Hi all,

1st time poster so please be gentle !!

Me and my partner have been considering the move to Spain ( mainland or islands ) for some time, but now maybe thinking again due to the economic downturn over Europe. We're both in our 40's looking to work, I speak a little Spanish but ( hopefully ) will be starting lessons in the New Year. We'd be bringing our 2yr old daughter with us as well.

Sorry if this seems a bit vague but I really would just like to know whether we'd stand a chance of making a home for ourselves in Spain, or give it a miss for a while

All advice needed and appreciated

Regards

Paul

As Concierges for the Spanish section of BE we 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.

We notice that you joined in December 2009, what were your thoughts on moving abroad at the time, where were you thinking of going and why did it not happen for you? If any of those reasons were economic we should warn you that the crisis is still very evident in Spain so jobs are very difficult to find.

Please let us know if you need any further help.

Rosemary and Graham

Firstly, welcome.

Secondly, please don't consider Spain at the moment! In my opinion you will be most unlikely to find work and if you do, it will be extremely poorly paid.

This really is not the time to consider Spain unless you are retired or have sufficient income to never have to bother about working - and even then. in the current euro crisis, I think I would have to think twice first.

I guess that you havent given many details suggest that you dont have a plan...

Anyone can move to Spain at any time, it completely depends on their circumstances, but beware:
- unemployment is at twice the rate of the UK
- you must speak fluent Spanish for over 99% of any jobs there may be
- the unemployment rate is very high for everyone, even if they are highly qualified
- you will be lucky to earn 1000 euros a month for any job you do get unless you are a serious sought after professional, in which case you wouldnt have asked these Qs

What qualifications do you have that would make you stand out from the nearly 5 million unemployed? If the answer is nothing, and you dont tens of thousands of euros in savings then dont even think about it

Ta for the advice ! Must admit we knew it was bad over there, but never imagined it was THAT bad. We hadn't done much research, I just wanted to know what you guys thought. Now I know !

Never mind eh. I'm sure there's somewhere out there for us,just might take a bit more time to get there

Ta again

Paul

Spain is a good place to have money, not a place to make money.

If you aren't on pension or have some source of income from outside Spain, forget it.

we see the locals scrapping for work, it is as bad as people have posted, trouble is it is never mentioned on UK tv.
Sorry we have all burst your bubble but they are all correct. not sure anywhere is better at the moment to be honest

Unfortunately I have to agree to all the previous posts. It's not the time for a young family to come unless you are rich or highly skilled and wanted.

I don't think it's the time for anywhere in Europe.

If you or your wife are a skilled professional maybe you should look to Australia if they want you? I know that young British families with kids are sought for, but you still have to have something that they want.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Very well put. Sad but true!

This old saying still applies. I first heard it over 20 yrs ago.

"If you want to make a small fortune in Spain, bring a large one"

Unsurprisingly we've decided to give Spain and the most of mainland Europe a miss

Seems like we're gonna stay put for a while

Cheers for the honest advice all

Paul