A quick guide to Spanish life:

With lower cost flights it can now takes less time to fly to Alicante than it would to commute from the suburbs of central London. It can be argued that with road pricing, increased car tax and fuel duty, it is also cheaper. With modern communications and internet technology, many now find that if they can work from home in the UK, they can just as easily work from Spain.

It would be irresponsible to suggest that a move to Spain would not have it’s challenges. After all, most people find that their experience of the country is enhanced by an understanding of the language. However, there is plenty of help on hand, and whilst there are people who have lived the greater part of their lives in Spain without learning any Spanish, we still recommend acquiring a basic understanding.

Retirement in Spain, is still a popular option as the cost of living is significantly lower and pensions continue to have greater buying power. In recent years, many young professionals have also been making the change to a Mediterranean lifestyle. New communities have grown up in popular resorts with thriving businesses operating all year round to service the needs of the new residents.

People thinking of relocation often ask about Spanish schools and worry about the quality of education their children are going to receive. This is something that should be given careful consideration, as the age children enter the schooling system in Spain can have a bearing on which type of school is most appropriate.

The Spanish State schools on the whole have much to recommend them with their keen focus on literary and numeric skills. Young people graduating can expect to have acquired a well rounded education and one which compares favourably to that of the UK. Add to this the combined benefits of becoming bi-lingual, living in a safer and secure environment, as well as a healthier diet and lifestyle, it is not hard to see why this is a popular choice. There also many who decide to put their children into Spanish International Schools where the English curriculum and school hours are followed.

The Costa Blanca has a rich and diverse cultural heritage There is a great deal less crime in Spain, especially when you take into account the reports of QI magazine who claim that "England and Wales have the worst crime rate in the Western world".

People who choose to make Spain their home for the most part agree that there is more to life in Spain that simply good weather. Most ex-pats say that if they had any regrets at all, then it would probably be that they did not come out sooner.

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