Living in Villamartin

(Assuming you mean the Villamartin near Murcia) I don't actually live at Villamartin but my sister has lived there 15 years. I've visited her many times over the years and although I've enjoyed the visit I find it's not an area where I would like to live full time.  The sprawling estates are built mainly on steep roads and if you're disabled it could cause much discomfort. There are no bus services that run through the estates so you would have a walk to and from the main road bus stop or use taxi or indeed have to have a car. There is only a small town centre with a few shops. You do have the Plaza which is excellent for bars and restaurants and La Zenia boulevard shopping centre but that is miles away. That is my unbiased view of that area. You will get many opinions from people who live on the estates to say how good and nice it is but I strongly recommend that you have a short holiday there to see if it suits you. Best wishes to you. 

Steve 

We live near to Villamartin on the Montegolf Urb.

The previous poster is correct apart from the Plaza there is nothing other than housing, I think it is mostly holiday homes which makes the winters quiet.

Health care here in Spain is very good, but dont expect much in the way of aftercare that is down to your family.

Dealing with Doctors and Nurses without being able to speak Spanish can be difficult and you may need to employ a translator, likewise dealing with Spanish bureaucracy can be a nightmare and that's on a good day.

My opinion based on living here for just over 5 years is the Spanish can lack empathy and can be very self absorbed.

Weather is unbearably hot in July and August in winter once the sun sets you will really feel the cold, some days it can be colder inside than outside.

Get yourselves an electric blanket and some brushed cotton sheets and duvet cover you wont regret it! 

Finally as tebo53 said rent somewhere first you will know when a place feels right for you.

Personally I think you need to visit the area.  Villamartin is just one part of Orihuela Costa, so one of the other areas my suit you better, not least because some other parts of Orihuela Costa are flatter if that is something you need to consider.  There are lots of small commercial centres dotted about as well as the larger ones mentioned.  There are many communities with full time residents and a variety of nationalities.  New houses are better insulated but you do need some form of heating for winter evenings and nights.  However it is a mild winter climate and if being in drier and warmer climate has been recommended on medical grounds then close to the coast in south Costa Blanca is a good choice.  

Yes, busy in summer with tourists (usually!) but that is to be expected on the Spanish coast.  Enough residents to keep plenty of amenities open all year (usually).  2020 and maybe 2021 are not usual though, fewer tourists and many businesses struggling.  Of course learning the language will make your life easier.  

The bigger concern may be brexit - will you qualify to emigrate to Spain under third country rules if the UK leaves no-deal?  Loss of EU status and Freedom of Movement has major consequences to those looking to retire in Spain in the future.

You will see a few stray cats but many are fed by locals, no stray dogs though.  Spanish healthcare is good and the local hospital is Torrevieja with Elche offering additional services.

Book a visit when you are able to travel.  Worth hiring a car to have a good look around the area. With regard to location, Villamartin is in Alicante province, which is part of the Valencia Region, (not Murcia, as someone suggested previously).  Orihuela Costa is roughly equidistant between the two airports, both 40-45 minutes drive, but there are a lot more flights into Alicante.

Hi Steve. I would highly recommend this area and it’s climate - especially for respiratory and rheumatoid arthritis, in the experience of a number of my friends.

However, Villamartin may not be the best location, for the reasons already given by others.

We bought a holiday home in Villamartin, which we loved, but found it lacking in facilities when it came to looking at full time living.

I would definitely come out and spend a decent amount of time renting first - both August for how hot and busy it is, and winter for cold nights (but still beautiful warm days).

Perhaps also consider areas near the Salt Lakes on the outskirts of Torrevieja. The area is flatter and there are good medical facilities: Los Balcones side has Torrevieja Hospital and San Luis side has La Siesta Heath Centre. Both sides have a main road out of town, with excellent bus services, a selection of supermarkets and plenty of bars & restaurants. Also to consider, is that you would find more full time residents. 

We live in the Los Balcones area, where we retired to two years ago, and could be happier with our choice. We can put up with July & August being hot and noisy - just spend more time inside with the air con on!. To us it far outweighs the pleasure of the other ten months of the year.

Come and see for yourself - everyone will have an opinion to offer, and online searches are no substitute for your own experience.

Good luck, and enjoy the journey! 

Hi Steve,

Just to add a couple of things to the excellent responses you've already received.  You don't say how old you and your wife are, but if you are not State retirement age and don't qualify for an S1 from the NHS Business Services Authority, you will have to pay for private health insurance in Spain.  The exception to this is if your wife's disability would entitle her to an S1 (via an "exportable benefit") - to check whether you qualify, you can email the NHSBSA at:

[email protected]

If only one of you qualifies for an S1, the other can also obtain Spanish state healthcare as a dependant.  However, for UK citizens who are not able to obtain Spanish residency/TIE before 31 December this year, the S1 scheme will cease to be valid from 1 January 2021 (unless the EU grants the UK some exceptional status as part of a last-minute Brexit deal).

For the remainder of this year, residency/TIE applications from UK citizens require proof of finances in either a Eu 5,500 lump sum, or Eu 462 per month income.  For TCNs (Third Country Nationals), which UK citizens will become from 1 January 2021, these figures rise to Eu 28,000 lump sum, or Eu 2,100 per month.

Kind regards,

Kim

Thanks for all your helpful information i think we need to get professional help before we make the move we intend to wait till after Brexit and come over to spain after there is a vacine for covid probable for a month to have a good look around 

Steve

Hi Kim,

Could you please clarify something for me? 

It's often highlighted in the posts on this forum that, as of 01/01/2021, the amount of annual income required for residence will increase as mentioned. "1 January 2021, these figures rise to Eu 28,000 lump sum or Eu 2100pm". I fully understand the income part.

In terms of income/savings and not being a burden on the Spanish system. My questions are: 

Could one have 28000 euro in savings and no income? 

Could one have income of 2100 euro PM and no savings?

The following figures are for illustration only:

If I had an income of 19000 euro pa and savings of 40000 euro would this satisfy the future residency requirements? I realise there many are other factors, padron, Health Insurance etc.

Hope that makes sense. I'm usually pretty articulate, however your excellent post has confused me a little, as you've added a dimension I haven't noticed before with previous posts, ie Income or Savings.

Thanking you in advance.

Donald.

You are correct. Savings or lump sum which is constant for a set period I.e. 3 months and meets the requirements is acceptable. Monthly income which meets the requirements and no lump sum savings is also accepted. 

Steve 

Thanks Steve.