Thanks for the information.  Yes we have decided.  We intend to be in Spain from August 2011 until at least May 2012.  If luck is on our side and I find a job as a legal consultant or tutor, then we will extend our stay.  We have decided on Manilva and have started saving for our move and organizing matters here....it just would help tremendously if we had a stable address in Manilva.  I could then focus on making decisions on the boys school and whether or not we need to invest in a car...you know what I mean?  In any event we are adamant to make this work somehow so I will be patient and keep plugging along.  Thanks again.

La Vicky

Thanks for the information.  Yes we have decided.  We intend to be in Spain from August 2011 until at least May 2012.  If luck is on our side and I find a job as a legal consultant or tutor, then we will extend our stay.  We have decided on Manilva and have started saving for our move and organizing matters here....it just would help tremendously if we had a stable address in Manilva.  I could then focus on making decisions on the boys school and whether or not we need to invest in a car...you know what I mean?  In any event we are adamant to make this work somehow so I will be patient and keep plugging along.  Thanks again.

La Vicky

Hello All! 

Well, we have now decided to settle in Manilva based upon many of your referrals and what we have learned about the area.  We are very excited and hoping that it will be a smooth transition for our boys but now we are facing another hurdle...I have contacted many places for long term rental (eyeonspain; justlongrentals; and duquesanet) but everyone says its too soon to advise on availability or allow us to place a deposit to reserve the place.  I cannot leave the planning to last minute because of our boys...we especially liked La Duquesa but really would consider anywhere in Manilva.  Does anyone have any advice on how to find the perfect place?  I cannot thank you all enough for your insight and guidance!!

La Vicky

Thank you both for the information.  I have been on line looking at Manilva and was very pleased with the sports programs available.  My boys already play two seasons a year of soccer (futbol) and it seems like they would fit right in.  I could not find the middle school (escuela secundaria) so I will have to search further before I make my final decision.   Do you have any suggestions as to good places to look for long term rentals that will place us close enough to the schools?  By then I will have one child in elementary school (primaria) and the second in middle school.  Also, can you give me some insight as to how expensive and/or difficult is it to purchase a reliable motor vehicle?  Regarding the places we have considered, we had looked into Palomares but then heard that there was some sort of nuclear problem and became concerned (probably overly concern on my part).  I have friends that have an apartment in Murcia and looked there as well.  Finally, the law school I attended in USA has a program at the University of Granada so I initially thought that there is where I would settle thinking I could obtain some sort of equivalent Spanish law degree but then learned that it would take years to do so and now I am not sure about anything... any help or guidance is greatly appreciated!!  Thanks again.