Living in Almunecar?

[yoey]

Hello! I'm asking for advice about moving to Spain- I've trawled the threads and got lots of v useful advice so here I am with a specific question... is Almunecar or La Herradura a nice place to raise children? Can anyone recommend a school?

I'm planning to arrive in autumn 2011 with my dh and dd who will be 3 and, if I manage not to miscarry again, hopefully a 4 month old baby. My dh speaks Spanish fluently, I am learning and dd has a few words (counting, greeting/thanks etc) having attended a Spanish toddler group.

I'm open to any ideas anyone has and, as I have been in the past, I'll be extremely grateful for any advice.

[alig99]

Hi I can't directly comment about living in Almunecar or La Herradura, but will say they are both different. Almunecar is a much bigger town than La Herradura, there is an International School in the town and children from the La Herradura can get the bus to it. IT has a big market and is still a Spanish Town. La Herradura is smaller with perhaps more older people living in the area. Both are nice depends on what you want I guess.

[verytellytubby]

I would rather live in Almunecar than La Herradura. They are completely different. I've been there lots as we have friends nearby.

I love Nerja and that's where I want to move to.

[yoey]

Thanks so much. We are familiar with Granada but as we currently live by the sea it's an aspect of our English life that we'd miss. Can I take the opportunity to ask a random question- is the immunisation programme for babies/pre-school the same in Spain?

[isw]

I live in Nerja, there is an English speaking play group in Almunecar (I think it is still running)
I think immunisation program is different here, you also have the opportunity to pay private for extra ones such as chicken pox.
In Spain it is the law that children must have their vaccinations unlike UK - you will be asked for vaccination book when they start school or nursery. hope that helps
There is the international school in Alumecar but its a v long day for little ones. I would look at local schools, here they start they year they turn 3, so my DD who is Feb 2008 starts next sept.
Hope that helps

[yoey]

thanks for such a rapid and useful reply. There do seem to be lots of English speaking parents in or near Nerja, maybe it's a place to consider too- I'm very aware of how isolated some people can feel.

[Aminata100]

International School is very expensive! About 20+ thousand per year (in this town - EU country), British are cheaper, but all private education is expensive in Spain anywhere really

If you are doing a long-term move, better to move your children into local schools (but rememberer it is catholic - if you're not into that - and very extended-family oriented, and the spanish don't do English as a language)

The recession is full on in Spain at the moment by the way

Being English in Spain is very expat, maybe this can help for info:

expatica dot com/spain

Spain is always a great place to raise children by the way!

[isw]

Almuñecar fees are MUCH less than that, or there are also private spanish schools which are less.

"local" schools do teach about the catholic religion - but you can opt out if you feel strongly about it. There are also concertado schools which are catholic and you would not be able to opt out.

Aminata100 - spanish don't do English as a language ???? My 2 year old does 2 hrs a week of english at her local state spanish nursery. All primarys also do English and often German as well.

[yoey]

Thanks isw, I had wondered about the state/private system. Can you recommend any of the local schools or is it a case of asking for a look around or waiting for an open day (if such things are held) when I get there? I'm pretty nervous about how my currently confident toddler will react to sudden and severe change!