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In this episode of Spainly Living, Michelle speaks with Shaun Richardson, originally from Cape Town, South Africa, about moving to Spain with his wife and children after living in the UK and Romania.

Shaun shares his family’s journey from Cape Town to the UK, then Romania, and finally to Elche, near Alicante, where they have now been living for a year.

This is a warm, honest and practical conversation for anyone thinking about moving to Spain with children, relocating to Alicante, living in Elche, applying for Spanish residency, renting in Spain, choosing schools in Spain or building a more relaxed lifestyle as a remote worker (autonimo) or self employed person.

Shaun explains why his family chose Spain, why Elche became the right place for them, and how their children have adapted. He shares how his teenage son moved from Romania with no Spanish background, started public school in Spain, learned Spanish quickly, made Spanish friends and became passionate about football. He also talks about how the outdoor lifestyle, parks, beach access, clean air and relaxed daily rhythm have benefited his younger child.

Michelle and Shaun discuss the practical reality of moving to Spain as a family, including residency paperwork, the NIE, the difference between the white NIE and residency documentation, the value of using a trusted local adviser or gestor, and why the Spanish admin process can be difficult to manage alone if you do not speak Spanish.

Shaun shares his experience as a British and South African passport holder married to an EU citizen, and explains how his wife’s Romanian EU citizenship helped with the relocation process. He talks about applying for residency, waiting for his card, dealing with appointments, travelling to Denia for police appointments and learning to accept that Spanish bureaucracy does not always work in a straight line.

The episode also covers renting in Spain, including why landlords can be cautious with foreigners, why it can be harder to rent without a Spanish employment contract, why having someone on the ground can help, and why families may need temporary accommodation while waiting for a long term rental to become available.

Michelle and Shaun also discuss schools in Spain, including the public school system, private school options, concertado schools, language immersion, school catchment areas, points systems, oversubscribed schools, kindergarten places, matriculation paperwork and what parents should know before moving with children.

Shaun also shares his experience of becoming autónomo in Spain, accessing public healthcare, applying for the SIP card, running an online AI business, teaching English remotely and building a working life that allows him to enjoy the Spanish lifestyle.

This episode is full of practical tips, real life lessons and honest reflections on the emotional side of moving to Spain. Shaun talks about the frustration of paperwork, unexpected obstacles, shops closing on Sundays, restaurants closing in the afternoon, different routines for children, Spanish nap culture, and the need to go with the flow rather than fight the system.

Michelle and Shaun also reflect on the positives of life in Spain: better weather, more time outdoors, healthier routines, friendlier daily interactions, a calmer lifestyle, beach access, family time, safety, fresh air and the sense that the hard first year is worth pushing through.