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Information on Velez Rubio

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 6:00pm
8 replies303 views6 members subscribed
Lucky Luke

Posts: 8

Location: Velez-Rubio

Joined: 14 Aug 2019

Hi! 

We’re considering to buy a property in Velez Rubio and have some questions (new to this forum, so I hope this is the right spot to ask them):

- are there any running groups or athletic clubs in or nearby?

- any other sports facilities (tennis, padel, triathlon, bicycle or MTB clubs?

- how are the winters? Average temp? Rainy days? Freeze? Snow?

- what’s the local mentality towards guiry?

- are there a lot of bars & restarants?

- what about shops and other amenities?

- what would be reasons NOT to live there?

- any other info on this village is welcome?

Looking forward to read your input!

Luke

PuffTheMagicDragon

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:26pm

PuffTheMagicDragon

Helpful member

Posts: 304

188 helpful points

Location: Oria

Joined: 22 Sep 2018

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 8:26pm

Hi Luke, not a running club as such, ‘Indalo Hash House Harriers’ meet anywhere from the coast to V Rubio, and we have some proper runners in the group too. Check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_House_Harriers  we’re on Facebook, Indalo HHH or for more info [email protected]

Winter weather, a lot of people will tell you its cold and V Rubio gets snow, well they’re correct, but as many of them don’t live at this altitude, that’s all they know, they can’t tell you about the good bits. Snowball fights, sledging and skiing etc and generally acting like kids, and afterwards, hot chocolate & brandy in front of a log fire. But seriously, get some efficient insulation on your house and a good heating system, and you’ve cracked it, a coat, hat & gloves when you go out, nothing better than walking in the campo on a crisp frosty morning, and the days are generally bright & sunny, which also cheers the soul.

There are quite a few Brits in the area, but not saturated with them like some British ghettos! The Spanish are very warm & welcoming, especially if you make a effort to integrate.

There are plenty of bars, restaurants & shops, even a ‘Brit Shop’ for anything you can’t do without.

Personally, I can’t see any reason not to live in V Rubio; however it’s your opinion that counts, if you can rent for a while first, you’ll have more info to make up your mind.

Puff


psy1967

Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 1:34am

psy1967

Helpful member

Posts: 200

216 helpful points

Location: Velez-Rubio

Joined: 29 Jun 2016

Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 1:34am

Hi Luke

The answer to your broad question is that it depends what you are looking for. Many people live in Mojacar, Vera, Turre etc very happily and probably wouldn't want to live in Velez Rubio.  We chose it for the space, quiet and general absence of all of the things you find in "resorts".  

To try to answer your specifics:

- are there any running groups or athletic clubs in or nearby?  No idea, but we did find ourselves in the middle of a very large organised duathlon (is that the right word? A triathlon without a swim) in Puerto Lumbreras one Sunday, so there must be something there to join in with.

- any other sports facilities (tennis, padel, triathlon, bicycle or MTB clubs?  I do a reasonable amount of MTB around the ramblas, and I see loads of road groups out and about so again if you want something to join in then I'm sure its there.  No idea about rackets, except badminton in my garden :)

- how are the winters? Average temp? Rainy days? Freeze? Snow?  I am genuinely bemused by those who tell you about snow.  OK, I have only been here 3 years, but in that time we had snow one night in winter, and it was gone by lunchtime.  However, it is cold overnight in winter and you will definitely need heating.  We lost a few plants this winter when one night it went to -6 overnight and they aren't used to it, but that was really unusual.  Generally we eat breakfast and lunch in the sun on the terrace in winter, but it is too cold in the evening - you have to eat indoors.  In January this year we spent several days picking our olives - I was in shorts with optional t-shirt. We live off grid and use solar power.  I almost never use the back up generator, but can happily run all the mod cons and still have plenty of surplus power to run the pool pump all day.

- what’s the local mentality towards guiry?  Very welcoming.  I think it helps if you make an effort to speak Spanish - I can't imagine many shops / bars in the UK where you might walk in and speak Spanish and expect a conversation to develop. 

- are there a lot of bars & restarants?  There are several, but obviously more at the beach resorts.  The restaurants are also (IMHO) much more characterful than you would expect at the more touristed sites - personal favourites being Area Recreativa La Piza for a walk and then a hearty plateful of lamb, or Asador Espadin for serious beef.  I am not saying that one environment is better than the other, just that it depends what you are looking for. 

- what about shops and other amenities?  Plenty of shops in VR, more in Puerto Lumbreras, and loads in Lorca.  Depends how keen you are to jump into the car.  We find ourselves in Lorca very regularly for shopping etc, and then love driving back up the extra 500m or so altitude to be away from the smog and hordes of people.

- what would be reasons NOT to live there?  (1) If you don't want a Spanish community / do want ex pats, chiringitos, etc, then VR isn't for you.  (2) It is warmer nearer to sea level, though I would argue that altitude gives freshness.

- any other info on this village is welcome?  (1) Velez Rubio is the Ayuntamiento we fall under, but in reality we are equally at home in Puerto Lumbreras or Lorca, so VR is only a part of the equation.  Perhaps if you are close into VR, or east of it then you might feel differently.   (2) You sound as though you are quite active - there are many walking/cycling tracks in the Sierra Maria de los Velez.  I am slightly embarrassed to say that we tried one, found that it starts and ends at a really friendly restaurant (see Area Recreativa La Piza above) and have kept doing the same walk since for that sole reason.  Everyone who stays with us gets dragged there.   :)

Hope that helps!

Paul

psy1967

Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 1:37am

psy1967

Helpful member

Posts: 200

216 helpful points

Location: Velez-Rubio

Joined: 29 Jun 2016

Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 1:37am

Sorry, that should have read "Perhaps if you are close into VR, or WEST of it then you might feel differently"

Lucky Luke

Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 11:36am

Lucky Luke

Original Poster

Posts: 8

Location: Velez-Rubio

Joined: 14 Aug 2019

Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 11:36am

Thanks Puff! A good and useful input that makes us want to do it! We actually love cold, sunny days!

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Lucky Luke

Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 11:53am

Lucky Luke

Original Poster

Posts: 8

Location: Velez-Rubio

Joined: 14 Aug 2019

Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2019 11:53am

Thank you, Paul. Very helpful indeed! We’ll check out the restaurants in October. 

jacmart 2

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:54pm

Posts: 6

Location: Velez-Rubio

Joined: 11 Sep 2020

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:54pm

Hi once again just signed up to VR forum....We are thinking of retiring to the area in the mountains, can anyone tell us what the health system is like in Spain. I read of lots of people retiring to Spain but how does the health system work if needed. We are looking to Coles relocation specialists has anybody dealt with this company on their relocation.

ElliG

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2021 10:21am

Posts: 25

Location: Sorbas

Joined: 6 Nov 2021

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2021 10:21am

Hi

We are on the brink of buying a house in the mountains between Velez Rubio and Puerto Lumbreras. 

It is very much in the campo..nearest neighbours half a mile  away,  but it's a beautiful spot with lovely views.

We  have been told by the estate agent that the only way to get internet is vi with a satellite system.  Can anyone tell us how easy is that to sort.

Thank you.

psy1967

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2021 11:37am

psy1967

Helpful member

Posts: 200

216 helpful points

Location: Velez-Rubio

Joined: 29 Jun 2016

Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2021 11:37am

ElliG wrote on Wed Nov 17, 2021 10:21am:

Hi

We are on the brink of buying a house in the mountains between Velez Rubio and Puerto Lumbreras. 

It is very much in the campo..nearest neighbours half a mile  away,  but it's a beautiful spot with lovely views.

We  have been told by the estate agent that the only way to get internet is vi with a satellite system.  Can anyone tell us how easy is that to sort.

Thank you.

We also live between VR and Puerto Lumbreras, very much in the campo.  Who you can receive a wi-fi signal from is very dependent on precisely where you are.  We have Next, others around have Telplay (we can't get that) others work on Vodafone data sim.  I have been contemplating Satellite wifi a little as speeds look quite good and prices are now sensible, however I am told they have a high latency (it takes a relatively long time for a signal to go to a satellite and back again).

There was quite a bit of discussion of various providers on the local facebook group some months ago: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lvalaf/posts/682878852301098

If you want to PM me with the precise location, if it is near me I might be able to give more info. 

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