Moving to Tenerife

[antoniaw]

hello, this is my first time posting on here :)
Myself, my husband and our 2 children (10 & 5) have made the exciting decision to move abroad. My in laws already live in Tenerife and we visit so often that its like a second home to us.
I was wondering if anyone on here had done the same and could offer any advice. Im a little worried about schooling as I initially decided I was going to pay for them to go to a private British school. However, Im starting to change my mind and am thinking a Spanish school would be better for them to blend into the culture and learn the language.
sorry for the long post, but any tips or advice would be great!
TIA

The ten year old would miss at least eighteen months of school whilst they mastered the language, how is that in their best interests? Do you know how stressful they would find it? Removed from their school, friends, family and home here and planted in a school where they are unable to communicate even slightly?? It’s really irresponsible. All for some good weather in the winter.

Loads of families move around when their children are young. Mine did aswell.

Children make new friends wherever they move to.

His company may well be ok for him to continue abroad and when in EU that would all have been straight forward- but it isn't now- you either have to have an EU passport or a nomad visa or apply for official working visa. Nomad visa is only given for a year at a time and has specific criteria and standard working visa isn't guaranteed and usually requires considerable sums in bank if its a family- these aspects are most important - however they may let you bring him with you with your EU passport , but please double check as rules are prone to change - when we lived in Denmark loads of people fell foul of the new regulations for Brits ( and all other non EU countries) and they can just boot you out - and in Denmark frequently did!!

They really don’t just make friends effortlessly though, especially given they can’t even communicate! By the time op gets there her eldest child will be eleven and starting secondary school without knowing a single word of Spanish. At that point children here are beginning to work towards GCSEs and it’s a pivotal age. You are being really irresponsible just encouraging op without thinking of her dc.

Jesus shes not forced to stay in the UK for her whole life. No one is. Loads of families move country.

And Why do you think the UK is so great though? Maybe the OP wants her children to have a better life by getting them out of the UK

I absolutely adore Tenerife and DH and I plan (hope) to have a small apartment there in the not too distant future.

Given your in-laws are already there I’d imagine you’re able to go and spend a good amount of time over there at various times of year looking at schools, researching employment opportunities, cost of living, etc.

If I had children of your age though, especially your eldest, it would have to be a British private school for me. Moving your eldest at this age into a school where he doesn’t know the language will probably set him back 18 months to 2 years educationally, and that’s without going into the social aspect. If wanting to learn the language is the main factor in choosing to send them to a Spanish school, they can do that in a British private school or have private lessons outside of school.

I thought the Spanish hated English tourists now. All these protests everywhere.

It's probably not the right time to move to Europe, especially after Brexit. Is it possible to tell people you are Canadian?

Wow, what I thought would be a lighthearted message asking for advice once im there has turned into me being called irresponsible and being told im wrecking my childrens future??
I have thought long and hard about this for quite some time. The cost of living in this country along with the crime rates amongst other things has made me decide to get out. We have chosen Tenerife as we already have family there. Everyone has their own opinions but I did not post to be tld Im being irresponsible!!

Raw nerve?

The universities in the U.K. are world leading, the education system for all its faults is head and shoulders in comparison to most in southern Europe. They are both English speaking with their whole lives here. Spain and the islands have a HUGE youth unemployment problem, as you should know. Many/most end up here in London as result.

Ops children can choose to be anything right now, they have the chance to go anywhere and do anything. They can study in the US, study in Paris or take a job in Asia because unlike other places a good degree from the U.K. opens so many doors.

So no, I would not throw my children’s stability, future prospects and education for an ill thought out jaunt to Tenerife just because I famcy a bit of sun.

No the cost of the English school doesnt matter. I feel very torn and have been given such conflicting advice on whats best.

This is what I know from living in another place in Spain.

Fee paying British school;
-fees are not as expensive as uk
-you will be in a social network w people like you PLUS many other nationalities.
-parent conf, reports, homework will all be in English & you will understand curriculum as its same as UK
-in secondary they will take GCSE & A level—
-if you are thinking Uni - the a levels are recognized everywhere
Don’t underestimate impact on yourself of being part of a community of people you can easily organize play dates etc etc
*Your child will learn Spanish more slowly but u can supplement this outside of school hours
If you child has a need it will be addressed in your culture & language

Local school/fee paying local (inexpensive)
-child will learn Spanish thru immersion
-likely parent conf etc you will need help with language. Grading systems,
-u won’t be able to easily support child with homework
-play dates etc might be more challenging
-if there are needs/issues you might not be able to grasp how to negotiate system
older child might suffer more with being behind
If you are planning on Uni.. u will be working thru the Spanish system of colllege & admissions and you might need help understanding how to prepare & correct academic schools now. Don’t wait.

I am sorry op but you are being selfish. It might seem fun when you are on holiday, but real life as a non retiree is very different.

There is a mafia that runs amok in Tenerife, and plenty of crime. Drugs and trafficking is huge. There is serious deprivation in some areas. You are just seeing one side of a very complex island.

No that's exaggerated on the news. Like everything else.

Ignore that poster. She was very extreme.

You've said your piece @artistbythewater can you leave her alone now.

Her in laws live there and they haven't been mowed down by any "mafia" have they.

There are amazing schools in Spain, including in Tenerife.

It's a bit elitist and snobby, to think that only the UK could possibly have good schools.

If it’s a good opportunity, why not? We did it (different country) when our children were small and they had an amazing childhood.
what I really would consider is

1. The Spanish education system. To achieve full fluency takes quite some time. How does the Spanish system worn with regards to marks and academic possibilities. 10 is quite late to establish in the language. The younger one will likely be fine. I would factor in extra language instruction for the 10 year old for the first few years in Spain. To give them the most chance to achieve academically.

And try to find a way to keep up with the English too. the other option is to just go down the international school route but then you will have the issue in my point 2: 2 If you are considering university in the Uk for them in the future you will likely pay international fees. So that’s something definitely to factor in.

But even if you went over and stayed for a period and decided to come back that’s ok too

Drugs are everywhere in the UK too.

In my personal opinion yes I would absolutely move to Tenerife if I were you.

I would put the older child in an English speaking school , as he would find it too hard at that age to do a full day's lessons in Spanish.

But it's up to you.

Op there is nothing light hearted about what you are about to do, particularly to your older child. If you know all of the risks and possible consequences and push on anyway, at least you are doing so from an informed position.

Selfish? No I dont agree with that at all. I am thinking of my children and their happiness. This country is very difficult to live in!
Please stop commenting on my thread now, you are rude and are adding nothing of relevance