benandkelly

Hello all. We are a couple (both 33) with children aged 7, 11 & 13 and we want to move to Spain.

We are interested in the Costa Blanca region, possibly around the Alicante area.
We would like to be close to a nice beach but not so close that were kept awake by all the late night partying lol.

I work in elecronic security but also have electrical qualifications. I would like to find work in either of the two industries.

None of us can speak spanish but we are keen to learn it.

I have a few questions I'd like to ask...

1, whats the best way to find a job in/around Alicante? (Bearing in mind we dont yet speak spanish)

2, Does anyone have any suggestions of places to live that would be good for for the kids? (we dont want OTT lively or OTT quiet lol)

3,What are State schools like for english kids to attend?

Thats all i can think of for now but i'm sure there will be lots of questions as we go along.

I look forward to getting to know you all

Thanks in advance

BenandKelly

Jur

You want to go to Spain or to Canada? And hów old are your children ???http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...74#post8265574

Rosemary

There is very little work for the Spanish who speak fluently in their own language so very few jobs for english who do not have any Spanish at all.

Rosemary

benandkelly

Well done :-)
We did want to move to Canada. Unfortunately it didnt work out.

Oh sorry..... My youngest is 7 Tomorrow. Middle one is 11 and eldest is 13 in April.

I take it your one of those people who likes to think they're above everyone else!!!

jackytoo

well spotted Jur...give them a chance though that was about 3 weeks ago, anyone can change their mind

cricketman

It does look a bit strange when you get the ages of your children wrong, still I cant see why anyone would post fake stories?

I would love to give you some positive news, but unfortunately can't. Unemployment is at 20% in Spain (more than double that in the UK), you dont have any Spanish electrician qualifications and you dont speak Spanish, so unless you know some British people who can give you a job, I cant imagine how you could make a living.

Sorry

snikpoh

I personally think that 13 is too old to move a child into a foreign speaking school! At 13 in Spain they will be in year 2 or 3 of secondary school (ESO) with ALL lessons in Spanish or Valencian - I can't see how they could possibly cope.


... just my opinion though! Our 3 children moved here when they were 7 (twins) and 9.

casa del sol

I would stay in the UK if I were you.....review again in a few years time, meanwhile learn the language.......you might also get the chance to pick up a cheap house then.

cricketman

I doubt it, North Lincolnshire has some of the cheapest houses in Western Europe

casa del sol

....see what you mean Scunthorpe 3 bed £35k......I am sure you can find something for that in Spain, not so sure it will be near the sea though.....will you be renting?

bil

No, he's just very observant.

Given the appalling rate of unemployment here in Spain, my advice would be to get reasonably fluent in Spanish BEFORE you come out.

agoreira

Agree, 11 and 13 is an ackward enough age as it is, without moving them to a school where they haven't a clue of the language. Like you, I wouldn't even consider it with children that age, but many do. The parents seem to want to go, and that what matters. I have to say with no promise of a job, no language skills, it sounds like a recipe for disaster.

pwwm

Sorry to be another negative post, but we have seen a few families go back to the UK due to lack of work and language skills, personally I would never have taken my kids out of school especially at 13, hubby was taken from one country to another at 8 and felt the change of language put him behind for years.
He should know. Also the children will be put back a year until opefully they will catch up with the language,

I agree with the above, learn the language get the children schooled then come over. House for 35k certainly not around here, unless a ruin.

Jur

Yes, yes I´m the best one here, you better be my friend! Welcome to the forum.

Thanks bil, fully agree, without Spanish in Spain you don´t get very far.

Annetje

UNLESS ONE GETS TO KNOW SOME REALLY REALLY NICE PEOPLE ...