Hornets_Nest

My wife used to live in London and enjoyed city life ... I personally think there would be more opportunity to socialise in the city and make the most of the excellent produce in the shops and at El Mercado. I don't discount El Campello but don't want to be isolated in a very quiet place off season or one where the majority are Ex-Pats - I play some golf and like to attend football matches as well as other hobbies/interests.

spainrico

OK, I think to socialise in Alicante city you will need excellent Spanish. Each to their own of course but I prefer to live out (12 mins on the tram) and travel in when I need city services etc. I have golf across the road and easy access to hobbies/interests (ie excellent gym with outside facilities, mountain walking, photography group, wine tasting group)

Hornets_Nest

Like I say Rob, we haven't decided for sure. The benefits of living out of town are that you are more likely to be able to afford some outside space which for us is vital as well as easier parking and perhaps lower charges. 12 mins sounds ideal ... are you anywhere near Plaza Mar 2 ?? ... my wife went there a couple of times shopping? I think the old quarter at the foot of Santa Barbara is delightful but I'm not sure I could live there. As I said we will return in 2016 and look South and North of the city ... I don't need to be bang on the beach or have sea views and we rarely use swimming pools so in some senses we are an Estate Agents dream.

spainrico

Yes do adequate research. I live in what I think is paradise just north of the city, further out than Plaza Mar. Yes with easier parking, quieter, greener and more space. I think a relocation offers new opportunities and sometimes it is best to consider all options and not always base decisions on past experiences. Good luck.

Hornets_Nest

What area would you recommend Rob?

spainrico

I think you might focus your research north of the city (south is a bit iffy and on the airport flight path and no tram!) Just follow the tram lines El Campello / Playa San Juan (not San Vicente IMO) But only you understand your 'must haves'

EdinWigan

Thank you everyone for the very informative replies, please keep them coming.

Spainrico - I plan to visit many times before making the exact location decision (I fly in next week, the 18th btw) but so far, I am thinking city centre. I love the excellent public transport links and, as Iano pointed out the Bowling Club is a 1.70 bus ride south.

I really want to immerse myself in to local life but also appreciate there are times when a 'Brit-versation' over a beer or two, while watching the rugby final, also appeals

If I am honest , I am enjoying learning from folk already there and my plans will remain flexible, inter-spaced with regular visits, right up until I make the move.

Hornets_Nest

EdinWigan - Could you let us know if you find any good value Hotels/Hostels when you visit Alicante - We stayed in La Lonja which is just a few yards from El Mercado, good value, very friendly but quite noisy due to it's location - would stay there again. We visited an excellent Tapas bar called 'Tapa Cana' which is very popular and centrally located and again if you find somewhere you can recommend please do. The Little Duke on Calle Doctor Gadea 9 is an Irish bar (run by a friendly Argentinian) is worth a stop if you want to watch the Rugby - the open air bar just up in road in that Park Plazo Calvo Sotela is also really nice.

spainrico

Some good restaurants from cheap to more expensive on calle San Francisco - starts in the corner of Plaza Calvo Sotelo. The Little Duke sells a beer made up in Altea - good stuff! I wrote an article about the micro brewery that produces it.

Hornets_Nest

How are you getting on with Rosetta Stone ... I am just over halfway through and whilst it helps I am finding it pretty tedious as it doesn't show translations and the speech recognition is pretty hit and miss. For out and out Vocab there is a fantastic little App called 'Learn 6000 Spanish Words'.

EdinWigan

Well I like to wander about, find a nice Tapas bar, here and there, wander again. I did like all of them tbh but especially a little one called Beethoven, in Sant Blai but many more to find.

I have just started the Rosetta Stone course. So far I know a lot about horses, dogs and things generally walking running and jumping but hopefully in time.

I am looking at some great apartments, in teh city up to 100,000 euros ( 3 bed + 2 WC)

Has anyone tried the swimming /Gym complex (municipal, just near the football stadium) ?

I am flying out again for a week on Wednesday, staying very central.

Hornet, I book apartments through AirBnB, great value and choice

I will be noting the great and welcome advice above and checking places out, including a bus down to Gran Alicant to look at the bowling. It is only 1.70 on the bus, lol

Sorry for teh delay in replying, been a mad busy week here

Hornets_Nest

Good luck EdinWigan let us know how you get on - Rosetta Stone does get a little better as you progress but nothing really beats trying it out for real which I'm sure you will when you arrive - have a great trip.

EdinWigan

I have downloaded the app you recommended and it is great, thank you. I am looking forward to Tuesday, to see what teh city is like in the off season and have little trips up n down the coast.

Hornets_Nest
This time I have booked, again through AirBnB, an apartment in teh Old Town (Calle San José) Very good value at 36 euro a night

EdinWigan

Anyone visited or have knowledge of teh Municipal Swimming/Sports complex in Alicante City (just next to the Hucules FC stadium) ?

spainrico

Not me, but lots of gyms etc about, I have access to a fabulous place with absolutely everything called ARENA. Not the cheapest but as always you get what you pay for. Just back from a fabulous day in the mountains with a local group.