Hello all, (Buenos dias..how cheesy),

Im new to the frum and to this web page so please go easy on me and please please, if you can, give me any advise, hints tips etc with this.

Anyway, very shortly i am moving over to live and work in Calpe, i have never been there before and know very very little about the place, what i was hoping for is for someone to give me a run down on what the place is like. I could ve been sent to work in Torrevieja, Majorca, Tenerife, so people have so far told me i have been lucky in being placed in Calpe?

So, whats the place like? Big, small, heavily populated?

Is it possible to be there, being English yet to lead a Spanish life?

Anyway, please give me any tips or advice you can, id really appreciate it.

Thanks,
Michael.

Hi Micheal
I noticed that you had no replys and I know how frustrating it can be, so I thought I’d throw my 2 pence worth into the pot.
I visited Calpe last year with my family and we liked it so much that it is now top of our house hunting list.
It has a lovely old town area where narrow streets, cafes and restuarants are aplenty. The beach is nice and it has a large mountain protruding into the sea called Pen o Fache or something, anyway it looks abit like Sugarloaf in Rio.
When we visited, there was alot of building going on, but No more than any other coastal town.
I also managed to persuade a local copper not to have my hired car towed away. Friendly or what ?
I hope someone can give you a bit more of an idea as to what its like but I liked it and can’t wait to go back.

Good luck with the new job

Cheesecake

Thanks for that cheesecake, i appreciate it and yeah it is very frustrating i had kind of given up on any replies so your was a bonus.

Well anyway, you ve reassured me anyway, i had been told it was a nice place and have heard other good things about it but im glad you give me a bit more info.

Im moving there next month so will hopefully settle in ok and find a place to live in asap, ha, it would help.

HI There,
I am just starting to think about moving over to Calpe. It would be very interesting if you could let me know your experiences?
Hope all is going well for you and that you are finding your feet. I HAVE to take the plunge before the year is out!
Cheers for now, Sally

Sally,

I am not there yet but will be moving over in a couple of weeks or so, then i ll let you know how i get on, hopefully it ll be all good news, although i ve got to say, i am a little nervous about the whole idea the closer it gets.

What are your plans to do there?

Have you been there before,, just i am interested to know why you would chose to move to Calpe, in particular?

Michael.

Hi Michael,
Thanks for your reply. I have friends who had a place in Altea near Calpe for years. They loved it and only sold due to health reasons. I lived for a short time near to Barcelona and have been going to Spain nearly every year since i was a little thing. My main reason for wanting to move over to that area is the climate! I have been saying for years that I will not settle in England but for one reason or another I haven’t taken the plunge. Thirty Seven now and realising I have to put my plan into action! I have thought about doing a TEFL course but am not entirely sure that is what I would like to do. I have been in Media/Sales and Advertising mostly but am open to a change in direction. My plan is to visit a few times over the next few months to get a feel for the whole area, however from what I know so far Calpe/Altea and surrounding areaas are a great place to be. Near enough to Benidorm if work is a problem and also to Denia. After this summer here the prospect of those dark noghts fills me with dread. I would rather be over there planning a work strategy than here.
Are you teaching over there? Have you found anywhere to live yet?
Don’t worry, you are starting an adventure!
Sally

Sally,

Long story really. I used to live in Valencia for a couple of years, did a TEFL and got a job in an academy over there, came home at xmas one year and neevr went back, was hoping for years to find a way to go back but kind of got in to the comfort zone of home and a job i found here for a spanish company.

Anyway, cutting a long story short im 25 now and i ve managed to get a job working for banco santander, they have placed me in the branch in Calpe, working with all the expats there are out there, so i ll go in Septamber. As i say though i know nothing about the place so im hoping i turn out to like it (i hope it isnt TOO overpopulated by expats) you know? I like to try and do the spanish life thing.

Anyway, no i ve not found anywhere to live yet, im going to stay in a hostal for 2 or 3 weeks until i find a flat to rent and get settled in. I just hope it turns out ok.

Michael

HI Michael,
Well done for getting the opportunity back! Do you speak fluent Spanish? How did you find the job? I am a novice. I can understand alot of it but speaking it is a different matter. I found that when I lived out there I became much better, so am hoping for the same when I come over. I don’t know what is stopping me. I am torn between running a business or working for somebody else. I think at first i need to live there for a while to know the score! I think it is just the fact of moving over not knowing anybody. I can’t have another winter moaning so perhaps I should just take a long let and see how it goes. I can probably support myself for 6 months and no more.
As for being too full of ex pats. I know exactly what you mean. However I think it’s probably a comfort at first and you can always live somewhere else. After reading alot more I think Calpe is pretty touristy, Altea nearby seems nice. You will only know when you get there…you are brave and sensible!!! Please keep in touch and let me know your progress. You have a job and that is precious. You’ll get to know so many people through that alone.
Bye for now,
Sally