thinking about moving to spain for 1yr

[kmelcer]

I have a Master's Degree in Education.  I have taught Elementary School for 10 years to second language learners.  How difficult would it be to find work in Spain.  What area's are the best in Spain?  My husband is a native of Mexico and would like to find a job in finance.  How difficult would it be to find work for him.  We also have 2 kids under 4.  Im a little nervous taking them to a different country.  We would need to rent a home.  How difficult is that?
Kmelcer

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[Telmo]

I am going to Spain next Monday, and plan on refreshing my knowledge of what/where/who/when things happen there (in Madrid specially) so I will try to respond to your question once I get there.

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[mlwalton]

Hi there,

I just got back from Barcelona a couple of weeks ago.  I was there for 11 weeks studying Spanish at don Quijote Language School.  I had hopes of staying in Barcelona, as I want to live there permanently....

Here's the thing, I did a great deal of traveling for several months so by the time I got to Spain, I had run out of money :mellow: so I had to come back to the US....

About living in Spain, if you are American (and because you have a family) I would suggest going through the incredably tedious and arduous ordeal of obtaining a visa...because it is impossible to work there legally otherwise and with a family I'm guessing that flying by the seat of your pants (which is how I always seem to do things ) is not really an option for you.

I'm single, so for me, it's simply a matter of saving up a sizeable chunk of cash (since I've been there, and I know the cost of living, I am working for the next 18 months to save up somewhere in the neighborhood of $7k - that way if I don't find work for six months I can still support myself)

I am also going to take two more quick trips out to Barcelona one in six months and then another closer to my estimated move date which is May 2005.  I am going to hire an attorney to begin the process for obtaining a self-employment visa when I make the first visit in six months.  It will probably take a year to get my visa (this I am guestimating on, but is based on conversations with various foreigners who were/are living in Barcelona as well as research from various web sites including this one).

If you're not American, if you're from the UK, then everything I just said about obtaining a visa is irrelevant for you.  If you're Canadian, or Australian or a New Zealander (is that correct?) then you would have to check with the Spanish Consulate General's office nearest you.

As far as other areas in Spain, I can't offer any advice there, because, well since I'd run out of money...well I didn't go anywhere :rolleyes:

I loved it there by the way :wub: which is why I am planning my return much more extensively this time around.  I had planned my trip to Europe for more than a year, but I just didn't plan on how much money would I spend on traveling (i.e. ferries to/from different islands of Greece, how expensive Venice Italy was, etc...my own shortcomings )  So like the old saying goes....if at first you don't succeed....well you know the rest

Anyway, I hope I've said something useful ....if you want drop me a private message, I'll answer any questions I can.

Salud!

Michelle  

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[shmontgomery]

Michelle,

I'd like to hear how things are working out for you with a self-employment visa as things progress.

Kind of in the same boat.  I went to Europe summer before last, 6 countries in two months and spent about $12K.  Had a great time in Spain and started saving about 9 months ago.

I've recently spoken with a company there that teaches English about a potential job interview and plan on heading there this summer.   Will start taking Spanish classes in January, go out for a visit in June to interview, look at apartments to see how much bang I can get for my buck, and look at language academies in order to obtain a student visa (I'd like to be there legally).  Hopefully will be out there in January 2005.

Looking at the visa process and it looks like a hassle.  Do you know any good sites with info on getting a lawyer and costs?

Thanks,

Monty

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[mlwalton]

Hola Monty,

I haven't started the process for applying yet.  But I got the name of an attorney from a member of this board.  My plan, is to take a short trip to Barcelona in June to meet with the attorney and get the ball rolling with the paperwork etc....I have heard it will take about a year to get the visa.  My target date to return to Barcelona is May 2005.

In Barcelona, schools don't want to sponsor Americans for visas. And if you find one who will, work for them....because most schools won't.  I just don't want to work for a school, because you can make more teaching private lessons and I would rather not deal with the beauracracy (sp?) of working for a school.  I prefer to be my own boss....

So as of yet, I can't offer any other advice except to hire an attorney, because the paperwork is quite tedious and harrowing from what I hear.

I will say this, make sure that when you go (you said Jan. '05 right?) that you've got at least 5k in the bank.   In my experience that's the minimum amount of money that you should have when you pick up your life and move to a whole new environment.  And at the current exchange rate with the dollar being far weaker than the euro, you'll want to have five thousand euros in the bank.  (A side note:  people have said things like \"it's only the difference of x amount of cents\" but when you go to exchange your US dollars to Euros, let's say $100USD and you get back like 82euros...well you can see where I'm going with this, the bigger the amount that you exchange the more significant that x amount difference becomes....also, if your bank in the US charges you for everytime you use an ATM that isn't theirs....consider your bank fees....of course you'll want to eventually open an account in a local bank, but these are just little details that add up when your not looking....  at least that's how it was for me.

Anyway, hope this info helps....if you have any other questions, fire away, I'll be happy to share whatever info I can.  You can also send me a private message.  

Salud!

Michelle

 

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[Telmo]

Hola kmelcer,

While in Spain I asked around to see how the jobs are doing, particullary in Madrid, finding an English teacher postition in Madrid is becoming more difficult due to the amount of native English speaker moving into the city from other EU coutries, my advice to you is to try to locate a job before moving there because for your husband will be even more difficult to secure a position in the finance field.

This time around I have noticed a sharp increase in the price of pretty much everything, due in most part to the change from pesetas to Euros, living in Madrid is expensive so make sure you have enough money on the bank to sustain you and your family the neccesary time and if decide to move without securing a job first.

Your kids should be Ok, under 4 years old they pick up languages very fast, specially if it is the only language they hear.


I am sorry I don't bring back better news.

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