Hello, yes it's another Brit wanting to move to Spain thread!!

I've browsed through a fair few of the sticky threads in the forums and I want to open by saying that yes I do understand that unemployment is very high at the moment and it will be hard to find work, but I think my love for the country will certainly help my perseverance.

Anyway, about myself. I'm 22 going on 23 in November, I have no formal qualifications at the level A-C ( I wasn't a fan of the whole school thing back then and went to sleep in my exams, what a stupid mistake that was ) and my work experience is mostly in retail management. I have about £10,000 in my bank at the moment which I think would be about a year's funds?
I speak close to conversational level Spanish and am currently learning Spanish at the moment through native speakers.
And I think finally, I am willing to do any work. I used to work in a 24 hour environment, so long shifts anywhere upto 18 hours aren't that big of a shock to me, so I wouldn't have any troubles with working 12 hours shifts. I think I would quite enjoy bar working as I'm a very sociable person and I love to meet new people and I think it would be great to be around people holidaying and having a nice time.

Oh and I don't have a driving license. I have a CBT license ( Motorbike - Allows the use upto 125 I think, so I could get one of the twist-and-go's that I saw plenty of when I was over there ).

Any advice is appreciated. Don't worry if any of your comments may seem negative; I think understand the gravity of the situation over there fairly well and alot of the time when people explain the harsh reality, it comes across as negative. I know there is going to be bad that goes with the good, but that's life and I am willing to accept that.

Thank you in advance for your time and again even more so for your replies.

Mike

Well, the only part of the country that seems to be on the upturn job-wise is the Canary Islands - you might pick up bar work or a cleaning job there if you are in the right place at the right time. Why not hop over for a couple of weeks and check it out?

Elsewhere the situation is pretty grim, as you are obviously aware. There are millions of Spaniards desperate for whatever jobs there are.

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Read about life in the pueblo: La Vida Alcalaina

Seriously get a full driving license before you come down here! Without it you would limit yourself only to city / central locations, could have trouble to reach possible work places and most importantly more and more jobs down here require you to have a driving license (and a mobile haha!).

I think Seb and Alcalaina have given you good advice.
You obviously aren't stupid, you're young (presumably without family responsibilities??) and ready to make a change. Well, this is the time you may have a little bit of a chance of getting work 'cos summer's just around the corner...
Here's a link to a site that has seasonal work, but there's not much on offer... I think it'll be a case of going round knocking on doors.
Summer Jobs - UK and abroad

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“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.”

I live in the Canary Islands on one of the smaller islands, whilst there is still unemployment, things appear to be on the mend. Tourism is up, mainly on the larger islands, by 26% and the Catering industry is re employing those that were laid of and recruiting new staff, well, that is what we are being told on the evening news programs.

Years ago my youngest son asked me the same question that you pose, I said book a holiday for two weeks and make sure you have enough funds for a return ticket. He went to Gran Canaria and stayed for over five years, whilst he was there he worked as a Bar Manager in Playa del Ingles, but he had previous experience in the catering industry, he now runs a restaurant in England.

The decision is yours but make sure you have funds for your return fare. Consider the south of Tenerife or Gran Canaria, try a two week holiday to sniff out the situation, it won't be easy but if you are single and young you might just get lucky,

Hepa

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Thanks alot for the replies so far guys, I really appreciate the help.

@ Pesky: No family responsibilies, just me, myself and I.

I've been to Spain about a dozen times and every time we went to Torrevieja, so I think ideally speaking that's where I would like to live. But it seems that at the moment I will have to go where the work is for the time being and then consider moving around when more jobs are available generally speaking and also when I have a better grasp of the language.

I think I will book a ticket and take a holiday for a couple weeks and ask around at the hotels and bars around that area and see what sort of feedback I get.

Any more advice is greatly appreciated and again, thanks for the people that took the time to read and reply allready.

Definitley try Tenerife or Gran Canaria (south of the islands). My daughter still regularly finds bar work every summer. But it is hard work and not much time for a social life. Good luck

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Before facebook nobody cared what you had for breakfast; they still don't.

If I were you, I'd simply come over and see what happens. Make sure you have a "plan B", but if you've nothing to lose then just come over for an extended holiday and have a laugh and maybe you'll hit lucky!?

Jo xxx

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I agree with JoJo. Come over and see what there is to see, always have that £500 or a credit card in your wallet so you can get home.

I was out in Fuengirola last night and I seen 3 bars looking for staff, so there are places looking for people.

As for a driving license if you aren't planning on going a super long distance I think you could def survive on a twist and go.

You sound more prepared than some of the families that come on here...

Hope it works out! Let us know how you get on!!

Where did you go in Fuengy??? I was there for a while last night!!

Jo xxx

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