Advise on Suitable Locations

That’s a huge area, to try and narrow down. Lots of other considerations of type and style of property you want. Whether you want to live on a community (and they’re all different) or not. Whether you want to be near the beach or slightly inland. Whether you will have a car to get around or need to rely on public transport. In some areas public transport is virtually non existent, so that would narrow your choice down quite considerably. All  the main expat areas tend to have commercial centres and the bars there will point you towards all sorts of hobby and activity groups. From bowls to book clubs and from scrabble clubs to walking groups. Lots of gyms  (big and small) around the area for fitness classes. In the hotter months some of the larger bars have pools offering aqua classes as well as fitness classes in the parks and on the beaches..

The coastal areas tend to be quiet in the winter, but can be manic for a couple of months in the winter. But even some inland areas can be quiet in  the winter months. Villamartin Plaza can have 2000 people eating and drinking on an entertainment evening in the summer, but on a Wednesday afternoon in November  (yesterday) there were less than 20 people eating or drinking. 

It’s all about getting a personal feel for the area. Someone living in Quesada will advise you to live there as it ticks all your boxes, the next person will say no live in Playa Flamenca it has everything you need. Whilst both people are correct they are two totally different areas. There was a huge thread on here recently about living in Torrevieja, it’s a huge area 50% of posters said they wouldn’t live anywhere near Torrevieja, the other 50% said how much they loved the area. We all want different things.

You need to visit the area to find out what feel right for you. 

Lynn

Personally I would go for Guardamar. Pretty, well kept town centre. Good beach, plenty of bars and restaurants. Nice people. Great Municipal sports centre. 

But best thing to do is rent first and look around. 

Good luck.

Hi Dillon1988 and welcome to the forum,

Taking note of recent comments from members who live along Orihuela Costa (Punta Prima to Cabo Roig), I personally wouldn't consider that area for permanent living.  It seems to be known for under-funding by the council of Orihuela City, with some areas having problems through lack of regular refuse collection and insufficient healthcare services.

Personally, I agree with Janice - but I live 10 minutes inland from Guardamar, so that proves Lynn's point 😄

Kind regards,

Kim

I agree Guardamar town centre and beach area are very pretty and the  council are fairly good with maintenance.But  our council tax charges are high compared to other municipalities. My area comes under  Guardamar, but I’m five minutes by car from the town/beach. Lovely town, but extremely busy with Spanish tourists in the summer.I’m happy on the outskirts of Guardamar, but there’s no way I’d live in the town itself. You’ll hear vey few English voices in Guardamar town, but I’m in the campo and hear very few Spanish voices lol.

Totally agree with Kim’s comments about Orihuela Costa.

Lynn

I live in Santa Pola, but if I had gone to Guardamar before I settled in Gran Alacant 15 years ago I would now be living in Guardamar. Centre of the town is always clean, interesting shops, great Polideportivo. good beaches, etc.

Orihuela Costa lacks investment in infrastructure. 

Santa Pola has a lot of half started projects, like an indoor swimming pool half built for 8 years now. A police station was promised to Gran Alacant for September, not a sign of it happening, etc etc.

For people who don't live in the area Gran Alacant is part of Santa Pola (You wouldn't know it most of the time).

Take your time and good luck.

Take a look at La Mata, just along the coast from Guardamar but on the outskirts of Torrevieja.  It is flat, wonderful walkways Space, used to be dead in the winter but not so nowadays. Terrific bus service into Torrevieja but the town has everything you will need so no great need for a bus but it’s always there should you decide to go shopping or dine out somewhere along the coast. I’d happily buy in La Mata as it’s idyllic. Visit it and you will know what I mean. Torrevieja is a working town so busy all year round. La Mata is only a couple of kilometres away yet has its own charm and identity but I always enjoy popping into the town to shop or have a meal or a coffee and watch the world go by!