StartingOver

Hi all you lovely people.

I'm a 52 yr old single Mum to a 14 yr old daughter, and I'm seriously considering relocating to Spain. I've been looking at Valencia- Alicante rural areas.

I have absolutely no Idea where to start or what legal requirements there are?

I appreciate the International schools are quite expensive, but still about a 1/3rd of what I'm paying for a private school in UK as my daughter is probably Aspergers and copes best in smaller class sizes.

My reasons for moving are a complete hatred for the town I'm living in (moved here 3 1/2 years ago from a local village) There's no way I can afford my daughters school for whole of next 2-4 years (depending on 6th form) And none of the local state options is suitable, not to mention waiting over 2 years for an Autism screening. And the joy of life seems to be being sucked out of life in the UK.

I would ideally like to purchase a property that had 2nd unit to let, as I AirBnB currently. Also looking to keep a property in the UK for a rental income.

I currently act as a host family mostly to French students with a TEFL qualification. I appreciate everyone probably hopes they can give English lessons

I also have Fibromyalgia a chronic pain condition, which is generally much improved by warmer weather and swimming. So i believe there will be massive health benefits for me chasing that sun thing. But have no idea ow this will effect insurance? Apart from the flare ups, when I over extend myself, I pretty much manage my condition with a hot tub and paracetamol. So it doesn't requite any treatment, just careful management.

Any advice gratefully received.
Anne & Katherine

Pulaski

Hi SO, welcome to BE.

Do you work and/or are you looking to work in Spain?

Do you speak Spanish fluently?

StartingOver

Hi Pulaski,
In the UK I host french students & run part of my house as an AirBnB, so I'd be looking to do similar in Spain.

I don't speak Spanish, though lived in France in 2008-10 and picked up the language very quickly, as I made a conscious effort to learn. ( i feel this is critical) My Daughter is in her 2nd year of studying Spanish at school.

Anne

missile

Hi,
There are many obstacles to overcome, but if you are sufficiently motivated and look on it as a challenge it becomes a thrill with each step forward.
I would suggest you read the many posts on here from others who have decided to take the plunge.

spainrico

Suggest you research here first then if it looks possible start looking at Spain in more detail

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-spain

good luck.

StartingOver

I like a challenge

StartingOver

Thank you

mikelincs

Brexit is, of course, the elephant in the room, no-one really knows what will happen, it's supposed to be 31st January however the UK government is assuming their unilateral altering of the withdrawal agreement will be accepted, and that's by no means certain, so it could be extended, or even just happen with no deal. It will all have a big influence on your decision.

StartingOver

mikelincs Yeah, Brexit is a pretty ugly elephant, and a big part of the reason why I'd rather continue being a European.

If I relocate within the UK it's likely I'll be switched from Working Tax Credits (where only the income on savings is counted) to Universal Credit where I wouldn't get a penny. So I either get to down size drastically in the UK and buy a rental property, scrape by, but still possibly have NHS, but for how long? Or do something a little more drastic, which is seeming like far more an attractive option.

Pulaski

If you're used to living on everyone else's money, sorry, no, "state hand-outs", sorry, no, "benefit entitlements", Spain may be an ugly shock for you.

bxpuser24710519

My comments would be, bringing a teenager to Spain when people I know have gone back to UK for secondary education may be a struggle. I would fear she would get lost the secondary education system here. Benefits here in Spain hmmmm after Brexshite ooppps Brexit who knows which, if any. benefits will be transferable and whether the rules Spain has now for supporting yourself/healthcare, ie not being a burden to the Spanish system will change. Declarations of rentals and taxes due. spainrico's link is good place to start.

Lots to consider, time to do shed loads of research and watching government sites for concrete information. Me.... if I was a solo parent of a teenager, I would not do it even with my sense of adventure and the youngster wanted to leave friends and family. I have heard the kids going back as can't, won't, don't want to be educated here and wanting UK qualifications for a wider choice of places to work. Good luck.

StartingOver

Pulaski I'm used to working.. pretty dam hard since I was 16 actually. Managed businesses with a turnover of up to 9 million, But since ending up as a single Mum with an absent Father who hasn't paid maintenance or had contact for nearly 5 years, & a chronic health condition, I have taken the support which I've paid into for 30+ years of my adult life. & a part time self employed role which allows me to support my Autistic daughter. I'm not expecting to receive any benefits in Spain, by selling my House and buying in Spain and one or two rental properties in the UK to support us. I'd ideally run AirBnB too. #feelingjudged

StartingOver

The Capitans Wench My daughter has been massively failed by the UK education system, with Autism completely missed until I put her into a private school. There is no reasonable provision for her & I've run out of funds to continue to pay the £17k pa her school is costing me. I've been trying to get an Autism screening for over 2 years, also trying to get an EHCP.. hey even if i got the 6k a year I save the state on her education towards her fees, it would have made a massive difference. But there is so little funding for SEND kids and it's such a battle to get any help, never mind the right help. The international school fees seem to be a fraction of the UK fees, with similar class sizes.

It's definitely Brexshit I live just off the M20 at Ashford, so have suffered the £35 million cock up that is Operation Brock for over a year.. which was a totally pointless waste of money, that cost, lives, jobs and relationships with the disruption it caused on an almost daily basis.

My daughter doesn't have friends, doesn't get on with her peers & I've no family close by.

My daughter is a smart cookie, but isn't the highest performer in her school, so I feel being properly fluent in a 2nd language would actually open more doors than a few average GCSE's

Moses2013

I just think that you need to be cautious and I wouldn't take things personal on this forum. The other 2 posters made some good points and are just honest. The idea of life in the sun is always great on paper, but many ignore reality. I know Ashford, it's probably not the greatest/cheapest place in the UK and I now live in Ireland myself. However, we also have a home in Spain and I have Spanish friends, so know how a few things work. You wrote: My daughter doesn't have friends, doesn't get on with her peers & I've no family close by. What makes you believe that Spain will solve this problem? I believe the country is not always the issue and you will have the same challenges in Spain and another bigger challenge (Spanish). I've posted it in another thread yesterday and doubt the OP was interested, but it's also something one should know https://www.spanishpropertyinsight.c...home-in-spain/
Apart from the purchase process of property (check it's all legal), you might also need the tourist license to rent out your property.

Casa Santo Estevo

Before opening a tourism business, a number of matters you need to be addressed:
* If purchasing a ruin then undertake a financial and economic study on the rehabilitation costs.
* The seasonal character of the business and which market you wish to aim your businesses at.
* Not every rural house can be used as a rural tourism house . Along with the requirements of each Autonomous Community themselves. It is important to take into account environmental conditions for instance if your building is located in say a natural parks.
* Cultural attractions, or access to activities of active tourism, can help to achieve a more lasting occupation during the year and are critical to the profitability of the business.
* Do not do any of this on a shoe string.
* If serving food you will need to obtain a Manipulador de Alimentos certificate (food handling).