Hi there,
I've been lurking for a week or so and found the forum really helpful, so I was wondering if some of you would be so kind as to offer some pointers.

We have made a family decision to move to Spain. After being on a `back burner` for years we feel that it's time to stop dreaming and get on with it.

There will be four of us coming out; myself and partner, our 2yo daughter and my mother (72). Our priorities for choosing a location are:-

- Great schooling for our gorgeous pipsqueak. (Not her real name)
- A town with an expat community for my mother to walk to social events
- A town near (15-30 minutes) a resort also with plenty English as I intend to set up shop as a signmaker/graphic designer and my Spanish so far is below `o` level, so I need to hit the ground running by supplying English owned or operated businesses.
- A fairly flat town so my mum can get around OK.
- After saying all that myself and partner would like a bit of Spanish culture and the chance to integrate into the Spanish community, so ideally a town with an `English quarter` rather than a full blown invasion.
- Sea views, beautiful scenery and greenery, zero crime, good infrastructure and for pretty much everything to be wonderful.
- The moon on a stick. (As it seems I want everything else)

The plan is to shortlist a number of regions and then every weekend possible I will fly out and mooch around. Once I have it narrowed down a bit we will all check out the area before moving out and renting before buying.

From what I've read so far, I like the sound of southern Valencia and Almeria, so feedback on those areas would be much appreciated.

I'm sorry this has been such a long post but the more info I give out, hopefully the better you understand our position.

Thanks in advance for your replies,

Steven.

sounds like my town - although you can forget zero crime anywhere

we even have the moon on a stick!

Welcome to the forum, you will get loads of tips if you read through the posts, I found out a lot of info before we made our move. One thing I would have done differently would be to rent rather than buy before coming over. You are wise to say you want to rent first. My hubby said renting was dead money but if you buy and don't like the area it can take a long time to sell up and move on. We like the town of Castalla but it isn't on flat ground and isn't by the coast so wouldn't suit you or your mother.

Javea does fit the description , I agree with Lynnxa

Hi Splatt ,welcome to BE if you have already read a few posts you have found that we are a happy lot,cant help with the area,s, but you have made the right decision to rent initially.Wish you the very best with your search , good luck..........

Or Denia?

but does Denia have a moon on a stick?

We chose Alfaz del Pi/Albir. Its near Altea (Arty community) Benidorm (social clubs) Bus goes to both. 3 nearby private english language schools if local school did not work out.(so plenty of brit mums for me to socialize with) The local school teaches in spanish rather than valenciano. Moved here 10 years ago and still love it.

Hi Splatt welcome to the forum..

Sorry I didn't get back sooner. Mucho trabajo!

Thanks for the replies and recommends.
Unlike when I was born I have the pick of an entire country to live in, although I do seem to keep erring back in the direction of the costa blanca. Probably that micro-climate. (Every time I see that phrase I imagine tiny little clouds hovering over peoples shoes)

I have a few more questions about the Javea/Denia/Oliva area:
What kind of percentage of Brits populate these towns?
And is there life beyond tourism? (By that I mean is there a working community beyond the service industry and is the resident population active?)

I'm also thinking of coming over for a few nights in a couple of weeks on reconnaissence. I was thinking of phoning a few estate agents to give me some pointers and specific areas to check out, good idea? Also is b&b easy to come by this time of year?

I must also add that the moon on a stick isn't a deal-breaker. I would just as easily settle for a rocking horse fertiliser facility.

Thanks again.
Splatt. (now I need to research Altea/Alfaz!)

can't tell you what percentage of Brits here, but I believe that 'foreigners' in general now outnumber the spanish, especially at the older end of the age range

it does give the town a very international feel though, and although tourism is the main industry, there is a strong local population, and it doesn't 'die' in the winter

don't know about b&b, but there are a few hotels

Rocking horse fertiliser .... now that is rare.

Theres no doubt that here in Oliva there is an English population, but it doesn't seem to be "in your face". There are a few Brit supermarkets dotted around and a few Brit bars, but its not something that I notice a lot. Oliva itself is historically a market town. There is a big market here on Friday mornings selling produce, clothing etc etc. It does have more of a Spanish feel to it. Its split in three. The old part with the narrow streets and white houses, the modern part with the paseo, shops and restaurants and the playa area. Blue flag beaches, restaurants and bars.

It is indeed very much a working town. There is a tourist centre here and there are often things going on in the paseo but I wouldn't call it a main tourist town.

If you want to stay in a wonderful place right in the centre then go here:

http://www.hotelitooliva.com/

Hope this helps

We are also in Albir and love it. Do not have children so cannot comment on that aspect but my Mother has just gone back after a fortnight staying with us (she also 72) and she loved it here. We have been here since January. Work is difficult to find unless you speak Spanish and we do not (major problem for us at the moment as you are breaking into capital all the time)

Javea Port or Aenal Area is nice & flat and has 58% mixed Ex Pat.
It has ticked all your boxes.
If you intend to live here all year round ,you will find it hard to beat Javea Port, although property is a little more expensive here.
If you come here to live you will see why!
Good house Hunting! if you want any advice just email I will be glad to help.

usually you can tell how many Brits there are in an area by a few factors

English supermarkets
Indian
Local Newspapers in English offering English speaking services, builders, hairdressers, mechanics etc etc


when we were house hunting here Xativa, L'olleria and places inland such as those had very cheap properties and were very Spanish, now if you look in the local papers a lot of the ads are for services by Brits in those areas - just shows you how it all changes

Most areas along the coast have lots of Brits so I think its just a case of narrowing it down and having a nose round each area to see what suits you better

what I said