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 

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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https://www.europeanrelocationservices.co.uk/tips.html click the link to find over 70 + tips 
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So when your ,moving your removals company needs an accurate inventory but why?
Well firstly it helps us know what will be on the load, what the volume is, what the rough weight is , whether there will be any items needing special handling or equipment etc 

(but don't worry an inventory is easy to write/do )

How to write an inventory
Go room by room and write a list of the items your taking 

• ​EG living room , Sofas ( so your taking your sofa is it a 2 seater? or a 3 seater? or a 4 seater? or a corner sofa ? is it a recliner ?(if a recliner is it electric or manual ) so if it is a 2 seater and 3 seater sofa for example write 1 x 2 seater 1 x 3 seater sofa (does the sofa dismantle ?)
• And I don't mean 1 quilt 2 pillows just for example 3 boxes bedroom items (and the box size ) (And once done just group the boxes together on the list so eg 20 boxes Small 15 medium and 5 large (but please label the boxes contents (see our tips page for more advice )
• While writing your inventory make notes on any special handling instructions EG glass doors on the Cabinet or glass shelves (that way we know to bring additional removals blankets  
• Regarding beds there are a few questions we would/will ask firstly size so single , double etc , secondly the type eg, frame bed or devan or bunk beds etc , thirdly do they dismantle/ while they be dismantled if they can be dismantled (beds are bulky after all and take a large amount of cubic metres up for what they are (so if dismantle-able the please do it )(and unless otherwise stated we assume the mattress will be with the bed)
• When listing your TV please indication it's size eg 42 inches (and unless otherwise stated we will assume it is a flat screen so if it is a curved TV or a big back TV etc please advise that on the inventory )
• Bikes, IF you include bikes on your inventory please advise if they are adult bikes or childrens bike, whether they are lose or boxed

But how do I work out how many boxes ?
well that can be simple find your self a box the size you want to pack for your move pack it then, pick it up (to ensure your haven't over loaded it ) and go well I got x in that box and have y left so I will need z boxes in total (we allow with boxes a slight error rate so if it is 100 boxes you booked we allow a 5% error so will allow up to 105 give or take )

Here is the shorter 5 tip version of this video I am working on several more longer ones with loads more useful and helpful moving tips ​