Looking to move our family to Gibraltar in the next 18-24 months

Beth3735 wrote:

Hi, this is my first post. I have done lots of investigating certain things we would need to know. But when it comes to the more complicated things to know I feel it's best to ask people who know from experience.

We are looking at a 3 bed property using a mortgage, unfortunately we need to purchase in gibraltar even though we know we're getting little property for our money as we would like the kids to stay in the schools that follow the GCSE curriculum.
We have done lots of research and I'm awaiting a reply from the department of education for my questions on schooling.

We seem to keep coming across 3 bed apartments in the sir William Jackson grove apartments, are these any good? We would be coming out to view areas etc before we even looked at coming out.

Hi

there is a 3 year residency requirement before you are allowed to buy in Sir William Jackson Grove.
These flats were government subsidised in order to provide affordable property for locals.

Beth3735 wrote:

My son at the moment gets DLA and obvious hospital/paediatrician appointments. I understand the whole tax credits, child benefits and DLA benefits are stopped when you move abroad which we accept, but I worry about the lack of help my son would get. It's for Tourettes, speech delay, etc. only meds he is on is just for his asthma but I hope the warmer air would sort that for him.

Once you are resident in Gib there are excellent medical facilities.

Beth3735 wrote:

What is the lifestyle like for children aged from roughly 10years to 14? We are hoping the move would benefit us all especially the children. My eldest who is currently 12 worries she wouldn't be accepted, but I have told her there are a lot of children in the same boat as them.

Acceptability would be up to your daughter and her attitude to others

Beth3735 wrote:

Is it easy to pop over the boarder into Spain for a short weekend break etc?

Yes, I am popping over this morning to go shopping and have lunch.

Why not come out for a short break and have a look around before commiting yourself?

Regards Grumpy

Thank you for your reply Grumpy. I'm a little gutted about the 3 year residency before being able to buy as the rental costs are so high. We will definitely come out and view other properties though on the hope we can purchase straight away.

My husband has spent lots of time in Gibraltar through him being in the Navy, I. Have never been so he wants us to do a weekend without the kids first.

Our kids will easily make friends then by the sounds of it. My little boy will talk to anyone

Thank you about the advice on his medical treatment, I'm pleased to hear this.

It's so much to think about, would be loads easier if the kids were either a lot younger or moved out 😂

There are other properties that do not require 3 years residency, however not all agents indicate which are which .
http://www.brayproperties.com/  do in general.

Thank you, that's great, I will take a look at the link

Hi
I am from the UK and have lived here in Gib for a few years now.My kids are 8 and 11.I know you are disappointed about the 3 year residency now but probably in the long run it is better to come here and rent,get work and get to know the place.You are allowed a school place by catchment area always, so you can look at the schools decide which you like then rent a flat in the catchment.As for post 12 years old the kids go to one of the single sex secondary schools,Westside for girls or Bayside for boys.The kids here from my experience are good kids with a happy sunny lifestyle.
It is easy to cross the border for trips to Spain and for shopping in Euros and for just getting off rock,it is a very small place and sometimes you've just got to cross that border for sanity sake!Which brings me back to my initial point try before you buy this place is like marmite as the cliche goes,love or hate?

Hi,

With regards to your 12 year old being worried about fitting in, I have been through the whole schooling process in Gibraltar and the majority of the friends I made were actually MOD students who have moved over with parents in the army or navy etc so she definitely shouldn't have a problem!
Online gaming jobs are in abundance over here and there are a number of recruitment companies who specialise in them. I definitely recommend Recruitgibraltar, the staff are super friendly and were in the same boat as you once upon a time, so will be able to help with other questions you may have!
Hope this helps!

Ooh and shop/supermarket jobs should be easy enough to get also! Gib has a morrisons as its main supermarket (though an eroski has opened up recently) and a number of British stores such as Marks and Spencer and BHS. I recommend learning spanish if you want to work in a shop in Gib however as we get a huuugeee number of spanish people coming over for the day, via crossing the border or by cruise and they do ask the most obscure questions... "whats the difference between shower gel and shower cream?" in spanish ofcourse. I wouldnt even be able to answer that in English!