Retiring to San Pedro

San Pedro is a great place to live! Properties are relatively cheap, compared to other Spanish costas. There's a good balance of different nationalities who live here all-year-round - obviously with more Spanish than others but ex-pats of different countries do add to the mix. From the end of June until the middle of September, Spanish tourists come from all over Spain to spend the summer in their second home and these are joined by normal holiday-makers from all over Europe who also come to enjoy the wonderful beaches and gastronomy. The beaches never get that busy though and there's always room for another family! Positioned as we are at the northern edge of the Mar Menor, we often don't get the storms that are blowing along the coast and often have clear, blue skies and sun, when further along the coast, they are getting trashed with a full-on storm. We have all the supermarkets that you could ask for and several shopping centres within a 15-minute drive. There's a great street market every Monday - a proper market selling clothes, locally sourced fruit and veg, kitchen and home-ware, and not one stall selling tourist tat! We have lots of great restaurants around the area and also some of the best beaches along the Mar Menor - and also the Mediterranean Ocean just down the road. San Pedro del Pinater is so very different from Torrevieja but each to his/her own! Obviously, if you considering moving over here permanently then you would have to fulfill the legal requirements to be able to do so.

Hi, thanks. I have lived in Spain for over 35 years. Allí paperwork in order. 

I had doubts over Torrevieja. Overdeveloped etc. A fee months to get my things in order and I will pass a week in San Pedro.

Thanks again for taking time to replay.

Hola    yes you are doing the right thing     Spain is very nice    one tip  think about the mud bath    with those storks  and other people

all in the water    it may not be very safe     another tip   the tax man!    tax is a lot more over here   but then you are saving a lot on poll tax (OK to me it is still pole tax)  

I have been married twice     hence I had to get away   the last one does not like the heat    so I am safe

as a 71 year old Male    the only thing I find    where I live is all couples    so a bit hard to mix     yes rent first    is a good tip

Dave    happy and single 

Hi,

Thanks for replying.

The single man and couples is a difficulty everywhere. My main group of friends live in Barcelona. I live near Bilbao. We meet up at rock concerts varios times a year.

Hi , Santiago De la Ribera is a lovely place, plenty of cafes and bars, the camper park is a fantastic place to meet friendly people and have a game of patanque, there's a great market on a Wednesday, friendly locals and some absolute bargain older properties, ( which I personally prefer to the new builds ) hope you get to check it out !! 

I think you are on the right track in planning to live in San Pedro. It's a great climate & winters are mild, never dips below zero & day time temps are much nicer than Northern Spain. Mags summed it up very well so I won't repeat everything again. 

Low crime, mostly opportunistic stuff is another plus. San P. Is a very Spanish town as is Santiago de la Ribera, next town South. There are ex pats in both places but the overall theme is Spanish.

The variety of eating establishments is great too although I would imagine  Bilbao would be hard to beat in that department. 

There is good value to be found in housing. I met someone recently who has just retired here with his wife. He bought a small apartment for around €60K, spent another €40K on it and is close to the sea. I saw pictures of it, fantastic.Lots of stories like theirs 

Everything you need is here in San P. Clubs, pubs, sports facilities, boating and is conveniently located to airports as well - only 30 mins. to one and less than an hour to Alicante by car. 

Torrevieja has everything else & not far either. Too busy for us but it's there if you want it. 

People are lovely, very friendly & very helpful. Old and young alike and we find the young folk are very respectful to older young people too.:-)

Great idea to rent first so you're on the right track there too. I wish you the best of luck with your decision. We lived in Catalonia for 15 years. Loved it but here is more laid back & a lot more Spanish . You are probably aware of the difference since Bilbao would have similar differences being Pais Baix. The Forum is full of really helpful people who will answer any questions with good advice and helpful local knowledge. 

Just put a deposit on an apartment in Santiago de la Ribera. Moving from Mallorca esrly next year. First moved to Spain in 1988 (Madrid) later to Valencia and Barcelona before Palma. Language not an issue, but partner less fluent. looking forward to the move, any tips?
Meetups? Builders? Good bars, restaurants? Is there a mercado municipal? (couldn't see one nearer than Torrevieja.)...