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Exploratory Holiday in Quesada

Exploratory Holiday in Quesada

Postby bbrich » Tue Jun 05, 2018 1:08 pm

Hi. We're a couple from South Manchester but we've been working in the Middle East since the early eighties. Retirement looms and the prospect of spending fifty-two weeks of the year in rainy Manchester is starting to lose its appeal. So we thought we'd look at buying a place in Spain where we could hide out for the winter months or even longer if we settle.

We looked at some areas of Spain last year but for one reason or another they just didn't work for us. Too remote, too quiet, etc. We'd also taken some expert advice that told us to avoid the "urbs" at all costs. Well, we've seen why that might be the case in some areas but I'm getting the feeling that Quesada doesn't fall into that category. Particularly through this (very useful) forum - where everybody seems fairly positive about the place.

Also, we've spent almost every day of our working lives dealing with the Arabic language barrier, so being surrounded by our own language is viewed as a positive for us.

So we'll be arriving in ten days or so and wondered where we could go to of an evening and perhaps get to speak some residents and find out more about the place - face to face rather than online. A friendly pub, an open Quiz Night, anything rather than just the two of us sat in the hotel bar every night. Any ideas? BB.
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Re: Exploratory Holiday in Quesada

Postby GrahamR » Tue Jun 05, 2018 2:55 pm

We spend about 4 months a year in Quesada and the rest of the time in the UK. In terms of what you like, everybody is different. When people say 'avoid the urb's' or 'you must have your own pool' it is usually based on their own view which may, or may not, be accurate or suit you.
We are in a community and it suits us very well. We do not have any problems with neighbours, we have a lovely communal area outside the back gate and as we do not use the pool much, it is nice that that s taken care of.
You may like quiz nights, karaoke or you may enjoy quiet evenings in nice restaurants and bars. Whatever suits you, you will find in the area and you get excellent value for money compared with other parts of Spain.
Many of the pubs and bars have quiz nights. I do not go to them personally, but one is at the Cooper's Arms and there are many more. Others can advise you. In addition, if you go to the main area near the Arches, there are many bars and restaurants - some British, some Spanish but all use them. I like the Don Carlos, the Old Don Carlos, Goyo's, and the new roof top bars. It is very easy to get into conversations with people in these places and most people are happy to chat and pass on information.
The only caveat I have is that as we have a home in Spain and in the UK, we tend to spend our winters in the UK. The homes in Spain are not built for cold weather so they can get quite cold in the evenings in the winter and need heating. Of course, during r day,mid the sun is out it is very pleasant. I guess it depends on what creature comforts you have around you.
I am a member of a golf society and there are many of these. There are bowl's clubs, walking clubs and clubs for socialising.
Overall, if it was not for the grand children, I would opt for Spain if I had to choose one house.
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Re: Exploratory Holiday in Quesada

Postby Pipsyspup » Wed Jun 06, 2018 11:59 am

Hi, we are from North Manchester and came to buy a holiday home. We live it here do much that the house in UK is now rented and we are here for the foreseeable. If you fancy meeting up for a drink when here just message.
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Re: Exploratory Holiday in Quesada

Postby PeteKnight » Wed Jun 06, 2018 12:55 pm

We'd also taken some expert advice that told us to avoid the "urbs" at all costs. Well, we've seen why that might be the case in some areas but I'm getting the feeling that Quesada doesn't fall into that category


It sounds like you might be getting a bit confused about the terminology here. The nearest think to an urbanisation in the UK is a housing estate. Don’t let that put you off though - it’s an estate with private facilities and a management committee/administration company who manages the services, which are paid for via a community fee.
In the Middle East the nearest equivalent might be a gated compound for ex-pats.

Quesada is best considered a town, although for some reason it’s not really regarded that way by the Spanish local authority system.

If you want lots of land, solitude, remoteness etc then you won’t find that on an urbanisation.
You’re much more likely to get fibre optic internet and mains gas on an urbanisation, but it’s not always guaranteed.
Many urbanisations will have properties that have good outdoor space, but the properties will often be uniform in their construction and appearance. Some urbanisation management committees will have very strict rules about this, often restricting the type of changes that are allowed.

If you live on an urbanisation then you’ll probably find that many of your neighbours are also absentee owners who spend a few weeks or months of the year there. This can mean that it’s quiet much of the time, but there will be some who rent out their properties and the tenants may not be as neighbourly as you’d like. Properties with pools tend to rent better, and tend to attract lots of screaming kids too!

The urbanisation where we have our holiday home (which isn’t in Quesada) has a few full time residents in our part, plus lots of holiday homes. These are a combination of British, German, Polish, Norwegian and French - but all tend to speak English as their primary way of communicating with the Spanish.
It can take a while to get to know your neighbours, because your visits may only overlap for a few days each year.

As previously mentioned, Spanish houses can be very cold in winter. Last December our Norwegian neighbour was looking forward to going back home to -40° because it would be so cosy in their well insulated triple-glazed Home compared to their Spanish home.
If you have mains gas available then central heating is an option, but the houses are designed to lose heat, so keeping them warm will always be a struggle. We find that inverter aircon units are the best option, as they serve a double purpose and are more efficient than regular electric heaters.

You’ll find that many ex-pats find it a bit too hot during the height of summer, and this is the time that they’ll choose to go back to the UK. Many find that Spring and Autumn are the nicest times to be in Spain, avoiding the coldest of the weather and the worst of the summer heat and tourist crowds.

You may want to think about renting somewhere for a few months and see how you find the area and the weather, before you commit to buying somewhere permanently.

Pete.
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Re: Exploratory Holiday in Quesada

Postby Jan » Wed Jun 06, 2018 1:04 pm

:text-goodpost:'s

Helpful and very well explained.
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Re: Exploratory Holiday in Quesada

Postby ahlafinca » Wed Jun 06, 2018 2:29 pm

We have lived in Spain 15 years and are very settled .to begin with we had a large villa built in a rural area ...loved it but as we got older realized that we needed to be nearer amenities ..shops bars etc.
We moved to Atalaya Park that is actually in the postal area of Benijofar but within walking distance of Quesada ( 10 mins). We are a private community so no charges or official regulations that you can get with an urbanization.there are a few properties for sale with or without own pools and it’s a quiet but very convenient area.
The medical center in Benijofar is superb and care at our hospital 15 mins away great.
We have a choice of great super markets within 5 mins as well as loads of reasonable restaurants and bars .
If you need any further help we would be pleased to show you the area.
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Re: Exploratory Holiday in Quesada

Postby Justjan » Wed Jun 06, 2018 3:31 pm

Im sure you will find the people in quesada very friendly. We have many coffee shops pubs restaurants that are buzzing all day long . Filled with many english speakers. as its the most common language , but we mix with Germans french belguims scandinavians, its a lovely mix of happy people.
We have a lovely detatched villa that is not on an community, so most neighbours are full timers. The choice of area , property and prices are so variable, something for everyone . Im sure you will make friends very easily here in quesada. Most people are happy to chat, and pass on their experiences of living here in Quesada. Im sure whatever you choose in this area, you will be as happy as we are. Good luck and welcome.
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Re: Exploratory Holiday in Quesada

Postby dottyp53 » Wed Jun 06, 2018 9:04 pm

Not sure (and not wishing to be nosey about) how old you are...but one thing to give serious consideration to is "What happens if I lose my mobility?".

Somewhere which looks and feels great now while you're (hopefully) fit and well might look totally different if you were to lose the ability to walk, for example, in your later years.

If you're in it for the long haul, then consider your options carefully. There are many lovely areas around, but some may be hilly, or not convenient for shopping or going out locally. It could get expensive with taxis!

May sound "negative" and I don't mean to be...but I'm speaking (typing) from personal experience...my parents bought a lovely detached villa up in one of the Buenavista areas (can't recall which one, and my parents are no longer around to ask), with fantastic views over the golf course and over to the mountains, but unfortunately my father developed a disease which severely impaired his ability to walk and drive, and they found it incredibly difficult.
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Re: Exploratory Holiday in Quesada

Postby Shelles » Thu Jun 07, 2018 5:57 am

Hi bbrich, we also left the Middle East last year after living there since the early 80’s. We intended looking around several countries in Europe for our forever home and started our search in Quesada and bought there immediately. We love eveything about it, the people, bars, restaurants, close proximity to the beaches etc etc. We did think about our old age and found a lovely villa opposite some shops and bars and just a 15 minute walk to town, on the flat (i.e. no hills). We love watching the sun set at the Sunset Bar and often get chatting to people there. Weve gone from £10 for a glass of wine or a beer to £1, so our money goes a lot further here. Still loving being able to go to a supermarket for the weekly shop and being able to pick up a case of beer and some wine at the same time as well as pork - all week under one roof.

We’d be happy to meet up for a chat.
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Re: Exploratory Holiday in Quesada

Postby bbrich » Fri Jun 08, 2018 4:25 pm

That's great info. Thanks to all of you. We'll be there next week and will PM. BB.
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