Thinking seriously about moving to Spain - Which area would be best?

Hello Jim,
I read your message, and have a lot of things to suggest.
What is your time frame for moving?
Kind regards
Maria

Hi Maria.... Hello from America!   We are thinking of relocating to Spain, (within the next year)  thank you so much for the quick response..... we know leaving America is not going to be easy....It took me a while to "get over" the grief that I feel for my country but to stay would be worse.... we would home school the kids as we do now and that is OK..... I would learn the language and fit in... (we would because we are nice giving people not afraid to work)  It's nice to speak with you because you are there.... USA is becoming more and more volitale ....like on fire with police and demonstrations and gangs around the cities.... (any big city has problems of course) but we are peace loving people looking for same...... .  Have you heard lately about world events.... very worrisome to say the least.... we feel that USA will be over and a new world order will come in... the people who submit to the "chip" (microchip implanted with ALL information to keep track/order/submission..... that's way down the road... but you get the idea.... has there been much talk about the new world order where you are??  In a nutshell, we think US might turn out like Germany when the dollar goes down,,,  Thank you so much for your conversation!!

Hello fisher14 

Please note that a new thread has been created as from your post on the Spain Forum so as to help you get better visibility and interactions.

Regards
Kenjee

Hola Jim, i've read your comment about moving to Spain. As you can read in this blog i'm a spanish teacher with a lot of experience teaching spanish to english speaking people. i was born in a small village in the northwestern of the province of Valencia very beautiful and famous for rock climbing. I live in Valencia the third largest city in spain, you have all the advantages like Madrid and Barcelona but is more calm and tranquil. Many of the students i've had used to teach english to make a living while living in Valencia . Valencia is one of the main harbours in the Mediterranean sea (not to say the first) life is not as expensive as in other cities in Spain, besides now is a very good time to buy a flat, apartment, house, whatever because of the economic crisis. I have to go now but i'd like to be in touch with you to keep  you posted about life  in Spain  (Valencia). if you are interested i can give you my email. i'm looking forward to your answer. Nacho .

Dear Jim & Darla,
I advise you to relax a little about the "sky falling" anytime soon in USA, and remember the grass is greener in other places, until you actually move there (to Spain, for example), and discover there are problems and challenges in every land.  I'm from California and NC, and have lived 4 years in Argentina (Buenos Aires) and a year in Spain (Madrid & Valencia) and suggest you come and "try it" for 1-3 months under a tourist visa before you commit to moving the entire family permanently.  In short, always "try before you buy", because the reality of living abroad is quite personal and often very different from that gleaned virtually/indirectly, i.e. that imagined after spending a few hours/days on the internet, or from friends recently returned from a trip.  The language challenge is huge, not to be underestimated.  As to which parts of Spain, you will "just know" when you visit, quite possibly on Day 1, whether a place is right for you.  I personally like Madrid and Valencia, but there are expats who swear by Barcelona, or Seville, or Malaga, or Alicante, etc. etc.  To each their own--It's all very personal.  Good Luck!  Read all the blogs.  And if you have specific questions, ask away!
By The Way, you are not alone.  One sees many many inquiries similar to yours, searching for advice and guidance.  Unfortunately there is no easy pat answer, and as mentioned, it's all very personal.
Jim

Hi Jim and Darla, I would echo the advice above about doing your research and coming over for a short period first because it is not only a big move but there is lots to consider.

Are either one of you an EU national or can become one through heritage?
If so then that will make your task somewhat easier or at least take away the difficulty you may have in obtaining a visa.
If not then finding any type of work is not going to be easy and without that job then there wont be a visa. Basically a company would need to not only contract you in advance but also be able to prove that no other EU citizen can do that job.
So maybe if it's a specialist position but you will need to have that sorted before a permanent visa can be issued so again spend the first 3months looking for work on a tourist visa, hope you find some then you have to go back to the US to apply for a permanent one.

I wouldn't be too worried about most of your concerns about the US, at least not for the forseeable future but Spain however, well the sky has already fallen on it's economy. The country is in what is known locally as La Crisis. Brought on by a number of reasons and has left the country in a financial wreck. There is mass unemployment, over 25% are unemployed and more than 50% of young people can't find jobs.
Building jobs are non existent since the collapse of the housing market and construction industry although you can pick up a bargain of a property with there being an estimated 1 to 2 million empty homes on the market.

Teaching English may be the best option as there is always call for them, what qualifications are needed though I don't know.
Also schooling for your kids is very important and depending on age it may be better in an international school, the younger do better in Spanish schools though.

Despite Spain's problems it is a lovely place to live and as long as you don't have to worry about work or money then I say go for it, but you do need to have that part under control first.
It's not impossible but not easy.

Hi Jim,
if you´re serious about moving out from the US to Spain I´d go live to a rural area, there are many in Spain, life will be cheaper, quieter, nicer, and safer, check the south, places such as Andalucia, there is a financial problem here also and I would n´t suggest you going to a main or bigger towns. Rural areas are a wiser option in Spain and sure in the USA. All the best

A very good day to you. We looked in Spain and just loved the Alicante and Torrejevia area. These two cities are only 45 minutes from each other. Found home prices to be great. Do not fall into a trap to buy some new Condo. They are asking high prices. Look with a realtor that will show you re sale homes if that is what you want. Found great homes and prices. Do not pay asking prices.

Cordially
Jim Sanderson
sandersonjim@juno.com

Members JB80 and JayKayTee, above, have two of the best answers. USA's economic troubles seem dire when living there, but comparing it to many/most other places on earth it's a paradise - economically speaking. Spain is actually a VERY good example of a country on the verge of economic collapse, but will likely/hopefully steer around the bend to relative prosperity, with less than the current 26% unemployment.

But as I always say, with money anything is possible. If you're not dependent on working in Spain - because it's nearly impossible unless you start your own (successful) company - living here is great.

But WHERE to live in Spain is dependent on your sensibilities. Do you like cosmopolitan environment, rural, beachfront, or "foreign" (i.e. "Basque Country, Catalunya, Galicia)? Do you like obvious changes in seasons? If so, rule out the southern half of the country where it's fair/hot weather all year long (apart from the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Granada) in the summer. The northern half has moderate heat in the summer and cold/snow in the winter.

For Americans to live "successfully" in Spain, I always say they have to be adaptable and try to assimilate and accept the differences. Fighting those differences will only make you crazy. That's not to say you should embrace them, either, but at least recognize that "Spain is Different" and then go-with-the-flow.

Best of luck!

Saludos, MadridMan