Moving to Spain from New Zealand

[abbyeh77]

Hi everyone,

Like many we are getting ready for a move to Spain within the next 12- 18 mths. We are on Brittish passports which makes things easier. Our family consists of my husband & I who are in our early 30's, our 5 year old daughter & my parents who are retired.

We are moving to Southern Spain & are open to hear any advice on the following;

1. I am in real estate & Property Mngt admin and my hubby is exp. in warehousing, forkhoists BUT of course we are open to ANY jobs. Is it worth getting our TFEL qualification to teach english?

2. Where are the best areas to be inland from the Costas for reasonable driving times to areas that are more successful in finding employment. Where are the areas in Southern Spain for higher employment chances?

3. We are wanting to be rural but close to ex-pat areas, we want to have a property with an annex to hopefully be able to rent out in peak. What the popular ex-pat areas inland?

Any info appreciated re the above plus more if you can offer it.

Cheers, A.

[chris(madrid)]

1) Real Estate is in a MAJOR SLUMP right now. Warehousing - How's your Spanish? - TEFL cant hurt. Also be aware that salaries here are LOW. So low - my guess is you WILL NOT COPE ON ONE SALARY.

2) Unemployment in Southern Spain RIGHT NOW is about 20%. And seems set to stay as such or GROW during 2009.

Unless you have resources to allow you to live unemployed at least 12 months - I'd not recommend the move. Inland you'll find SPANISH a MUST. The multi-language zone fades out VERY fast indeed.

[jojo]

Originally Posted by abbyeh77

Hi everyone,

Like many we are getting ready for a move to Spain within the next 12- 18 mths. We are on Brittish passports which makes things easier. Our family consists of my husband & I who are in our early 30's, our 5 year old daughter & my parents who are retired.

We are moving to Southern Spain & are open to hear any advice on the following;

1. I am in real estate & Property Mngt admin and my hubby is exp. in warehousing, forkhoists BUT of course we are open to ANY jobs. Is it worth getting our TFEL qualification to teach english?

2. Where are the best areas to be inland from the Costas for reasonable driving times to areas that are more successful in finding employment. Where are the areas in Southern Spain for higher employment chances?

3. We are wanting to be rural but close to ex-pat areas, we want to have a property with an annex to hopefully be able to rent out in peak. What the popular ex-pat areas inland?

Any info appreciated re the above plus more if you can offer it.

Cheers, A.

TO TIP: If you're going to need employment to "live" here, then make sure you have jobs organised and secured BEFORE you come over!

Jo

[SunnySpain]

Originally Posted by abbyeh77

Hi everyone,

Like many we are getting ready for a move to Spain within the next 12- 18 mths. We are on Brittish passports which makes things easier. Our family consists of my husband & I who are in our early 30's, our 5 year old daughter & my parents who are retired.

We are moving to Southern Spain

May I ask why are you moving to Southern Spain ?

Have you ever been to Andalucia ?

Can you speak Spanish ?

As Chris has already said, unemployment is high and unlees you own a business you will almost certainly need to speak Spanish to obtain decent employment.


Until you have answered the above I cannot possibly offer you any advice.

Regards, Dave

[roset]

HI there. We have been living in NZ for 13 years and decided we would like to head back to Europe. Originally from the UK we do not plan to return there but go over to Spain. We have had two previous trips to Spain to investigate house prices, business opportunities and the economy. Spain is a mass of red tape but we believe the frustration worth it. The property market is in a slump right now and fantastic bargains can be found in regard to land, villas, apartments and businesses. However, there has been a grape and olive failiure this year and hence the immigrant workers and the poorer long-term resident immigrants are suffering. There has been a massive increase in burgularies and thefts with huge amount of damage being done to properties with people so desperate to steal anything to raise some money. The economic climate right now is terrible and spaniards are not taking their holidays and tourists have dropped off to a degree never experienced in Spanish history before. This has resulted in many businesses both for nationals and international peoples going bankrupt. After saying this, if you have enough money to get you through the next year and can afford 150-300000Euros to get a decent place to live mortgage free the move would pay off. I would not recommend you make the move without learning the language first. English is not so widely spoken as you would be lead to believe. You need to do a good intense year of the language before you even consider making the move. The banking system in Spain is considered one of the most expensive in the world and you pay a high price for the transfer of funds from overseas, so do your homework NOW. I must say we are rather intrigued to see someone else from NZ wanting to make the move we are making. I wish you every luck with it. We are about to go to Spain in 3 weeks for 3 months and when we come back to NZ everything should be in order and packed up ready to go for the final time!