A few questions before the big move, 12th May

Hi everyone,

Right the time has come, Ive handed in my notice at work, booked a flight and got a start date for my new job so im about to begin my new life very soon. Im a mid 20's single professional who has got a job in La Zenia. My company are putting me in an hotel for the first 4 weeks while i find my feet and a new home. I have been looking on the internet and have found afew long term rentals which look great but as im in England and they are in Spain not sure on the area's. Areas which i do like the look of are Playa Flemenca and Las Altas. Can anyone please share some more information on these places and also reccomendations on other great residential complex's around these area's. Am i right in thinking finding a long term let will be easy or with it coming upto holiday season is it going to be hard? Also would you say 460 euros inc bills is good??

Also i would like to know about buying a car. Is it easy to get a good used second hand car around the alicante area? I was thinking of bringing my car over but it does bother me driving at the wrong side of the car but when ive looked on internet sites the second hand cars seem rather expensive? Am i best to buy private?? And is car insurance expensive for my age (5years no claims)?

Nearly done now just one more thing, social security and tax contributiions................ i have been told that i will be expected to pay about 180 euros per month?? Is this correct and it seems expensive? I thought maybe i couldnt go for private medical for the price of this. And last but not least, tax, again i have been told upto 25k is 20% and over is 30%. Can someone share some light on this. Is there any other contributions i will pay out?

Well thanks for reading all this and hopefully your replies. I guess im just alittle bit nervous but am very much looking forward to coming over soon. Thanks

Assuming you will become a resident, if you bring your car over, you will have to re-register it, involving time, hassle and expense. Some people do it, but personally I don't think it's worth it - as long as you are sure you will stay, that is!

Unless you know cars, I would think you're best buying from a garage that offers a warranty of some sort. I don't know the area you are heading for, but I think there's plenty of choice. Insurance I think is probably cheaper than UK. You can get an online quote in English (make up the car model!) to get an idea, from Linea Directa (Direct Line in Spain).

Yes, social security is expensive, but if you are employed, it is deducted from your wage automatically. If you are going to be working on a self-employed basis, you have to pay it (and it's more like €250). It's not optional. But yes, you can get private medical for less. Many ex-pats opt for private health even though they are covered on the Social Security as well, which tends to be pretty good really.

Good luck with your move.

As you haven't said what you want to rent, it's hard to say if 460e is a good price.

I would have thought as your job is based in La Zenia then the nearer you are the better as the 332 can get crowded at peak times.

The two areas you mention are close to each other so it could come down to what you would be looking for in an area.  Do you want some where that's lively, with bars within walking distance?

On another site someone recommended Framon Motors in Bigastro.  If you buy a car from them they include an airport parking service which could come in handy if you plan on going back to the uk for holidays.

They advertise in the local english papers so may be worth a look.

Hi, if you're going to work in La Zenia you will be able to buy a good quality used car from about 6 places on the 'strip'.......which is a wide road with shops pubs and garages all the way down it very near to where you will be.

At Playa Flamenca, which is also near, there will be lots of long term rentals for the price you're talking about. If you are going to be in a hotel for 4 weeks you'll be able to look round and choose where you want to be.

If you want any other info ( I live in Playa Flamenca and have done for 5 years ) PM me and I'll help if I can.

Thanks for all your replys, yes i think im just gonna buy a car when i get out there,someone has also mentioned global cars, its just ive got quite a nice car now but you dont seem to get alot for your money in spain car wise.

Regarding to living, i would like somewhere alittle lively. At first my friend is coming across with me but only for  a couple of months and then i'll be on my own so i'd like to live somewhere that has a good community of people, (easy to make friends) and as im a young woman, yes i would like afew bars that i can go to and have some vino, ha ha. Also i dont think the hotel for the first 4 weeks is happening now, think im gonna get an apartment, ive seen one in Punta Marina, 800 euros for 4 weeks. Im thinking of renting this while i hunt for somewhere to live permantly. What is this area like please?  

Some people recommend Global cars and others tell you not to touch them with a barge pole.

I've heard of a Punta Prima but not a Punta Marina?  Where abouts is it near?

Which area has more going on? Shops, bars etc?? This is so hard with my not knowing the area? Also what do you think of Playa Flamenca?

I would say Punta Prima.

I might be a bit biased about Playa Flamenca cos that's where I live!!

I love it, there is always something happening and everything, shops doctors pubs eating places and entertainment are all near. There are several beaches within walking distance and Torrevieja is only 10 minutes away by car.

The downside, if you want to call it that is that the 332 gets bunged up in summer so you have to add extra time on your journey and we get a lot of holiday makers. But for me, that all adds to the excitement of living here.

is there many long term rentals available in that area? and do you know what price?

Karen, send the pics of the garage

(P.S. builders on site today ripping up garage floor to alter drainage - some way to go yet to sort the problem out, but it's a start!)

tried to put some pics on but they came out MASSIVE...........so sorry, had to edit before I took over the whole of EOS !!

Karen, I recommend paint.net, you can download it for free and it makes resizing your photos a breeze. Sorry, way off topic now.

P.S. two days digging, and still no sight of the pipe that nobody remembers where they built it, and the plans don't show because they were altered without consent from the planning dept. Whoops, even more off topic now