Family of 4 Shares Lessons Learned After Moving From US to Spain

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After selling their home in Connecticut and moving their family of four to a suburb near Madrid, the Cretella family faced several challenges they wish they had prepared for better, including building a social network, understanding their children's school curriculum, translating important documents, obtaining an international driving permit, and maintaining access to US-based services.

Why it matters

The Cretella family's experience highlights the importance of thorough planning and research when undertaking a major international move, especially with children, to avoid unnecessary stress and disruption during the transition.

The details

The Cretella family sold their home in Connecticut and moved their two sons, ages 6 and 9, to Las Rozas de Madrid, a suburb northwest of the Spanish capital. While they had extensively prepared for the move, they encountered several unexpected challenges, including difficulty building a social network, misunderstandings about their children's school curriculum, language barriers when accessing medical care, and issues with renting a car and maintaining access to US-based services.

• The Cretella family began planning their move from the US to Spain in March 2025.
• They packed up their lives and moved to Las Rozas de Madrid in August 2025.
• Four months after moving, Rebecca Cretella had to undergo emergency surgery in Spain.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The Cretella family plans to continue supplementing their children's education with additional Spanish language tutoring to help them fully integrate into the local school system.