NickH01

Hi Folks, just looking for any info regarding living in the Hondon Valley area. We are currently renting just outside of Elche and have seen some properties that we like the look of in the Hondon Valley. We accept that it is further from the airport/coast and that the temperature is a couple of degrees lower than at the coast. But what else should we be aware of? We are both retired so no need to work and both drive.
Thanks.

Bri and Katee

Driving is the biggie. Without your own transport you would be up the river, public transport is almost non existant. Both Frailes and Nieves are nice places, I'm assuming you will be looking at one of the urbanisation homes? They are situated on the outskirts of the towns and while walking would be fine- as you age the distances seem to grow! Both towns have an active expat community and both have english run cafe/bars that are always full. The extra distance involved from Elche is in truth only about 10/15 minutes once you get to know the area and its roads better.
There are plenty of stores in the way of bakeries, small supermarkets, but if you want a larger outlet in the way of Carrefour/AlCampo, then you are going to have to do a weekly/monthly shop down in Elche. On the plus side they both have pretty decent bodegas with bottles of wine starting at around 80cents and spiralling upwards. The bodega at Nieves sells what is called Bulls Blood (la sangre del toro) the first week or two after the pressings in the autumn, its a young rich wine- the locals take in 5 litre plastic bottles and have them filled direct from the large wooden vats, of course it has to be drunk immediately it won't put by to age!

missile

Property is cheap to rent or buy there. However if you buy, please be advised it may be difficult to sell.

It will be warmer in summer but cooler in winter

iano

Both attractive villages, with nice surroundings.

Had a recce in May, and driving round the large urb sited betwixt the two places, was struck by how quiet it was, as well as the number of Dutch registered vehicles !

NickH01

Thanks to all for your informative replies, we're going to have a good look around the area and see if it's what we like. The house is not on an urbanisation but is not totally isolated. Thanks again for your info.