Moving to Spain?
Author
Discussion

jt racing

Original Poster:

561 posts

203 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Hi all.
Looking for some advice really. After falling in love with Spain on hols, benidorm region, this missus and myself are seriously considering moving over there in 2 years when our eldest has done her leaving cert and the rest will still be in primary school.
We have family over there, her brother and wife, so wouldn't be alone per say but am wondering about things like rents, car insurance costs, employment prospects and so forth. I would have approx 15-20k going over but not much more. I am a photographer and have been for the last 12 years so wouldn't mind a complete change of direction either. Can turn my hand to most things, mechanics and so forth and have a background in retail managment.
Also, did immigrate for emgland to Ireland when I was 14 with my parents so it wouldn't be a completely new experience.
Just feel that my only window will be then or stay the course here in Ireland.
Thanks for your input in advance!

jt racing

Original Poster:

561 posts

203 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Thanks for moving it.

jt racing

Original Poster:

561 posts

203 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Cheers bud! Need that sort of input to push me!!

harry010

4,423 posts

216 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Do you speak Spanish? If not, I'd start learning. You're experiences and job prospects will be greatly enhanced if you speak the language -also, the children will pick it up at school so you'll fall behind on them if you can't.

I moved from England to South America 4 years ago, and couldn't possibly have done it without speaking the language (Portuguese in my case).

jt racing

Original Poster:

561 posts

203 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
I have basic Spanish but am learning it at the moment. I am pretty good with languages so I'm doing well with it.

harry010

4,423 posts

216 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
jt racing said:
I have basic Spanish but am learning it at the moment. I am pretty good with languages so I'm doing well with it.
excellent, sounds like you have the right attitude to moving abroad, unlike some that seem to think everyone will speak English.

Good luck with it smile

Ikibari

14,180 posts

211 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Don't assume that you will find work easily. It's an absolute nightmare by all accounts, I know of at least 3 couples who have moved back in the last 2 years (one more has flat for sale now) due to not being able to find work on the Costas.

jt racing

Original Poster:

561 posts

203 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
I understand that that's why I will have a small reserve but to be honest wouldn't care what to work as at the start, I'd wait tables if that was all that was available.
But my sister inlaw has a home help company that herself could work for if needed.

El Guapo

2,787 posts

219 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
You will use up your 15-20k within a year. You will find it extremely difficult to find full-time work.
I would advise you to not do it.

JohnnyJones

1,778 posts

207 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
musclecarmad said:
Go for it I love Spain and the weather.

Cost of living is cheap as you may not need a car and can walk everywhere or get public transport or have a scooter etc.

Beer can be cheap

Life can be oh so good.

Good on you for having the balls
He hasn't got the balls. Unless you mean to ask questions of strangers on an internet forum.

MGZRod

8,176 posts

205 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
And remember second hand cars are more expencive as they come with warranties (or something of that ilk, talking to our spanish neighbours in Alacante wasn't going to get picky with their english!

Cupramax

11,002 posts

281 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Surely it would be better to hang on a bit, Spain is in an even bigger financial mess than we are and is suffering more as a result of our downturn. I went to Mallorca a couple of weeks ago and everywhere was far quieter than I've know it in the last 15 years of going there.

edit for speeling

Edited by Cupramax on Monday 16th August 21:49

tim2100

6,288 posts

286 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Unless you are fluent in Spanish and have a trade that can earn you money in Spain then I wouldn't do it.

I know of quite a few couple who have made the move. Their savings soon ran out. They struggled to find work, there would be a huge demand for any menial jobs especially if it didn't involve speaking fluent Spanish. When a supermarket opened they had in the region of 3000 applicants per role. Some of them managed to get cleaning jobs or bar work, but these only lasted during the tourist season.

For the kids in schools and adults in jobs there is huge prejudice against Brits.

Yes the lifestyle looks good, but is it a good lifestyle once your savings have dried up and there is no other work available and the rent is due?

However if you do have a trade you can offer and can get along with the Spanish then sell up, get yourself over there tomorrow.

eldar

25,274 posts

225 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Cupramax said:
Surely it would be better to hang on a bit, Spain is in an even bigger financial mess than we are and is suffering more as a result of our downturn. I went to Mallorca a couple of weeks ago and everywhere was far quieter than I've know it in the last 15 years of going there.

edit for speeling

Edited by Cupramax on Monday 16th August 21:49
Their economy is in a major mess. Unemployment is 20.09% There are very few decent jobs around, and lots of competition for the crap jobs.

You really need fluent Spanish to be in with a chance.

Try to get a job before you commit.

jt racing

Original Poster:

561 posts

203 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Thanks for the info. As for the no balls input, thanks for that to, you must know everything then so you never need to ask for honest opinions.
One day maybe the rest of us will have your insight and genitals.
Thank you to everyone else for your time.

Flintstone

8,644 posts

276 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Imagine you were bored, floating along on an iceberg and you saw a ship coming. As it bore down on you the name 'Titanic' appears on the bow. Would you leap aboard?

Don't do it. Spain's going down the stter.

Neilos S

45 posts

229 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
You know you want to. I live 30mins from Alicante, I am selling my pool and gardening business as i need to go back as soon as possible. We'll do a swap. I don't want to leave but due to personal circumstances i have to. PM me

Flintstone

8,644 posts

276 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Neilos S said:
You know you want to. I live 30mins from Alicante, I am selling my pool and gardening business as i need to go back as soon as possible. We'll do a swap. I don't want to leave but due to personal circumstances i have to. PM me
rofl


Either that or give your bank details to that nice nigerian gentleman that pops up on here from time to time.

Ikibari

14,180 posts

211 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Flintstone said:
Imagine you were bored, floating along on an iceberg and you saw a ship coming. As it bore down on you the name 'Titanic' appears on the bow. Would you leap aboard?

Don't do it. Spain's going down the stter.
Precisely.

Seriously, if you HAVE to go to Spain, learn Spanish, get a proper job somewhere like Madrid and get a holiday flat on the Costa. Otherwise, do what the rest of us do, use it for a cheap week away once a year and leave it at that.

MGZRod

8,176 posts

205 months

Monday 16th August 2010
quotequote all
Neilos S said:
You know you want to. I live 30mins from Alicante, I am selling my pool and gardening business as i need to go back as soon as possible. We'll do a swap. I don't want to leave but due to personal circumstances i have to. PM me
Gran Alicante? Santa Pola?