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Where best to move in Murcia

Posted: Mon Oct 7, 2024 12:04pm
18 replies9 members subscribed
Lia82

Posts: 8

1 helpful points

Joined: 2 Oct 2024

Hi, 

My husband, me and our two chihuahuas want to move to Spain in 2026/2027. 

We are both in our 40s, both programmers and plan to work remotely as we do now. The German dark and cold winters become unbearable and Berlin is becoming too crowded and noisy for us. Plus we dream of a house with a little garden and living near the sea. Something that’s not possible for us in Germany. It would be great to be in walking distance to the sea (up to half an hour).

We’ve been in Valencia for 1,5 months (too loud) last winter. And will check out Dénia the coming winter for 2 months but for us to be able to afford a house and live comfortably, Murcia seems like the better option. And we plan to check it out when we are in Denia.

So far I've researched San Javier, Los Alcázares and Cartagena and we want to check out the region when we are in Spain this winter. 

We want to live somewhere quiet (no constant car noice) to be able to have nice walks with our dogs in nature, but still have and build a social life and visit restaurants, bars, gyms, supermarkets etc. around. My husband practices BJJ. I am a singer and as I will leave my old band behind I will want to look for alternatives.

 San Javier seems the most interesting but the flying academy worries me in terms of noise. Also I read a lot about the suffering of Mar Menor and wonder if it’s still a nice place to live.I know that a lot is done to improve the situation but I wonder how the situation is right now.

We generally like the Spanish lifestyle and food and both speak Spanish. I have still a lot to learn but my husband is half Spanish, half Costa Rican (I’m German) so it’s his mother tongue. So we are not looking for a place with only touristy restaurants and bars 😅 

Still an expat community would be great because we are used to having international friends in Berlin. 

Also I wonder about the health care situation. I have some chronicle conditions, for example I have adhd and need regular medication. Do I have to drive to Cartagena or Murcia for that? Is is hard to find specialists in general - in the public health care system?

When we will move to Spain of course we will rent first and get a feeling for the area. 

I am very grateful for any insider knowledge and tips which town could be something for us.

Thank you!

Julia

Clive Batchelor

Posted: Mon Oct 7, 2024 5:02pm

Posts: 17

10 helpful points

Location: Los Alcázares

Joined: 17 Jul 2023

Posted: Mon Oct 7, 2024 5:02pm

Hi Julia, I hope that you property search is a successful one . I am English and only live in Los Alcazares part of the year but I believe it is a good location with lots of lovely beaches close by . Having previously been based in the Marbella area property here is much cheaper and the area is less much less touristy , although parts of it can be busier in the summer months especially in the local strip of bars and restaurants . It might be better for you to be based in the old town in the heart of the Spanish community where property prices are still very competitive but there is less of a resort feel about the area . Beaches are still quite close but in this area generally you will experience quite a lot of aircraft activity due to the San Javier air training base , in my experience you would soon get use to this as it is not an everyday occurrence. The condition of the Mar Menor has improved significantly and myself my English family and our friends like to swim in it as the water is warm and quite shallow , it is extremely safe for children too . There are areas of significant weed present but this is gradually reducing and you can always find a weed free area in which to swim . The beaches are well served with bars and restaurants generally open at all times of the year . Enjoy your search and maybe come and see for yourself if you like this part of beautiful Spain !

PeterC

Posted: Mon Oct 7, 2024 6:16pm

PeterC

Super helpful member

Posts: 2308

1527 helpful points

Location: Los Alcázares

Joined: 10 Nov 2016

Posted: Mon Oct 7, 2024 6:16pm

"a lot of aircraft activity due to the San Javier air training base , in my experience you would soon get used to this " You may not want to watch much tv, but if you do you need headphones and closed windows - or be good lip-readers! The latest Pilatus aircraft are not too bad, but when the trainees move on to Eurofighters it can be like being on the set of Top Gun!

KevS

Posted: Mon Oct 7, 2024 6:45pm

KevS

Helpful member

Posts: 119

118 helpful points

Location: Camposol

Joined: 25 Jul 2023

Posted: Mon Oct 7, 2024 6:45pm

Check out the Mazarron area.  Our specific urbanisation (Camposol) is very large with over 4500 properties of all shapes and sizes but no apartments.  It is residential and not really touristy, well served with shops, banks, garage, ferretaria, gym, bars and restaurants etc on location and it is all year round.  There is a mix of nationalities here but it is largely British.  Other local urbanisations may differ in demographic.  My direct neighbours are Belgian, French, Dutch and yes… even Spanish so that is nice.  I believe that there are a few German people here too, I have heard some speaking whilst out shopping.

Depending where you select on this urbanisation there are a mix of quiet and less quiet areas - it is very large.  There is some bad history with the builder and council but you do get a lot for your money.  Our plot is about the same size at the back as the front terrace in the picture - 800 sq metres.  We only moved here at the start of the year so a winter of painting outside is ahead as the poor quality picture shows.  You would need to come and take a look, some love it some hate it.  The council has recently resolved some issues, stepped up in terms of adopting the urb and are taking responsibility for the area but I am not holding my breath on that, we are of course in Spain.

Nice beaches are a short car ride away and there are dog beaches where we walk our chihuahua.  We are also quite fortunate to have the wild, mountainous countryside 50 metres away from the villa with tracks to explore in every direction and rich history throughout the region.  Your husband will need his mother tongue on leaving the urb, it is proper farming Spain all around with some beautiful working towns and villages.

We are home birds so don’t really do the bars locally apart from the Spanish language classes lessons in the week.  The local port is lovely with lots of sea front bars etc, not too touristy and a very relaxed pace even in the height of summer.  Other almost deserted coves are all around and the water quality and temperature is good.  The bigger cities such as Cartagena, Lorca, Murcia have all the big stores for fitting out your home and garden and there are more locally too.

The Mazarron area is well worth a look.  Good luck with your adventure.

KevS

Posted: Tue Oct 8, 2024 1:53pm

KevS

Helpful member

Posts: 119

118 helpful points

Location: Camposol

Joined: 25 Jul 2023

Posted: Tue Oct 8, 2024 1:53pm

Oh, reading your question again, I forgot to mention.  We have a private and public health clinic with a pharmacy dispensary and a brand new hospital opened this year on the urbanisation.  

Plus there are a lot of musicians locally - the bars on sectors A and B have bands on throughout the summer and jam / open mic nights through winter.  The golf course clubhouse on C sector also has entertainment and events on through the year.

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Lia82

Posted: Tue Oct 8, 2024 1:54pm

Lia82

Original Poster

Posts: 8

1 helpful points

Joined: 2 Oct 2024

Posted: Tue Oct 8, 2024 1:54pm

Clive Batchelor wrote on Mon Oct 7, 2024 5:02pm:

Hi Julia, I hope that you property search is a successful one . I am English and only live in Los Alcazares part of the year but I believe it is a good location with lots of lovely beaches close by . Having previously been based in the Marbella area property here is much cheaper and the area is l...

...ess much less touristy , although parts of it can be busier in the summer months especially in the local strip of bars and restaurants . It might be better for you to be based in the old town in the heart of the Spanish community where property prices are still very competitive but there is less of a resort feel about the area . Beaches are still quite close but in this area generally you will experience quite a lot of aircraft activity due to the San Javier air training base , in my experience you would soon get use to this as it is not an everyday occurrence. The condition of the Mar Menor has improved significantly and myself my English family and our friends like to swim in it as the water is warm and quite shallow , it is extremely safe for children too . There are areas of significant weed present but this is gradually reducing and you can always find a weed free area in which to swim . The beaches are well served with bars and restaurants generally open at all times of the year . Enjoy your search and maybe come and see for yourself if you like this part of beautiful Spain !

Thank you, Clive!

Where exactly is the "old town in the heart of the Spanish community” ? Do you mean in Alcázares?

Did I understand you correctly that there it is especially loud because of the San Javier air training base?

Lia82

Posted: Tue Oct 8, 2024 1:56pm

Lia82

Original Poster

Posts: 8

1 helpful points

Joined: 2 Oct 2024

Posted: Tue Oct 8, 2024 1:56pm

PeterC wrote on Mon Oct 7, 2024 6:16pm:

"a lot of aircraft activity due to the San Javier air training base , in my experience you would soon get used to this " You may not want to watch much tv, but if you do you need headphones and closed windows - or be good lip-readers! The latest Pilatus aircraft are not too bad, but when the trai...

...nees move on to Eurofighters it can be like being on the set of Top Gun!

Thank you, Peter! 

Do you know how often these aircrafts fly around and where there their noise is the loudest? I am quite sensitive to noise so that would be a reason to avoid the areas where that occurs every day.

Lia82

Posted: Tue Oct 8, 2024 2:00pm

Lia82

Original Poster

Posts: 8

1 helpful points

Joined: 2 Oct 2024

Posted: Tue Oct 8, 2024 2:00pm

KevS wrote on Mon Oct 7, 2024 6:45pm:

Check out the Mazarron area.  Our specific urbanisation (Camposol) is very large with over 4500 properties of all shapes and sizes but no apartments.  It is residential and not really touristy, well served with shops, banks, garage, ferretaria, gym, bars and restaurants etc on location ...

...and it is all year round.  There is a mix of nationalities here but it is largely British.  Other local urbanisations may differ in demographic.  My direct neighbours are Belgian, French, Dutch and yes… even Spanish so that is nice.  I believe that there are a few German people here too, I have heard some speaking whilst out shopping.

Depending where you select on this urbanisation there are a mix of quiet and less quiet areas - it is very large.  There is some bad history with the builder and council but you do get a lot for your money.  Our plot is about the same size at the back as the front terrace in the picture - 800 sq metres.  We only moved here at the start of the year so a winter of painting outside is ahead as the poor quality picture shows.  You would need to come and take a look, some love it some hate it.  The council has recently resolved some issues, stepped up in terms of adopting the urb and are taking responsibility for the area but I am not holding my breath on that, we are of course in Spain.

Nice beaches are a short car ride away and there are dog beaches where we walk our chihuahua.  We are also quite fortunate to have the wild, mountainous countryside 50 metres away from the villa with tracks to explore in every direction and rich history throughout the region.  Your husband will need his mother tongue on leaving the urb, it is proper farming Spain all around with some beautiful working towns and villages.

We are home birds so don’t really do the bars locally apart from the Spanish language classes lessons in the week.  The local port is lovely with lots of sea front bars etc, not too touristy and a very relaxed pace even in the height of summer.  Other almost deserted coves are all around and the water quality and temperature is good.  The bigger cities such as Cartagena, Lorca, Murcia have all the big stores for fitting out your home and garden and there are more locally too.

The Mazarron area is well worth a look.  Good luck with your adventure.

Thank you, KevS!

I haven’t checked out Mazarrón before so thank you for the tip! I think Puerto de Mazarrón is more like what we are looking for than Camposol. 

Do you have an idea about the age average in that area? We are far from retiring so it would be great to also meet people our age.

Lia82

Posted: Tue Oct 8, 2024 2:09pm

Lia82

Original Poster

Posts: 8

1 helpful points

Joined: 2 Oct 2024

Posted: Tue Oct 8, 2024 2:09pm

KevS wrote on Tue Oct 8, 2024 1:53pm:

Oh, reading your question again, I forgot to mention.  We have a private and public health clinic with a pharmacy dispensary and a brand new hospital opened this year on the urbanisation.  

Plus there are a lot of musicians locally - the bars on sectors A and B have bands on throughout the summer and jam / open mic nights through winter.  The golf course clubhouse on C sector also has entertainment and events on through the year....

...

Ah, I just saw your second answer! Thank you! 

So the public health care clinic is for regular doctor's appointments also? For me as a German a clicic is for emergencies and surgeries only. And they do have specialists? I have to research that. Do you maybe have a link?

Clive Batchelor

Posted: Tue Oct 8, 2024 2:12pm

Posts: 17

10 helpful points

Location: Los Alcázares

Joined: 17 Jul 2023

Posted: Tue Oct 8, 2024 2:12pm

Lia82 wrote on Tue Oct 8, 2024 1:54pm:

Thank you, Clive!

Where exactly is the "old town in the heart of the Spanish community” ? Do you mean in Alcázares?

Did I understand you correctly that there it is especially loud because of the San Javier air training base?

Hi 

Yes the old town area in Los Alcazares is in the direction of La Manga towards the south of the town . It is a more traditional Spanish area whereas the northern section has more restaurants and bars geared to tourists .

People obviously have different thoughts with regard to the noise and disturbance caused by the pilot training and  local aircraft activity . We don't find it disturbs us too often however the noise ramps up significantly when the Euro Fighter takes flight ! Fortunately this is not happenning that often .

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