Advice on the area of La Romana

Hi Denise

La Romana is the village I live in! More than happy to help you with local information if you wanted me to?

Please PM me with your questions and I will happily do my best to assist you

Hope it helps

While obviously members are free to PM eachother, it is more helpful for info to be shared publically on the forums so as to help others with similar questions

If you are retiring please consider distance to facilities such as Health centre, hospital, trains, local transport etc. The re are few such facilities in the La Romana area.  Try looking abit further south.

Richard

Hi Denise

We moved to La Romana just over a year ago. There is a health centre in the village, and everything else within 30 minutes drive including the airport and beach. Yes ideally you need a vehicle, however there are plenty of people here with no transport; there will always be someone to help.  We live on the mirador urbanisation where there is a strong community feel of all nationalities.  Personally if you are unsure of an area like others have said rent first, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.  I have also responded to the Hondon de las Nieves in today's forum post.

All the best

Trish and Dave

In the village there are butchers and a Hiperber as well as other shops offering clothing and groceries, toys and sport equipment and we even have a car sales! 

As others have pointed out, La Romana is out of the way and this may influence your choices, however, the mere fact you have heard of the village would suggest you are not looking for a coastal location. Your reasons for choosing in the area are your business but rest assured the Spanish are lovely here, everyone is friendly and welcoming.

The village is very affluent and has a population of around 2,500 people, of which 25% is seen as ex-pat (not just British expats). Bearing in mind there is acre after acre of Almond, Grape and Olive growing in the region, with the exception of the village itself and the Mirador Urbanisation, the municipality is very spacious and spread out.

There is a nursery and a school, however, the senior schools are located in Novelda or Aspe. 

There is one bus out and one bus in per day, quite literally! So from a transport point of view, we are not the best connected. Amongst the community though there are people who are always willing to help. The market is mainly on a Saturday as well as a mid week on Wednesday. Alguena has a Sunday market and the larger Elche market is about 30 minutes away by car.

David has quite rightly pointed out that we are 30 mins from most things. The airport, the beach, the hospital in Elda (for A&E) and Alicante city itself. 

The region itself is serene and not at all commercialised. It attracts lots of cyclists and walkers and there are many holiday lets in the area, as well as bed and breakfasts and the La Romana Hotel and Spa. I urge you to read 'Jims guide to...' for all things bureaucratic relating to letting your property out, these are excellent guides and will help you stay legal, however many folk are not interested in remaining legal. In my experience, lots of places operates on 'black money' for many things.

We have a good mix of English and Spanish bars. The main square itself is the focal point, for example for the Fiestas which are occurring right now. The comedy parade is Thursday and the Main Parade is on Friday and again on Saturday. We have a 'half way between fiestas' fiesta! Seriously, 6 months after the end of the fiesta, they celebrate again! There are also celebrations for most of the catholic events.

Apart from these fiestas, walking, cycling, days out, there is little to do around here. It is a sleepy village and in the winter you can walk around and see no one at times! This adds to the appeal for us, hence why we chose to be here. The serenity of it all.

Richard is quite right. If you need more hustle and bustle, better transport links or medical is a particular concern, then you should consider an alternate location. That does not mean we are cut off, we have nothing going on or there is not a social life to be had here quite the opposite. Everyone is extremely helpful and friendly. I often sit having a coffee in the square and it isnt long before someone is saying Hola!

I would recommend you rent, that goes for wherever you choose unless you know the area well of course. Some see it as dead money, I see it as an investment in your future! There are many decisions to be made when moving. The housing market in Spain moves very slowly, you would not want to be stuck in any area for a couple of years more than you would like because you need to sell your house to move.

My mention of the PM was not to hide any support for other people, I have made many many posts displaying that I am very prepared to offer advice and share experience. I offered to Private Message as I am aware that some people do not like to ask questions openly.

Anything else you may need to know specifically then please do not be afraid to ask! David is also here and I am sure he will offer you kind words and friendly advice also.

Hope it helps!

Sound advice and description from UKHandyman.  

We have attended a Saturday morning class where expats meet with the Spanish to learn from each other, this is now held in the bar by the communal pool in the village.  

There is also a walking club that meet once a month, it's only usually a hour long but you do get to explore different areas.

Whether you want to socialise or not you are certainly able to achieve both here.

Best wishes

Trish and Dave

Thanks David, really appereciate your help and support. 

Hi

Thankyou so much for taking the time to assist us with great information, i will take all into consideration. We are looking to rent for a few months and have already set up some time this year and next year to do this before we make the move more permanently.

You have given us some sound and very useful advice.

Many Thanks

Denise

Thanks Richard, i am also looking at Benissa area too as thats not too far from coast but far enough to get more for our money. ( plus sea views )

Thanks

Denise