Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
Jun 19th 2005, 2:41 pm
#31
What mysterious smile?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 131
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
Hola everyone,
It is brill to try and learn Spanish before moving to Spain, it is a great base to start off with but once here, it will depend where you are, most people will speak a dialect of some sort which wont make any sense to start with, each town as a dialect of its own so it can be quite fun trying to communicate with locals using "proper Spanish", but as I mentioned before, sign language and a smile go a long way. Spanish TV - especially the news (Noticias), is very good for learning very well spoken Spanish, although they do speak very fast, and am surprised they dont get verbal indigestion sometimes! I get the hic-ups trying to follow a news item
!
The British-Spanish Papers such as Costa Blanca, CB Friday, Costa Almeria, The Guide, each week have "Spanish lessons" sections, which are most useful.
It is brill to try and learn Spanish before moving to Spain, it is a great base to start off with but once here, it will depend where you are, most people will speak a dialect of some sort which wont make any sense to start with, each town as a dialect of its own so it can be quite fun trying to communicate with locals using "proper Spanish", but as I mentioned before, sign language and a smile go a long way. Spanish TV - especially the news (Noticias), is very good for learning very well spoken Spanish, although they do speak very fast, and am surprised they dont get verbal indigestion sometimes! I get the hic-ups trying to follow a news item
!The British-Spanish Papers such as Costa Blanca, CB Friday, Costa Almeria, The Guide, each week have "Spanish lessons" sections, which are most useful.
Jul 24th 2005, 3:24 pm
#32
What mysterious smile?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 131
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
Hola everyone,
Thought I would give you a little update on our progress in making new friends since I first started this thread on 3rd June, nearly 2 months ago.
Things are progressing very nicely, over the past weeks we have met 3 couples, totally by chance all on separate occasions, just going about our normal lives, they are all different but have the same key ingredients, love of life and a sense of humour
nor should I forget all of you "virtual" friends.
What about you all - How are you doin'?
Thought I would give you a little update on our progress in making new friends since I first started this thread on 3rd June, nearly 2 months ago.
Things are progressing very nicely, over the past weeks we have met 3 couples, totally by chance all on separate occasions, just going about our normal lives, they are all different but have the same key ingredients, love of life and a sense of humour
nor should I forget all of you "virtual" friends.
What about you all - How are you doin'?
Jul 25th 2005, 7:30 pm
#33
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: West Midlands/Murcia
Posts: 163
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
Originally Posted by La Joconde
Hola everyone,
Thought I would give you a little update on our progress in making new friends since I first started this thread on 3rd June, nearly 2 months ago.
Things are progressing very nicely, over the past weeks we have met 3 couples, totally by chance all on separate occasions, just going about our normal lives, they are all different but have the same key ingredients, love of life and a sense of humour
nor should I forget all of you "virtual" friends.
What about you all - How are you doin'?
Thought I would give you a little update on our progress in making new friends since I first started this thread on 3rd June, nearly 2 months ago.
Things are progressing very nicely, over the past weeks we have met 3 couples, totally by chance all on separate occasions, just going about our normal lives, they are all different but have the same key ingredients, love of life and a sense of humour
nor should I forget all of you "virtual" friends.
What about you all - How are you doin'?
Glad to hear that things are working out for you and that you've been fortunate enough to meet other people with the same outlook and zest for life!
We are going to spend 2 weeks at our little house next week.....painting, tidying, and getting rid of a pile of old tatty furniture. Anyone know of a man with a van near Calasparra, Moratalla or Caravaca? I think I'll post that bit again in a new post........
All the best!
Mary
Jul 25th 2005, 9:36 pm
#34
Mortgage Wizard
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Staffs UK/Daya Vieja
Posts: 115
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
Originally Posted by ranger tom
Hi All,
I have lurked on this site, long enough, it`s time to say hello. Welcome Mary, for a new member you make some valid comments. My wife and I have an apartment in Torrevieja town centre, that`s used for holidays at the moment. Hoping to move over for good next year. We made several visits before deciding where to buy, 3 visits were on urbanisations. How people can spend all day in pubs moaning about what a crap country England, Scotland etc is, all the usual stuff, weather, asylum seekers,etc. While some of the points are fair enough, to do nothing but moan about what they left behind is unbelievable.
Good luck with your location Mary, it doesn`t sound like you will have to many moaning Brits around you. Thankfully we chose an area with only a few expats, who seem to appreciate their new country.
Cheers
Tom
I have lurked on this site, long enough, it`s time to say hello. Welcome Mary, for a new member you make some valid comments. My wife and I have an apartment in Torrevieja town centre, that`s used for holidays at the moment. Hoping to move over for good next year. We made several visits before deciding where to buy, 3 visits were on urbanisations. How people can spend all day in pubs moaning about what a crap country England, Scotland etc is, all the usual stuff, weather, asylum seekers,etc. While some of the points are fair enough, to do nothing but moan about what they left behind is unbelievable.
Good luck with your location Mary, it doesn`t sound like you will have to many moaning Brits around you. Thankfully we chose an area with only a few expats, who seem to appreciate their new country.
Cheers
Tom
We have bought 9kms inland from Guardarmar on a small development next to a tiny spanish village. It has now worried us and we are wondering whether we have done the right thing. How have you find Torrevieja and surrounding areas?
We are concerned about leaving our place when we are not there for the next 18 months until we move there permanently and obviously now worried about living in Spain permanently.
Has anyone any comments?
Dec 30th 2005, 11:38 am
#35
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
We have just joined this forum and was going through the Making Friends thread. We, too, are moving in February to a tiny village about 10 kms from Guardamar. Where are you, Gill? Would be nice to exchange views.
Dec 30th 2005, 1:52 pm
#36
What mysterious smile?
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Spain
Posts: 131
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
Welcome to the group Ralice. Since joining I have learnt so much about such a variety of things, I hope you enjoy the forum as much as I do.
If you dont mind my asking which village are you moving to? We are near Molina de Segura.Are you retiring to enjoy the good life like most of us, if so Good luck. Cheers for now.
If you dont mind my asking which village are you moving to? We are near Molina de Segura.Are you retiring to enjoy the good life like most of us, if so Good luck. Cheers for now.
Dec 30th 2005, 3:14 pm
#37
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
Originally Posted by La Joconde
Welcome to the group Ralice. Since joining I have learnt so much about such a variety of things, I hope you enjoy the forum as much as I do.
If you dont mind my asking which village are you moving to? We are near Molina de Segura.Are you retiring to enjoy the good life like most of us, if so Good luck. Cheers for now.
If you dont mind my asking which village are you moving to? We are near Molina de Segura.Are you retiring to enjoy the good life like most of us, if so Good luck. Cheers for now.
Dec 31st 2005, 9:34 pm
#38
Mortgage Wizard
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Staffs UK/Daya Vieja
Posts: 115
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
Originally Posted by ralice
We have just joined this forum and was going through the Making Friends thread. We, too, are moving in February to a tiny village about 10 kms from Guardamar. Where are you, Gill? Would be nice to exchange views.
We are moving to Daya Vieja. I have seen the signs to Formentera del Segura. Cannot quite remember exactly where it was as we haven't been to Spain since August when we went out to sort the NIE number, furniture, Solicitors etc.
What have you bought?
I bet you are getting nervous but excited now!!
Are you planning to work or have you retired or semi-retired?
We are aged 53 and 55 very young outlook and love travelling.
We have now sold our house and invested the equity ready for when we go to live in Spain full-time. We are renting for about 18 months/2 years and cannot wait. We live in North Warwickshire at the moment.
We have loads of stuff boxed ready for Spain. Are you using a removal company or taking your stuff yourself?
When we went over last August, we priced loads of stuff up, cars, food, electrical goods. We actually thought how expensive food had got in Spain in some cases dearer than here and that was the spanish brands in the spanish supermarkets. I put a thread on several forums about this and everyone disagreed with me so not sure where they are shopping. What do you think?
Jan 1st 2006, 11:23 am
#39
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
Originally Posted by Gill Stevens
We are moving to Daya Vieja. I have seen the signs to Formentera del Segura. Cannot quite remember exactly where it was as we haven't been to Spain since August when we went out to sort the NIE number, furniture, Solicitors etc.
What have you bought?
I bet you are getting nervous but excited now!!
Are you planning to work or have you retired or semi-retired?
We are aged 53 and 55 very young outlook and love travelling.
We have now sold our house and invested the equity ready for when we go to live in Spain full-time. We are renting for about 18 months/2 years and cannot wait. We live in North Warwickshire at the moment.
We have loads of stuff boxed ready for Spain. Are you using a removal company or taking your stuff yourself?
When we went over last August, we priced loads of stuff up, cars, food, electrical goods. We actually thought how expensive food had got in Spain in some cases dearer than here and that was the spanish brands in the spanish supermarkets. I put a thread on several forums about this and everyone disagreed with me so not sure where they are shopping. What do you think?
What have you bought?
I bet you are getting nervous but excited now!!
Are you planning to work or have you retired or semi-retired?
We are aged 53 and 55 very young outlook and love travelling.
We have now sold our house and invested the equity ready for when we go to live in Spain full-time. We are renting for about 18 months/2 years and cannot wait. We live in North Warwickshire at the moment.
We have loads of stuff boxed ready for Spain. Are you using a removal company or taking your stuff yourself?
When we went over last August, we priced loads of stuff up, cars, food, electrical goods. We actually thought how expensive food had got in Spain in some cases dearer than here and that was the spanish brands in the spanish supermarkets. I put a thread on several forums about this and everyone disagreed with me so not sure where they are shopping. What do you think?
Daya Nueva is not too far from Formentera del Segura. We have bought an apartment as we have kept our home in England for the moment. What have you bought? We hope to spend 10 months in Spain and 2 months in England visiting our sons. Originally we were going to spend only 3 months in Spain but we loved it so much the last time that we went there that we thought we would spend more time there than here. We live in Berkshire.
My husband has retired but I am still working. Although I have the option of working from Spain for the present organisation, I am not sure if I want to carry on working. We are of similar ages as you and also have a young outlook. We too would like to travel and hope that my husband's pension is sufficient to live in Spain.
We went to Spain in October to do the NIE, banks, etc. almost like you did in August. We are looking into removals companies at the moment - a friend who has already made the move suggested a company which specialises in part loads. We are only taking a few pieces of furniture with us and will buy mostly in Spain. Where did you get your furniture from? We thought that foods were expensive in the supermarkets but the weekly markets were really cheap for fruit and veg.
Do you have an email address where we can keep in touch? As you are only about 5 - 10 minutes drive away from us and we are in similar situations, it would be nice to catch up.
Jan 7th 2006, 8:23 pm
#40
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: manchester england
Posts: 21
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
,
I found this site today, and thought I'd jump right in.
We have just recently purchased a house in a smallish town, inland Murcia. We are planning to be living in Spain by the end of February 2006. There are a few odds and ends to tie up here and also a little TLC needed on the house.
We have friends on the coast at Torre and it's been said on more than one occasion that they find the other expats very nosy and gossipy. I suppose its inevitable with a small number of people....boredom sets in. The old saying 'get a life' springs to mind! I believe friends, true friends are a valuable commodity and not easy to find, but acquaintances can be interesting and helpful and good company.
We are looking forward to our new experiences living in a Spanish community with just a few other Brits in nearby towns to call on. I am learning Spanish at present and really enjoy it. I found that just by trying to speak in Spanish, that the locals were so much more friendly and helpful.
We did the 4 day tour trip looking at houses on urbanisations, and although they were lovely we felt we'd be claustrophobic, thats why we decided to come further inland and find somewhere away from the 'vampire Brits'. I can think of nothing worse than sitting in a Brit bar, paying double the price for a beer surrounded by glammed up sun worshippers that don't even say hello because you're not in their circle of friends or because we have a Black Country accent. Every Spanish bar/restaurant/truckers lay by we have been in, we have been welcomed and treated well.
My husband is 52 I am 46, we have many interests and plan to live the next 5 years as fully and pleasurably as possible. Why five years, because we have budgeted to live on our savings for that time in case work opportunities don't happen, if they don't we review our situation. We both have skills that will help us find work. And although neither of us intend to work full time once we come over, I don't personally feel I could give up work altogether, even if it means starting up a voluntary club (I am a breast cancer survivor) for local ladies.
I'm certain that a positive open frame of mind will help us find new friends, new interests and a new way of living. I will be advertising in the local papers so look out for me!
Mary Groom MICHT
Holistic Therapist[/QUOTE]
Hi Mary G,
Good to read your message. My husband is 57 and I will be 50 on 30th of this month. We are moving to Almeria area this September to rent for 6 months until our bungalow is ready. It will be on Almanzora Country Club. I must confess that, we have not done a lot of preparation and would value any advice that you can offer. I will definately look out for your advert in the local papers when we get there. Who knows, we could meet up with lots of similar minded people in our peer group. Good luck. Anne c.
I found this site today, and thought I'd jump right in.
We have just recently purchased a house in a smallish town, inland Murcia. We are planning to be living in Spain by the end of February 2006. There are a few odds and ends to tie up here and also a little TLC needed on the house.
We have friends on the coast at Torre and it's been said on more than one occasion that they find the other expats very nosy and gossipy. I suppose its inevitable with a small number of people....boredom sets in. The old saying 'get a life' springs to mind! I believe friends, true friends are a valuable commodity and not easy to find, but acquaintances can be interesting and helpful and good company.
We are looking forward to our new experiences living in a Spanish community with just a few other Brits in nearby towns to call on. I am learning Spanish at present and really enjoy it. I found that just by trying to speak in Spanish, that the locals were so much more friendly and helpful.
We did the 4 day tour trip looking at houses on urbanisations, and although they were lovely we felt we'd be claustrophobic, thats why we decided to come further inland and find somewhere away from the 'vampire Brits'. I can think of nothing worse than sitting in a Brit bar, paying double the price for a beer surrounded by glammed up sun worshippers that don't even say hello because you're not in their circle of friends or because we have a Black Country accent. Every Spanish bar/restaurant/truckers lay by we have been in, we have been welcomed and treated well.
My husband is 52 I am 46, we have many interests and plan to live the next 5 years as fully and pleasurably as possible. Why five years, because we have budgeted to live on our savings for that time in case work opportunities don't happen, if they don't we review our situation. We both have skills that will help us find work. And although neither of us intend to work full time once we come over, I don't personally feel I could give up work altogether, even if it means starting up a voluntary club (I am a breast cancer survivor) for local ladies.
I'm certain that a positive open frame of mind will help us find new friends, new interests and a new way of living. I will be advertising in the local papers so look out for me!
Mary Groom MICHT
Holistic Therapist[/QUOTE]
Hi Mary G,
Good to read your message. My husband is 57 and I will be 50 on 30th of this month. We are moving to Almeria area this September to rent for 6 months until our bungalow is ready. It will be on Almanzora Country Club. I must confess that, we have not done a lot of preparation and would value any advice that you can offer. I will definately look out for your advert in the local papers when we get there. Who knows, we could meet up with lots of similar minded people in our peer group. Good luck. Anne c.
Jan 7th 2006, 8:37 pm
#41
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Here,there and everywhere
Posts: 2,595
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
Good luck to all, but
Ann C, what do you believe to be your peer group please?
Ann C, what do you believe to be your peer group please?
Jan 7th 2006, 8:44 pm
#42
Just Joined
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: manchester england
Posts: 21
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
Originally Posted by TheArmChairDetective
Good luck to all, but
Ann C, what do you believe to be your peer group please?
Ann C, what do you believe to be your peer group please?
Hello ArmchairDetective,
I believe it to be anybody in the 40 to 60 age group. Although as the other lady says, we all feel young at heart. I feel older because I still cannot master replying properly to anything on this site.
Jan 8th 2006, 8:45 am
#43
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: West Midlands/Murcia
Posts: 163
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
[QUOTE=anne c
I believe it to be anybody in the 40 to 60 age group.
Hi Anne and welcome to an excellent site that is bursting with help and information....and some seemingly very nice people!
PS. Don't limit your friends and aquaintances by age.....age should not be a measure!
Mary
I believe it to be anybody in the 40 to 60 age group.
Hi Anne and welcome to an excellent site that is bursting with help and information....and some seemingly very nice people!
PS. Don't limit your friends and aquaintances by age.....age should not be a measure!
Mary
Jan 8th 2006, 6:44 pm
#44
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,272
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
Quote "I can think of nothing worse than sitting in a Brit bar, paying double the price for a beer surrounded by glammed up sun worshippers that don't even say hello because you're not in their circle of friends" Unquote.
Could not have put it better myself. Good luck to you anne.
BW.
Could not have put it better myself. Good luck to you anne.
BW.
Jan 8th 2006, 6:53 pm
#45
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Here,there and everywhere
Posts: 2,595
Re: Making new friends in Spain on the Costa Calida
Originally Posted by big wheels
Quote "I can think of nothing worse than sitting in a Brit bar, paying double the price for a beer surrounded by glammed up sun worshippers that don't even say hello because you're not in their circle of friends" Unquote.
Could not have put it better myself. Good luck to you anne.
BW.
Could not have put it better myself. Good luck to you anne.
BW.
