Definitely leaving UK, not sure where to go & always fancied La Manga (coming end March 17 to look around)

Hi all

Stumbled on this site by accident and its amazing! So much useful information.

I am on this site doing some research and hope you don't all mind my questions, I am giving moving to Spain serious thought after my son moved out of home recently. At 36 I have a home, a great 9-5pm job and all the trappings of UK life, but I'm just not happy. My happy times are walking my dog, going to the gym and spending time with my son (which is becoming rarer) work is great but i'm constantly being told to do less for people which is frustrating when I work with people who need more help if anything!

A recent health scare and losing a friend (and reading the eulogy poem called 'The dash' made me think about how I am living my life, and so I have decided to leave blighty. I lived in Spain when I was very young and fell in love with it, I have started spanish lessons, so I guess I am going where they speak Spanish!

I guess I just want to know if my passions will fit in La Manga....I'm coming out end of March to research more but I wonder if you can help me?

In Uk I'm a qualified Boxing Judge, and I'm doing my Coaching Badge too, is there an Amateur Boxing Club Locally I could get involved with?

How much Spanish would I really need to know?

Is there work for brits in the area?

Is it easy to rent a small place with 2 small dogs? I would pay for 6 months or a year upfront?

How big is the ex-pat community?

Its a big step as I'll be giving up a great job with the Local Council, my job involves supporting older people in the community to interact and offering practical support, things like accompanying people to Medical Appointments, Shopping, Changing Curtains, Using the internet,  etc but I also run a lunch group for fish and chips where 22 people regularly come together to support each other, network, make friends and knit, natter and have the occasional tipple. This is the only part of my UK life I would actually miss, so I am thinking would there might be a call for this in Spain?

Are there a lot of Older Ex Pats and locals who would like a service like this? I would develop it as a business and still be able to do something I love?

I'm coming out end of March to have a look round and would be so grateful to hear from any of you, your all doing what I am desperate to do-move away and start over xx

Donna