Hi folks

Has anyone any info on or experience of the village of Orba. Trying to gather together some background on it but little available online . Thanks

Hi

I lived in an urbanization (La Foya) whilst spending some time with my parents for around 6 months in 2008, but little has changed after I spent a couple of weeks there last year.

Orba village is cute enough, but really not much to keep the average person entertained. A couple of banks, a couple of cafes and restaurants, a few small shops and a supermarket...Living on an urbanization with a bunch of Brits is inclusive if you fit in, just don't expect much Spanish to be spoken nice views up on the hills.

As long as you're mobile, have a car you can drop into Denia which has some nice harborside nightlife and there's a reasonable local scene in the town, plus fiestas like las fayas.

Other than that it depends on what kind of life style you want to live. Do you need to work, retired, want to speak Spanish or not? Interests and pursuits?

Jon

We live in the campo about 4 miles from Orba and know it well.
I have little to add to the comments from Kwtsh except to say that there are dozens of villages like Orba on the Costa Blanca with little to separate them from an ex-pat's point of view other than the level of Spanish required to live there or their proximity to a large town with the usual facilities.
If you can actually live in the village rather than on an urbanisation nearby, your enjoyment of the village life will be so much greater and your Spanish will improve exponentially.
However, if you need the reassurance of a large group of Brits around you, Orba village won't really suit you, so stick to an urbanisation.

Thank you both very much. I appreciate it

We are looking to live right in the village. From what I gave gleaned so far there's a reasonable amount of English speakers about and as I am only 6 months into my Spanish language course I would find that helpful.

We are both ( early) retired and have lived abroad before in a small village so a couple of eateries/watering holes a supermarket and a bank are sufficient for us- as long as there's proper shopping available within a 30min drive.

Can you recommend any local bars, restaurants?

Thanks again as we were struggling to hear opinions on the village

You can sit in the square in Orba (tiny) and there's a few obvious bars / tapas restaurants around, but it's local fair, not cava baja, Madrid style tapas, certainly edible but far from delicious. There are a couple of nice restaurants around, with menu del dia around the 10 EUR mark. I can't recall the name of any, but will ask my parents, one was a short drive from Orba in Orbeta.

Orba's is quite quiet, certainly a mix of locals and British expats who in the main live in urbanizations out of town. Being closeish to the coast in Denia is pleasant, and having Valencia airport nearby is good for trips further afield. But for example the trains, you'd have to get to xeraco first, then train to Valencia/Bercelona, so not ideal. Most retired expats I knew seem to spend their time doing charity work for the rotary/lions club, playing bridge, socializing, what have you. Highly suggest you virtually walk around Orba using google street view. You can get a real good feel for the place, which in real life you can an walk around in a 15 minutes.

Depends what you want to do, how you like to live. For me, in my mid 40s it's far too quiet. At least it's not overrun with tourists, although Denia can see it's fair share in summer.

Think carefull about what you will do. Not now, but in 1,3 and 5 years time. What's kind of things will you want to do after the honeymoon period of moving in has worn off? Particularly if you're buying property there's plenty of bargains to be had, but if / when you leave, be aware many houses can take years to sell. Is Brexit affecting your thinking at all? We saw a lot of people come and go during the time they lived there.

Have you looked at other locations! Why Orba?

Jon

Thanks for your help Jon.

Have completed 5 viewing trips

Love the Jalon/ Orba valleys.

Have checked out Jalon, Parcent, Alcalali, Lliber, Pego, Xeresa, Xixona, Rafol, Sagra, Benissa, Ondara, Senija, Tormos, Gata, and others.

Our pref is a small village with some facilities but with access ( no more than 30mins drive) to civilisation for big weekly shop. Much prefer village centre living than urb living .

We also love Denia and Javea - to visit but not live in so this general area feels good. We are Irish so no major Brexit worries.

Welcome

Ah, in which case if you've spent time in the region then you'll have a pretty good idea. Certainly the Javea coast is pleasant for a short trip. There's nothing I would warn you off Orba about, and if you're dead set on learning the language that will make all the difference. You'll hear some Catalán around, but mostly its Castellano.

If you can afford an extended reconnaissance trip it might we well worth the investment. A couple of weeks in Orba and you'll know every street, shop/inn keeper and probably made a few friends to boot.

Although Brexit isn't affecting you directly, if indeed it goes ahead it may be that in 3-5 years time a large number of expats are forced to return to the UK when their pension isn't worth so much and they've lost their health cover. Or in another dimensions that will all get sorted out and nothing will change, but worth bearing in mind.

Buena suerte Jon

Cheers Jon much appreciated.

We are all booked to return for another week next month this time staying in Orba.

God knows how many trips this buying lark is gonna take!!!!

Well good luck with the move, embrace it! If you'd like a pointer for a good Gestor in Orba let me know. I used them and whilst there hands are tied by the Spanish bureaucracy, they do a very good job of helping you navigate through the system, particularly when buying and their English is good. (The usual no affiliation disclaimer) if interested drop me a pm and I'll send you their details.

Yes please
Have now sent you message

For the best pizza outside of Italy, go to:
Restaurante Pizzería Piscina de Orba.
Just 2 minutes out of town by the old swimming pool.
Never had a bad meal there yet.
Many other good offerings on the menu too.