Hola
 

Hello, I'm just introducing myself. My name's Gemma and I currently live in Madrid, with my husband and daughter who is 4. We have been here since April and my daughter is going to a school that does 50/50 English and Spanish (although she is struggling with the Spanish a bit) and we are also doing our best at learning the lingo! I don't work, we moved here with my Dh's job and are here for a minimum of 2 years.
I am quite a bit homesick at the moment with the usual missing family and friends and am expecting a baby in May:ohmy: bit of a shock but pleased none the less.
Looking forward to chatting with you all.

Gem

Re: Hola
 

Welcome on board and welcome to Spain.

It can seem a bit daunting but it does get better - believe me.

Your daughter will take a while to feel comfortable with the language. Here in the Valencia region, you have to learn both Spanish and Valencian. It took my children over a year before they felt 'reasonably' happy with the language. You'd be surprised how much they will pick up in the playground - ours did anyway.

Best of luck.

Re: Hola
 

Hi there.You will settle over time and when you are able to find your way around a bit more.

Weve been here over two years now and are still settling in.:)

Re: Hola
 

Hi Gemma, hope you settle in ok.
Just remember to take the rough with the smooth and you'll be alright.
We're all good soles at heart really,...aren't we.:unsure:

Re: Hola
 

As Concierges for the Spanish section of BE we 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 us know if you need any further help.

Rosemary and Graham

Re: Hola
 

No...some are just soles.

Re: Hola
 

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Prefixed with the letter R, i presume. :D

Re: Hola
 

Thanks for all your welcomes :thumbup: It's really good to see that there are people on here in a similar boat and willing to give advice. I'm currently experiencing a bit of culture shock although I am not sure which stage I am going through now :D Other than that life here is good and people are great in general (apart from their driving!) It gets a bit hairy behind the wheel here :ohmy:Gem

Re: Hola
 

Welcome to Spain and welcome to Madrid.

As a Spaniard who has lived in Madrid all his life, it will be a honour to me to help you with any cultural issues you may face and answer any questions about our culture and about how to live in Madrid and not perish in the attempt. And indeed I'll be glad to help you and your husband to polish your Spanish and to improve your fluency.

I make extent this offer to all BE's living in Madrid, of course.

Re: Hola
 

Madrid is notoriously bad for driving. Makes Andalucia seem like a walk in the park!

Barcelona by contrast was very easy for driving, the Catalans must be more chilled

Re: Hola
 

Welcome Gemma, am sure you will settle in and enjoy your time here,congratulations for the new baby due in May.

pwwm:thumbsup:

Re: Hola
 

Oh, I'm sorry! I meant anywhere! We all live in the 'global village', not in the 'yellow submarine' anymore! :)

In Madrid is easier to do face to face but using Skype I have achieved great results with expats living in the coast.

Re: Hola
 

Thanks Juan we need all the help we can get. We are at the six month stage and it is quite tricky, and moving on to the dreaded past tenses!!

We noticed that the driving in Valencia was definitely more chilled. I think it's big city driving!
Gem x

Re: Hola
 

Hello and welcome to the forum, I've just moved from Madrid but was there for 3 years and loved it. I'm sure you'll like it as well, lots to see and do all the time.


Just thought, may have to change my username now lol.

Re: Hola
 

would you be looking for opinions as to what it might be?
:rofl::rofl:
'

Re: Hola
 

I'd imagine there are a number of BE members, past & present, who already have some names for me.;)

Re: Hola
 

hi there gemma, i am living in vitoria which is near bilbao, my husband and two children 7 and 3 years old moved 2 years ago for my husbands job and we are here a minimum of 3 years and like you are pretty homesick...we moved from hertfordshire and there have been real ups and downs mostly as i didnt know any spanish and there are no english stay at home mothers here which makes it quite tricky.....its certainly not like southern spain here but its a beautiful city and a great place for children. it was hard settling my daughter into school my son is now full time at the same school where they are taught in english in the mornings and spanish and basque in the afternoons.....it took my daughter a while to settle in crying all the time wanting to go back to england but now i have to say she has lots of friends her spanish is really coming along and she seems happy here...i have been to madrid a few times my friend has just moved to germany from there and i know she met lots of english people through the school..and ended up loving living there.....there seems to be a big expat community there......i have met an english aupair and an american mother whom i meet with once a week......i always feel a lot better after having a good gossip in english....2 years should hopefully go by quicker than you think especially with a new baby....for me i miss being able to chat to the other mothers about how the children are getting on which is making me really homesick and we are thinking about heading back when and if my husband can get a job but there are definately things i will miss here...would be great to hear from you and exchange views!

Emma:)

Re: Hola
 

Hi Gemma
Madrid is lovely. A mix of big city life and Spanish relaxation. I visit 2 or three times a year. Try the Metro whenever you can instead of driving. It's fast and efficient and the steps will do you good...even pregnant! Not so good for us when we have heavily stuffed suitcases!
Still deciding whether to drive, fly or take the Ave when we visit (for the Miniatures fair) next weekend.
We find the driving challenging too, and my husband has bought a Sat nav with the highlighted lanes to make it easier. We also find parking very expensive.

Re: Hola
 

Hi

I am also new here, I had a baby last year in Spain and found the whole experience very different to the UK but very good...We have never been to Madrid! Though looking forward to a visit next year...

Re: Hola
 

As Concierges for the Spanish section of BE we 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 us know if you need any further help.

Rosemary and Graham