Originally Posted by bob_bob (Post 9985149)

A very valid point. Both my children spent periods of their lives in overseas Schools as either my job or we chose to live abroad although apart from Cyprus we were in English speaking countries. To be honest (this is only my view, not taking a pop at anyone) I'd never think of taking my children to live overseas unless I was fluent in the language and culture and they were of an age where they could attend local Schools and become a 'local' themselves, become 'Spanish' or 'German' etc; to do so is short changing the kiddie winks. As is so often the case, mom and dad soak up the new life while the children can struggle in School and certainly are at a big disadvantage with higher education which would be my main worry...what happens when the children hit eighteen and have to return to the UK for uni, a country and culture that by then is not truly 'home' and they to a degree are in a social/cultural limbo.

Originally Posted by Domino (Post 9985175)

for a couple of centuries that is exactly what the Brit Abroad did, dad ran a plantation, the kids got shipped home to a boarding school, never truly part of England, never truly part of the parents country, in fact never trulypart of anything.

nowadays the education is more needed to ensure a "good job" and if I was lucky enough to be that young I would not want to saddle my kids with the problems this can cause.

but.....if you don't try it when you get to my age you will be sitting there complaining you had never achieved your goals.

work at it, carry out the SWOT Analysis and ensure you have a way out if it does go pear shaped.

Originally Posted by lesley1802 (Post 9983549)

Thanks everyone.

As I said before, it looks like it will be an International School - I did want to hear everyones thoughts on state schools but the comments seem to echo what I thought.

Im not sure about the 700 euro rent that was mentioned - this seems to be the size and quality of houses on offer http://www.thinkspain.com/spanish-property/1335250 for 450 euro - I think thats a great price and seems to be the norm for properties on all the sites we have seen - am I looking in the wrong place? Even at 700 euros though this is still so much less than in the uk.

I am more than willing to make compromises when moving - my lovely (but obscene and un needed) 6 bed detached with twin garage will gladly be changed for a 3 bed house in Spain with what I feel would be a better life for our family - we seem to spend a lot on a house JUST to have a nice big house but there must be more to life than that. I haven't actually heard anyone say anything majorly negative about moving to Spain and can only go on feedback from our friends who are already there and various stories on the forums - that it can be better for us.

For work we need a desk and computer so space is not an issue - I dont see how a family of four wouldnt be able to live comfortably in a 3 bed house.

We pay over £1200 just now just for rent, tax and insurance, then another £150 pcm for gas and elec, then broadband, phone, gardner - it all adds up! and for a bit more than this in Spain I would get rent AND an INternational school - which from what I can tell so far, are highly recommended. IN Scotland we could never afford a private school.

More specifically, can anyone pinpoint highly ex-pat populated (and recommended) areas in Murcia/Valencia. It would certainly help narrow down our choices. We are looking for a good amount of ex-pats, with good local amenities and not too far from an INternational School and a beach close by would be nice :) - I don't ask for much!

I am sure there will be areas that pop into peoples minds and would love to hear suggestions so I can do some more research

Many thanks so far for all the feedback guys

Cheers

Lesley

Originally Posted by JLFS (Post 9985212)

If as you stated it is only information about the ideal area for you all to live that you want, do you realise that nearly every poster lives in a different place and will usually recommend their own area, as it will be what they know.

How this will help you decide on the "where"I have no idea.

Originally Posted by lesley1802 (Post 9985246)

I wonder if we can keep all the rest of the comments at bay and maybe just stick to the topic?

It would be great to hear from anyone with kids currently in an INternational School in Murcia / Alicante etc

As I mentioned in a previous post, at this time, I am particlularly keen to know of any areas around El Limonar International School at El Palmar.

Originally Posted by JLFS (Post 9985212)

If as you stated it is only information about the ideal area for you all to live that you want, do you realise that nearly every poster lives in a different place and will usually recommend their own area, as it will be what they know.

How this will help you decide on the "where"I have no idea.

Originally Posted by lesley1802 (Post 9985272)

These are the questions I have asked a few times and the thread has developed, some have given asnwers which is very much appreciated.

Cheers

Lesley

Originally Posted by Rosemary (Post 9985275)

I would not recommend my area to Lesley because there is a lack of Brits and she has already stated that she wants to live where there a lot of Brits. I have not spoken to a Brit for 18 months so that makes it very obvious that they are very, very thin on the ground here.

Rosemary

Originally Posted by Rosemary (Post 9985275)

I would not recommend my area to Lesley because there is a lack of Brits and she has already stated that she wants to live where there a lot of Brits. I have not spoken to a Brit for 18 months so that makes it very obvious that they are very, very thin on the ground here.

Rosemary

Originally Posted by lesley1802 (Post 9985310)

Thanks Rosemary :)

God it sounds as if I want to pick up the UK and drop it in Spain doesn't it!!! I just want to make the integartion as easy as possible :)

Originally Posted by cricketman (Post 9985477)

Just to make it clear, both of you will need to pay social security from the first month you are in Spain, if you are working from Spain. This will be at least 520 euros per month. There is no option to wait 2 years so make sure you include it in your budget

As for international school. The problem is when the kids are teenagers they have very few reference points. They cant even understand the children they are surrounded by, nevermind the culture, so the only thing they know is their immediate classmates and whatever they watch on TV. OK some kids are like that anyway, but it is a bit sad to think that your children are going to grow up in a country and end up actually knowing very little about it

Of course, some international schools are better than others. If it was me, I'd make sure they get taught Spanish sociales and language as well as the English subjects. And that a good proportion of the children are Spanish

Originally Posted by lesley1802 (Post 9985610)

Thanks - as discussed previously we are aware of the ss - we never suggested waiting 2 years.

I know my kids and I have a more open view on what kids need and are capable of and I do not find broadending my childrens horizons to be sad in any way.

Originally Posted by cricketman (Post 9985694)

You won't be broadening your childrens' horizons because you will be living among other British people in the Sun, not Spain. You will be doing the exact opposite. Giving them a very narrow view of the world

The kids I've met from the international schools have all longed to go to the UK and have not been in the least bit interested in Spain. That probably tells you all you need to know.

Anyhow, I hope you get the info you've asked for