coming over in Feb 18 - Page 2

Fran. 

Sorry we don't have kids with us(ours grown up) so can't really advise. There are lots of schools, certainly lots of outdoor living. There's always negative comments everywhere - I bet you'll find some from where you live now - but by renting you'll find out for yourself. We gave ourselves 3 months from February this year but decided after 6 weeks. Lots are moving over but lots are going back. Come and have a look yourself. Watch the tax thing mentioned though if you live here more than 183 days in any 1 year period 

IMHO a few negative comments are vital. I have been astonished at how little research and preparations some people seem to have done before moving to live in Spain, and although it certainly can be a great place to live it is not paradise!

Before moving in 2005 I had read a lot, spent two years taking Spanish lessons at an Instituto Cervantes in Leeds, and made sure we would have health care, what we could expect to pay in tax and so on. We sold our UK cars and bought a Spanish 4x4 suited to the campo where we would live, adding another Spanish runabout later.

The beaurocracy here can be frustrating, Spanish driving jaw-dropping, and it helps to realise that there is a thin line between ‘laid-back’ and ‘can’t be bothered’....