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Alicante (roughly) area most likely at this time, but it is a few years away if it happens.
Any thoughts on the area for biking? Looks pretty decent, but have yet to take the bike out to try any trails. Will obviously consider other options along the coastline (Barcelona to Malaga). Won't consider going further inland (in terms of buying a house) than a walk away from the beach! No issues with driving 2-3hrs to the trails, however.
Healthcare and getting a resident visa are going to be your big issues. Have you checked how much health insurance will be?
Aren’t you a few years too late?
I've got a flat in Torrevieja and it's very flat. Fine for road biking (although I'd prefer it a bit more hilly) but not great for MTB. Gravel would be OK as there are quite a few paths and trails, but again it'd be very XC. Nothing wrong with the area but if you're looking for proper MTB biking trails I'd be aiming for somewhere around Benidorm, and north of there.
We live in Southern Cataluña so well to the NE of Alicante so I can't really comment on the riding apart from it can get very hot this time of year and water supply is at a premium. A lot depends on the level of integration into Spanish life you want.If you want the ex pat lifestyle in an urbanaçion with other brits then almost anywhere from Valencia along the Costa Blanca to the Costa del Sol will do but we wanted to immerse ourselves in a community where very few spoke English and we really had to learn the language to survive. The climate here is also much better for cycling year-round, mild winter and normally late 20's summers, notwithstanding this year which has been early 30's for 3 months now. We immediately joined the local cycling club and this has helped immensely with finding local routes and improving our Catalan. Before moving, I did a lot of research on Wikiloc to get a picture of the types of riding available and we haven't been disappointed, still scratching the surface after 7 years. It goes without saying that the requirements for relocating here are now much higher than pre Brexit, if you meet the criteria, go for it, we're not planning to return anytime soon.
we’re not planning to return anytime soon.
Is anyone?
The list of things that would get me back to the UK could be written on a very small post it, with a very large pen...
I'm afraid it wasn't an option years ago when the going was good, there wasn't enough money in the bank.... To that end, there shouldn't be any issues with immigration, insurance, finances etc (using the current rules Spain have in force).
In the Alicante area, I see La Fenasosa, Bike Park La Nucia8 and Bike Park Costablanca..... Given that I live in Lincoln currently, I see these as an improvement over my current location!
@pistonbroke Spot on, many thanks, I'd be happier living closer to Barcelona I think, but the wife requires an expat community of some kind... That being said, we intend to be fluent in Spanish before we move full-time....
Barcelona itself might be worth a thought. It's got some decent beaches and the Collserola national park next door.
I've ridden just north of Alicante, with Jose @costablancaenduroland and there are some pretty good trails when you know where to go. We rode out of Altea (just north of Alicante) and there's loads of roadies that go there for winter training.
I reckon there's not much in the way of obvious trails around there, so local knowledge would be key. We've been there a number of times staying in the mountains east of Alicante. Best time to ride is September to April. Summer is way too hot for me.
Healthcare and getting a resident visa are going to be your big issues. Have you checked how much health insurance will be?
TBH its only needed until he can get an S1 and no I'm not retired 🙂
Healthcare for UK nationals living in Spain
Retirement is still doable here're, its just the entry cost is much higher than it was and you just can't rock up and decide to stay.
Visa process is started from the UK.
OP, what kind of riding are you looking for? Wherever you go there'll be plenty of XC style riding (XC race is huge here), gravel stuff etc. Access laws are a lot looser here so you can easily string a route together wherever you'll be living (within reason).
The Sierra del Maigmó and Sierra de Mariola are about an hour's drive each from Alicante. Plenty of more challenging singletrack trail routes there.
The Pyrenees are about 6 hours away by car (sounds a lot but the motorways are much better than back home) if you want big mountain stuff. Sierra de Los Filabres / Sierra Nevada 3 / 4 hours.
We made the move to Spain back in 2019, although the wife and I are the better part of three decades from retiring. The only two downsides to living here are 1. very, very, very hard to find a job that isn't English teaching and 2. summer can be unbearably hot if you live centrally (as do we). Number 1 won't apply to you and number 2 is alleviated somewhat by living on the coast.
Tip; start learning Castilian Spanish before you move.
but the wife requires an expat community of some kind…
Careful what she wishes for, some ex-pat communities are truly awful, gammon central. Most places along the coast will have a smattering of British residents and our policy has been not to just associate with people because we share a common language. I'd say it's worth spending time visiting possible areas before taking the plunge. Personally I'd discount Barcelona, it has quite poor air quality and is very expensive both to live and get around. We run a small casa rural if you fancy exploring our area around the Rio Ebro.
Casa Tomillo, Costa Daurada
I do like Barcelona but I have a feeling an apartment in a nice part of it is gonna be pricey.
I'm further down the coast,Between Lorca and Aguilas, its very Spanish and I'd say its the middle of nowhere but its actually 20 mins from the beaches/15 mins from the mcDonalds/big shopping complex/cinema via car, its not an area I'd probably choose(other than having family here) but it does have a lot going for it.
(Meh they are messing about with my fibre installation as we need another post.)
I'd rent and experience the various areas and see what you think you want is what you really want 🙂
Easy to spend here and hard to sell,its not the UK property market.
Beach/village/Brit Urbanisaition/The stuff in the middle of mountains in nowhere land only accessible by 4x4.
You don't need a million pound villa to be as happy as a pig in sh..
I did enjoy a weekend in Benidorm and that was only a 2 hour drive whether I'd want to live there full time, dunno but places you think would be grim and would dismiss out of hand, I would consider it.
I work here so its a different experience for me as opposed to be on 24/7 life of leisure ticket 🙂
I kept promising I'd learn the language before I came, you really need it to make life easier and don't underestimate the time it takes to be fluent.
I'd also think of your exit strategy, its usually a burn your boat financing the lifestyle to get a house and new car here, which is why I say rent as living here is way different from 2 weeks in Magaluf or be rich or downsize in the uk and manage your expectations here with a modest place.
Ah for the Bike riding part its just amazeballs, rocking up on the beach chiringuito's and grabbing a coffee or beer for £1.40 is just great and you can ride more along the coast and grab some more, forget energy gels, powered by Churro and Hot Choc is the way to go.
Or Espuna(if open) and trundle around the mountain on a mtb or road route or head down Mojacar way and train with the pros.
Or just ride the MTB around the mountains a mile down the road or gravel bike to the shops.
I want to do the Badlands tbh.
That's another thing to consider is the heat, I'm getting my good rides in early as its been 35-40c hot around here lunchtimes, its been funny weather but August is always mental.
TBH, i don't know how it is out in Spain, but over here there are so many English speakers of all ages from about 4 to 90 you don't actually need an expat community, just join a couple of facebook groups and you'll be set. The local "english speakers" group for the nearest major city is about 25000 strong, and the "brits" group is about 1500.
THen you have the locals, who mostly speak english better than a good chunk of brits do! I'm pretty sure that isn't the case in spain!
I’m further down the coast, Between Lorca and Aguilas
Very nice area. The mother-in-law owns an apartment in Puerto Rey which we use for holidays so spent quite a bit of time over the years exploring the areas around Aguilas / Pulpi / Vera. Some of the beaches on that coast are wonderful.
^ yep, I’d never really heard much about the area until I started visiting the in-laws but it’s actually got a lot going for it for the cyclists and anyone into more sporty type hiking,walking,holidays as opposed to the usual brits abroad drinking holiday and we’re only 2 hrs away from snow skiing if that’s your thing.
I think Murcias doing something with British Cycling to push the area as a cyling destination.
If I could meet the requirements I would be living in Girona like a shot. My favourite part of Catalunya.
Only thing I can say is pick your place wisely, 1st time.
A couple I worked with had a place out near Mojacar for ages but it was a holiday place. Idyllic, up in the hills, loads of walking/biking, nice pool, 3 bed place. They moved out there for good a few years ago but then realised after a year or so that in reality it was a PITA driving 20 minutes each way to do the shopping.
They’ve since moved to Archidona near Grenada. Loads of walking & biking (they don’t bike but walk loads) & about 45-60 mins to Malaga.
When I worked in Barcelona I commuted in from Sitges. I'll add noise to pistonbroke's downsides of Barcelona.
Have you considered northern Spain, OP. By that I mean the Basque country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. Walk the GR 121 along the north coast and make notes as you go. The advice to explore and rent before buying is sound. Have as much contact with people as you can and decide if you'd be at ease with living with them all the time, being surrurounded by people who are happy about who and what you are is important.
self defined 'ex-pats' are a red flag.
I know a few and they are a right bunch.
people who don't tend to be more integrated and chill.
sweeping generalisations, but useful rule of thumb
+1 for riding round Alicante with José and the Costa Blanca Enduroland.
We vaguely thought about moving to round there but ended up in France for a combination of riding, work and language reasons. We’re just on the border at the eastern end of the Pyrenees. I like the fluidity of language round here. Loads of people speak several languages. Also just the way of life seems really sorted. Being just into the mountains has protected us from the massive temperatures this summer even though it has been hot. Also, although, technically, this is not the rich part of France, nothing seems to be falling apart.
self defined ‘ex-pats’ are a red flag.
^^^ very much a lot of that!
100% rent before you buy, test drive the area you think you might like. It could avoid an expensive mistake and/or a lot of soul searching. Do a ton of research too, decide what you really want to spend your life doing and find the area to look at.
As for 'brits abroad', they truly are a special bunch, in 8 years here I've met a handful who are 'alright', the rest are either barking or dangerous to your health.
An exit plan is also worth considering, life changes, rules change, so having a way of getting back to the UK (however bad it might be), could very well be a necessity in the future.
Mega-thread update between me leaving work and getting back in this morning... Huge thanks to all, there's a lot to digest!
I'm a trail rider, love a good trail centre for all-day downhill, but if suspension defines the rider i'm a 130-150mm kind of guy. Ride a lot of road (live in Lincoln and don't get that much time off to hit the hills), but imagine the road scene would be good enough for me anywhere in Spain.
Looking at making a number of trips out, although a couple of weeks somewhere is different to a lifetime, we'll be exploring to make sure we can find the right mix of distance and facilities. I'll do some number crunching on the rental option, but it would add in the "you need to move because we're selling" risk that doens't exist when you own your own place.
A bit further down the coast, Cabo de Gata national park might be an area to look at, on the edge of the Sierra Nevada.
https://www.wikiloc.com/trails/mountain-biking/spain/andalusia/el-cabo-de-gata
From that article:
Taking all the above into account there is a need for Spain and Britain to sign a by-lateral agreement which would mean that the rights of British citizens in Spain remain the same as when the UK was a member of the European Union.
That simply isn't going to happen because the rights of British citizens in Europe are defined in the withdrawal agreement and Spain has to comply with those conditions.
That simply isn’t going to happen because the rights of British citizens in Europe are defined in the withdrawal agreement and Spain has to comply with those conditions.
You can still retire to Spain, you just have to prove you have €27K per year pension or other income and private health insurance. If you are a couple I think you have to proove €37k or something joint income, which is a bit easier, but messy if you divorce. Thats whats known as a non-lucrative visa, which also means you cannot work or take a job.
Or, if you buy a house worth €500k (£433k) or some other investment in spain, then the annual income requirements are relaxed, that's what's known as a 'golden visa'.
That simply isn’t going to happen because the rights of British citizens in Europe are defined in the withdrawal agreement and Spain has to comply with those conditions.
Yep, you just have to apply for residency etc. Have friends who are retiring in France, there's just a lot more paperwork now.
Yeah you can't just go over and crack on like you could before brexit took our right to freedom of movement away.
I've spend many Februaries in Altea, about half an hour north of Alicante. The road riding there is fantastic and the mountain biking is great (if you know where you're going...) - there's a reason that many of the pro road teams over-winter just over the hill in Calpe...
Despite being ten miles from... Benidorm, the second you get more than two miles inland, you're on quiet roads and similarly quiet Spanish villages. English is spoken, or tolerated, but it's still pretty rare to hear English voices once you get inland. It might be too quiet, but it depends on what you're after.
Spanish mountain biking is mostly fire road 29er lycra shorts, but there are a few trail riders around. Just look for anything with 'Enduro' in the name. I can personally recommend costablancaenduroland.com for a great locals' only taster of the trails north of Alicante. And hey, you've got Mondraker Bikes in Alicante, so there must be something going on there... 😉
there’s a reason that many of the pro road teams over-winter just over the hill in Calpe…
My ex boss bought a house there last year and now spends half the year our there road riding with the pro tour teams!
Cabo de Gato was the last 50ish km of today's Vuelta stage. Cycled (road) there with a mate a few years ago, and it's stunning, with lots of outings from Almeria. Don't know about MTB, but imagine there must be some in Cabo de Gato national park
Spanish mountain biking is mostly fire road 29er lycra shorts, but there are a few trail riders around.
I'd say it's a big mix, with everything from XC riders to enduro. And lots of e-bikes. At least in CoMadrid.
I suspect Chipps is teasing, if he isn't, one word: Ainsa!!!!! 😉
Yep, you just have to apply for residency etc. Have friends who are retiring in France, there’s just a lot more paperwork now.
To be able to apply for residency you first need to have your application for a long-stay Visa accepted. And be able to get health insurance. I know a couple who have given up for the moment. The best they could get was a six month extended stay visa.
lots of outings from Almeria
Almeria is a good central airport on the coast.. Very small.. About half way between malaga and murcia/alicante so less touristy and much more Spanish.. Well still touristy but not quite as much of a drunken Brits abroad area.
Ainsa isn’t a bad call. Traditionally it’s been 2nd home territory so no bargains on the real estate, but I imagine a lot of people are trying to downsize or offload in the current climate. I love the town and the surroundings but the thought of living there in winter…. uff…
I’m 15 years in Pais Vasco. Recommended if you like proper weather/seasons (for better or for worse) and super technical riding. No expat communities either, thankfully. Not leaving here for anything!
We're going to fall into the "high enough income" bracket which should mean a non-working visa won't be an issue. I'll even be considering an e-bike for the MTB work but will stick to a regular road bike for a good number of years yet!
Thanks for the heads up on the areas to look in to, I have a feeling van-life isn't going to suit the wife so we'll need to make sure we settle in the right area for us both!
Gammon central....true I m afraid. It's pretty easy to avoid just avoid the fake Irish bars and/or English bars.
Barcelona's a good shout but expensive, I go for gigs but wouldn't like to live there. Maybe san cugat just outside, but thats expensive too. Imagine richmond upon Thames with better weather.
If you can afford it I d spend winters in Spain, somewhere coastal, altea, javea, denia. Summers in uk, not lakes central but somewhere with good access too.
Sadly post brexit you have to decide, you can't just come and go.
Castellon / Benicassim area might work. You'd have a couple of miles on the flat to get inland to the hills. It's also nicely connected to Valencia and Barcelona by train.