Moving to another country is always an important decision that requires careful preparation and subsequent adaptation. Vladimir, his wife Elena and their 8-year-old son moved to the Costa Blanca coast in the city of Alicante last year after purchasing a property in Spain at a bargain price. According to Vladimir, they considered living in this sunny country for several compelling reasons. The most important factors were the favorable climate, good quality of life, safety, stability, and accessibility of education for their child.
Content:
- What Part of Spain Did They Choose to Live in?
- Job Search: Challenges for Expats
- Real Estate Prices and Home Purchase
- Accessibility of Education and Enrolling a Child in School
- Healthcare in Spain
- Activities in Alicante
- Cultural Aspects and Attitudes towards Foreigners
- Visa and Residence Permit Registration
- We Can Help You Buy Real Estate in Spain!
What Part of Spain Did They Choose to Live in?
‘One of the key factors that motivated our family to move to Spain was the mild Mediterranean climate. We wanted to live in a place with warm weather and more sunny days per year than in our home country,’ Vladimir points out. ‘In addition, Spain offers excellent conditions for leisure and entertainment, which also appealed to us. We chose Alicante on the Mediterranean coast as our future home. It is a beautiful city with schools, hospitals, shops, and pristine beaches. My wife was particularly drawn to the architecture and rich cultural history of the area.’
Job Search: Challenges for Expats
‘Being in the IT field and having the ability to work remotely, we didn't have much concern about employment. Both my spouse and I plan to eventually find positions in Spanish companies, but it's not an immediate priority,’ our protagonist shares. ‘There are other foreign families in our neighborhood, so we know that for many expats, finding a job is the most challenging aspect of relocating. Despite Alicante's active development and available job opportunities, the language barrier is a common hurdle for migrants. The official language of Spain is Spanish (Castilian), but the local population often speaks Catalan or Valencian dialects. To adapt successfully, it's necessary to learn Spanish, at least basic phrases and expressions. Knowledge of English is also important. Our friends have told us that the job market is very competitive, especially for foreigners who do not speak Spanish. We recommend that you start looking for a job before you move or use the services of a reputable employment agency. Many people assume that expats can only rely on low-skilled jobs, but this isn't the case. There are plenty of job opportunities, even for foreigners, but understanding the language and having a residence and work permit are necessary requirements.’
Real Estate Prices and Home Purchase
‘Another factor we considered when choosing Spain was the relative affordability of local housing. The real estate market prices in the province of Alicante turned out to be quite reasonable compared to other European countries,’ Elena shares. ‘Before buying property in Spain, it is important to familiarize yourself with the legal nuances involved in the process. For example, one should consider tax obligations, property registration rules, and more. It is best to consult professional lawyers who specialize in Spanish immigration law. In the end, we were able to purchase a luxurious, spacious apartment in a new residential complex at a reasonable price. The apartment in Alicante, Spain, is 185 sq. m. and has 2 bathrooms, 5 bedrooms (as we plan to expand our family), and breathtaking views from the windows. It cost us €519,000, which is reasonable by European standards for such high-quality apartments in Spain. It was possible to find a much cheaper home (not of the same caliber, of course), but we wanted to get a "Golden Visa" based on the purchase of the property. In this case, the minimum investment should be €500,000.’
Accessibility of Education and Enrolling a Child in School
‘The accessibility of education for our son was a crucial factor for us,’ says Elena. ‘We were pleasantly surprised to find that Spain has a high-quality education system that is accessible to foreign children. Enrolling our child in school proved to be relatively straightforward. We obtained all the necessary information about schools in our area and the enrollment process from the municipal department of the Ministry of Education. Our child was accepted into a local school without any major problems. To apply, we needed the birth certificate, medical and immunization records, proof of address, proof of permanent residence in Spain, parents' passports, marriage certificate, and photos of the child. Nothing out of the ordinary. Pay attention to the psychological aspect as well. If you are moving with children, make sure they adjust successfully. A new school, new friends, and a new language can cause stress. It's important to support your child and help him or her adjust to the new learning environment, Elena emphasizes.’
Healthcare in Spain
‘Spain has a public health system that provides quality medical care to all citizens and residents of the country. With residency known as “padrón,” expats have the access to free medical care. As for the prices of private services, the cost of a consultation in a good clinic starts at €50 and can vary, while laboratory tests typically range from €15 to €200.’ According to Vladimir and Elena, the quality of health care in Spain is good.
Activities in Alicante
‘One of the main advantages of living in Spain is the variety of leisure activities available. The transportation system in the province of Alicante is well developed, making it easy to enjoy walks along the seafront, visit local parks and gardens, and attend cultural events, concerts, and exhibitions. There are beautiful beaches, such as Playa de San Juan or Platja del Postiguet, where you can relax and unwind during the week or at the weekend. The charming neighborhood of old Alicante, Barrio Santa Cruz, with its narrow streets is well worth exploring. Our protagonists tell us that their child enjoys visiting the Museum of Colorful Figures, Museo de Hogueras. In Alicante and all over Spain, there are many things to do for the whole family.’
Cultural Aspects and Attitudes towards Foreigners
‘When moving to Alicante, you should be prepared for a lengthy process of social adjustment. Spain has its own traditions and norms of behavior that are often different from what we are used to. For example, Spaniards enjoy long lunches and dinners with friends and family. Many are not very punctual. When relocating, it is important to be prepared for the peculiarities of the local mentality, which can bring changes to the familiar rhythm of life. However, we have been pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of the local population towards foreigners. We have a good relationship with our neighbors, our child was accepted into the local school, we receive medical care without any problems, and people in the shops speak politely to us.’
Visa and Residence Permit Registration
‘We decided to seek the assistance of professional consultants to navigate through all the necessary stages of the visa/residency application process,’ our heroes share. ‘The paperwork, the language barrier, the legal intricacies, the cultural adjustment, and the school search – these tasks require time, effort, and patience. But they all pale in comparison to the realization that your family is on the cusp of incredible change,’ Vladimir shares. ‘Moving to Alicante is an opportunity to start a new life in the beautiful city of Spain. Immigrating has turned out to be an excellent decision for us, he notes. Spain offers many opportunities for leisure and relaxation. We enjoy the warm climate, a quality education system and accessible healthcare. We feel stable and secure.’
We Can Help You Buy Real Estate in Spain!
If you are considering moving to a sunny European country and buying houses in Spain or any other properties, we would be happy to advise and assist you. Contact us now and our experts will provide you with all the information you need. Stay in touch!