Hiya: i got a bit bored with scanning the comments but if this is still a relevant topic I lived in Santa Pola for a while. Nice, ordinary seaside town. Torrevieja is a bit scruffier and it feels a lot bigger - foreign influences are much more obvious in Torrevieja than Santa Pola.

As I've walked around Spain from Badajoz to Santiago and Zaragoza to Huelva the only place where I've ever felt a bit unsafe was in Benidorm and nothing happened so it was just my imagination.

You are all right, some more than others!!. We will be in our mid 60's when we are able to make the move. I will not be driving (I don't want all the hassle) so it is important that amenities are close to hand, a bus ride if not in walking distance away.
It is important to me that we integrate and get to know Spanish people and ex-pats too.

The whole move swings on whether my wife can still get the specialist drug treatment she needs for her Crohn's if she needs it on the Spanish NHS. We plan to come for a month to have a good look around then take a 6 month let to begin with a view to making it more permanent all being well.

As much as I want to make the move, I have to do what's best for 'her indoors"
Bryan

If you're not going to drive, try an apartment in the middle of a town. Everything on your doorstep and you're more likely to have some Spanish neighbours, if you feel that's important to you (although it's my experience that you're going to have to master Spanish if you're going to get beyond a good morning, good night, how are you, exchange).

If you are of pensionable age then you will receive full medical care and drugs with the S1 form. If one of you is of pensionable age then the other will benefit as a beneficiary via S1 form.
Contact DWP in Newcastle for details on how to apply etc.