What is Monovar like ?

Hi, we live in Pinoso but have a lot of Spanish friends in Monóvar

It is a very Spanish town, with hardly any English residents, they mostly speak Valenciano which can be difficult if you have only learnt Spanish, but most can speak both languages

Dont expect to be able to get a job though, they generally are not available to expats

Property wise, the prices are good, not overinflated like some surrounding towns

its not a huge town but there are plenty of shops and bars, restaurants etc, and everything you need for day to day living

hope this helps

Mavis

Hi Mavis

Thanks very much for your reply, very helpful, I am just trying to narrow area's down a bit.

Hilary

I live in Monovar and there's a small but growing group of foreigners, we've started up a group which meets on the first Monday of the month, we've had a few Brits, Finns, Danes, Swiss and Swedes attend, it's a lovely, friendly little town and there's always something happening, such as fiestas and parades. We're happy here and our Spanish is improving all the time, the locals tend to speak Valenciano but switch to Spanish when talking to us.

Hello Hilary,

We live in Monovar and love the place. Great access to amenities, the airport when needed, plenty of parking. There are several good sized supermarkets with everything you need and the larger hypermarkets such as Carrefour are only 20 minutes drive away.

The residents are mostly Spanish but really friendly people. We chose the area as it is surrounded by mountains and the views (over Elda, say) are beautiful. The property prices are good with a villa, pool and 4.5 acres going for 180k Euros and there is a lot of variety.

Not advertising for them but certainly endorsing their friendly non-pushy approach are Alicante Dream Homes in the town. Paula and Gary cannot be more helpful. We saw 10 properties over a 2 day trip last year and they worked closely to our requirements.

Some other help resources...we use Currencies 4 you over in Pinoso (they also offer mailbox services and car registration) and found that the Bank Sabadel there to be excellent. All paperwork is duplicated in English which is appreciated and Nuria with her team are pleased to help. When it comes to the buying process we worked with an extremely efficient and pleasant Abogado, Angela Martinez Alcantara over in Hondon de los Frailes and she made the process appear effortless. 

Hope it all works through for you.

Kind regards,

Dave

Monovar is wonderful, so glad we bought here even if we did buy at the wrong time.

Hi, we are moving to Monovar as soon as our house sells in the UK. I can't wait to move away from England I look forward to meeting new people and learning Spanish. Any do's and don'ts?We have just come back from Pinoso and loved the way of life.Any info would be much appreciated. I am a special needs teacher and would love to carry on with this but if I can't so be it. Gracias.

Hi Jilmb, well we wish you well in your move and settling into the area. We love it as you probably guessed. If any of the following helps, then good...but feel free to ask questions.

Do...learn Spanish although you can get by with limited or none, but in Monovar with its mainly Spanish population, it will help. Try Duolingo - it works as an app on your phone or in a web browser..heaps of fun. Pinoso has more ex-pats / 

Do get a good lawyer / solicitor - they do an awful lot for you and ensure that the process is painless

Do read as many of Jim's guides in this forum as you can, the lights come on re everything from taxation to residencia

Personal choice - as above re Sabadel bank, The Foreign Exchange (both in Pinoso) and Alicante Dream Homes - not just because they are good people, but their services are needed, and I trust them

Watch the exchange rate...in February this year when we completed it was ~1.18, but last week was appalling, so plan ahead and buy Euros ahead of the need for them....even if the interest rates (anywhere?) in Spain are not great

TFE (above) don't sell health cover but had details of 4 different Spanish companies who do, and can advise as to what level you need (it is not the basic cover one)

Seriously read the TIE thread on this forum...we will need those before the year end, or at least need to apply by then. That may need proof of funds in your bank (i.e. to prove you / we / anyone will not be a burden on the state...which sounds rather glum, especially as we are welcomed for exactly that reason (self supporting) and are helping the economy 

Work is tricky one, so I'm glad that you have a pragmatic view. Some people have said that it is very difficult to obtain work and I do not have a view as this UK 'work from anywhere' role finishes in a year and we will bridge a couple of years into retirement.
That said, if you do find work (and your skills are rather special, so you may find there is a real demand), your health, tax and residencia may be provided for. I say 'may' because this is only what I have heard from some good friends who do work legally out there.

So many questions...much depends on what you want, how much you can comfortably afford, your health levels, your ages....but happy to help and pass on what we know. IM works well on here to maintain personal data privacy as needed / warranted - something that I am keen on as it is my job.  

Have a good look around Monovar and the other areas which are quite close, Sax, Pinoso as you say etc. We chose the Poligono / Pedrera area of town, or just outside but walk-able, for the views and hills. 

If you can afford it - make sure the place has a pool and aircon...it is going to be 35 to 37 degrees next week, but is fairly temperate all year round at comfortable levels ;-)

Dont's? Don't to forget to have fun both in the process and area and don't miss the fiestas ;-)

Best wishes and we hope to meet up for that coffee shop event that Paul told us about...I think there will be a following. We don't know many people there as yet. That said, our Spanish neighbours and the previous owner's family have become firm friends. 

Thank you so much for the information much appreciated :)

Hi thank you for taking time to write this information down.We are very grateful. Hope to see you all soon. We have put a deposit down with Alicante homes who are amazing.Yah :)