First step to a new lifestyle? - Introduce yourselves in La Marina - La Marina forum - Costa Blanca forum in the Alicante province of Spain
Thy Will Be Done
AA Free English TV
Airport Service Taxi Mil Palmeras  Torre de la Horadada
interior building work
James Spanish School
Blacktower Financial Management
Gentlevan Removals
Expat Services
Espana Dream Properties
Costa Blanca Building Specialists
Gran Alacant Insurances
Car Key Solutions
ASSSA Insurance
Jennifer Cunningham Insurances SL

Join the La Marina forum

Join the La Marina forumMy name's Alex and this is my website all about La Marina in Spain. Register now for free to talk about Introduce yourselves in La Marina and much more!

First step to a new lifestyle?

Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2020 3:13pm
8 replies734 views8 members subscribed
PseudoPasty

Posts: 1

Location: La Marina

Joined: 21 Jan 2020

Hello

Like so many people I am considering a move to Spain but I'm fully aware there is an awful lot of research to be done!   I stayed in Gran Alacant last year, but have heard that La Marina is an area worth considering, as is Torrevieja.  I'm spending an inordinate amount of time on this forum which is giving me loads of information so thanks to everyone.

I am planning to come over for a short break of 7-10 days in March, which will have to be booked at short notice as I have a couple of appointments coming up and also I'm still working, so I think a cheap package hol might be the best idea for this .... unless of course you all know better :)

My main concern is that, for this brief look-around, where would be a good place to look for accomodation given I will have to rely entirely on public transport?   I had a few "issues" with the busses in GA so I've had experience of non-appearance!

As a 99% beginner with this, I would be very grateful for any suggestions, thank you

Smiles11

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 10:24am

Smiles11

Helpful member

Posts: 137

65 helpful points

Location: La Florida

Joined: 8 Mar 2017

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 10:24am

Buses are not like the uk. Unfortunately this is the biggest let down in spain.

The timetable is very limited is once an hour then none between 2 and 4. Have spent a lot of time sitting in his stops over the years.

need to be in a place where you can easily walk to places.

Peter Rossa

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 12:45pm

Peter Rossa

Helpful member

Posts: 146

85 helpful points

Location: La Marina

Joined: 19 May 2019

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 12:45pm

When you say "La Marina", do you mean the old town or the Urbanization?

Whilst the old town does have buses if you don't mind waiting an hour or two, the Urbanization has literally nothing except a beach bus in the high season. To get to the bus that serves the old town, you would have to take the 20 minute walk (that's from the South-East cornet of the Urb so add walking distance if you are further away),down to the roundabout at Lidl's where you will frequently find the bus driver wont even bother turning off the main road to check the bus stop at Lidl's, I waited 3 hours for a bus there once and saw my bus in the distance just sail on by.

Of course, you could, like I, buy a push-bike, this has made me incredibly fit and helped me lose all my excess weight!

La Marina Urb is a nice place on its own with all you need so you could just stay on the Urb, the beach is walkable, 30 or 40 minutes. 

Valspal

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 2:04pm

Posts: 23

4 helpful points

Location: El Campello

Joined: 5 Jun 2019

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 2:04pm

How about somewhere off the Tram line. It runs from Alicante city all along the coast to Benidorm.

You can change at Benidorm and go up to Denia. Lots of coastal towns to explore and access to the city.


if your on your own I am too and I'm close to El Campello which is about half way.

Golandrina

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 4:15pm

Golandrina

Super helpful member

Posts: 1633

1209 helpful points

Location: Almoradí

Joined: 24 Mar 2018

Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2020 4:15pm

As part of your research can I suggest that you have a look at Jim's Guides on this site.   The Citizens Advice Bureau Spain can also be helpful.   Just bear in mind that after the 31st January 2020 many things may change.   Also be aware that many provinces and town 'tweek' the national rules and regulations for their own procedures.

Advertisement - posts continue below

Gilly09

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 9:57am

Gilly09

Helpful member

Posts: 385

376 helpful points

Location: Rojales

Joined: 23 Jan 2017

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 9:57am

PseudoPasty wrote on Sun Jan 26, 2020 3:13pm:

Hello

Like so many people I am considering a move to Spain but I'm fully aware there is an awful lot of research to be done!   I stayed in Gran Alacant last year, but have heard that La Marina is an area worth considering, as is Torrevieja.  I'm spending an inordinate amount of time on t...

...his forum which is giving me loads of information so thanks to everyone.

I am planning to come over for a short break of 7-10 days in March, which will have to be booked at short notice as I have a couple of appointments coming up and also I'm still working, so I think a cheap package hol might be the best idea for this .... unless of course you all know better :)

My main concern is that, for this brief look-around, where would be a good place to look for accomodation given I will have to rely entirely on public transport?   I had a few "issues" with the busses in GA so I've had experience of non-appearance!

As a 99% beginner with this, I would be very grateful for any suggestions, thank you

There is a main bus station in Torrivieja town if you want to be right in an area of everything walkable.

With Torrivieja you either like living in a town or not and have to remember in summer it is heaving.

There is the Azul coastal bus that my friend used to use from Guardamar to Playa Flamenca and was around 2.50€ and goes all along the coast. She got the one to Playa Flamenca then walked to La Zenia Boulevard. Walking is good but you then need to think about walking in over 30 degrees!

Toretta I II and II have bus routes and lots of amenities around so everything on your doorstep. You can then walk into Torrivieja and the beaches. Another friend of mine lives there and that is what she does. Also Habernaras Shopping Mall is near to this area so you can walk to there.

Look at these 2 sites for prices and property as you can also get something reasonable.

www.spanishpropertyteam.com

www.housesforfamilies.com

Gillian 

Anita 27

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:18pm

Posts: 117

24 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 17 Jan 2020

Posted: Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:18pm

Hello pseudo I'm in th same boat as you  so many nice places I'm told, so confusing and  on a budget , moving on my own so again a bit scary but in comparison to everything else, I need to do this for myself, as life passes by too quickly and  once in a while you have to take your dreams and run with them, life holds many regrets and  many memories but I want to make new memories that are filled with happiness  that is my dream 

Anita

Gilly09

Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 3:39pm

Gilly09

Helpful member

Posts: 385

376 helpful points

Location: Rojales

Joined: 23 Jan 2017

Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 3:39pm

Anita 27 wrote on Tue Jan 28, 2020 11:18pm:

Hello pseudo I'm in th same boat as you  so many nice places I'm told, so confusing and  on a budget , moving on my own so again a bit scary but in comparison to everything else, I need to do this for myself, as life passes by too quickly and  once in a while you have to take your ...

...dreams and run with them, life holds many regrets and  many memories but I want to make new memories that are filled with happiness  that is my dream 

Anita

Hi Anita

I moved to Spain on my own and yes it felt daunting and almost like I was moving to the middle of nowhere! 

Of course once here everything seemed so far away to get to but now everything feels on my doorstep and so natural.

There have been some ups and downs but I would not change anything as all a learning curve.

Follow your intuition and heart. If it feels right it usually is.

If you want to meet for a coffee and chat to discuss what it is like being a singleton moving to Spain just send me a PM.

Good luck Gillian 

Anita 27

Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 8:04pm

Posts: 117

24 helpful points

Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 17 Jan 2020

Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2020 8:04pm

Thank you gillian I appreciate that very much, I'm hoping to get sometime off work in April and then I can take a look. The brexit issue is a worry and stressing me out because it feels like I need to hurry to get a place before December I'm so confused think it will be tequila I will be drinking instead of coffee when I get to where you are lol but a meet up and coffee sounds good 

Thank you for your response I appreciate it 

Anita 

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 Introduce yourselves topics from a particular area:


Register for free!

Login to your account

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