Just wanted to say hello and wondering what la marina urbanisation is like to live permanently?

We dont live there but have visited La Marina many times, seems like a popular place, surprised others have not replied to you, sure they will, good luck.

My  opinion  from  my  visit  to  La Marina  is  a  Car  is  essential  as  Bus  service  not  great  and  a  High  season  Bus  timetable  and  Low season    timetable,   if  Shopping  in  High  season  for grocery  would  you  want  to Standing  in  very  🔥  Hot  sunshine

Some  of  Community  a  nice  distance  from  Beach,  A  new  Apartment  is a fantastic  experience  but  when  novelty  wears off  it  is  nice to  visit  different  areas of Costa Blanca 🇨🇷,  La  Marina  very convenient  to  Airport,  and  it  is old  established  Community 

But that  is only  my  personal  experience  of La Marina   I  did  not  purchase  in  area as it  did  not .tick all .my  Boxes

Best of luck  with your choice 👍 

I would describe La Marina as a 'Marmite' place, i.e. love it or hate it without much middle ground.

I wonder what you mean by "seems popular"?

popular

adjective

Take notice of the EPC rating of properties here as older properties are often single skin with little or no insulation. There is also little soundproofing between adjoining properties. Properties with an open staircase are hardest to heat. The temperature is dropping next week and you will notice it the minute the sun goes down.

If buying in a community ask to see the rules and who the president and administrators are. Also ask how much the IBI (council tax), community fees and the new rubbish charges are as they have recently doubled or even trebled.

Personally I would live coast side of the N332. I currently live in the countryside but  looking to move to future proof as much as possible. This will be a very expensive process so getting it right first time is key although I have very much enjoyed the last 7 years and have no regrets.

In most places a car is essential but looking to the future, as you are already on S1s, try to be as close to a regular bus route to Torrevieja as possible as all routes lead out from there, particularly to the hospital just south of Torrevieja, the airport and La Zenia Boulevard. This hospital used to be exemplary but took a nose-dive once taken back into government hands. Now there seems to be mixed reviews but as I don't yet come under this hospital, it is only what I have read.

Generally I would say that healthcare in Spain is superior to the UK even though going by the state of some of the buildings it doesn't look it but don't let that put you off.

Cars are much more expensive here in Spain and it is probably worth buying new if at all possible but expect to get the bumpers bumped, the wing mirrors broken and side panels dented and scratched  and you will need somewhere reliable to park it such as a dedicated space, on your drive or in a garage. Taxis are few and far between, especially in high season.

All prescriptions (unless issued by a hospital) and dental work will have to be paid for. (Happy to be corrected on this)

There are plenty of clubs as there are ex-pats from most places in the Costa Blanca.

You will need to get your SIP card sorted urgently once you get here and are signed on the Padron (register of residents)  I'm a technophobe so I use a gestor (advisor) who can do most things a solicitor will do at a fraction of the cost. I use uma@getlegalinspain

Have a look at her website and drop her an email, she will give you prices for doing all the bureaucracy and you can pick and mix!

Worst Areas in Torrevieja: Updated Guide 2023 | Ibero Homes

Best wishes and ask away.

Oh, nearly forgot, if you are selling a UK property then make sure you don't sell in the same year as you become tax resident here otherwise you will have to pay the Spanish taxman CGT. The Spanish tax year is 1st Jan to 31st Dec and if you spend more than 183 days here in a tax year, including holidays, you will get clobbered so you either need to sell in one year and move in the next or move over later in the year making sure you haven't spent 183 days or more in Spain.

La Marina urbanisation is the upper residential area of San Fulgencio and is mainly foreign residents and the majority of those British/Irish. The lower part of San Fulgencio is more Spanish oriented.

Some parts are quite hilly and others have houses very close together and people do complain of a lot of noise.

La Marina has some restaurants, bars and supermarkets with the main lot down below in the Mercadona, Lidl, Aldi, Iceland and others alongside a good Saturday market. Quite a walk down the hill from La Marina. A car would be essential as the bus service, like many places, is not very good. It is in a good position with buses to the beach at La Marina village, not the same place, during the Summer and you can easily get to Alicante, Torrevieja, the airport etc but would need a car to get around.

As Darro says, a Marmite town and would depend on which area you moved to. 

Having said that, & I am referring to over 20 years ago as a base whilst looking inland. I stayed there for ONLY 3 Days. My opinion was it was like a UK estate . The 1st impression was the next door neighbour shouting down the street to her son, " come in yer tea´s on´t table, egg ´n chips are in the oven! I visited there often.  It may now be different. V

By far the best idea and i am surprised it has not been mentioned is rent first, get a feel for the area you "think" you want to be in.

Back in 2019 we spent 7 months in Spain, we rented in two different areas, 5 months 1st area, 2 months 2nd area, in the end we decided making the move full time was not for us.

I can’t talk specifically about prostate cancer but my experience of using the health service in Spain has been better than I have ever experienced in the UK.