What is your name, age and how long have you lived in Barcelona? Which part of Barcelona do you live in ?
Sussie Lindqvist, 33. I´ve lived in Spain since early -98, but in Barcelona for 3 years. We live in Begues, a little village in the mountains south of Barcelona (close to Gavá and Castelldefels)
Why did you move there?
Husbands job.
What is the area like where you live?
It´s very childfriendly and green, the village is located 400m above sea-level so the air is clean. With 6000 inhabitants it has everything you need (schools,healthcare, stores...)I love it because in some ways it reminds me of Sweden.
What nationality are you and your partner?
I´m swedish and husband is spanish (zaragoza)
How many children do you have, what are their names and when were they born?
2 children: Maya born 2007 in Gran Canaria and Alexander born 2009 Barcelona.
What was your experience of having a baby in Barcelona (if relevant)?
Similar to having one in Gran Canaria. :D
What was your experience of relocating to Begues with children (if relevant)?
Maya was only 1,5 years by then, so she doesn´t remember living anywhere else.
Do you work and if so what do you do?
I run a secondhand store with childrens items and clothes, in Castelldefels (www.denenanen.com)
Did you buy or rent your property? How did you find the process?
I rent the house we live in, but we own a house in Gran Canaria (not very convenient to have it so far away...)
How well integrated would you say you and your family are?
100%
What language do you speak to your children?
swedish
What is your impression of childcare and education in
Begues?
From my experiences it´s great.
What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the International Community living in Begues?
There are not many foreigners living here, I´m the only Swede... :D You get to live in a spanish community 100%. I wouldn´t mind having some more swedish children around so that they could practice the language a bit more, but apart from that I´m really happy with the situation.
How welcoming were the locals when you arrived in Begues?
It wasn´t a problem, we found friends quickly, through the kids.
Would you say your area is family-friendly and is there anything you think would improve children´s lives where you live?
It´s a great place to raise children. There are loads of them everywhere, they say the village´s birthrate is among the highest ones in Cataluña.
Are you able to recommend to other MumAbroad members in the area any local services (home delivery, plumbers, dentists, babysitters etc) or any activities, restaurants or shops for children in the area?
Haha, no, we have what we have.
I would recommend my secondhandshop though, located in Castelldefels. Buy anything you need for your children for at least 70% less, and we also have lots of clothes (Ralph Lauren, Timberland, GAP, etc...)
What advice would you give for anyone having a baby or thinking of relocating to Barcelona/Begues with children?
To live here you need to speak spanish I would say, it´s not a touristic spot...
What couldn´t you live without in Begues?
The beautiful surroundings
What could you live without in Begues?!
The curvy road that leads here...
Oct 2011
