Interview with Michelle Goldsmith
Michelle Goldsmith runs Mallorca One Stop Homes.
Mallorca One Stop Homes advises on, organizes, takes care of and looks after the entire range of aspects linked to the purchase, maintenance and administration of foreign owned properties held on Mallorca.
www.mallorca-onestop.com
What is your name, age and how long have you lived on Mallorca?
Michelle Goldsmith. 56 and a bit. Lived on Mallorca for 9 years.
What made you make the move to Mallorca in the first place?
The sun!!!!
What nationality are you and your partner?
Both English.
How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
Boy. Theo Sebastien. 10 years old. (Yeah, the proverbial old mum. Work the sums. Turned up as a bit of a surprise).
What school(s) do they go to and are you happy with your choice?
San Cayetano. Brilliant.
How well integrated would you say you and your children are into the local community?
Us good. Theo brilliant.
What do you think are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a parent from the international community living in Mallorca?
Advantages are that you can keep your way of life - be it the French, German or Scandanavian system if you so wish. Disadvantages are that the schools may not be up to the higher level and not part of Spanish lifestyle.
Is there anything that you think would improve childrens’ lives living in Mallorca?
Phew…that would take ages…
What couldn’t you live without in Mallorca?
300 sunny days per annum, the vast array of outdoor activities and sporting activities available to everyone within a short distance. The importance of the family. The safety for the children and relative security.
What could you live without in Mallorca?
The bureaucracy.
Since you moved to the island you have established Mallorca One Stop Homes (www.mallorca-onestop.com) how did that come about?
We couldn’t find anywhere to live and people were not professional, quick or helpful.
What services, aside from finding properties, do you offer?
Anything the client wants. Also project managing, complete after sales, furnishing, legal, total management package.
What you would say are the biggest challenges a family faces when relocating to Mallorca?
Linguistic problems, bureaucracy, coming to terms and accepting the cultural differences, selecting the right place to live according to school runs (VERY important) and chosen lifestyle.
What are their main concerns when arriving on the island?
Where to start and who to get sound objective advice from.
What nationalities are the families you work with?
Mainly English, some German.
What was your personal experience of relocating to Mallorca with children?
Difficult for the above reasons.
How do you manage to juggle your work & home life?
Well. Thomas is a very hands on dad and my mum comes over from England quite often.
Do you believe Mallorca is sympathetic to working mothers from the International Community?
As much as anywhere.
If someone is interested in your services how would they best contact you? info@mallorca-onestop.com or 0034 606 603 650 (me) 0034 686 283 551
(April 2010)
