What do I need to know about living in Spain?

My friend and I are planning to go live in Spain on our own the year after High School. (We're seniors this year) What do we need to know before we make plans? Will we need jobs? About how much will it cost? How much are places there? We just need an experience underneath our belts before we go off to college. Any any ANY information is helpful! We're very determined individuals so we're sure we wont get off track.

It's impossible to know what it will cost-it depends on where you live, what sort of property-flat, villa , static caravan, hostel , host family etc. and whether it includes bills. Will you be driving in Spain or using local transport Will you be spending time in different parts of Spain?Just make sure you have plenty of money -at least 500-1000 euros a month, I would guesstimate, what with  rent,food, social life. I take it you're not planning to work,as finding work in Spain will be well nigh impossible.

YOU will need good  health cover.? medical insurance. Travel insurance doesn't usually last a year.The EHIC card for emergency treatment only covers you for 3 months and doesn't cover you for  medical transport back to the UK if you were unfortunate enough  to need it.To transport someone back to UK with medical escort can cost £10,000 euros. Better you know this now than when it's too late!

Don't want to squash your enthusiasm for an adventure, but you will need to research lots of boring stuff! the info on EOS is more for people moving here, and you won't need that sort of info, tax, property etc. Isn't there a group set up for students where you could find out stuff applicable to you? eg The rough guide to Spain. Google "gap year in Spain" There is loads of info out there -it's just about sifting it all and using what is suitable for you.Good luck!

This message was last edited by camposol on 21/03/2013.

Good info from Camposol. Search the forum, search agents, decide on where you want to be, where you want to be, what you want to do......

 Don't forget your toothbrush

All the rest will fall in to place. With questions like these, the one thing you can be sure of is that you will gain experience!

Good luck! 

dont be put off by the fuddy duddys

one thing they say that is uber important is the insurance.
you need a good year long insurance policy like you need to eat and breathe.

but best place is a tourist place so you can get bar work and pr work and stuff.

other than the insurance nothing really matters when you are young.

just stay away from any drugs because quite often its a trap to get fines out if you.

MUNGRY SAID 

"just stay away from any drugs because quite often its a trap to get fines out if you."

What do you mean by the above inappropriate comment  ?

read it again ** EDITED - Against forum rules **

 boshdk5, where are you from?  You say "high school seniors" which sounds like you're in the US?  If so you can't spend more than 90 days in Spain on a tourist visa.

If you are EU citizens you don't need a visa, just make sure you have an EHIC card.

Check out workaway.com, where you can get free board and lodging in exchange for a bit of work.  Good way to travel the country and meet people.

Buena suerte!

The EHIC card won't meet all your care needs, only valid for 3 months each trip, not for a continuous stay of a year.Your health cover and money are your two major concerns.