Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2019 10:44pm
Hi Miss RV!
We live in Roquetas de Mar so will try to answer your questions - but with some of our own...
You start the job in Sept but when do you plan to arrive here? There are just a few British immigrants here and we may be able to assist with all sorts of issues. For a starter - if you are here for more than 90 days you will need to seek residency. You may need help in doing this but the paperwork has to be filed at the office in Almeria City.
Your questions;
1. Is it worth me getting a car out there or is public transport adequate?
[It depends where you live, how far from the school. Buses will get you from A-B and are cheap but are not that reliable. Cars are expensive but hold their value better than in the U.K. Taxis are v expensive but I don't know about Uber, never used.]
2. I have a number of outgoings in the UK (credit cards and a bank loan) my friend said I can't transfer money to a British bank for 3 months? Is this the case?
[Not true. You will want to open a Spanish bank account ASAP and can do that as soon as you arrive. Assuming your income is paid into your Spanish account in euros you can transfer monies to your UK accounts via Transferwise - much cheaper than via a bank using SWIFT]
3. I'm pescatarian (fish eating vegetarian) will I struggle?
[Not in the least! Lots of fish here, we are on the Med. And vegetables ... tapas by the bucketload too]
4. Is it maybe worth getting a bicycle?
[Absolutely. You can buy one at Decathlon near here. There is a 14kms paseo with cycle track by the sea - runs from Aguadulce all the way to the Roquetas nature reserve. That could also solve your home to work transport query. It hardly ever rains here, we are the only desert region in Europe!]
5. Can anyone recommend a good airport transfer service or should I use uber? (I won't be driving for the first week I'm there whilst I'm finding things out.)
[use two buses: L30 from airport to Almeria City €1; 330/331 from Almeria to Roquetas (I think via Aguadulce) €2. Some visitors rent a car for first week to familiarise themselves]
6. Does anyone have a copy of a bus timetable?
[Can be downloaded but basically the ALSA buses run frequently/hourly but not reliably!]
Any tips on things to bring with me?
[Hat! Plenty of electrical adapters,]
Or any general advice?
[We assume that you speak Spanish? If not - no worries you can get lessons and Spanish conversation classes here.]
I'm so excited but so scared at the same time. I am in the process of sorting an apartment out, close to the beach in aguadulce sur but no pool. Is there a public pool anywhere in that area for very hot weekends?
[Communal Pools for apartments tend to be open June-Sept only (school holidays). They are a boon! You may not need a pool outside these dates but the RdM indoor muni pool is open all year round, as is the sea. August is mucho calor!]
Good luck! You will love it here, it’s where the Spanish come for holidays and whilst there are a few of us Brits you tend to hear Spanish voices everywhere. Our adult children and grandchildren love visiting us here. If you ever want to meet up with us at a cafe/bar for a chat or just want more info just send me a private message.
Best wishes
Chris