HELP!! Tell Me What It's Really Like
#1
Just Joined
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13
HELP!! Tell Me What It's Really Like
Hoping to soon be joining all you expats in Spain, but need lots of advice: Anyone made the move to Javea, can you tell me about likes, dislikes, crime etc, advise about long term rental..pitfalls, areas?? You get the picture, similarly about costa del sol, quite fancied Benahavis, or Estepona. Can anyone tell me who is best for private healthcare, if I should bring electrical goods, tv's etc and furniture. Really just keen to hear about anyone else experience. Who would you recommend for long term rentals in both areas, should I bargin over rate? Is spanish property market really as dire as the papers say. What should I beware of. Can anyone recommend a good lawyer in both areas, dont want to be conned by anyone dodgy. Also nervous about driving in spain can I get refresher lessons in English to help me on the roads. We are three females..Grandma, Me and daughter. Would really appreciate any advice from people who have made the move.
#2
Just Joined
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13
Re: HELP!! Tell Me What It's Really Like
Also can anyone advise me about taking a dog to spain, best method, company?
#3
Just Joined
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13
Re: HELP!! Tell Me What It's Really Like
What is Marbella area and Javea like in winter, are the still lively or ghost towns?
#4
Re: HELP!! Tell Me What It's Really Like
For private health I use Sanitas, they cost about €110 pm for a couple in their mid fifties
Javea is quite nice, very busy in the summer. As you probably know there is the arenal and the old town also.
All your electrical goods, white goods etc will work here with a change of plug. Some older TV's had an issue with terrestial TV sound, but sat is OK.
I can recommend a good lawyer in Gandia .... thats 40 mins drive from Javea, but if you have no alternative she is extremely good and speaks english.
If given the choice, I would choose Northern CB over what I have seen of the CDS any time, and thats no offence to you CDS people
If you are thinking of Javea also consider Denia & Oliva, both very nice in their own different ways
http://www.tourist-oliva.com/en/
Javea is quite nice, very busy in the summer. As you probably know there is the arenal and the old town also.
All your electrical goods, white goods etc will work here with a change of plug. Some older TV's had an issue with terrestial TV sound, but sat is OK.
I can recommend a good lawyer in Gandia .... thats 40 mins drive from Javea, but if you have no alternative she is extremely good and speaks english.
If given the choice, I would choose Northern CB over what I have seen of the CDS any time, and thats no offence to you CDS people
If you are thinking of Javea also consider Denia & Oliva, both very nice in their own different ways
http://www.tourist-oliva.com/en/
#6
Re: HELP!! Tell Me What It's Really Like
For private health I use Sanitas, they cost about €110 pm for a couple in their mid fifties
Javea is quite nice, very busy in the summer. As you probably know there is the arenal and the old town also.
All your electrical goods, white goods etc will work here with a change of plug. Some older TV's had an issue with terrestial TV sound, but sat is OK.
I can recommend a good lawyer in Gandia .... thats 40 mins drive from Javea, but if you have no alternative she is extremely good and speaks english.
If given the choice, I would choose Northern CB over what I have seen of the CDS any time, and thats no offence to you CDS people
If you are thinking of Javea also consider Denia & Oliva, both very nice in their own different ways
http://www.tourist-oliva.com/en/
Javea is quite nice, very busy in the summer. As you probably know there is the arenal and the old town also.
All your electrical goods, white goods etc will work here with a change of plug. Some older TV's had an issue with terrestial TV sound, but sat is OK.
I can recommend a good lawyer in Gandia .... thats 40 mins drive from Javea, but if you have no alternative she is extremely good and speaks english.
If given the choice, I would choose Northern CB over what I have seen of the CDS any time, and thats no offence to you CDS people
If you are thinking of Javea also consider Denia & Oliva, both very nice in their own different ways
http://www.tourist-oliva.com/en/
Yes Mitzy is spot on Northern CB would be the place to go, it's very nice.
#8
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 13
Re: HELP!! Tell Me What It's Really Like
Hi, Thanks for the info, can someone tell me about the crime levels and anything I should be aware of when looking for a place to rent ie safety? Also any good locations in Javea area?
#10
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Javea, Costa Blanca.
Posts: 225
Re: HELP!! Tell Me What It's Really Like
Sassykins
I live in Javea and love it. Do consider also neighbouring towns of Moraira and Denia.
Just my opinion but northern Costa Blanca prettier than southern Costa Blanca (but more expensive for sure).
Costa Blanca cheaper than Costa del Sol - less developed - not as hot in summer but much warmer than Costa Brava - so ideal!
Come out and RENT A PLACE FIRST before buying.
Gandia and Oliva further north very scenic and cheaper - less Brits.
I live in Javea and love it. Do consider also neighbouring towns of Moraira and Denia.
Just my opinion but northern Costa Blanca prettier than southern Costa Blanca (but more expensive for sure).
Costa Blanca cheaper than Costa del Sol - less developed - not as hot in summer but much warmer than Costa Brava - so ideal!
Come out and RENT A PLACE FIRST before buying.
Gandia and Oliva further north very scenic and cheaper - less Brits.
#11
Here or There - Who Knows
Joined: Apr 2008
Location: spain
Posts: 48
Re: HELP!! Tell Me What It's Really Like
Hi Sassykins,
myself and my wife are moving to Javea in four weeks and are taking our two dogs with us. If you want to know any of the companies or people that we have used, just let me know.
Simon.
myself and my wife are moving to Javea in four weeks and are taking our two dogs with us. If you want to know any of the companies or people that we have used, just let me know.
Simon.
#13
Re: HELP!! Tell Me What It's Really Like
When I came to Spain I had a full check up with a private doctor not on the Sanitas system as I hadn't joined. It was a better check up than I would ever have had in the UK with scans of major organs and blood tests. It cost a tad over €300 ....... but what price peace of mind? You have your car serviced twice a year for around the same price, so why not yourself
#14
Re: HELP!! Tell Me What It's Really Like
We live in Javea and from what I am told by my old neighbour who is in the Guardia Civil the crime levels go up a tad in the summer, we had our bikes stolen off our patio which had a high metal fence and locked gate within the first month of being here they are a comman thing to be stolen so make sure you chain them up. I would say be very careful of trusting the british they are not all dodgy but a lot are, earning a living is hard, just keep in mind you still have to pay the bills do the ironing go to work it's not like being on holiday and as they say the grass is not always greener on the other side, saying all this I do like living here it is hard and as someone said to me when we first got here you learn to live in Spain. It can be very cold in the winter so make sure you live somewhere with heating. If you live slightly out of Javea and your daughter is dependant on you it does mean lifts to the Arenal and back but it is worth it to live slightly away from the hustle and bustle. Javea does become a bit of a ghost town in the winter but you get some good deals in the restaurants as they want your business. Sorry if some of this sounds a bit negative just trying to tell it like it is.