Moving from UK to Barcelona

[Dovetale]

My husband has a job opportunity in Barcelona which we are considering at the moment.

We have a 3 1/2 year old (due to start school Sept 2017) and a 2 month old baby. Does anyone have any advice about where to start? Advice on every aspect of relocating would be appreciated!

We have been 2 x as tourists but that is the extent of my knowledge of the city. I know I would want to be in the city not the countryside.

We would return after 2 years so I have looked at International Schools teaching the English curriculum, but they all seem to be out of the city and I would need to do the school run by public transport.

Thanks

Hi, we are looking at a possible relocation next summer and would probably live north east/saria/zona alta or even further for easy acess to schools and we prefer a quieter area.
found this website a good starting point
expatica always has good info

anglo info too

Hi both! I live near Barcelona. My partner works near the Sagrada Familia. There are lots of Facebook groups for expats and moms if you haven't found them already. It's a great place to live in many ways

Hi there! Would love to know more about the FB pages please!
Found a couple.
Looking for more info on NIE registration etc...
Can we do it from a consulate abroad or wait till we are there?
Tks!

Hiya. Best ones for moms are Barcelona Mammas, Mums & Dads in Casteldelfells, English Speaking Parents in Sant Cugat - you'll get a good range of opinions on areas and schools from them. I think you can get your temporary NIE from the consulate, but in order to get your residency, you'll need to have a rental contract etc etc

Hi all! I am originally from Barcelona, moved to London in 2011. My husband is english and we have a 4month old baby boy. We will be relocating to Sant Cugat in a few months so let me know if you have any questions I can help you with!

Would spanish preschool be worth considering with doing an English reading system at home - might make life easier for all of you as gives you flexibility and sages lots of money. She is only little- i dont think they start school proper until 6yrs.

As far as I can remember the NIE (foreigners registration numbers done at the Police) and the empadronamiento (proof od residency done at the council offices) are two very different documents and for the first one you only need a photo and your passport, whereas for the second you must provide a renting contract.

For all newcomers, please be aware there a no "Spanish" schools or preschool as per law, all schooling is done in Catalan with some hours (might be a few or a lot in private schools) of Spanish.

100% schooling in Spanish is illegal (even in private schools) and a long time battle between parents and the government. If you enrol your kids in a local public school, chances are they will only speak Catalan with the teacher and between children.

We lived there for 5 years, first in the very center, Rambla de Catalunya then in Sarria, as the international school they attended was there. I loved the vibe of the center but also the small village feeling we had from living in the pedestrian part of Sarria. Many parents lived in Gava or Castelldefels and honestly living there near the beach is great and the commute to the city extremely easy.

We are now in Australia, which is absolutely great, but God do I miss Barcelona!!!!!

Hi!

I was wondering how you are finding Barcelona so far? We are moving there from London in two weeks time with our 21 month old. I'm a native Spanish speaker but I hear learning Catalan would be useful. My hubbie will be taking Spanish lessons.

Intrrested in how you see prospects post Brexit if you are British. Are you expecting to be able to stay indefinitely?

Just fantastic. Make the move and u would not regret it. I moved here for my 12 year old daughters tennis and my son studies in the British School of Barcelona in Castelldefels. The food is so fresh compared to the food we get in the UK. Learning and speaking Spanish is difficult but in general we have got through fine in the last 6 months!

Hi just wondering if you made the move and how are you finding it if you did? I'm considering moving with my 3 1/2 year old and a 3 month old and especially interested in bilingual schools in the central area