Hi all, comming back again! stayed for a year in 2002 but had family issues back in the uk,Now we have decieded to make the move again,only house prices are much higher so we have to come inland we have found a little gem in alcala la real,Jaen
I am hopeing we will be mortgage free ,so will need to just tick over we have two older boys and three young children two of which about to start school,how do locals view us? is it possible to find local work or are they anti english buying up land etc, we are in search of a low crime rate growing some veggis and giving the children a chance to play in the air,how do the children get through school if the locals dont speak any English at all ,dont get me wrong the whole idea is to intergrate but we only speak minimal Spanish but are learning! what was the first few weeks of school like for your children? i know my nine year old will struggle the most as he has special needs and has 25hours a week support with reading and writing here,Do they accommadate such children or do they just have to get on with it,i know it all sounds a bit harsh but obviously there are sacrifces and i do understand that but its so scarey isnt it,we just want a better family life for the children and ourselves just so hacked off with the increasing demands of the UK forever chaseing our tale to make ends meet the lack of respect of others rude and self centred its just become so dam hard to find happiness and quality time, im just so looking forward to watching my children have the freedom to play outside,im sure we will find them spanish friends to mix with but its such a worry,how did you all find it…TRUTH PLEASE!!!! any regrets?

I don’t know much about Jaen, but my parents moved all four of us kids from the US to a pueblo in Seville when we were 15, 13, 11 and 9, back in ‘98.  Growing up in a pueblo was a wonderful experience.  I must say that as a teenager I got bored some, but it is a very healthly environment as everyone in town knows everyone else’s business and keeps an eye on each other.  As to being foreigners, we were a novelty for about 6 months and after that it was like we’d always lived there.  The trick was my mom would shop at the local market, my dad went to the gym, we all went to public schools and hung out with our “pandillas” afterwards.  Spaniards love foreigners who love Spain and try to fit in. 
For a job, it might be harder in a small town.  See if there are slightly larger cities in the surrounding area (15-20min) and just commute.
School: public schools are fine.  All four of us kids are now college graduates with excellent grades.  There is a lot more personal study required since most classes only have two exams.  What my parents did was come ahead of time (in June) to sign us up for school and get to know the teachers, head master, etc.  If your son has difficulty in school, make sure you mention this when you are signing him up.  See if you can get him appointments with the school counselor.  All town halls have a “pedagogo” who will help you with the school process.
Learning Spanish: get yourself and your spouse a personal teacher.  The school usually provides your children with a teacher until they are able to get along on their own.  Usually about 3 months with a teacher 3 times a week will really boost your Spanish up to a high functional level.  See if you can get someone from the town who speaks a little English, needs the money and won’t charge you as much.  Be careful, because your kids will learn much quicker than you will and will be talking behind your back before you know it.
Adapting was tons of fun.  I remember showing up to school and finding out there was no school because it was a holiday.  Or handing in a one page paper when everyone else handed in about 50 pages.  You learn about the local traditions: saint’s days, holy week, the fair. 
Enjoy your adventure and let me know how it turns out.
-Emily

rubi995 love youreply there now that was fun have same problem when freinds coming over and chat in spanish to outher and can chat infront off them untill my one day got cought out .... Ha Ha Ha , red faced was i