Single man looking to retire soon from Scotland to Benidorm, looking to get a mobile home within Benidorm area

Hello David and welcome to the forum. There are some regular posters who have knowledge about different sites in Benidorm but are you aware of the Non Lucrative Visa requirements?

Thank you for replying.  Yes I am aware it the Non Lucrative Visa issue, My mother who is upstairs now was an Irish citizen and I am at this time, applying for my Irish Passport.  Walla, sorted.

Hi David is it only the Benidorm area your wanting to move to ? 

I would be ok within say up to 10 miles from Benidorm, maybe Albir or Finestrat areas I would consider.  But my preference is as close to Benidorm as possible.

Hi David, 

Welcome to the forum. I live in Benidorm although I don't live on a mobile home site I know several people who do and seem to enjoy the sites. There are several on the outskirts of Benidorm which are all very similar to each other having swimming pools, bars and site restaurants. Beware that some sites are very strict about parking in certain areas, charge extra for various other things like visitors staying overnight or using the facilities. 

I looked at the mobile home sites when I first came to Benidorm years ago and decided it was not for me. You can rent a two bedroom apartment in Benidorm for a similar price as a mobile home/caravan. 

If I can help with any Benidorm queries please ask.

Don't forget that even with an Irish passport you have to sign on the foreigners register within 90 days of arrival in Benidorm. 

Steve 

Thank you for reply.  Yes I am aware even with an Irish passport I will still need to register etc within 90 days, I have no problems with doing that as it is my intension to fully 24/7 live in Spain and so will fully legalise myself asap.

I have been holidaying in Spain mainly Benidorm for past 30 or so years and well I just love it.  My working days are nearing the end in UK, so I want to spend my future days in a sunnier climate.  I am not a rich man but I have enough money saved to buy myself good 2nd hand mobile home.  I do not want to rent or live in a flat, my preference is for either a mobile home on a dedicated residential retirement place, or in one of these camping sites with mobile homes sited around Benidorm.

Any information would be helpful.  The most important issue I am looking for is finding a place where it is friendly and is quiet, and is DOG friendly as I intend to get a little dog.  I am planning on coming to Benidorm next March 2023 to view places for myself.

David X

Hi David, welcome to the forum.

Although we do not live full time on a site in Benidorm we do spend the winters in Spain and we too like Benidorm. We have stayed on all the sites there as we travel in a Motorhome, when I say ‘all the sites’ that is not strictly true….. we stay on the sites that permit dogs as we have a little jack russell and she travels with us everywhere, so my imput is only from a perspective of the sites that are dog friendly and that indeed is your preference too.

We’ve stayed on Armanello, Toretta, Arena Blanca, Camping Benidorm, Benisol…. But out of all of the sites in Benidorm we really prefer Camping Raco. A few reasons for that, #1 it allows dogs of course and also like the location. Far enough out of town to be quiet and at the same time there is lots of establishments/bars and things to do outside the gate. The facilities are superb, heated indoor pool, outside pool, bar/restaurant/ well stocked shop & boules area, ATM on site/ all pitches have free British TV, fast stable Wi-Fi is available on site and the place is impeccable maintained and cleaned…. it is by far (in our opinion) the best site in the area. The #10 bus route stops are right outside the gate and the cycling way passes right by. You are also within easy walking distance to the overseas Iceland and Spanish supermarkets.

A few caveats, choose the pitch that suits you ! take time understanding the pros & cons of each. For our winter stay we prefer the pitches that retain sunshine all day but this may be a hindrance in the height of summer, we like the pitches in the first line that run closest to the indoor pool….. no reason other than access.

Finally, travel over for a week, go for a walk around, talk to the residents, ask questions and view the public notice board for units that are for sale….already sited, connected and ready to use. Many are listed there…BUT… there is more than that for sale and you really only find out about those by being part of ‘the community’… there are a few residents who ‘know the craic’ and can give you a nod & a wink which ones are available. Penultimately the site fees, I believe those to be in the region of 5K + per annum with an electrical allowance of 2KW daily, this is not enough so budget for another €70/m for additional electricity.

Finally, before you buy anything have a survey done by a reputable and trusted engineer who specialises in such things, caravans/mobile homes/Motorhomes will deteriorate if water ingress is an issue, stay on top of it and they last a long long time.

Enjoy your retirement, I wish you all the best in your endeavours locating a property that suits you. If you would like to meet up for a beer and a chat we will be out there mid October to mid March and would be happy to meet up, drop us a PM.

All the very best

Benisnowbird.

Hi BeniSnowbird.  Thank you for taking time to message me.  I  hope to be retired in Benidorm by mid to late 2023 or by early 2024.  Yes if I am in Benidorm when you are, I will buy the beers ok.

Thanks again for information.  David C

Since the UK lest the EU some bureaucratic things have changed, in particular length of stay and income, so it may help you to have a look at the Citizens Advice Bureau Spain website for bureaucratic stuff.   Also, for anything to do with driving in Spain, have a look at the N332 website which is run in collaboration with officers of the Guardia Civil for English speaking people.