If you plan to leave this August, I recommendation you get your appointments with the Consulate now, they fill up quickly over the summer months with the students. Overkill on financial information is always good, and if you know ANYONE in Spain ask them to write a letter of “recommendation”. Be prepared to have challenges getting fingerprint criminal background report quickly and know that now you also have to have that certified with the Department of State which is in Washington DC and takes a lot of time if you are mailing it in. If you know anyone in DC maybe they can walk it in for you so the turnaround is faster.

Our airline tickets were one year tickets with open end return date. If you are not sure when you are going to return but know you’ll be back in a year then this is the best option. Try British Airways. Or you could buy round trips (cheaper than one way) and let the return be thrown away, especially if you think you’ll be staying longer. The consulate never asked to see our plane tickets, just wanted to know when we planned on departing.

Good luck… truly it’s a nightmare so be prepared!

Which international school will your children attend? The Lady Elizabeth Senior School is actually not in or near Javea, maybe a 45 minute drive from the center of town. There is a bus for the students though or perhaps carpooling options. The XIC senior school is near the arenal, or at least it used to be! We have friends who moved their kids to XIC because the commute to Lady Elizabeth was just too long. I think both are good schools. Lady Elizabeth is more British in flavor, and we thought XIC a little more international.

Let me know what questions you have about Javea. It’s a great little town! We’re actually visiting again this summer.

Regards

Yvonne

How is your camino preparation going? There is so much information on the internet I hope you are able to get through it. You will have an amazing experience and I cant wait to see your posts.

We are getting nearer our departure for a year in Spain and I had a question about the plane ticket. Since we are departing for a year and we have to have a ticket to get the visa approved- what ticket did you get? Did you buy a plane ticket for as far out as you could and pay change fees? do they still sell an open-ended ticket and does that work? We are hoping to leave in August for the following year in Spain.

Thanks,
Katie

I found your blog by chance and am wondering if you ended up living in Jaeva and if so would you recommend it after living there.

We are english empty nesters who have lived in New Zealand for 20+ years and really fancy a year or so in Spain, so would welcome your thoughts

Thanks – Gaye

Happy to answer any questions; you can email me directly at dee@travelandtravails.com.

That book sounds familiar. I don’t remember the particulars, I read so many to prepare, but it might be worth finding at your library.

~ Dee

Have you heard a book “Moving to Spain”. I was told it is a Moon Publication. Would it be valuable to hunt down?

Thanks, John

Thanks, John

The requirements for Spanish schools, once you have your visa, are:
Your child’s birth certificate or passport (original and photocopy), with an official Spanish translation (if necessary) and the parents’ passports (originals and photocopies).
Proof of immunization.
Proof of residence (empadronamiento) from your town hall (ayuntamiento).
Two passport-sized photographs (for a student identity card and school records).

We didn’t use a realtor. Just type the town and rental apartments or “long-term lets” into Google and a ton of options will come up. If you know Spanish, search in Spanish for more “local” options vs. tourist options.

Please share with us here where you end up! ~ Dee