New User Questions
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 64
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
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
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: 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
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
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
#3
Re: 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
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
#4
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 64
Re: New User Questions
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.
Iain
#5
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 64
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.
Does anyone here live in Valencia?
Iain
#7
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 64
Re: New User Questions
Can I ask how long you have been living there and what your impressions are of the city.
Thanks,
Iain
#8
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.
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.
#9
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.
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.
#10
Re: New User Questions
Ryanair did Stansted to Granada but have recently announced they are stopping that route.
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Essex & Estepa (Seville)
Posts: 58
Re: New User Questions
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.
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Valencia
Posts: 1,164
Re: New User Questions
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.
#14
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.
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Essex & Estepa (Seville)
Posts: 58
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.