Moving to the Costa Del Sol

[DarrylCox]

Hi Ex Pats,

I have today started my relocation work, to move my family from the UK to the Malaga area in April this year where I will be working for my UK based company in Malaga.

Any comments on the below questions, will be gratefully received;

1. My children are aged 7 and 9, can you please advise on recommended private english bilingual schools in the area, and a rough estimate on annual or term costs.

2. Please provide recommended links to local long term rental companies for villas, apartments etc.

4. My wife is a Junior School TA, is there job opportunities in the Malaga area for her (dont want her being a woman of leisure)

3. Any general Do's and Dont's

Many thanks in anticipation, and please feel free to email me if easier

Regards,
Darryl

[jojo]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Bilingual private schools would be international schools. There are lots in the Málaga area. So you need to look at the schools and decide which one is for you and then look for properties. My son goes to Sunlands in Cartama, Málaga, I would recommend it and he loves it Sunland International School: Principal's welcome

but there are several others around. Google international schools in Málaga and you'll find em! The cost for the schools is approx 700€ a term each for primary children and then theres the uniform, PE kit etc on top

You really need to come over first and foremost tho and get a feel for which part of Málaga you want to be. Its a big place and quite diverse. I live about half an hour inland from Málaga city and I'm in the campo (country), but theres the costas, the city itself, the mountains.....

As for job oportunities for your wife? well as a teacher she could try the international schools again. Unless her written and spoken Spanish is fluent I doubt she'll get anywhere with state schools. Sunlands have a vacancy page on their website - some of the others may too, so have a look!!??

BTW, I have a link at the bottom of this post that may give you an idea on properties etc

Jo xxx

[DarrylCox]

Thanks Jo for all the information provided

Dxx

[lynn]

Hi Darryl,

I guess you are very excited and extremely busy organising the move if you are coming for April! The National Association of British Schools in Spain has a website to help you with your research on International schools: National Association of British Schools in Spain - Nabss. My three have been going to Sunny View in Torremolinos since last September and I am very happy with it.

Rental property is plentiful and the prices are very good. Try Spanish property for sale: Find 100,000 Spanish properties for sale which is a bit like rightmove. Prices are very negotiable.

As Jo says, your wife may find it difficult finding work in a Spanish school without a good command of the language, but the international schools might have a position available.

Good luck with it all

Lynn

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by DarrylCox

Thanks Jo for all the information provided

Dxx

just curious

why private bilingual schools?

[mrypg9]

Your wife is a Teaching Assistant, you say,not a qualified teacher?
Do Spanish schools employ Teaching Assistants as is the norm in the UK, does anyone know?

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by mrypg9

Your wife is a Teaching Assistant, you say,not a qualified teacher?
Do Spanish schools employ Teaching Assistants as is the norm in the UK, does anyone know?

that crossed my mind too


I'm pretty sure they don't - I've certainly not seen one in our schools

even a qualified teacher would find it nigh on impossible without fluent Spanish in any case

[jojo]

Originally Posted by mrypg9

Your wife is a Teaching Assistant, you say,not a qualified teacher?
Do Spanish schools employ Teaching Assistants as is the norm in the UK, does anyone know?

They do in international schools tho - well there are a couple in my sons school

Jo xxx

[DarrylCox]

Hi there,

What are the alternate options?

My children are 9 and 7 with only very basic spanish language skills

All information is warmly received.....

Cheers
Darryl

ps I have i think a good understanding on how my tax and NI will be sorted in the UK, as will continue to be paid by the UK business, however any guidance on the income tax and NI rates in Spain. I read there is an ex-pat fixed rate of 25% tax is this correct or a myth. Again any information is warmly received.

[mrypg9]

Originally Posted by jojo

They do in international schools tho - well there are a couple in my sons school

Jo xxx

Most teachers couldn't survive without one!