Considering moving to Dolores area and wondered what it is like

Leaving aside the pros and cons of the place itself, about which I make no comment one way or the other, Dolores was badly hit in last year's floods and when you look at this historical map you'll understand why. 

Move there at your own peril!

Before you do anything, have a read of Jim's Guides which are in a tab at the top of the page but please do not private message Jim as he gets inundated and your questions could help other people on the open forum.
Nobody yet knows what the financial requirements will be for Residency after December 31st and you will need to time it right if you are selling a property in the UK so you don't get caught for Spanish CGT.
Living outside the town itself means running the risk of illegally built properties and all the problems this could entail.
What is one man's meat is another man's poison and no amount of research is going to give you the real feel of a place, it's feet on the ground although you can have a virtual walk around on google streetview.
Public transport is thin on the ground outside big towns and tourist areas so think about how you are going to get your shopping home.
All the low lying land in the Vega Baja is at risk of flooding but very rarely gets worse than a bit of surface water. The major flooding in September 2019 was caused by the opening of the floodgates at the Santomera dam to relieve pressure and this action, which devastated vast swathes of the area, will be subject to investigation. The regular flash flooding problems occur in built up tourist areas near the coast and a pair of wellies would be enough in normal circumstances in country areas.

Hello yes I heard about the floods last year and very sorry for those who suffered.  I understand though that the river Segura that burst its banks has been undergoing much work to hopefully help in the future to prevent this happening again.  From what I have read many areas were affected by floods.  Would you say Dolores was one of the worst?

You firstly need to consider the legalities of living in Spain and whether you can meet the requirements. 

NIE, Spanish bank account, Full Healthcare, Residencia TIE, Padron etc will all have to be applied for and acquired to move full time to Spain. 

Steve  

Thanks.  Yes many points you have mentioned I have researched.  I am not a very impulsive person and do like to be practical.  I will be doing full search re legalities etc as something I have been aware of for years.  Yes they have given estimates at the financial increases after Brexit which although unhappy about one just needs to deal with it.  Unfortunately I didn't get my way and we have left the EU so just need to deal with head on. 

I will check out that posts you mentioned.  I just have not found much in the way of Dolores elsewhere.  A few pictures etc.  However much out of date info and was looking for more current.   I was looking for an uptodate video of a stroll through the town as I find these help me to get a feel about a place.  Yes before I do anything permanent I will be coming out so I can get to know particular areas and also confront practicalities like getting about before I buy.  It is important to me to get it as right as I can for me.  I never expect perfection.   Actually Dolores and Muchamiel seem more practical for transport than my first choice which is Busot so I am trying to weigh up pros and cons of the three areas.  Do I sacrifice a small village atmosphere for better transport links to the coast, that sort of thing.  I like to do as much research as possible before getting over so that when visiting I can concentrate more on the day to day feel of each place, One thing I am certain of is I do not wish to live in a tourist area by the coast or in a city.   However I do not wish to be too far inland and away completely from ammenities so a nice balance. 

Thanks for your optimism re the floods as yes I had read about all these last year and although I am practical it is nice to hear positive things.

Hello.  Yes I have already looked into this and predictions of what will be required paperwork and finances. I have already done some research on private health care etc.  It does make it more difficult than my original plans but not impossible and where there is a will there is a way and I am ready to deal with this head on.  I could have rushed things through as some have done but in my circumstances I decided it was not the best route for me.   The timing of Brexit was really bad for me and very inconvenient haha.  However that is done so I just need to deal with the repercussions.  No point looking back.  This is not something I am doing on a whim though, it is something I have been planning for a while and I will deal with the practicalities.   I have predictions but I will have a more realistic view at the beginning of next year. 

Really what I was looking for here though was more the feel of Dolores and what type of town it is as I have found it quite difficult elsewhere to get up to date info of what it is like living in this particular area.  It is an area that as I said in original post I do not know too much about. 

Hi and thanks re the other places.  I had heard of these and will research a bit further.  I am planning a couple of visits at least next year, possibly one in the wintertime (all depends on covid 19 and how things are progressing travel wise) as I want a feel for place "off season".  My first stop is going to be Busot but I will research the other places you mentioned pre my first visit and yes I have heard of these places but do not know much about.  Now I know Busot is close to and has a very limited bus route to the coast 1 a day 5 days a week  which I wont necessarily be relying on but to be honest I am not the sort that would want to visit regularly just have the option to if I choose. I also know I could ebike in half an hour and that is what attracts me.  I will research the other areas and I think visit them all if not in my first visit then my second.  It would be great to have some sort of transport link although it does not have to be regular as I am looking for a different lifestyle moving out there.  A slow lifestyle but not wishing to be completely isolated is what I am looking for so it will be interesting to research in person these different areas.   Thanks again your comment was really helpful. 

I am curious though as to why so many are still illegal as I was of the understanding that Spain have been catching up on the paperwork with residents legalising many of the illegals that sprung up during the boom of pre 2008.  I guess this is still a work in progress.  I am looking at urban and rural and I understand the complications of rural which is something I am taking into account. 

I love your positivity 😁 

With your positive outlook you will be ok.

Many hoops to jump through but in the end you will achieve a wonderful life.

Steve 

Thanks. Yes no point being defeatist.  Life throws obstacles at us all the time and it is how we deal with them that matters. 

I must say forums like this are so useful before moving but also once moved.  I love that it is so active and am amazed at such quick responses so far to me.  To be honest I expected a wait.

So thank you and the others who have bothered to respond so quickly.  It makes me already feel part of a community even though currently still stuck in the UK.  It is much appreciated everyone.