Moving to area

Hi Mike, You didn't say whether you're going to rent or buy property. I advise you to rent (initially at least). Rent a two bedroom apartment between Parque Commercial and Hotel Indalo and unless you're very unlucky things should go well. It is relatively easy to pick up 1/2 months rentals when you are in Mojacar Playa. Ensure you know the total monthly rental charges and not get hit with surprise charges for this, that and t'other later. Always remember, you could rent in the best area, but your near neighbour could be a nightmare. Use your own judgement.

Hi Mike, that’s a very very broad question.  Where would be best to retire to? Depends very much on what you are looking for.

Mojácar has a much greater preponderance of British migrants and holiday makers than does Vera Playa - during the summer months I avoid Mojácar like the plague because of the sheer amount of traffic - both along the Paseo del Mediterraneo and indeed into the Pueblo.

Vera Playa is much more accessible in terms of traffic

With regards Vera Pueblo, unless you speak Spanish or are prepared to learn, you are likely to find yourself a little lonely as very little English is spoken in Vera.

What are you looking for in a retirement area?

Thanks for your response....Its difficult to get an objective view by just looking at websites or even youtube.....I have just retired and am realistic about what to expect from Spain, we have been lots of times but it will be totally different living there, I know that.

What we need is to wake up in the sun and feel more alive and not just existing from month to month, we are both outgoing and are young for our age...but we are looking for a different lifestyle...we have lived in the counrty for the past 20 yrs, but we now would like some people around us and be able to meets different people, so we don't want a " holiday or part time town" that is dead in the winter.

We are trying to avoid expat enclaves but it would be nice to meet some Brits to get to know the ropes...we will rent fist for 6-9 months.

We have recently come back from Almeria and Murcia but didn't have time to get to down to Vera/Majocar... the other thing is we hope not to bring a car...so decent public transport links is a must.

thanks and regards...

Ok, if you want to avoid expat enclaves, you’ll likely not be looking at Mojácar Playa.  Although whilst it certainly quietens in the winter, it doesn’t die.

Vera Playa seems a bit more active in the winter months, with the centro commercial and Las Buganvillas both staying open and keeping going.  Like Mojácar, many of the hotels close between October and May / June.  Still a fair few migrants in and around Vera Playa though.  Vera Playa plays host to the Artisan night market by the Zimbali hotel between July and mid-September - well worth a visit.

Garrucha.  Now THERE’S a possibility.  Very Spanish in flavour although you will still find a bit of English spoken.  Good amount of bars and restaurants that stay open all year round.  It’s a great place - as long as you are prepared for apartment living.

Puerto Rey is another possibility, set between Vera and Vera Playa, Puerto Rey is basically an area of urbanizaciónes (but also there’s a large Mercadona)

I’m in Puerto Rey and as yet have yet to hear English spoken in the rather large urbanización I am in.

As you say, living here is completely different to holiday here - there’s a lot more things you have to involve yourself with - such as going on the Padron (non residents should not be on padron) - thankfully in Vera that’s easy and going on to the Padrón and getting a Certificado de Empadronamiento (necessary for TIE) can be all done online (to all naysayers about to protest you have to attend the Ayuntamiento … you don’t. I know. I’ve just successfully done it all online)

Hi Mike, I have just read through all the posts on this thread again. I have a better idea of what you wish. I suggest you change the title of your thread for more reaction here. The current title (New to Forum) might potentially suggest that this is a dating thread 😉.

Before you get a few replies from Wanda or Gloria change the title. Check on previous posts  regarding living/renting/buying in Spain. 

My first advice to you is not to sell your home in the UK. If you rent it out, you have a good chance of making money while you rent in Spain. Sell your home in the UK and there is little room for a favourable retreat. 

The buses from Vera to Mojacar run all year round but only every hour and finish around 9.30 / 10.00 pm depending on where you get on. From end of June to early September they run much later but again only one an hour. From Vera bus station you can get almost anywhere by changing at bigger stations. For example I have been from Vera to Valencia changing buses in Murcia, Vera to Malaga changing in Almeria and so forth. Vera Playa is much quieter in the winter than Mojacar but still bars and restaurants open. I love Mojacar but like Dario will avoid it like the plague from now until September. The price of property both rental and purchase is cheaper on VP than Mojacar. I would rent in both places so can compare, before you decide.

Hi Mike

I totally get that, like you say, its very difficult to gauge anything remotely via websites, facebook, estate-agent spiel or youtube. Nothing will give you the feel until you sample it for real. I'd tend to agree with Dario in that looking at your list it'd be worth checking out Garrucha. It sits between Mojacar Playa and Vera Playa but has a completely different vibe. It's a working Spanish town but yet has some great beaches and fabulous restaurants. It might be that compromise vibe you're looking for.

Thanks for the info.....Yep Garrucha has been mentioned a few times, its another place we never quite managed to get to. We recently spent a week in Aguadulce and then another week in Aguilas without realising how close we were to Garrucha...having said that I remember checking out the buses from Almeria city to Mojacar anf found they weren't that good and had to change at Vera.....which was a bit strange as Mojocar is alot easier straight along the coast.

That is another thing, we want to do the move initally without a car...is that even possible I wonder ?

thanks for reading this..

Do the move without a car? Well … nothings impossible … but you will certainly struggle without your own transport.

As you’ve noted, Vera is the hub for buses and you’ll need to change at Vera to get to Vera Playa / Mojácar / Garrucha.  It’s no issue obviously getting a moving firm to take whatever items your bringing to your new home - but you’ll need to be there as well and without a car you are restricted to taxi or bus (high speed train only getting to Vera end of 2026 or thereabouts)