Is it a good idea for me and my friend to move to spain on our own, when we are both 16?

Question

Me and my friend are now both 16!! Our dream is to move to spain at 16 and build a life from scratch!!

We are both matture girls that know how to look after ourselves!!

Our plan is to book a one way flight to the destination we love and sort everything else out when we get there!!

We are hoping to go in a few months time!!

Is there anyone that can give us some advice for when we go?

Every answer and opinion is much appreciated!!

Thanks everybody

xx

Answer 1

What country are you from?  Do you think you can get work?  It isn't easy, you know.  Spain is in recession, and jobs are going first to Spaniards.  No.  I don't see why a 16 year old should be old enough to run away from home to another country, and get jobs.  You need to finish school, in any case, and you need to be legal to be your own guardians, which doesn't happen until you are 18, and you really should wait until you are 20.  You may think you are mature, but you have no idea what it means to take care of yourselves.  I'm fairly certain of this.  Of course, I don't actually know you, but I certainly wouldn't allow MY daughter to just up and take off out of the country to live someplace else.

Paperwork?  Work visas? Passports?  Long term residence papers, there?  Health Insurance?  Have you any idea what you have to do in terms of red tape to survive in Spain?  You aren't even legal to sign a contract/lease!   No.  I'm sure that what you propose is completely illegal.

Answer 2

That is a very poorly thought out plan.  

I don't care how mature you think you are at 16, you are too young to move to a new country and be on your own.  Your lack of any real planning says that alone.  

It's a fun dream, but you need to be realistic.  

Where will you live?  How will you get money?  Do you even speak the main language?  What about your schooling?  You need to finish high school first.  

After your first cold, lonely night living on a street how exciting will your dream seem then?  If you get into any serious trouble you won't have anyone around to help you.  

PS:  You can't just pick up and leave home at 16....you are still a minor.

Answer 3

Starting from scratch as you put it is not an option. You will need have some sort of a bank balance. As soon as your plane touches down you will have had to secure your accommodation. Having no collaterel will make it impossible to rent an apartment. You may get a holiday let, but that would still need to be paid in advance and would be very expensive. In fact you wouldn't sustain living there on what you were going to get paid, even if you could find a job.

You are only 16. You have your whole lives ahead of you to plan a life out here. 16 is far too young. THe only work you will find here is bar work and waiting on tables, even that is seasonable. The wages will be very low, the work will be gutty and you will see all the tourists enjoying themselves whilst you are working. Being under 18 you may not be allowed to serve alcohol.

I'm only scratching the surface here. I haven't mentioned tax or health insurance, or even food.

Your best bet is to find a good career for yourself wherever you are, work hard and plan for the future.

Answer 4

So you have money?  If you don't, you'll wind up turning tricks for enough cash to eat and pay for someplace to live.  

And what about school?