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General Discussion / Ask Our Members A Question (Madrid): Possible Move To Madrid?

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1 to 7 of 7

  1.  
    • CommentAuthorabby1978
    • CommentTimeOct 14th 2009
     
    My husband and our 5 month old baby girl live in rural Wiltshire. My husband's employer is making noises about a possible secondment to Madrid for 2/3 years. I am very, very worried about this. We have only recently moved to the house we are now in and its the home I envisaged bringing our daughter up in, we have a wonderful pre-school, infants and juniors in the village and a lovely, safe rural community. It is also just 8 miles from where I was brought up myself, so I have strong family ties to this area and a good support network of family and friends whom I rely on. I never went to University, and I have never lived more than 20 miles away from here. Never been travelling, or been away from home for any length of time (gosh, I sound boring!). The fact is I LOVE my life here, we are settled, but we do have financial issues, I will not be returning to work in favour of being a full time Mum as childcare costs are more than my salary would be, which could potentially be solved by this secondment.

    I am incredibly worried about how my daughter and I would adapt to life in Madrid. I don't want to live in a big city, but I don't want to be so far out that we are stuck in the middle of nowhere and hubby has a massive commute to work (which I assume will be in the centre or thereabouts). Neither of us speak Spanish, I have never driven a car abroad, I am not the world's most confident person when it comes to being in foreign countries and I am working myself up into a total panic about the whole situation. My husband left home to go to University when he was late teens, and never returned, he has also taken a year out to travel and lived in Australia for 18 months. So he is a lot more worldly wise than I am and I think I am frustrating him with all my reservations.

    I just want a good life for my family. I have a real niggling doubt that I will be very unhappy over there and feel very alone.

    Sorry this is so long. I hope you can help me?
    • CommentAuthorSteph123
    • CommentTimeOct 14th 2009
     
    Hi Abby

    I moved to Madrid on a 2 year secondment a year ago for my husbands job - also from Wiltshire (Salisbury) and I do know how you feel. I have just done an interview with the Mum Aborad website, so have a look at that and if you have any questions please do let me know.

    However what I would say is that your apprehension is totally natural, and whilst prior to coming out I was very excited, I did wonder if it was all a huge mistake! I have 2 daughters (4 and 6 years old) who without question have settled into life here exceptionally well and I think that children are far more adaptable than we think sometimes.

    Neither my husband or I spoke Spanish prior to coming out, we have lessons once a week and I am starting an OU course in November, but you pick it up either way and a year down the line I am wanting to learn as much as I can, but also remember you can find English Speak Doctors, Nurseries etc very easily.

    Having said this the first 5-6 months for me were very difficult, I did feel lonely, missed my family and friends and job. However the quality of family life we have over here is far far better than we had in the uk, I now love it over here and will probably find it very difficult to go back.

    I assume that if its a secondement with your husbands company they will give you support with relocation agencies, advice and a family visit to see what the place is like? My advice to you is to try and get the details and the package sorted as soon as you can, come out and have a look round and at housing and areas to live in. Madrid isn't as big as London and there are some lovely urbanizations on the outskirts with large ex-pat communities. There are also a number of associations (Newcomers Associtation and British Ladies Association) which you can join and meet other Mums living in your area.

    Your concern about driving over here made me smile, because that was probably my number one concern prior to coming here (that and finding a Drs). It takes alittle getting used to and I'll be honest I don't like driving in the centre of Madrid, but then I didn't like driving in the centre of London! The Metro is really good, and you could always have a couple of driving lessons over here to get your confidence up.

    Im not sure I have answered all your concerns because at the end of the day only you can decide if its right for your family but Madrid is a lovely lovely city and Spain is a wonderful country. The pace of life is so much more relaxed and I can't personally think of a better place to live! 2-3 years will fly past!

    All the best and good luck!

    Steph

    Email me if you want to chat or have any other
    • CommentAuthorabby1978
    • CommentTimeOct 14th 2009
     
    Hi Steph

    Thanks so much for taking the time to write. Funnily enough I had already read your interview!

    Your email cut off at the end - and I can't seem to find a way to email you directly?

    Abby
    • CommentAuthorSteph123
    • CommentTimeOct 15th 2009
     
    Hi

    Im doing some co-ordination stuff for the website at the moment so try steph@mumabroad.com. Although just upgraded google and struggling with my password, but give it a go!
    • CommentAuthorAtlantamom
    • CommentTimeOct 22nd 2009
     
    Any American Moms and Dads in Madrid out there?
    My husband and I will be staying for one month in Madrid with our two kids (aged 6 and 2) next July. I'm narrowing in on a language camp for my son and on a furnished apartment. Areas I know nothing about, and would like some advice on, are the following: Cell (mobile) phones -- which ones work, which don't, how to get integrated from Verizon onto a local carrier. Computer use. We have a typical Dell-type PC. Will it be any use in Spain, or do we have to rent something with European wiring to plug into a wall socket? Similarly, will any of our electronics (travel DVD player, Ipods) work in Madrid. The Ipod, of course, charges off the computer or from my car lighter socket. But if my Dell won't plug into the wall in Madrid, how else do I charge anything? Like the kids travel DVD player?

    Also -- doctors. How do you get a Spanish doctor to take a non European patient? I have complete medical coverage for myself and my kids from my husband's work policy. It covers us anywhere we go. But I don't know if you have to establish yourself as a new patient with a Madrid doctor before leaving home, or if you can just show up on the occasion of illness over there. Experiences with that, those of you who are American?

    For a month's stay in Madrid -- can you manage with a bit of cash and a US debit and credit card? Or do you have to have a Spanish cash card and/or local bank account? Or travelers checks?

    Finally, is it worth it to rent a car for weekend excursions if you have no reading knowledge of Spanish? I.e., will we get hopelessly lost w/o being able to read directional signs? I didn't have too much trouble with this in Italy, where I read no Italian, but I want to at least ask advice before we make any plans. Thank you thank you.

    Laura in Atlanta
    • CommentAuthorappletree
    • CommentTimeOct 22nd 2009
     
    Hi Abby,
    I moved to Madrid when my daughter was 5 months old and although I had lived here before, it was completely different with a young baby. I struggled until I got involved in a mother and toddlers group run by Riekje Wallace (tel: 916305137) in the Las Rozas area. There is a big expat community out this way and we are only 20 mins from the centre of Madrid. Once I met these other mum's, life opened up with music classes for little ones and other outings/friendships. They gave alot of support and advice on life here.
    With 3 of the Mum's I met there, we have just opened a centre called the Apple Tree Club where we have music classes during the day for little ones, a mother and toddlers group, art classes and a flexible morning play school schedule. (www.appletreeclub.com). If you stay in the centre of Madrid there are mums and toddler groups there which I would recommend as a way to meet people and other child friendly activities. Good luck and if you need any further information, please get in touch.
    Linda (info@appletreeclub.com)
    • CommentAuthorSpaykay
    • CommentTimeOct 24th 2009
     
    Hi Abby

    It is scary thinking about living abroad...the person who will adapt the most easily will be your child!!! It is hard being away and I miss my family a great amount. I have lived here 11 years but now I am with a 3 month baby, I do miss my family. However, there are many groups of mums out here in the same situation. (if anyone knows of any near RIvas?) I am also scared of driving, but public transport here is really great. Also, the weather will encourage a great outdoor life for you and your child. Change is always hard, but it is always good for building strength.

    Good luck

    Kirsty xxx

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