New User Questions
 

Hi:

I am new user here.

I am moving from Canada to Spain in the next several months. I have yet to make a final decision on location but am leaning towards to either Granada or Cordoba.

Here are some of my criteria in deciding where to move to:

looking for a 4 or 5 bedroom townhouse
no requirement for a vehicle - i.e. walk to all amenities
local schooling for 15 year old boy
not looking to purchase a property - want to rent for the 1st year or more
like the warm weather and sun
must have good transport links to Madrid
want an area with lots of history

From my research both Cordoba and Granada meet these requirements (and I am sure lots of other places).

Is anyone here living in these areas that would be willing to comment on each area.

Many thanks,

Iain

Oh yes, before anyone brings it up - I am an EU citizen so visas etc not required

Re: New User Questions
 

You will find very few expats in Cordoba or Granada (if you are talking about the cities rather than the provinces).

Both cities are beautiful, particularly Granada and full of history and great architecture. I wouldnt want to live in Cordoba in the summer as it is too hot (40c plus). Granada is a long way from Madrid by car, Cordoba is much closer.

Does your 15 year old speak Spanish? If not, then sending him to a Spanish school would be a disaster. In Spain they hold them back a year if they dont pass the end of year exams so your son would have a huge effort just to finish schooling, nevermind pass the exams. No qualifications offers very few prospects in Spain.

Just try the Spanish property sites; idealista, fotocasa, kyero, segundamano etc. You can browse all the available properties in the area very easily

Re: New User Questions
 

Valencia may be a good option, if you need warm sunny weather (Granada is a bit cooler in the winter as it's close to the Sierra Nevada mountains). Also the city has invested in public transport (trams, metro). The new AVE high speed link to Madrid opens up this year too, so you'll only be a couple of hours ride from the capital.

Re: New User Questions
 

Yes, the cities.

Personally I like it hot and having been in Seville in July and August I think I can just about anything ;)


Yes, he is fluent. Right now we aren't planning on staying in Spain for more than 2 years then move somewhere else.


Thanks, I will check out those sites and see what I can find.I realize that the only real way to get an idea on what is available is to be there in person but I find that checking the web can give a hint towards what type of accommodation is available.

Iain

Re: New User Questions
 

Thanks, I haven't even considered Valencia. I will have to start doing my research.

Does anyone here live in Valencia?

Iain

Re: New User Questions
 

I do and would seem to meet your criteria but a visit first is a must.

Re: New User Questions
 

Agreed. I have never been to Valencia before but I have been to both Granada and Cordoba (among other places).

Can I ask how long you have been living there and what your impressions are of the city.

Thanks,

Iain

Re: New User Questions
 

I lived in Córdoba for a couple of years and loved it. It's small for a city but that means you can walk most places.

I loved the hot summers but really hated the cold winters.

It's about 2 hrs from madrid and about 40 mins from Málaga by train.

You would have the option of a "british" school there if that was what you wanted and might be useful if you're thinking of moving again before he finishes schooling.

I love Granada, but know it as a visitor, not to live in. My main reservation there would be the cold - it doesn't have fast train connections (yet) but it's not that far to drive to Málaga for the airport when you need to travel.

Re: New User Questions
 

There used to be some international flights from Granada; have they stopped?

Re: New User Questions
 

Ryanair did Stansted to Granada but have recently announced they are stopping that route.

Re: New User Questions
 

Thanks. Oh well one fewer option!:(

Re: New User Questions
 

We regularly use the Stansted to Granada route and, as far as I am aware, there are no plans to stop this service. It was discussed a couple of years ago and the plan was scrapped when the authorities in Granada paid a subsidy to encourage Ryanair to continue to use the destination.

Ryanair are also resuming their Granada service from Liverpool from March 2010.

Monarch currently fly into Granada from Gatwick but that service is about to be axed, I believe, amid lots of protests, and a petition, for it to continue.

Traveller: have you considered Seville as a permanent base? There are good links from there to Madrid and also several international schools. Personally, I would worry about Valencia because of the 'land-grab' situation there. Lovely area but, if you consider buying there you need to be absolutely sure (as sure as you can be in Spain) that your property is secure.

Re: New User Questions
 

The land grab myth/stories belong in the past and should not deter anyone from moving to Valencia. In any case the OP wants to rent.

I have friends who commute by plane to Madrid daily its very cheap when booked in advance and takes about half an hour, sometimes less.

One major advantage not shared by other destinations is that Valencia is on the Med and has miles of white sand beaches.

Re: New User Questions
 

I think Ryanair still do Granada to Liverpool, Monarch etc all stopped flights there a while back. Mick O is paid to land there, hence some flights, but as another poster has said the Stansted flight is or has stopped.:confused:

Re: New User Questions
 

Sorry, not trying to pick a fight but the Stansted to Granada route is still operating and, certainly for the forseeable future, they are still taking reservations.

Re: New User Questions
 

Sorry it only what I have heard from various sources, would not dream of getting into a fight, I hope you are correct as I have friends that use the route, thanks for the update:thumbup:

Re: New User Questions
 

I heard it on the telly I think. Maybe they changed their minds or its some time in the future.

Re: New User Questions
 

I think there's a lot of speculation because they aren't showing any flights after October but I think that not many of the cheapies do show them too far into the future anyway.

Things have been a bit dodgy for a while and Ryanair have threatened to pull out before but they do bring a lot of money into the area (by way of passengers) and Granada currently pay them to fly in there.

Personally, I don't like Ryanair but I use them because they fly closest to where I need to be so it's convenience really. Anyway, as of now the service is still running. For the future - goodness knows. So long as Granada keep shelling out then I guess they will keep flying in there. :fingerscrossed:

Re: New User Questions
 

Thta is exactly what I am looking for.

What is your definition of 'cold winters'? Coming from Canada I am used to -20 to -30 Celsius.

That sounds ideal.

My plan is to get him into a Spanish school to give him a better chance to fine tune the language but a British type school is worth looking into.

Thanks for your input. It is greatly appreciated.

Iain

Re: New User Questions
 

Not that cold but yes, sub-zero at night sometimes. And I bet your house in Canada has better heating and/or insulation than the one you'll end up renting in Córdoba...

It was the cold inside that really got me down - though it tends to feel quite cold outside aswell - those narrow winding streets were designed to protect against the heat of the sun.

Once in Córdoba I got up in the middle of the night to put a woolly hat on and go back to bed, it was that cold....

You have been warned. But good luck whatever you decide.

Re: New User Questions
 

Thanks for your input. I really do appreciate you taking the time and I will keep your perspective in mind during the search.

Re: New User Questions
 

Thats why we are going to the Costa Tropical to get away from the cold.

It was 24 degrees yesterday. That'll do for me in January. :thumbsup:

Re: New User Questions
 

Me too :D

Re: New User Questions
 

We have had very few sunny days in the last six weeks, most of it has been dull and raining.

Re: New User Questions
 

Theres been a lot of rain in our area as well but now its cleared up and warm and sunny again.

Going out on 24th Feb hopefully to complete on our casa :fingerscrossed:

Re: New User Questions
 

re previous post re Monarch, they do not go from Gatwick to Granada, this stopped about 18 months or more ago. I used it once or twice.:unsure:

Re: New User Questions
 

I wish someone would do Luton to Almeria :frown:

Re: New User Questions
 

Ooooops! that was me. Apologies. I am fully aware that Monarch don't fly into Granada. For the mind readers out there I meant to say Malaga. Same applies though about the threat to cancel the service. Hopefully it wont happen as a lot of people use that route.

I stand corrected :p