Living abroad tips and hints for money savers

missile

Skype is great, particularly with a webcam http://accessories.skype.com/section?SID=bd8149088a60cf3eacd09412956c0da96b6:4565&secid=39161 but not so cheap when calling land lines or mobiles.

droopsnout

My ISP subscription to Alice/Tiscali (France) includes free calls inland and to all EU countries, USA and Canada. No need for Skype.

If you want to use video, try one of the Messenger programs. All free.

seven-day-weekend

We only have Muleband here in our tiny village.

Oldernotwiser

harryandrew wrote: »

Hello Everyone really enjoyed reading this thread.Does anyone know about Special Schools in Spain,we are seriously thinking about moving but still finding out things at the moment.One of my sons is autistic,he's 9 and goes to a special school wondered what sort of provision there aws in spain?Also in England we have a pub,is there a living to be made in spain running a bar?we don't,want to be rich just to be able to live!any ideas?

I don't know anything about special schools in Spain (I'm moving to France) but I do know that autistic children need firm routines and don't like change. Do you think that your son would be able to cope with education in a foreign language and adapting to a different culture and routines? It doesn't seem as if it would be an easy thing for him to do.

harryandrew

Yes it would be very hard for all of us at first & yes Harry does does thrive on routine but after a while he would get into a new one,but not having much luck at mo findings about schools,at present he is in a class of 6,which is really good because they have 1 to 1 with the help of classroom asst.

Oldernotwiser

harryandrew wrote: »

Yes it would be very hard for all of us at first & yes Harry does does thrive on routine but after a while he would get into a new one,but not having much luck at mo findings about schools,at present he is in a class of 6,which is really good because they have 1 to 1 with the help of classroom asst.

Even 1 to 1 isn't much help if one person speaks Spanish and the other speaks English!

You might find this site useful; I found it by Googling "autism Spain".

http://www.autismo.com/e107_plugins/list_new/list.php

hazygirl

Hello all,

I am a 54 year old widow who will be moving to Costa Blanca, with my 20 year old son, in the near future.

What I would like to know is if people could suggest an area that would be suitable for both age groups? Also does anyone have an opinion on the best time to do a house hunting visit.

Thanks Hazel.

droopsnout

Hi, Hazel.

You should visit the area in at least two seasons, summer and winter, to establish whether you both can tolerate the conditions. If you can manage it, you should really get to know the area as thoroughly as possible, by spending maybe a month there in each season.

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the area so can't comment on suitability of locations, but perhaps your choice would become more apparent when you visit and explore. It may not be so much a question of difference in age as of difference in interests.

Good luck!

donny-gal

Hi hazygirl

There are so many "what ifs" to your question, are you looking for somewhere really Spanish or somewhere with loads of English?
Do you want to be in the country or near the coast?
Do you want to the isolated or somewhere with bars/restaurants in walking distance?
Does your son want bars/discos to go to, or do you want clubs to join?
What will your son be doing, good jobs are hard to come by.
Does either of your speak Spanish?

Droopsnout is right, visiting is the best way, there are loads of properties around, and in the English/coastal areas you can easy rent to try out.

Regards
DG

sandy2_2

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

We only have Muleband here in our tiny village.

We also live in a small village in spain. To ring UK we use dial abroad Spain..You don't need to set up an account with them but the calls are at cheaper rates, check their website. You dial 902 902 952, then as soon as the aknowlegement message starts, dial the english number you want, a few whirrs and buzzes later you're connected