Seeking best place to live

Hi Anita

Nothing really shuts down in the winter months at all. Most places (not all), remain open throughout the year as there is a steady flow of people in all areas to justify this. What often happens though is that things are quieter in the evenings in the winter and some places and they may close earlier. 

There are numerous gyms dotted all over the place and obviously Torrervieja has a big indoor swimming arena and dedicated sporting activities, so you'll not be far away from an active lifestyle. However, as you don't drive you may want to ensure local bus routes give you access and the only way to really do that is to try the buses when you arrive. 

Good luck

Will 

Hi - We are in Torreviaja for 3 months. We have been to the Municipal pool and it is an Olympic pool. It's fabulous. And only 2 euros for pensioners! The gym facilities look extensive too!

‘Calpe’ without doubt!  In the centre as close to the Arenal beach and Gabriel Miro as you can afford! I share my time between there and St Albans and have done so for a lifetime. Both beautiful places but the former has that amazing healthy climate and an infrastructure second to none.

Everything you could possible need is close to hand and there is no need for a car.

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For living without a car, if you are not set on Torrevieja, I would also suggest moving up the coast a bit, north of Alicante, as then you'll have easy access to the tram, which links the entire coast, from Alicante right up to Calpe, Altea etc. together. The downside, depending on your budget and requirements, is that this area has less of an expat infrastructure and is a bit more expensive. But that tram makes everywhere so much easier to access.

Hello will thank you for your response. Its not easy to know the best places as I have heard of some of them but equally some are too remote and too quiet for me as a single person. Need to  be in a vibrant area but still be able to live in an area that's not mega noisy but all in walking distance I am into body building and fitness so a gym close by is essential I was told punta prima or playa flamenca but then was informed that they go very quiet iin the winter so I'm as you would expect quite confused, but any information is appreciated 

Anita

Hello cleopatra  I would like some information on toraviaja if you have any that would be helpful thank you 

Anita 

Hello alnopal 

Thank you for the reply I'm not familiar with anywhere really but it does have to be within easy access to everything and not expensive as I will be retiring and on a budget but any information is appreciated 

Anita 

It will depend a lot of what you're version of "vibrant" is. For some, it's loads of bars, dancing til dawn and "none-stop-party-people", for others (me) it's good bars/restaurants, nice walks, nice people, chilled vibe and good coffee. 

Sounds a cliche, but nothing is going to replace coming for a few weeks at a time and staying in the areas that interest you. I've been to Torrevieja a few times, it's a lovely place but not somewhere I would live permanently. But as I say, horses for courses. 

A good start is to wander around places on Google earth. Check the date the recording was made in the bottom corner of the screen. if it was done in the winter months and there are lots of people about, then you know it's got life outside of the tourist season. If the recording was made in Summer and it's teeming with tourists and so might be quiet(er) in winter.

This sort of thing will help, but nothing is going to replace actually trying it for yourself. Not easy I know, but it's the only way to be 100%.

Hi Anita

Edif Arenal is an old building but set in probably the best location in ‘Calpe’ first line, with countless restaurants, bars, quality shops and supermarkets all to hand. There is an excellent inexpensive very frequent local bus with a stop immediately outside and the coach service to Benidorm,  Alicante and so on is only a five minute walk.  The  tram was mentioned in an earlier post.

I particularly recommend that building as it has excellent administration at a very low cost.

There is a very affordable private hospital again close by which is particularly important for retirees

You mention keeping fit and that is catered for by numerous gyms and a quality indoor public swimming pool.

Some might say that it is a little bit of paradise and I do urge you to visit there before you make that very important decision.

Anyway I wish you well.

Alan