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