The Best Place to Move to In Spain - Page 2

John,

Thank you for that,and if you need, please feel free to ask any questions, I'll do my best to answer...

Saludos,

             Gordon

I found it very helpful to read your comments Gordon. I am struggling with where to be in Spain right now. My brother is in Alicante, but I fancied the look of living at the beach in Gandia with a tram to the town. We‘ve been living in Vienna Austria area for over 30 years and now want to leave in the winter. My problem is that at our age, late 60s and after years in Austria, I do want english speaking but don‘t want to return to the UK. Husband american, children here, but still yearning for a more outdoor different culture experience in Spain. I can read spanish quite well, speak a bit with time, but yes we have the same problem with german here, a strong village dialect just outside Vienna. So I feel I need the english speaking world. Any ideas where I should check out? Would valencian be a big problem in Gandia? Does it even matter, if you have english-speaking contact to help you out? Gandia appealed to me as it was smaller than Alicante city and seemed to have more choice of flats. Any help appreciated. We both have irish nationality so spared some problemsThanks from Mary 

I think, as it seems you may, the best place to live is very much finding something that matches your needs.
This "need" will change as time progresses.
We bought a home on a community, met loads of nice folk but after a time, they don't always turn out to be so nice, or was it us?. We still know and meet up (well 2019!) with some.
We moved a tiny distance, in Urb La Marina, and have a great place and to date, perfect, with a lovely garden.

OK, there are things we can change but it is near everything you need on a daily basis, it is as Spanish as you want. Just drive away a few minutes and it is very Spanish.
Medical is close but you do, seem to, need a car for some things. 

So the next move will be, we think, to a local town, we like Guardamar, where there are places to eat and shop within stumbling distance, they will speak English, and it will be a likely be a flat, (community!) so no garden which will be a pity but we will be past the time to manage.
So, best place? depends and it changes.

Dream Place is actually in France, Cussy en Morvan. To die for, unfortunately it would be alone, it is so pretty and so isolated.

Hello Mary,

                  I can understand your slight apprehension with the idea of moving to Spain and finding the right area to suit both of your needs.

However don't worry about the language and in Gandia and most of the Costa Blanca there are many English speaking Spanish as well as Brits / Northern Europeans and people from 'over the pond'.

Many of the older locals will speak Valenciano, which is similar to Catalan, and surprisingly some have difficulty in reading and writing but they all 'speak' with their hands anyway...so no problema...

There is a wide range of properties available all along the coast and my advice would be to view as many different types of property in different locations before you 'fall in love ' ....

I think the main point of buying anywhere is to ensure that you only have to walk a short distance to amenities and in my opinion that is important for all ages !..

Good Luck and please feel free to ask any questions, I don't know everything, but I'm sure others will step in with sound advice.

Saludos,

             Gordon

Thanks Gordon for the advice. Best regards. Mary

Thanks for the comments. You mention a flat in connection with community. Do you mean this would be on a complex? In Vienna, a flat is often more isolating than a house, in that it‘s possible to hardly see the neighbours or know them. I‘ll take a look at Guardamar. All the best.

I call them Flats, you may call them Apartments. 
Multifloored buildings with, or without, lifts and often with underground parking where you occupy a self contained unit with one or more rooms, bed, kitchen, lounge etc.
There will always be a "community" as there will be common areas, stairs, gardens, lifts, pools etc. 
This is "Managed" by "Agreement" and there lies the fun!!!
I think Guardamar is lovely and I hope you find what you are looking for.

What  advice  if  any  would  give  to   me??

Single  mid 60,s  Lived  around  Notheen Europe  for  many  years, speak  German and English,  early  stages  of  learning  Spainish,  Few  health concerns  age related ,Enjoy  Sports  keeping  fit  swimming  and like to have  a wee dog  about the house

Had  Apartment   in  Turkey  which  I enjoy  but  as  you  referred  to, Community  fees and problem, 

Not  much  of  a  Garden  enthusiasts  but  house home proud, , Never  been  to  Spain  but  any  country  I  lived and  worked  in,   I  just   accepted  it  for  Better  or  worse

Feed  up  with  rural life  in  Ireland,   Getting  fanastic  offer for my home  which  is  a  Detached  small  Bungalow,  it   would  leave me  in  secure  fianance  place,,

Looked  at   a lot  of properties  on  net  videos  viewing,  Renting  hurt  me big  time  but  will do it for 3 months 

Between  a  quiet  place  and  lively place  where one  could  visit   1 or 2 a  week,  Good  Fish  Resturants  and  fresg veg and  fruit   a must,  Swimming pool  in cold months 

Leave  it  at  that for  now

Torre de la Horadada is a great little place on the coast near Pilar de la Horadada. It’s got most things you need within walking distance and everything else a few minutes drive. Lovely beaches good variety of bars and restaurants and lot’s of nationalities mainly Spanish and British. I’ll send you some pics if 

Any  help   greatly appreciated,,  2 bed  bungalow   is  my  interest .  Not  too  far  from neighbours, 

A  good  shopping mall  and a  gym  priorities