Spain is a large and very varied country, with no two areas or two towns been the same, so how do people moving to Spain decide what part of Spain is right for them ?
Well firstly everyone is different with different needs and wants, so list what you want from Spain and what you need, 

For example do you want to be in an area with a large amount of fellow Brits ? (Yes/no) the upside to this is if thats what you want it makes the transit in someways easier but can make learning for example Spanish more tricky, but many people do life in areas with many people from there own country,. 
Or would you prefer an area thats mixed ?
Or mainly Spanish ?

If you have children what are the schools like? and how far are they from where we are looking to life ?

Will you be there year round ?Yes then what is the summer and winter temperatures like (they vary all over Spain ) If you want for example warm but not hot Summers the more northern areas may be for you. Or if you want hot summers and Mild winter regions like Almeria, Malaga may be your preferred area 

these are just a few of the questions you may ask yourself, but all I will say is be sure where you move is right for you and if in any doubt why not do short term rentals to be sure.  

It is worth noting that as a rule of thumb generally in Spain houses away from the coast and outside of villages, so for example in the mountains and other inland regions are often both larger and cheaper than their counterparts at the coast, the trade off thou can be some of these houses can be very isolated and miles from the nearest shops, now if thats what you want to be alone and away from it then that is a big plus for you 

Spain is made up of 17 comunidads (community's)which are semi autonomous
These Comunidads are broken down into provinces 
There are 50 Provinces 

The Smallest Comunidad by area is Murica which has only one province Murcia 
And I am advised that by population the smallest province capital is Teruel 

Well the Capital is Madrid which is also in the centre of Spain and at point 0km 
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 (Moving is among the most stressful things do in our lives , and of course this is also true for your children. Who depending on their age may be leaving the on home they have ever known, but even if they have moved before they are leaving a place they know well for some where new, And of course depending on how far they are moving they may be leaving friends behind, going to a new school etc . And these are among the factors that can make moving stressful for children of all ages 

When it comes to leaving friends behind there is a simple trick here firstly they can easily chat to them on Facebook , Skype and the likes so can stay in contact with friends that they wish to. 

It is also a new opportunity for them to meet and make new friends as well (Which can be a thing children are worried about what if I can't make new friends or fit in etc) (I mean we all know what the first day in a new job can be like but multiply this in many ways for a kid in a new school,  if in a new area or even a new country ) 

I would suggest where ever possible and practical to let your children see the new house before hand (If your for example moving to Spain do your viewing trip during School Holidays so you can bring the children with you ) and again where possible let them explore the area a bit while there. And listen to their comments and suggestions let them feel like they have a say don't exclude them

And talking of letting them explore the area a bit when your viewing new houses, I suggest letting them also get online and look the area up as well so they can be like oh cool it has x y z and I love those things. 

And if your moving to a place like Spain don't be scared to let your children play with the local children, it in fact will not only help them feel more comfortable with the area as a rule it will also help them learn the local language
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And talking of learning the local language your children depending on their age will most likely pick it up before you but learn together and have fun learning it as a family  

Have you found a home you like ? Great let the children see it let them be like oh can this be my room? let them think oh where can I put x picture etc again keep them involved 

One tip I read from an other source which was discussing this topic in regards army children was unpack the children's room first as this will help them feel at home quicker as they can make their new room their old room sort of unless they want to of course go in a different direction as everyone is different 

The same source also suggested that you put things like your pictures up as soon as possible for the same reason (The mentioned Source https://childmind.org/article/advice-for-moving-with-children/ )

Also talking of getting your children involved where possible get them involved in the packing,let them pack there own toys and games when ever possible and with younger children, don't pack the toys until the last moment. 

And let your kids decorate their boxes after they packed them so they can spot them easier when unpacking,plus they will spot them on the removals vehicle and know they have arrived,plus t is fun for the younger kids as well 

And Talking of packing let your children also help pack other things than just their toys if you fell they are old enough to help in that way let them, as they will like to feel involved and not excluded, plus it will help you spread the workload  

Maybe have a list of tasks for the children to do that they helped write again this will depend on your children and if you fell this will help them, but if they are helping pack make sure they know what they are meant to be doing and not doing 

And with younger children maybe keep a toy or two about that they can play with on the moving day as this can distract them form their boredom which is bound to develop 

 But as we all know Children are adaptable and love as a rule of thumb an adventure and moving can be that for them if handled correctly, so make sure they know whats going on.  

This is only a few hints and tips and there is lot and lots more so feel free to drop a comment with things you found helpful 
And I have kept it quite general as of course some tips are going to be more applicable to a certain age group 
But Don't be scared to move overseas with your children many many people have over the years and not looked back 

A few more pictures of our hard working van loading in Wales and at the delivery near Gandia in Spain 
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So 2019 is all but over the van is back from its last Spain - UK . Spain trip of the year and only has  quick deliveries left to do for all of 2019 before setting of on the 2nd January to start all over again. So it seems like a good time to look back over 2019 for us
Here are a few of the highlights 

• So During 2019 the van did it's first collection from Madrid and  from near by Telodo 
• The sliver machine Vwb crafter (Name voted for via our twitter account https://twitter.com/ashleyrclark1 and the white Vw crafter left us. 
• We did our first car deliveries (the First been a VW Passat ) 
• We did our first job with storage as well as the move 
• We also did our first caravan delivery 
• Nelson was named earlier in the year the k9 Memorials dog of the day on twitter 
• We have been all over the place, Scotland,Wales, England , France , Germany, Spain 
• We broke our motorbike delivery distance record this year with a Dorset to Mojacar motorbike delivery at 1432 miles (Previous record was 1180 with Aberdeen to Zurich)
• We also have this year done our most Motorbikes yet 
• And looking forward to 2020 it will be our 8th year in business 
  

And from us here at European relocation services we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year 

It is an often quoted fact that moving home is among the most stress full things we do in our lives, so who must it be for your dog or cat or pets ? Well it can and is often stressful for them as to them it seems like something amiss is going on something they don't understand. (So be patient with them before during and after the move,and I mean more so them normal as it is normal and natural for them to be put out of sorts and act strange )
But that does not mean there are not things you can do to make it less stressful for them.

1. We all know our pets well so know what they like and dislike, so for example while you can in your moving to Spain you can get many good pet foods it doesn't harm to take a few days to a week or twos worth of the pet food they where use to in the UK and gradually swap them to the Spanish/French versions (ETC) this will help maintain at least some aspects of what your dogs know as normal and safe (of course if your dog or cat / pet is not a fussy eater and eats anything this one might not be important to them)
2. As dogs are big on scent and smells make sure when they travel, they have some blankest r jumpers or the likes that not only smell of them but you and of course it will smell of many over scents they know as well so will again help seem more normal and help them relax more when travelling to their new home and when at it until they and yourself are all settled 
3. Also make sure you don't pack your dogs/cats favourite toy so that they can travel with it.Plus  I would also suggest putting in your pets cage just before you start the journey their favourite /2nd favourite toy (I would say ideally one they either can chew quietly  or cuddle up to not one that gets them barmy )(so yes properly don't pack at least two toys) 
4. And Don't let your dog see you packing their toys that you need to pack as they will think your getting rid of them and I would also suggest not packing them all at once maybe the odd toy here the odd toy there over a few weeks 
5. There are a few ideas on this as to whether your pets should be there on the moving day or at kennels or the likes and on this I am making no comment as all ideas and thoughts ha ve there ups and down 
   
6. but if your pets are there on the moving day or even if not and just while packing (check your cats have not hidden in your boxes if you have cats as they love boxes)make sure you maintain some where in the house that your pet can go to get away from the chaos of the packing and/or the move as after all if there on the moving day the removal team may be to your pet scary but at the very least strangers. And that is why when we are doing a move where pets are about we will make a point of taking time to talk to the pet and let them see we are not a threat( as after all we don't want want part of your family stressed we want the move to be a fun relaxing as possible event for you and your kids and pets ) 
7. If you have time before setting of from your old house it will not harm in my opinion to take your dogs on one last walk of their favourite route,
8. if your pet is travelling in a cage whether with you or a pet transporter  if your dog or cat is not use to a cage buy one several weeks in advance so they can get use to it. That way it will be a familiar space come moving day. Let them go in on their own timetable , don't force them but a few ways to help with it can include feeding the in the cage (with door open )(used that one with ours before we moved to Spain)or as suggest by someone throwing a toy like a tennis ball in and playing fetch. There are other ways to of course but as long as they feel it is a safe space that is what matters 

See more general moving and packing tips and some additional tips on pets during moves on the main tips page 
https://www.europeanrelocationservices.co.uk/tips.html
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When taping your boxes up it is a good idea to tape to half way down the box not just a past the top as that way when taped half way down the tape is more securely attached to the box ​
​https://www.europeanrelocationservices.co.uk/tips.html