Hi all,
For a couple of years, we have been harbouring the idea to leave Ireland to look for a better quality of life in Spain.
Main drivers (other than the weather) are that we would have the support of my Spanish partner's family and a network of her friends in Catalunya that we don't have in Dublin, we have no assets or possibility of acquiring them here, we've decided to start our kids in school in Spain, and a complete career change for me is attractive, having become a bit bored here.
It's a big leap with all sorts of risks - not least a downturn in Spain that rivals our own, giving up a decent (if a bit boring) job here for scarily-low continental wages, the language issues and the planning that'll be needed to transfer lock,stock and barrel.
At the moment, I'm searching for a decent TEFL course to complete so at least I can use my native English to some advantage. The lease on our accommodation is up in June and it would be great to go for a couple of months to stick our toe in the water over there rather than leap, luggage and all, into the unknown. I don't think I'd get the leave (other than a career break) to do that.
My main concern (obviously when there are children involved) is to find a job that would get us enough dosh to put a roof over our heads and food on the table - hence the TEFL course and posting in this forum. My partner's possibility to work is good but quite limited due to further family plans.
Has anyone any experience of something like this? Even coming in the other direction? Is there a way of doing this that's better than another? Half of me wants to throw the head up and just go for better or worse, and the other half of me is calling for utmost caution. What does anyone think?
For a couple of years, we have been harbouring the idea to leave Ireland to look for a better quality of life in Spain.
Main drivers (other than the weather) are that we would have the support of my Spanish partner's family and a network of her friends in Catalunya that we don't have in Dublin, we have no assets or possibility of acquiring them here, we've decided to start our kids in school in Spain, and a complete career change for me is attractive, having become a bit bored here.
It's a big leap with all sorts of risks - not least a downturn in Spain that rivals our own, giving up a decent (if a bit boring) job here for scarily-low continental wages, the language issues and the planning that'll be needed to transfer lock,stock and barrel.
At the moment, I'm searching for a decent TEFL course to complete so at least I can use my native English to some advantage. The lease on our accommodation is up in June and it would be great to go for a couple of months to stick our toe in the water over there rather than leap, luggage and all, into the unknown. I don't think I'd get the leave (other than a career break) to do that.
My main concern (obviously when there are children involved) is to find a job that would get us enough dosh to put a roof over our heads and food on the table - hence the TEFL course and posting in this forum. My partner's possibility to work is good but quite limited due to further family plans.
Has anyone any experience of something like this? Even coming in the other direction? Is there a way of doing this that's better than another? Half of me wants to throw the head up and just go for better or worse, and the other half of me is calling for utmost caution. What does anyone think?