Moving to spain info needed

Question

i would like to move to spain for a year before startin work in 2 years, ill be 18 and i speak conversational spanish quite well (studied it at school) can i find a job before i move out there, where is the best place to live in spain for a gap year, any ideas on good accomadation. please help its such a dream to move out ther, i dont want to return home after 2 monthscos i ***** get a job

Answer 1

"gap year".  You must be British.  You are automatically legal to work there.

I don't know how much this will help you, but here's a list of organizations in the US that help place people in Spain.

http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&...

I can't vouch for most of them in terms of reputability, so if you find one that works with British workers, you'll have to do your own research to assure you that they are legit.  It's the internet, after all.

You ought to be able to find accomodation, on your own, simply by using the newspaper, though many of these organizations probably help to find lodging.  There are apartments, etc.  It all depends which city you decide to go to.  And then there's always Au Pair work.

If you can do so, you probably want to live in the Center of a city...it's always where everyone wants to live.

Answer 2

Well, you already know you have to find a job before you move there, so you will have to find an employer who will be willing to swear they can not find someone with your talents from the local talent pool in Spain and they will then file the paperwork for you to get a work visa.

I lived in Spain for a couple of years... Blanes and Barcelona.. and if I was even THINKING of moving back to Spain today, it would have to VALENCIA.  That is Spain's number 3 city but it is also the MOST ACTIVE and MOST PROGRESSIVE city.  It is the home for the America's Cup races, and the Louis Vuitton races and in just 3 weeks they will be the NEWEST VENUE for FORMULA ONE racing.  

It's small as cities go and, from what I have seen... the town has changed a whole lot since I lived in Spain.

You can get resident alien status if you can PROVE that you have an INDEPENDENT INCOME of $1000 per month (it may be more now) so you don't need to WORK in Spain to live there.

Of all the places I have lived in the world.. Spain is still in the top 5 places on my personal list.

Answer 3

I'm assuming you are from somewhere in the UK, so you don't need a visa at all... don't worry about that.  I have been living in Spain for the past year, in Madrid and now in Valencia.  

You probably won't be able to get a job before you move here, you will need to have an interview before anyone will hire you.  Save a few thousand pounds before you come, because it is easy to find accomodation, but you need to pay a deposit equivalent to one months rent for most places.  Then you will have enough money to move into a flat and look for a job.  You can always stay in a cheap hotel or hostel for a couple of weeks whilst you are looking.  

Have you visited Spain before?  If not, then go for a holiday and test out your spanish.  No offence, but spanish learnt at school is a good basis, but I imagine you will find your level inadequate when you arrive.  For a gap year and because you are young and will quickly need to find a job , I would go to Mallorca or Ibiza for 6 months over summer and work in a bar or PR and then maybe 6 months on the mainland maybe Valencia, Barcelona or Madrid - teaching english or something.