Best way to get to know people

We are lucky to have wonderful neighbours which gave us a built in network straight away. 

Not sure if your age but there is a U3 in town. 

There was s a social club at the casino but not that cheap to join. 

Happy to meet up for a coffee once you are settled. 

Thank you for responding, we are moving over in the next few months and we won’t have neighbours very close by. Not sure what a U3 is so does that mean we’re too old, we’re in our late 50’s ?

Thanks for the offer of meeting up for a coffee, we’ll take you up on that when we’ve moved in.

Cheers 

Neale and Dawn

This is a generic link fir u3a in the UK but you get the idea - https://www.u3a.org.uk/

We have not joined yet as been busy enjoying and settling in to our house. We only moved here last July. 

There is a good sports center in town with gym and pool. If that your thing. 

Good luck with the move. See you when you are settled or before if we can help with anything. 

Helen and Dave

Hello

 If you dont already, learn some Spanish, that way you can communicate when ordering things for your property, delivery drivers, other tradesmen, bar/restaurant, medical staff & neighbours etc....Talk to people everywhere & your life here will be enhanced

Cheers

Elinspain

Hi, we are learning Spanish and have been having a go on our trips, probably need more practical phrases but I’m sure they will come. Thanks for the tip. Coffee when we get there.

Cheers 

Neale and Dawn

Hi, Helen and Dave, thanks for the tip and looking forward to a coffee when we get there.

Cheers 

Neale and Dawn

We're currently back in England sorting some things out but pre-pandemic we'd got a monthly get together going for foreigners to get to know each other at Bar Ole in the centre, it was really well attended, we're hoping to be back in summer and we'll see if we can get it going again. As others have said Spanish is a must in Monovar as very few speak English, quite a few know a bit and will meet you half way but don't start with hablas ingles or they tend to shut down or at least that's what we found, we just have a go and when they see how rubbish we are they feel more confident to use their English, I can't wait to get back, I love the place.

Hi Neale,

Firstly – welcome to Monovar, it is a lovely town and people are very friendly (in our experience).

After a few months you will probably be amazed how many people you then know, of all nationalities. It doesn’t take long.

Agree with Elinspain’s comment re learning Spanish – we all try and with Duolingo or classes (not in Monovar) plus total immersion you will pick things up, the pleasantries, I need / want / have / do you have etc. We prep new areas on our translate apps on the ‘phones such as recently in the builder’s merchants for tiles, cement etc, or for the jabs initially at the Centro de Salud.

Café life (there are at least 3 in Monovar that we go back to often, all Spanish) and social events or table sales (the Culebron one was great), fiestas now that restrictions are lifting all work. You will no doubt find places to eat that become favourites of different types, Spanish or otherwise.

We have 8 very good friends who we meet up with for Menu del Dias or tapas, plus a wider circle of people we know which as J counted yesterday, is close to 80.

There are a couple of good FB forums you may care to join, just answer the joining questions are you are in. Say that you are moving to Monovar.

Monovar – Buying Selling Helping has a smaller membership of 728 people

Pinoso Community with over 2k members

La Romana ask advice

Pinoso & Surrounding Area Eats & Drinks

Spanish Garden Info (trust me – it is invaluable)

Yes, I mentioned Pinoso a couple of times but mainly as the FB groups are larger and busy, you don’t need to live there, nor have to spend every moment there. Monovar has most things, Alberts, the 2 builders’ merchants Monomat and Matcon. There are Ferreterias in Monovar town, good opticians, great chemists…the list goes on…oh, and probably the best supermarket in the area- Mercadonna (IMHO). The staff there are very friendly and once you have a few words, always smile such as when you wish them a good weekend.  

Our Spanish neighbours are wonderful, very sociable and those a little further away always wave and say at least hello.

Enjoy life here, let it take its course and a few months in, you will probably look back and be amazed.

Hope this helps?

Best wishes,

D&J

I forgot to mention that there are thriving social / sports / exercise groups - Petanque at El Cortijo, Walking Football in Pinoso of all ages (you may be bringing the average age down), Ladies who Lunch (not all English), Yoga, Zumba and a new paint class starting in Raspay.

These inevitably involve a little travel - say 30 minutes.