Hi There,
I am moving to Javea with my 14 year old daughter.
She will start at XIC in September and am hoping for kind words of encouragement as apposed to "are you bonkers!"
Currently we are here untill end July and are looking at places to rent.
I speak some Spanish and the only issue is that I don't drive but it may be a blessing in disguise as most parents seem to spend a lot of time as taxi services!
I have an idea for a new business but I need to find my feet first and get settled here for a bit first.
I would really welcome any thoughts and advice anyone might have especially re renting and utilities etc etc
Thanks

Hi Vivajavea

Welcome to BE

We have a forum dedicated to expats living and working in all parts of Spain which I would recommend you check out. You will be able to glean lots of useful tips and advice from Brits already there, and make some new friends in the area where you are heading to which is always a bonus.
You will find this forum by clicking on the 'forum index' tab on the top left corner of this page. Scroll down the listed countries until you see the title 'Europe' - double click on Spain below that and you;re in. They are a friendly lot in the Spain forum so just say hi and the rest will follow

Your daughter may enjoy our Youth Club forum - this is for teenagers and I am sure she will get lots of reassurance from talking to others her age who have moved abroad. This forum can also be found on the forum index page - just keep scrolling down and you will find it.

In the meantime I wish you and your daughter all the very best with your move

Dread - x

Are you bonkers????
Nah, Javea is a nice place to live and its roughly divided into three different areas. Arenal, Old Town and Port. Its relatively easy to get around and we have a few members there and at least one is an expert on the schools

Shoot over to the Spanish section and pose your questions there

Thanks for that, will do tomorrow. We are off out now!

As Concierge for the Spanish section of BE I 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 me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

Thanks Rosemary,
I have tried to find my thread on Spanish section but can't seem to see it,
When I link from email it doesnt show it
Am I being a bit thick or is it not on that part?
Sorry to bother you and it's probably quite easy but am new to this forum malarkey!

You havent posted in the Spanish forum yet :-)
Follow this link HERE Which will take you to the top of the Spanish forum

Can I transfer the original post to the Spanish forum?
Or can you do that for me?

I think someone has done that for you

I've lived in Jávea nearly 9 years now - my daughters were 4 & 7 when we came & they are both teens now!!! - fire away with any questions you want!! There probably isn't much I can't answer, or at least know where to find it

for inside info on the International schools I'd rather do that by PM though.....


Moors & Christians was good, wasn't it ? (that is where you were going )

Thanks for your reply,

First question I'd like to ask is Do I need a Spanish address or residence card to open bank account?
As the houses we are interested in renting have holiday let's in them and one in particular that looks quite nice is not available till 1st week in sept.
So I'm just a bit worried about the logistics of the whole thing. Especially as we are bringing our 2 little kitty cats over as well as furniture.
We are here untill Friday and then I might come back on my own at end of Aug maybe.......oh I don't know!
But I just know when all the logistics is done it will be great.
I used to live in Barcelona and back then anything official/ government/paperwork was a nightmare!
Anyway.com!

you can get started with a non-res banck account usually with a passport & UK address, though they might ask for a NIE - then you can change when you get here & register as resident

be wary of houses with holiday lets in them - they'll want you out again for next summer so that they can let them at a high summer rate again

Yep this is true, also I am wary of shifty estate agents!
Im used to dealing with dodgy estate agents in London but here is a possible minefield as there is not the backup. I know which ones to avoid for sure and can't really believe that companies can advertise properties that they don't even have!
I am looking of taking an 11 month contract.
Thanks for advice

don't be taken in by the mythical 11 month contract.......

if the property is your only/main residence in Spain it's worthless, both to you & the owner of the property

if you want to PM me which agents you are using I'll give you a yay or nay -personally I'd avoid the lot of them, but some aren't too bad

arghhh just trying to PM I don't know how!

click on my name & you'll get a dropdown menu - select 'send private message'