Some Advice

Cathy2023 wrote on Sat Aug 26, 2023 4:40pm:

Hi all ..just joined! My name is Cathy and I’m Irish! I’m planning a move to Spain permanently next year. Currently selling a holiday property in Almoradi (don’t want to live in almoradi permanently though as would prefer more of a mix of nationalities and more Irish/English communities it ...

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...was ok for a holiday base) and in the process of buying a house just have to decide on the exact area. I really like Guardamar area and I’m just wondering what is it like to live there permanently? Is there a good mix of Irish and English and other European nationalities is there a good social life for those of us who are fast approaching middle age!!!! People have encouraged me to move to Quesada and also Rojales/Benijovar areas with the little squares and cafes etc which I do really like ..the rural areas a bit out from the centres.  Torrevieja and Alicante city it’s self are way too built up for me not it’s fine to travel to for shopping etc. Any advice is most welcome as to the best areas and safest areas with good Irish and English communities for socialising etc and like minded people who just want to live a quiet life away from the rat race and rubbish U.K. weather!!! Thanks.

GrahamLynn wrote on Sun Aug 27, 2023 10:00am:

If you have a holiday home in Almoradi, I’m surprised you’ve never ventured into Guardamar  as it’s your nearest beach resort.  You can usually work out what it would be like living there  just by having a short visit as you know exactly what you’re looking for in a locatio...

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...n.  Is it town life you want or urbanisation life you want? Rojales, Benijofar & Guardamar are similar to Almoradi,  - working towns, with many Spanish residents. Obviously with Guardamar being a tourist resort it’s absolutely flooded with tourists at certain times of a year.  Each town has its own urbanisations, but you won’t find quaint little squares for bars and restaurants, just commercial centres. .

The urbanisations are more multi national, with a mix of all nationalities,especially from Nortern Europe, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden etc. Huge amount from Ukraine in the rubs as well (even pre war) . 

So for Guardamar check out its urbanisations of El Eden and El Raso.  For Benijofar you’ve got Benimar and for Rojales you’ve got Quesada, but there’s also lots of small  urbanisations within the municipalities of Benijofar and Rojales. .

As you don’t appear to know the surrounding areas very well I would advise you travel around the area , have lots of coffee stops  and get chatting to the locals in the bars.

Lynn

tebo53 wrote on Sun Aug 27, 2023 10:25am:

Don't forget, as an Irish passport holder, this Legal requirement if you want to live in Spain permanently.

You will need to sign on the foreigners register at the Local Police station within three months of arrival. 

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https://upsticks.es/residency-in-spain-for-irish-passport-holders-all-you-need-to-know/amp/

Steve 

Cathy2023 wrote on Sun Aug 27, 2023 2:56pm:

Thanks Lynn appreciate the advice!
Only ever spent two weeks per year in Almoradi rest of the time the flat was rented out and we were dependent on buses to get around. Bought it as an investment but now that I’ve decided to move I would prefer a house/bungalow.

Spent a lot of time in Guardamar at the beach but as a friend of mine pointed out it’s a different story living there especially in the winter months to just spending time there on holidays which would have been during summer when it was full of life! 
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Yes I’m going to go over for a week and view some places I’ve seen for sale around Benijovar Heredades Rojales Dolores areas and in Quesada also which I’m not sure about yet but there seems to be good value in property in Quesada at the moment and having all the facilities on your doorstep is always a good thing, get a feel for the areas and take it from there! I kind of know the areas where I don’t want to live but am finding it hard to choose exactly where I want to live so much choice but I guess I’ll know when I find the right place!!!

Thanks again 

Cathy

Chris4 wrote on Sun Aug 27, 2023 3:22pm:

I'm facing a similar dilemma, where to live south of Alicante, house on an urbanisation or flat in the city. But I've decided it has to be at the most 5 km or so from the coast where I'm less dependant on the car

Cathy2023 wrote on Sun Aug 27, 2023 6:03pm:

Best of luck in your search! so many pros and cons to each but yes large town/city would mean less dependent on car but then again busier and noisier etc

Cathy2023 wrote on Sat Aug 26, 2023 4:40pm:

Hi all ..just joined! My name is Cathy and I’m Irish! I’m planning a move to Spain permanently next year. Currently selling a holiday property in Almoradi (don’t want to live in almoradi permanently though as would prefer more of a mix of nationalities and more Irish/English communities it ...

Read more...

...was ok for a holiday base) and in the process of buying a house just have to decide on the exact area. I really like Guardamar area and I’m just wondering what is it like to live there permanently? Is there a good mix of Irish and English and other European nationalities is there a good social life for those of us who are fast approaching middle age!!!! People have encouraged me to move to Quesada and also Rojales/Benijovar areas with the little squares and cafes etc which I do really like ..the rural areas a bit out from the centres.  Torrevieja and Alicante city it’s self are way too built up for me not it’s fine to travel to for shopping etc. Any advice is most welcome as to the best areas and safest areas with good Irish and English communities for socialising etc and like minded people who just want to live a quiet life away from the rat race and rubbish U.K. weather!!! Thanks.