To move to Costa Blanca or not? - Page 3

Can I suggest that you have a look at the Citizens Advice Bureau Spain site as it may answer some queries that may crop up.    Also, if you drive, the N332 site may be of help as it deals with anything to do with driving in Spain.

My late husband and I came to live in Almoradí 13 years ago and have never regretted it.   Your pension goes a long way here, and the fresh fruit and veg. taste so much better.

Hi Sheila. I am back in the UK now - we own a apartment in La Mata - and I am now homesick for Spain!!! So I am now in the UK learning Spanish with the Duolingo app LOL. Just go for it...

I am also 66 and on my own and bought a place last October. So it's early days and I don't have much experience yet. But I am very glad I did it, I only wish I had done it sooner. It is easy to make friends here, I posted on the forum before I came out stating my interests and was given good advice about clubs etc and given encouragement to join and meet up with those who replied. This way I didn't feel quite such a stranger and got a good welcome. There is more to do here than in UK especially during the day. People do live on a pension but others could probably advise you better on that. If say go for it and I hope you like it as much as I do. Martha

Hi Gary,

It's not me who is thinking of moving here, it's Lynn (LJ66). I am already ensconced in Playa  Flamenca having moved over in 2015. Keep up the Duolingo, it's really useful to me. I also have a private lesson once a week.

Sheila

Ah OK cool. Let them know it's a yes!

Can only tell u how I have found it. I came here in November 17, came because a friend who has lived here for 20 years recommend it, found it unbearably lonely for the first 2 months. The Spanish don't talk or greet u because they think u won't understand them (they. we're wrong in my case as I taught holiday Spanish at home). Would have gone back then ,but, I had had my dog brought over here and at eight years old didn't want to put her through all that again. So here I stay, will go back home once she has passed on. I rent here only, So won't have the headache of selling a property when the time comes.

My advice to you is to have the best of both worlds and divide your time between the 2 countries, hotels here have bargain prices once the season is finished, so from October to April you should be able to live quite cheaply here. Also look into apartment rentals (furnished ) that is another alternative. 

Hope this is helpful to you, best of luck, whatever you decide.

I am a non-resident who bought a property in Spain in 2015.  I love getting over and I am have just returned to Scotland after a 3 month stay.  It has great beaches and shopping centre and some other activities.  Bus trips or if you have a car there are lovely places to visit such as Alicante, Cartegena, Murcia and further afield Valencia to name only a few.  However noone seems to talk about the warts so I am going to give it a go and will probably receive some slack from others.  I have a property in Playa Flamenca which is part of the Orihuela Costa.  My taxes are received within the tax office in Orihuela which is miles away with no means of access unless you have a car.  The facilities within the region are poor compared to Orihuela city due to the lack of funds allocated.  I love to walk and get so sad when I see weeds growing along the sides of the roads and pavements, potholes in the roads and worse of all litter lying all along roads due to the lack of bin emptying, fly tipping by residents, and unscrupulous people throwing cans, bottles, papers etc by the wayside. Where are the street cleaners as I have heard they are employed.  Saw one lady with a bucket on wheels and brush sweeping some leaves along the road in La Florida picking and choosing what was binned.  There is no emergency health centre which was being built then abandoned with promises that it would be built in the future.  No recreational facilities such as libraries, theatres etc. No parks just areas of waste ground where the dogs do their business if they dont do it on the streets which is common practice.   A night out in the area would consist of going for a meal and drink in the many restaurants and pubs in the area. Public transport is abysmal.  I probably could go on about the negative aspects.  However like others I try to ignore them and enjoy the sun, sea and sand although where have all the beach bars gone?? Hopefully to be reopened soon.  I would also add that the weather temperatures in July and August are very high and I was struggling before I came home due to the heat and humidity.  I prefer the weather in the spring and early autumn when I can get outdoors walking without it being a burden.  Hope I havent put you off because I love coming over but would not consider giving up my home in the UK. I am a 64 year old female. Sorry should have said Emergency Services Centre not medical centre which would include police, ambulance and fire services.

Hi, have you considered renting out your home in the UK for a year or so and coming here to rent? There are plenty of rental properties around and you could take your time to find the area and property you really want.  Places here are so different at different times of the year - I live on the outskirts of Torrevieja opposite the beach.  In the summer months you would say it was very busy (which it is) but then throughout the winter there is just us and a Spanish young family living in our block!  Some of the local bars etc only open in the summer months so it is a completely different atmosphere.  If you do decide to come (we came 16 years ago and love it - plus your money does go further), consider doing some volunteering - I will always push for that as I am a president for a local charity but not only is it a great thing to do, it provides you the opportunity to get out and about and make new friends etc.  Feel free to get in touch if you want any help with paperwork etc that you may need or want to find out more about volunteering locally, either with our charity or others. www.helpvegabaja.com  Michele.   Cheers to your future!

Wow...I  don't recognise any of this (albeit we do have problems with rubbish in the summer months but we have the bins emptied every night and the streets are cleaned daily here) but we are 2 minutes down the road under Torrevieja council.  More reason I feel that the original poster considers renting for a while and looking around to see where she really wants to be.

Hi Lynn,

Finmar has raised some valid points. However, if you live here full time you get to appreciate things and understand the good and bad. We moved over from London so it was a complete change of living style, which is exactly what we wanted. The lack of public transport, and nearby facilities are no different here to those of many sea/country places in the UK. You have to take the rough with the smooth.

The emergency medical centre for Orihuela Costa, open 24 hours is in Cabo Roig, only 10 minutes in a car, 9 euros by taxi. All the doctors for the area are also there. A bus runs every hour and a half to the doctors or to Torrevieja Hospital. This hospital is excellent and have an A&E department, so no problem there. Rubbish is a problem everywhere nowadays, but there is a bin round every corner and they are emptied every day not left over-flowing for a couple of weeks like the UK. Whatever is left beside the bins is also cleared away. In the UK if it's not in the bin, they won't fake it.

The entertainment in Playa Flamenca is all in bars, but it is very good, free, and on all year. Just buy a drink or two. There is a cinema in Torrevieja that shows English films, however the TV packages available here are really cheap. We don't have a library but many shops and bars have stacks of paperbacks to exchange or buy for a euro. The weather is undoubtedly HOT in July and August and that is a cross we have to bear in order to have blue skies the other 10 months. If you live here you can make your home cooler in many ways. Crime is mainly bag snatching etc and not like in London where you have the fear of knife, gun, and now acid attacks. So all in all it's not paradise, but if you want a more relaxed life surrounded by happy smiling faces, then this would suit you.