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My wife and I are intending to move to Spain in 2007, our idea is to buy a caravan and tow it down to Southern Spain in the area of Alicante and live in it with our little Westie dog until we find a place to buy or renovate.     There does not seem to be many sites in the area, as we are both new to all this does anyone have any adviceabout this idea, good or bad, any replies would be most welcome

Hmmm, not a very nice area that now though.  Torrevieja, Cabo Roig etc have all become full of thieves, prostitutes and undesirables I am afraid and the quality of houses over there is awful.  I know because I took a friend house hunting and have several others that have bought over there.  The complexes have had to resort to gates and security staff.  Lots of petty crime and burglary going on.

I would really think hard about what you want from life and do your homework.  I would not leave a caravan or motorhome with all my worldly belongings in it parked up there that is for sure!

Don't want to frighten you, just advising you to have a long hard think about destinations.

Ali

Just about an hour and a half South of Alicante is La Manga.  http://www.caravaning.es/  We came in February, and came back in September.It's a good site and well located for searching for property. The facilities are great and security absolutely first class. We had heard bad publicity about the site and came with very mixed feelings but we love it..

.The area is fuull of contrasts, part well developed aka Villas of Micahel; Schumacher,Cliff Richard etc. and many inland villages unspoilt and still at sensible prices.

We're here until April/May now at least so any questions feel free to email me. We also have some contacts over here now in the property business

One really bad area was Alicante Marina, it was full of gangs and people offering to "look after your car" who menaced you for money when you got back to the car park.  I felt decidedly uncomfortable there.

It has become a sport now amongst the villa owners to go out like vigilantes and hunt down the thieves, I kid you not.  I prefer to relax during my holidays!!

Ali

Tony, This is one that you may find of interest.

             http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/details.asp?revid=6344

Wherever you end up, Here is some advice you should take very seriously, and that is not to rush into anything, double check before you sign anything, get an independant lawyer and most importantly of all, make sure that you have water and legal electricity on site.

Most people in Spain are nice, friendly and good, that only want to help, so talk to lots of people and look at lots of places before you make your mind up.

Best Wishes and good luck with your new venture.

Jeff.

Many thanks to all those people who replied with words of wisdom, we will take care and are looking to relocate near the town of Villena which is about 45 minutes inland from Alicante. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful New year.

Tony and Clare, just read today's Daily Mail and they have a double page article about health care in Spain that you might find interesting.  All to do with entitlements once you are resident and it is dependant on age and working status etc.  Essentially if you are, say, mid fifties and move over there permanently you seem to fall into a black hole whereby treatment is not free before you become of pensionable age, assuming you are not working and paying Spanish tax that is.

People are having to pay out their life savings for surgery and cancer treatment.  Might be worth a read and further research?

Ali

Bit like in the UK then!

Interesting article in the Daily Mail, and like many newspaper stories it is based on fact BUT somewhat alarmist and written in a very slanted way. Providing people do their homework before they leave and don't try to cut corners there shouldn't be any problems.If it makes people think then the article has provided service but if it should put anyone off I think that would be extremely sad.

Spanish Healthcare is rated amongst the Top 5 in the world, and having had some experience of it I can only endorse that.

The DWP Web Site http://www.dwp.gov.uk/international/sa29/index.asp has some extremely useful information especially regarding documentation necessary to receive healthcare as a visitor,resident or retired person.

If you need Private Insurance an extremely useful web site is http://www.sanitas.es/websanitas/ing/index.html  who appear to be generally far more competetive than their English equvalents.

http://www.vacationwork.co.uk/ publish up to date Books for both Living and Working in Spain and retiring to Spain.

Having spent many years caravanning in Spain, we are now there for at least six months and considering a permanent move.

If I can help email me.

Absolutely Nick, I was just drawing it to their attention to make sure they have considered and researched all angles.

Ali

I would agree with Nick health care here is first class, we have lived and worked  in Benidorm for 5 years and find most spanish people lovely. We also feel safer here than we do when we go back to the uk to visit family.

All the best with the move Tony and Clare.

Quote: Originally posted by Tony + Clare Smith on 25/12/2006

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My wife and I are intending to move to Spain in 2007, our idea is to buy a caravan and tow it down to Southern Spain in the area of Alicante and live in it with our little Westie dog until we find a place to buy or renovate.     There does not seem to be many sites in the area, as we are both new to all this does anyone have any adviceabout this idea, good or bad, any replies would be most welcome

 

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My brother did exactly what you intend to do. Took his caravan over there and used it as a base whilst he found somewhere, and he actually ended up finding a plot of land to build his own bungalow on, and he is also in the Alicante region. He has never encountered any problems and enjoys it out there and has no plans to move back to the UK. As everywhere else it has it's bad and good areas and you just have to choose carefully. As for healthcare he says it is second to none and has received excellent medical treatment out there.