I haven’t even packed yet! Luckily, the in-laws are kindly looking after our 4-year-old while we head off on our house and school hunting trip this weekend. I’m feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety, especially about whether the kids will like our new place. So far, they seem pretty excited too!
Our first stop is Alicante, where we’ll be checking out some properties and visiting a school. It’s a bit nerve-wracking, but I guess that’s normal, right?
After viewing a few schools in Valencia, right after checking out houses, I found some impressive options, though not all were quite what we were looking for. One school in Paterna stood out, even though we didn’t get to meet the principal and the English-speaking staff were limited. Still, they were really friendly and made sure we had all the paperwork we needed.
Private school fees are definitely on the higher side, but still much more affordable than back in the UK. Based on our visits, I’d estimate initial costs for a British school in Spain to be around £2,500-£3,000 for fees, deposits, uniforms, and books, but this can vary depending on the school.
And then there are the monthly expenses to consider, like meals and transportation, which can range from 500-800 euros per child, based on the schools we saw. It’s a lot to wrap your head around! If I could offer advice to parents considering a move, I’d say do it while the kids are young—it can really make a difference when it comes to schooling. Our 4-year-old will be attending a Spanish state school, which are free, though some may require you to buy the books. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to immerse themselves in the Spanish language and culture.
