seems to offer much more property for your money but has colder winters. Climate is a big thing for us. I am not sure if the longer, warmer summers in France would make the winters seem less of a hardship. How bad are the winters in the middle/south of France?
We want to be close to sea and / or mountains ideally.
The dilemma is how the hell to choose out of all the possible towns and cities without visiting them all which is not practical! Hence we're reaching out for some opinions that might help and guide us.
Access to good schooling is obviously important and we need a home with a garden and room for the dogs to exercise as well as a pool. We realise this means we need to live a little outside the towns/cities. But we don't want to be a long trek from schools and entertainment. Rent budget is probably up to 1,800 Euros per month. Purchase budget would be up to 600k ish, maybe a bit more if necessary.
Help!!!!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
A puzzled.....but enthusiastic, would be expat family.
You might do well to post on the France forum as well. Before you do, google "Ecoles Internationales France" to find out exactly where the International schools are located in France. AFAIK there aren't all that many near the sea and/or mountains. And give more info about your source of income, on which your healthcare coverage will depend. If you'll be job-seeking or working from home, or simply "inactive", all situations need researching.
#3
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 10
Re: Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving
Ok thanks, we run a few businesses in the UK (software development, web design, adverting sales), we plan to maintain at least one of them and work from home in our new country or possibly hire a small office.
#4
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Joined: Apr 2008
Location: Hérault (34)
Posts: 8,890
Re: Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving
I'll leave it to the Spain members to advise on Spain!!
#5
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 10
Re: Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving
No problem, just posted in France forum, thanks.
#6
Re: Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving
The climate in the Canary islands might suit you better, we do not have really hot summers and well, winters are just not permitted.
#7
Re: Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving
Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderator who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are usually friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge about the issues of living in Spain. I hope that you enjoy your time participating in the forums.
Please let me know if you need any further help.
Rosemary
#8
Re: Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving
International schools tend to be located where there are populations of expats but this is not excusively so. You could maybe look at those in the north of Spain (there's one in Asturias for example where there'd be fewer expats than on the costas) you'd also avoid the stifling heat of the south in summer.
#9
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 10
Re: Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving
Agree. At 12, unless your son is already fluent in French/Spanish, settling into a local school might be a problem.
International schools tend to be located where there are populations of expats but this is not excusively so. You could maybe look at those in the north of Spain (there's one in Asturias for example where there'd be fewer expats than on the costas) you'd also avoid the stifling heat of the south in summer.
International schools tend to be located where there are populations of expats but this is not excusively so. You could maybe look at those in the north of Spain (there's one in Asturias for example where there'd be fewer expats than on the costas) you'd also avoid the stifling heat of the south in summer.
#10
Re: Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving
Hi
You have considered Estepona but if you move closer to Gibraltar it will give you more options with schooling.
There is an international school at Sotogrande or you could have your children educated in Gibraltar where they teach the UK syllabus
The climate close to Gibraltar does not suffer the extremes often found in Spain
You have considered Estepona but if you move closer to Gibraltar it will give you more options with schooling.
There is an international school at Sotogrande or you could have your children educated in Gibraltar where they teach the UK syllabus
The climate close to Gibraltar does not suffer the extremes often found in Spain
#11
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Joined: Jun 2016
Location: Wallasey
Posts: 10
Re: Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving
Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving insight from those who've done it!
We're an English family of 4 with 2 kids (12 and 7) and 2 dogs. We've been craving life in a warmer climate for years. We're very unsettled here in Doncaster! We love travel, new cultures, people, places and food.
We plan to move in 12-18 months time and learn the language of our chosen country between now and then. In France we've visited Provence and Dordogne - loved both. In Spain we've visited Marbella, Estepona, San Pedro, Mijas - quite a bit of that area. We love that too!
We plan to put the kids into an International School - at least for the first couple of years and see how that goes. Our eldest is in private school now and the other is in state school for the time being. We think they will settle relatively easily as they are fairly confident kids.
We plan to rent for 12 months while we explore and learn about our new home. Then, if we settle, we will buy.
We are unsure which country offers the best solution. We hear people say the French are generally less welcoming to expats / more frosty but I have not experienced this personally during our holidays there. Does anyone have any experience of integrating into a French community?
We hear the Spanish are warmer and more sociable. Spain has the better winters but summers seem stifling - not sure how our kids / dogs would cope with the heat.
France seems to offer much more property for your money but has colder winters. Climate is a big thing for us. I am not sure if the longer, warmer summers in France would make the winters seem less of a hardship. How bad are the winters in the middle/south of France?
We want to be close to sea and / or mountains ideally.
The dilemma is how the hell to choose out of all the possible towns and cities without visiting them all which is not practical! Hence we're reaching out for some opinions that might help and guide us.
Access to good schooling is obviously important and we need a home with a garden and room for the dogs to exercise as well as a pool. We realise this means we need to live a little outside the towns/cities. But we don't want to be a long trek from schools and entertainment. Rent budget is probably up to 1,800 Euros per month. Purchase budget would be up to 600k ish, maybe a bit more if necessary.
Help!!!!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
A puzzled.....but enthusiastic, would be expat family.
We're an English family of 4 with 2 kids (12 and 7) and 2 dogs. We've been craving life in a warmer climate for years. We're very unsettled here in Doncaster! We love travel, new cultures, people, places and food.
We plan to move in 12-18 months time and learn the language of our chosen country between now and then. In France we've visited Provence and Dordogne - loved both. In Spain we've visited Marbella, Estepona, San Pedro, Mijas - quite a bit of that area. We love that too!
We plan to put the kids into an International School - at least for the first couple of years and see how that goes. Our eldest is in private school now and the other is in state school for the time being. We think they will settle relatively easily as they are fairly confident kids.
We plan to rent for 12 months while we explore and learn about our new home. Then, if we settle, we will buy.
We are unsure which country offers the best solution. We hear people say the French are generally less welcoming to expats / more frosty but I have not experienced this personally during our holidays there. Does anyone have any experience of integrating into a French community?
We hear the Spanish are warmer and more sociable. Spain has the better winters but summers seem stifling - not sure how our kids / dogs would cope with the heat.
France seems to offer much more property for your money but has colder winters. Climate is a big thing for us. I am not sure if the longer, warmer summers in France would make the winters seem less of a hardship. How bad are the winters in the middle/south of France?
We want to be close to sea and / or mountains ideally.
The dilemma is how the hell to choose out of all the possible towns and cities without visiting them all which is not practical! Hence we're reaching out for some opinions that might help and guide us.
Access to good schooling is obviously important and we need a home with a garden and room for the dogs to exercise as well as a pool. We realise this means we need to live a little outside the towns/cities. But we don't want to be a long trek from schools and entertainment. Rent budget is probably up to 1,800 Euros per month. Purchase budget would be up to 600k ish, maybe a bit more if necessary.
Help!!!!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
A puzzled.....but enthusiastic, would be expat family.
#12
Re: Help! Utterly confused. Considering moving my family to Spain or France. Craving
You will also need to look at health charges, you will need to become an autonomo in Spain, for which you will pay into the Spanish SS, this will give you and the family health cover in the same way Spanish people will get it, you also need to look at what taxes you will have to pay, as a Spanish resident you will need to do tax returns every year and pay tax on your world wide income, no matter where it is generated.
However, if, as the opinion polls are showing, the UK votes to leave the EU, then all of this might/will change, and at the moment no-one knows just how this will affect expats living within the EU or wanting to move withon the EU, you will hear people saying nothing will change, but they really have no idea, they are just making a best guess. which may, or may not be right.
However, if, as the opinion polls are showing, the UK votes to leave the EU, then all of this might/will change, and at the moment no-one knows just how this will affect expats living within the EU or wanting to move withon the EU, you will hear people saying nothing will change, but they really have no idea, they are just making a best guess. which may, or may not be right.