The best place to meet new friends before moving to Benidorm

Hello there and sorry to hear that you have been through bad times.
Before making any decision it would be an idea to read through Jim's Guides which can be found on a tab at the top of the page or right at the bottom on the right hand side. In Spain, as everywhere else, there will be conditions to becoming a resident and if you come here intending to stay long term you have just 90 days to apply for residency. If you are from the UK these terms may well become much stricter post transition period. You basically have to prove that you have sufficient resources to sustain yourself and to not become a burden on the state.
I will also say that not all ex-pats look after each other. As in most walks of life, there will always be those looking to make money out of others in any way they can. It is known as Brit on Brit.
Work is very hard to come by in Spain as we have the second highest unemployment rate in the EU and much of the work will be seasonal and without a contract. If you don't have a contract of work you would have to become self-employed (Autonomo) with social security payments starting at as little as €50 per month, rising to €250 within a couple of years, irrespective of your income.
To get Residency you also have to show that you have health cover, either through contributions made by your employer, your own contributions as Autonomo or by having the first year's private medical insurance paid in advance after which you can join the Convenio Especial for about €65 per month which will include existing conditions but exclude all dental work and prescription costs. Unfortunately, with your medical record, PMI may be very expensive.
There are thousands of Brits living here under the radar but this will become much harder after the transition period as Spain has stated that only those living here legally will be protected.
The majority of ex-pats here (but certainly not all) are retired and have sufficient means from savings, pensions and/or proceeds from the sale of their UK home.

I agree fully with Cheryl and all her suggestions  etc.

Please don't set out your future life based on a ridiculous programme like Bargain Loving Brits. Life here in Benidorm can get as mundane as life in the UK!! Shopping, cleaning, paying bills etc still have to be done. That TV programme has given you false hope as Brits don't always look after each other!! Some will con you and take every penny you have, Beware..

As Cheryl said, within your first 90 here you will need to apply for residency and to achieve that you will need to have a Spanish bank account with at least 3 months of regular income which has to be enough income so not to become a burden on the state, full healthcare paid up for a full year and an Spanish address. After 183 days you will automatically become a tax resident and be expected to pay taxes to the Spanish government. 

You will not get any benefits paid to you in Spain unless you are already on an exportable benefit from the UK. 

Very high unemployment rate here in Benidorm and you will find it extremely difficult to get employment unless you can provide a valuable service and be fully legal and speak Spanish. 

Caravan parks are excellent in Benidorm but can also be expensive. Rents etc can add up to the same as renting an apartment. 

Do plenty of research into the legalities of living in Spain. Brexit may change everything so whatever you are planning aught to be put on hold until next year.

Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun is not a good representation of life here so please don't base your future life on it.

Steve 

Wholeheartedly agree with both replies above.

Do not make a decision on the assumptions of some daft TV programme like that. Life is different, not all sun and smiles. We spend a considerable time around Benidorm but only half a year or less at a time in quite a large Motorhome and have stayed on most of the sites. We have no desire to live full time in Spain. Suggest you rent for 6 months first, see what you think and fit in and it will give you a feel for it and not through rose tinted glasses.... all good advice above, take it on board.

Hi Cheryl, Tebo53, Benisnowbird, Thank you very much for your reply's to my post. The advice you have given me, has given me a lot to think about. You have made some very important points for me to consider. This is why i posted on this Forum, to get advice from the people that know how life really is in Spain. But one thing I did know, it was not going to be a holiday, life is tough wherever you live and you only get out, what you put in. I feel a little foolish believing everything i saw on the TV program and am glad you have pointed out that life is in fact very different in reality. I will put everything you have told me to good use. Thank you again. Haiden