Pipe Dreams..... or are they?
 

Hi everyone, as you can see I'm new to this forum, so I would really like to talk to people about my pipe dream.

My girlfriend and I are really interested in moving to Spain to work and live. We are both in our mid 20s and feel that the UK isn't the place for us...we figured that we would be kicking ourselves if we get to later life and have not tried to live and work abroad. Not only that, but the climate may help my girlfriend with her arthritic condition...the cold damp climate in the UK plays havoc! Australia is a little too far as we would still like to know we are just a few hours from london if we need to get back for whatever reason.

We have both started spanish lessons with the anticipation of moving next year, but what we are both concerned about is employment.

We both have good jobs but are both willing to sacrifice them to live our dream. However, reality kicks in and we realise we have to work to live!!

We have a house to sell in the UK with about £30k equity (we have only lived there for 2 years and have done it up) and some savings to tied us over for a while but ideally I would like something sorted before we jump!

Can anyone recommend any recruitment firms or contacts in southern spain whom I can contact to get the ball rolling?

Can anyone share their immigration experiences with me?

I look forward to speaking to you soon

Thanks

Dale

Re: Pipe Dreams..... or are they?
 

Hi Dale,
your doing right by having the lessons, without them the job prospects are poor.
The area you wish to be in will also affect the type of jobs you can find, once you have the language to a reasonable standard, why not try renting for a while, you then keep your small investment in the Uk intact until your feeling more confident to move permanently.
I know it may be quite tempting to make the move earlier, but it may just sap up your savings/investment making it even more difficult for you.
There are lots of English news papers with Jobs available.
try these for a starter:
www.costadelsolnews.com
www.surinenglish.com
www.Typicallyspainish.com
Look under classified sections for jobs.
Good luck in your quest.
Glenn

Re: Pipe Dreams..... or are they?
 

Thanks Glenn, to be honest I think we would probably just rent our house out in Oxford and just rent and work in spain for a year...then make a decision.

Thanks for the links, I will take a look at lunchtime.

Re: Pipe Dreams..... or are they?
 

Good decission

Re: Pipe Dreams..... or are they?
 

Hi Dale

We too are moving to Spain next year and I've been doing a lot of research on Jobs and accomodation etc.

The one thing I have noticed is that employment wise it is a little difficult to find work whilst you are still in the UK. Ther are stacks of job agencies in the south of Spain but when you apply for jobs or register with them, they tend to want to know when you will be arriving in Spain, as most employers etc want to do a face to face interview and know when you are available to start work.

Rented accomodation seems to be rther expensive near the coast as well. The more you move inland the cheaper it gets, but then you are faced with commuting a larger distance for a decent job, as the majority of jobs seem to be in either the cities or on the coast.

I have recently posted lists of employment agencies and estate agencies in the area on this forum, If you can't find them, let me know and I'll repost them for you

good luck

Rick

Re: Pipe Dreams..... or are they?
 

Dale,
Consider doing a TEFL or CELTA course to enable you to teach English in Spain. Plenty of demand, so you know you can always fall back on it. You might also like to consider the possibility of contracting in the UK and commuting back to Spain at weekends to for periods of several months at a time, or finding employment in the UK with companies that have offices in Spain. You may then be able to work from their offices for the UK side, if you're lucky.

Just some options on top of the job search.

Re: Pipe Dreams..... or are they?
 

Sound advise we have looked hard at the situation and have decided that as my job is global I can as easily be based in Spain however I will still be working in Uk in terms of base office and coming back 6-8 days a month working days wise.
It just ensures that our dream of a life in Spain will not flounder on monthly income grounds before it gets going in earnest.
Its not for everyone I know but in our family lifes working in aerospace 15-20 % of days away from home has always been the norm.
My aim is then become as fluent as possible and transfer my experience full time to Spanish company or look after UK aerospace companies interests in Spain promoting and selling them to Indra etc..
We are giving it 12 mths and if its not working we have had the experience some sun and language skills enhanced.
Another suggestion is depending on your career to research trade bodies in Spain.