Hi all

A couple of websites that may have helpful information for you are:

Citizens Advice Bureau Spain, for bureaucratic stuff, and

N332 for anything to do with driving in Spain.   The site is for English speaking people and is run in collaboration with officers of the Guardia Civil and has an English version of the Spanish equivalent of the Highway Code on it.

Also, it may help someone to reply if you say if you are in La Marina the urbanisation or La Marina the village.   The urbanisation is on the inland side of the N332 road (it comes under the jurisdiction of San Fulgencio) and the village is on the sea side of the N332 road (it comes under the jurisdiction of Elche).

Use your own fully independent lawyer and don't pay anything until your lawyer has seen/reviewed the paperwork/contract.

We’ve had a holiday home on the Urb for 20 years and use it regularly. We are happy with the facilities available and have made many friends. Get out and meet people when you can including quiz nights etc and you’ll soon get to know people.

Thank you so much guys, we fly out on the 17th Oct to have a look at some properties.....

We bough a holiday home just a few years ago just outside the village near the beach(IL Pinet) if you like a beach location.

It’s only a 15/20 min walk into the village where there is bars, restaurants and a small supermarket etc.

15 min walk to the beach which has some nice places for food and drink

Bus service runs through the village which is very handy if you don’t want to drive.

Please be aware that La Marina village and La Marina Urbanisation are two completely different areas. One is a Spanish seaside village under Elche and the other is a large inland urbanisation under San Fulgencio.

Thank you so much guys, we fly out soon so now will try out Il Pinet as we have rented a car...eeek soo excited x

I can feel your excitement!

Here are a few tips for you when viewing.

Carry a note book and record things

Look for an area to put a clothes line. Is there room for a washing machine? Storage for your suitcases, bicycles,beach chairs etc.,

A space to park a car.

Doors on rooms to keep heat in during the cold nights in winter.

A fireplace?

Aircon units in lounge and bedrooms. A bonus as will cool in summer and heat in winter.

A decent sized water heater for showers etc.,

Shops, restaurants, bank, bars WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE.

Bus service nearby. 

Distance to the beach if that is important to you. 

Check out the area for tidiness, clean roads, appearance of other properties, noise etc,  use your eyes and ears eg dog barking. 

Location of SUN on the outside patio/ terrace. Afternoon sun is very important. 

This is only a start.  You’ll have your own desires. Don’t get excited by the dream, keep your mind on the fact that this is a major purchase and make certain you choose wisely. 

Good hunting. 

Orientation is really important. In spring/winter/autumn you are looking to maximise sunlight into the living areas. Ideally dual orientation, south + west, or East+south. Otherwise you can have the warmer out than in situation, where a sunny corner outside is more comfortable than being inside. The opposite is true in summer so a covered terrace, awnings or shutters are a bonus to keep inside cool. Don’t allow yourself to be rushed, there are lots of properties.

Make a checklist of what’s really important for you, and what’s a’ nice to have’ but not essential. 

Best of luch