So confused about where to move...can you help? - Moving to El Verger: tips and advice - El Verger forum - Costa Blanca forum in the Alicante province of Spain
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
Car Key Solutions
James Spanish School
Gran Alacant Insurances
interior building work
ASSSA Insurance
Blacktower Financial Management
Expat Services
Thy Will Be Done
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
Espana Dream Properties
Gentlevan Removals
AA Free English TV
Costa Blanca Building Specialists

Join the El Verger forum

Join the El Verger forumMy name's Alex and this is my website all about El Verger in Spain. Register now for free to talk about Moving to El Verger: tips and advice and much more!

So confused about where to move...can you help?

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:26pm
13 replies449 views10 members subscribed
HRHandrea

Posts: 10

2 helpful points

Joined: 3 Oct 2018

Hello everyone, so I know it is always a personal decision and we each have our own criteria, but I'm struggling to concentrate my search area for a reasonably priced house. If anyone can relate to our criteria, I'd be so grateful to hear about your experience and views. We are visiting Spain next week next week to view houses from El Verger al the way down to Arboleas, Almeria.  I have read just about every forum going and have only served to add to the confusion.  We just want a nice community, decent schools, beach a drive away of ideally no more than 30 mins.  We are not drinkers and we do not near to be nightlife, we want a community where we feel safe and welcomed, near to medical facilities, we are learning Spanish, we do not need employment, we want some amenities for our 6 year old.  For us, we like walking, gentle cycling, horse riding and ambling about nice little shops, village squares. We want to integrate but for practical reasons we don't want to be too isolated from English speaking Northern Europeans.  It's a fair old wish list I know, but if we at least hit the important criteria (welcoming community and school, safe space for our pets), that would be great.  My head is also bogged down with all the NIE, banking, gestors, moving our pets over etc etc.  I'm certain many of you will strongly identify with these stresses. Any advice will be warmly received from those who have walked the path before us.  We are moving with a realistic view that life can be tough as an ex-pat, but we also hope that the benefits make it all worthwhile.

Thank you!

HRHandrea

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:50pm

HRHandrea

Original Poster

Posts: 10

2 helpful points

Joined: 3 Oct 2018

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 6:50pm

Hi Ray thanks for your reply.  I have to admit I hadn't heard about Catral but it looks and sounds very nice.  When I looked on the map I could see it was near Dolores, which I have come across on my research.  I'm afraid we need something very keenly priced (el cheapo).  I've been ill health retired from work, but despite being assessed as Tier 1, my ex employer has decided to exercise discretion not to pay me anything at all...charming.  After my years of dedication for them.  I am appealing but in the meantime I have to make a decision - proceed with the dream, albeit on a tighter budget now, or give up.  I'm of the mindset where there's a will there is a way and so, at least for now, pursuing the dream continues in the research phase.  House is ready to sell etc.  Trip planned next week to have a look at what is available.

Many thanks :)

davestewart

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:31pm

Posts: 20

6 helpful points

Location: Benijofar

Joined: 8 Dec 2016

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:31pm

Hi. If you are coming to look at Catral take a look at Benijofar. I have been here for 5 years and I could'nt be happier. Good schools, mixture of nationalities, good selection of shops,supermarkets and restaurants. 15 ish minutes from a lovely beach at Guadamar and about 10 ish from the mountains. I bought my house through Casas Manuel in Benijofar and Abaco solicitors in Torrevieja - both I recommend highly - very helpful and friendly. I also have Spanish lessons in Benijofar and can now hold a conversation with the spanish albeit a little fragmented. Have a look at Benijofar it is a lovely little village.  Good luck with your search.

Dave

promac

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:49pm

promac

Helpful member

Posts: 310

109 helpful points

Location: La Marina

Joined: 16 Jul 2015

Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:49pm

HRHandrea wrote on Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:26pm:

Hello everyone, so I know it is always a personal decision and we each have our own criteria, but I'm struggling to concentrate my search area for a reasonably priced house. If anyone can relate to our criteria, I'd be so grateful to hear about your experience and views. We are visiting Spain nex...

...t week next week to view houses from El Verger al the way down to Arboleas, Almeria.  I have read just about every forum going and have only served to add to the confusion.  We just want a nice community, decent schools, beach a drive away of ideally no more than 30 mins.  We are not drinkers and we do not near to be nightlife, we want a community where we feel safe and welcomed, near to medical facilities, we are learning Spanish, we do not need employment, we want some amenities for our 6 year old.  For us, we like walking, gentle cycling, horse riding and ambling about nice little shops, village squares. We want to integrate but for practical reasons we don't want to be too isolated from English speaking Northern Europeans.  It's a fair old wish list I know, but if we at least hit the important criteria (welcoming community and school, safe space for our pets), that would be great.  My head is also bogged down with all the NIE, banking, gestors, moving our pets over etc etc.  I'm certain many of you will strongly identify with these stresses. Any advice will be warmly received from those who have walked the path before us.  We are moving with a realistic view that life can be tough as an ex-pat, but we also hope that the benefits make it all worthwhile.

Thank you!

Hi.

You need to have a good look at La Marina urb.

Bus to local school,Lovely people, Doctors, Police.

Was at one stage the biggest Urb in Europe.

5 Supermarkets, all the banks, lots of Brits,

5 mins to 3 beaches, lovely dog walks.

Wow what a lovely place to live.

HRHandrea

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 2:49am

HRHandrea

Original Poster

Posts: 10

2 helpful points

Joined: 3 Oct 2018

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 2:49am

davestewart wrote on Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:31pm:

Hi. If you are coming to look at Catral take a look at Benijofar. I have been here for 5 years and I could'nt be happier. Good schools, mixture of nationalities, good selection of shops,supermarkets and restaurants. 15 ish minutes from a lovely beach at Guadamar and about 10 ish from the mountain...

...s. I bought my house through Casas Manuel in Benijofar and Abaco solicitors in Torrevieja - both I recommend highly - very helpful and friendly. I also have Spanish lessons in Benijofar and can now hold a conversation with the spanish albeit a little fragmented. Have a look at Benijofar it is a lovely little village.  Good luck with your search.

Dave

Ah yes, Manuel and his family, we've watched them on Sun Sea and Selling Houses, they seem like such a nice family.  My husband says he would like Manuel to be his friend :) He finds him most amusing.  I have looked on-line at some houses in Benijofa and we will definitely visit whilst driving around Spain.  National Lampoon's European Vacation :0

Advertisement - posts continue below

asholidaylettings

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:36am

Posts: 33

7 helpful points

Location: La Zenia

Joined: 27 Mar 2018

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 10:36am

Hi there - Just to let you know we have a lovely townhouse situated in Los Dolses very near Villamartin for rental of a few weeks up to 5 to 6 months. We constantly have a stream of people that come and stay there that are looking to explore the area and move there. It is an ideal location, directly opposite the La Zenia Boulevard, plus walking distance to beach, bars, cafes, restaurants etc. schools, doctors, medical centres, the beach and everything you could need. Let us know if you want to stay there at any time. From here you can explore other areas of Alicante that you may want to move to eg. La Marina, Benijofar, Quesada etc. which are all 15 to 20 minutes drive from here. Last week we had a couple stay that wanted to buy they ended up getting a house in El Galan, this week we have a lady that is moving up to this area from Alfaz De Pi in North Alicante.

Fay

Linda18

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 6:26pm

Posts: 15

5 helpful points

Location: Pedreguer

Joined: 12 Apr 2018

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 6:26pm

HRHandrea wrote on Fri Oct 12, 2018 2:26pm:

Hello everyone, so I know it is always a personal decision and we each have our own criteria, but I'm struggling to concentrate my search area for a reasonably priced house. If anyone can relate to our criteria, I'd be so grateful to hear about your experience and views. We are visiting Spain nex...

...t week next week to view houses from El Verger al the way down to Arboleas, Almeria.  I have read just about every forum going and have only served to add to the confusion.  We just want a nice community, decent schools, beach a drive away of ideally no more than 30 mins.  We are not drinkers and we do not near to be nightlife, we want a community where we feel safe and welcomed, near to medical facilities, we are learning Spanish, we do not need employment, we want some amenities for our 6 year old.  For us, we like walking, gentle cycling, horse riding and ambling about nice little shops, village squares. We want to integrate but for practical reasons we don't want to be too isolated from English speaking Northern Europeans.  It's a fair old wish list I know, but if we at least hit the important criteria (welcoming community and school, safe space for our pets), that would be great.  My head is also bogged down with all the NIE, banking, gestors, moving our pets over etc etc.  I'm certain many of you will strongly identify with these stresses. Any advice will be warmly received from those who have walked the path before us.  We are moving with a realistic view that life can be tough as an ex-pat, but we also hope that the benefits make it all worthwhile.

Thank you!

We moved out to Spain in May if this year, like you we didn’t need employment just wanted a nice place to live were we would be welcomed and then by a stroke of luck we found Javea also known as Xàbia here you will find everything you have mentioned.There is s beautiful beach and coast line, the old town, a modern town called the Arenal, the town is protected from bad weather by a beautiful mountain called Montgo were you will find stunning scenery and walks.

We have been made so welcome by Spanish and Europeans alike .

There is also a stunning Marina and old fishing port .Javea does not close down in Winter and there is still plenty to do.

If you look on the map of Costa Blanca you will see it right next to Denia, I could go on and on but I hope this helps.

HRHandrea

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 8:21pm

HRHandrea

Original Poster

Posts: 10

2 helpful points

Joined: 3 Oct 2018

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 8:21pm

Thanks Fay, noted!!  please can you pm me with your contact details in case this looks like a possibility 

HRHandrea

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 8:25pm

HRHandrea

Original Poster

Posts: 10

2 helpful points

Joined: 3 Oct 2018

Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 8:25pm

Linda18 wrote on Sat Oct 13, 2018 6:26pm:

We moved out to Spain in May if this year, like you we didn’t need employment just wanted a nice place to live were we would be welcomed and then by a stroke of luck we found Javea also known as Xàbia here you will find everything you have mentioned.There is s beautiful beach and coast line, t...

...he old town, a modern town called the Arenal, the town is protected from bad weather by a beautiful mountain called Montgo were you will find stunning scenery and walks.

We have been made so welcome by Spanish and Europeans alike .

There is also a stunning Marina and old fishing port .Javea does not close down in Winter and there is still plenty to do.

If you look on the map of Costa Blanca you will see it right next to Denia, I could go on and on but I hope this helps.

Yes heard many positives about your area and Mt Montgo...it is indeed stunning.  A view you could never tire of :)

HRHandrea

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2018 4:45am

HRHandrea

Original Poster

Posts: 10

2 helpful points

Joined: 3 Oct 2018

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2018 4:45am

Well I've visited Benigembla (lovely, but very quiet....maybe too quiet), Sagra, El Verger, Oria and Albox, Benijofar and Almoradi. I'm still researching and now looking at Sax and Redovan.  It;s like a full time occupation - I'm sure you can all recall what this feels like!  Grateful for any help, information and recommendations for properties and areas.  :)

Sign up for free or login to reply to this topic

Want to reply to this topic? Login or register for free to post your message:

Find more Moving tips and advice topics from a particular area:


Register for free!

Login to your account

Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
Car Key Solutions
James Spanish School
Gran Alacant Insurances
interior building work
ASSSA Insurance
Blacktower Financial Management
Expat Services
Thy Will Be Done
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL
Espana Dream Properties
Gentlevan Removals
AA Free English TV
Costa Blanca Building Specialists
Advertise your business here
Advertise your property
Help with my computer