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[Islander78]

Hi all, What a fabulous site - havent seen much of it yet but what I've seen so far looks exactly what we need!!

I'm lynsey, my Hubby and i are desperate to move over to Spain in the next few years, but hopefully as soon as poss! we currently own and run a hotel on the isle of wight and as soon as we've spruced it up a bit, we plan to sell and get the hell out of here!! basically, we have no idea as yet where we plan to go - we are open to suggestions?? We have a little girl of two and are planning to expand our family soon, so we would be looking for somewhere child friendly with good (english speaking?) schools?? My husband martin is a chef and i am a project worker for social/community services, so i guess we would need somewhere fairly metropolitan to try to find work.


We plan to visit various places over the coming months to get a feel for where we might like to settle,

any ideas folks?? ta very much, lynsey

[Big Pete]

Originally Posted by Islander78

Hi all, What a fabulous site - havent seen much of it yet but what I've seen so far looks exactly what we need!!

I'm lynsey, my Hubby and i are desperate to move over to Spain in the next few years, but hopefully as soon as poss! we currently own and run a hotel on the isle of wight and as soon as we've spruced it up a bit, we plan to sell and get the hell out of here!! basically, we have no idea as yet where we plan to go - we are open to suggestions?? We have a little girl of two and are planning to expand our family soon, so we would be looking for somewhere child friendly with good (english speaking?) schools?? My husband martin is a chef and i am a project worker for social/community services, so i guess we would need somewhere fairly metropolitan to try to find work.


We plan to visit various places over the coming months to get a feel for where we might like to settle,

any ideas folks?? ta very much, lynsey

Hi and welcome lynsey

I would go to Mallorca and buy a small hotel there as you know the industry
look towards the big towns near the sea and schooling and stuff should be around .

[chris(madrid)]

Unless YOU WANT SEA/SAND - Personally I'd take a look at regional capitals too (incl Inland). imo - you'd be as well off given the age of your girl to find SPANISH schools - she'll speak English at home so will grow up bilingual. My mate did this with his kids in Germany. They were immediately at the top of interview lists JUST because of language.

Yes, it'll be less "easy" than plonking down in EX-PAT country. But my experience of it is that it's well worth the effort. I've never regretted having been here near Madrid instead of near a beach.

[Big Pete]

Originally Posted by chris(madrid)

Unless YOU WANT SEA/SAND - Personally I'd take a look at regional capitals too (incl Inland). imo - you'd be as well off given the age of your girl to find SPANISH schools - she'll speak English at home so will grow up bilingual. My mate did this with his kids in Germany. They were immediately at the top of interview lists JUST because of language.

Yes, it'll be less "easy" than plonking down in EX-PAT country. But my experience of it is that it's well worth the effort. I've never regretted having been here near Madrid instead of near a beach.

You got to have a beach Chris , how can you not have a beach

Be like having only a salt pot

Where do you ride the waves on your lilo then ?
And where you gonna drive your boat ?
Not to mention all them scantily clad women running around playing volleyball and stuff in them skimpy bikinis etc

[chris(madrid)]

I hate the beach. I was born in the Caribbean and raised later on the UK South coast. Never regretted leaving to be A LONG way from the coast.

I'd rather have a lake and mountains. Roads radiate in 360º not 180º. ime - better if you're considering business.

[jojo]

I like where we live, cos we get the best of both worlds! We're about 20 minutes drive inland from Benalmeda, Torremolinos, Malaga and half way up in the mountains! We can see the distant sea views from one side and we can visit the "wonderful" touristy beaches without any trouble or we can drive up into the mountains where its peaceful and the scenery is breathtaking!

Jo

[chris(madrid)]

And work Jojo? - my guess is that it's hugely seasonal.

Its just my opinion - but to start a hotel right now you'd either need to make a HUGE profit in Summer or make money all year- and Spanish hotels on the coast generally don't make money all year. All it takes is grotty weather during a "puente" and many make a loss.

The rural hotels and "Casas Rurales" do however make money most of the year - not a lot but it is consistent.

Go inland and there's more chance of the BIG CITY populaces making weekend trips. Cities like Segovia & Avila make a fair bit of business from Madrid weekenders.

I don't know the exact numbers, but Madrid province holds a HUGE % of Spains population. I was told about 14% - and it's a tiny province.

[covfan71]

Lynsey, firstly can i say you have had a far better response than i got. I am in a similar situation to yourselves and posted a thread about where to live etc and no-one bothered to reply. Try other EX-Pat sites as well if i you can to get a bigger variety of repsonses. I did and at least got a reply. We are now thinking of moving to the Murcia region (Mazarron, Cartegena) having been on a few viewing trips. If you are not bothered about sea/sand then it will be worth while living about 10-15 mins inland as you will find you will get more for your money and it will be more "real Spain". You are still in striking distance of a main town then if you eventualy find work. My daughter is currently 2 and therefore will be 4 when we move over. State school is the way ahead imo. You could send her to an English speaking school but you'll find she'll not learn the language as quickly or mix with the locals.

[Big Pete]

Originally Posted by jojo

I like where we live, cos we get the best of both worlds! We're about 20 minutes drive inland from Benalmeda, Torremolinos, Malaga and half way up in the mountains! We can see the distant sea views from one side and we can visit the "wonderful" touristy beaches without any trouble or we can drive up into the mountains where its peaceful and the scenery is breathtaking!

Jo

So you still get to the beach seems a good compromise .

Since i was 13 i have lived only a few miles from the sea , to me its just normal , sun sea and scantily clad women on lilos Thats why i love Mallorca .

[Big Pete]

Originally Posted by covfan71

Lynsey, firstly can i say you have had a far better response than i got. I am in a similar situation to yourselves and posted a thread about where to live etc and no-one bothered to reply. Try other EX-Pat sites as well if i you can to get a bigger variety of repsonses. I did and at least got a reply. We are now thinking of moving to the Murcia region (Mazarron, Cartegena) having been on a few viewing trips. If you are not bothered about sea/sand then it will be worth while living about 10-15 mins inland as you will find you will get more for your money and it will be more "real Spain". You are still in striking distance of a main town then if you eventualy find work. My daughter is currently 2 and therefore will be 4 when we move over. State school is the way ahead imo. You could send her to an English speaking school but you'll find she'll not learn the language as quickly or mix with the locals.

Big Pete
Senior Expat
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: kent UK and Mallorca Spain
Posts: 463
Rep Power: 58




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Quote:
Originally Posted by covfan71
Hi everyone, my family and i are planning to move to Spain in Summer 2010 and would appreciate any advice you could give please.
1. Do we buy a New build off plan or Re-Sale?
2. Schools - Private or state? Our daughter will have just turned 4 when we move.

We are looking at the Costa Blanca towards Javia area or Murcia at the moment but again would appreciate any advice on good areas to move to.
Thanks
Mark

Hi Covfan

1; Go For Resale everytime
2; State schools will give your daughter at that age proper mixing in the comunity so go for that .

On the area the best bet is take some time out and see what gives you that homely feel , only you will know when you find it ..

Just shout if you need more advice ..



I Gave you good advice