Moving to alicante

ajf1979 said:

Thanks for your reply! I know exactly were your coming from, the one thing what's worrying us is the school situation, we've got 2 kids one will be 14 and the other 11 and I presumed they could go to a state school, could anyone give us more information regarding this, thanks Anthony.

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In my honest opinion it will be hard for them at that age to settle into a state school, especially the 14 year old. Imagine at that age when they have good friends and are studying for their qualifications to up sticks and go to a new country where they dont speak the language, where the kids learn a different curriculum, and just be plonked in a room with the other kids.

Best case scenario is that the 14 year old will be put in a class with 11 or 12 year olds because of the difficulties. Worst case if that your kid fails all his/her exams and is completely miserable.

Both are (IMHO) too old to be dropped into state schools but certainly the 14YO. For him/her you will really need to get them into an international english private school to make the changeover at least more seamless because they follow the UK system.

It would be HELL on earth for a 14 year old and really screw up their future I can almost guarantee it in a state school - Even the "English Language" teachers often speak very poor English - I know, my OH's cousin is an English teacher and I am teaching HER english - its shocking (I would never criticise a Spanish for their English but she is a ruddy teacher in the subject FFS!)

Sorry to be blunt but obviously you need to know how it really is before you come!

As for your earlier post about work…. I can give you the phone numbers of probably 10-, 20, or 50 (with a little research) plasterers, buiders, "turn my hand to anything" people who are English, in the ALC region and on the brink of going bust… I am not saying dont come, but please spend time here, network, meet people and build the foundations before you make the move…

In Spain if someone wants a plumber (or anyone for anything) they almost never so what we do in the UK and grab a phone book or go on the internet, they ask people who they recommend… evryone (spanish people and established brits) know someone for anything, or someone who knows someone and THAT is how business happens here, so if you are the new kid on the block its hard - get known here, get your name out there and get contacts before you move… PLEASE… PLEASE… really PPPLLLEEEAAASSSEEE!

mrypg9 said:

Why did you think that, I wonder? This is Spain, after all...
If that has opened your eyes -which is good - I wonder what Spanish bureaucracy, the depressed state of the economy as evident by the number of boarded up commercial premises, the depressed state of the housing market as seen by the huige number of flats and houses for sale and the five million Spanish queuing for jobs will do for your vision.

You really do need to make a prolonged recce trip.

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Yep a couple of months to test the water is the best as Markand Xabia suggested… summer hols is a good time when the kids are off but remember that if you come in the summer you will see (to a certain extent) a buzzing spain, but remember that most are tourists who go home in 2 weeks, many expats come for extended trips but go home again, so what you see in the summer months isnt necessarily the year round depression that those of us who are fortunate (or unfortunate depends how you look at it) enough to live here see!

I mentioned recently, I had my car serviced recently - found a fantastic mobile mechanic. Different trade to you but exactly the same situation. This guy was about 50, he had been a mechanic all his life in the UK and came to spain 10 years ago and started his business here…

He charged me just 35 euros in labour for a full service (plus parts of course) and it took him about 2.5 hours. Also he had to drive 40 mins to get here and home again… and he said that now he really struggles for work despite 10 years here, an excellent reputation, and doing a great job. He even said that his van (which was a bit old and battered) needs work and he cant afford to buy the parts.

If these guys who have been at it for so long and are well established are struggling then there is very little hope for newcomers. Likewise I am established here and my partner is spanish but even I am cutting back and being more careful (as are most expats) so with less people here to target, most of them on tighter budgets, and more and more people coming in search of teh dream… recipe for disaster… and with a 14YO you need to ensure he gets stable education.. whilst he may adjust if you get him into a private school, it will be a nig upheaval and if you then end up returning to the uk like so many do, he has to go through it all again!

Sorry, i really want to tell you to pack yrou bags and jump on a flght because the sun always shines and everyone leads a much mroe laid back relaxed life but if I (or anyone here) told you that they would be lying!