Andrew and Julie Thompson showed just how simple moving to Spain can be for Brits post Brexit, after selling their UK house, finding a new home in the Costa Blanca and sorting out residency visas all within a few months!
The couple from Birmingham made the decision to spend their retirement years in Spain in the second half of 2021 and
by March 2022 were settling into their new life in Orihuela Costa, an area popular with expats just south of Torrevieja.
After busy working lives – Andrew working for Royal Mail and Julie as a pharmacy manager – a typical day for them now includes relaxing on their sunny terrace, strolling along the seafront prom near their house and enjoying the odd meal out. They also look forward to visits from their son and two daughters, not forgetting the three grandchildren (one per child).
It was thanks to a friend who had already moved over from the UK that the Thompsons found their Spanish home so fast.
“In October 2021 I flew out without Andrew to see my friend,” said Julie. “She had moved to Orihuela Costa just before the pandemic and it was the first time that I’d had a chance to visit her. Just before my trip we had put our house in Birmingham on the market and accepted an offer within four days!
“My friend knew we were ready to start looking
for a house in Spain so she showed me around her local area – we knew Benidorm and Torrevieja but not Orihuela Costa – and I loved it. She then took me to meet the local estate agency who she used to buy her home and they showed me a whole array of properties.”
Julie liked what she saw during her stay and quickly worked out that the Playa Flamenca area, where they could be within walking distance of everything, would suit them perfectly. She also realised that a townhouse was the type of property best suited to their needs and budget. Said Julie: “Being on a gated community didn’t appeal to us. We decided a villa would be too big and an apartment too small. Which meant a well located townhouse should be just right.”
Equipped with a clearer idea, in December Julie returned to Spain to do more viewings in Playa Flamenca. When she left, she had a shortlist of suitable properties to show Andrew.
“Wasting no time, we both went back,” continued Julie. “There was one house in particular I had decided was the one I’d like to go for. Andrew agreed and we made a successful offer of €95,000, securing the property with a €5,000 reservation deposit! Before we flew back to the UK, our agent helped organise everything for our purchase, such as connecting us with
a lawyer, who we granted power of attorney and sorted out our NIE tax number, and liaising with the local notary.”
After that, the various timings for the Thompsons’ move to Spain fell into place nicely. In January 2022, while waiting for their property transactions in the UK and Spain to complete they began their applications for a non-lucrative visa. They knew
this process, which involved a trip to the Spanish Consulate in Manchester, was likely to take a couple of months.
As it happened, the sale of their Birmingham house completed on 28th February, their lawyer completed the purchase of their Spanish home for them on 8th March and their visas arrived a couple of days later, meaning they could head off to Spain in mid-March.
When BricksAbroad spoke to Julie and Andrew in May 2022, they were delighted with their new home, which is a two-bedroom townhouse on the El Horizonte urbanisation in Playa Flamenca. Downstairs they have a living area that leads to a kitchen and a toilet. Stairs lead to the first floor with the double bedrooms and family bathroom. There is also a solarium, while outdoor space includes front and rear patio areas and off-road parking.
“We wanted to be able to walk everywhere and we’ve got that,” said Julie. “We’re still active and drive, but we were deliberately thinking ahead 10 or 15 years when things could be different. Here we can walk to the beach in 20 minutes or La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre in about 25. The area is perfect for people like us. We love going for a stroll, having the odd meal out and just living a relaxed life in the sunshine. And there’s enough going on with other expats, like social clubs, for when you want that.”
Bursting with English-speaking amenities, lively strips with restaurants and night spots, all types
of leisure activities, expat clubs, great shopping
– including the landmark La Zenia Boulevard shopping centre, and a coastal path running most of its length, Orihuela Costa is a true year-round destination geared towards expats and second homeowners. There are five golf courses here, namely at Las Colinas, Campoamor, Las Ramblas, Villamartín and Lo Romero, most being just 10 minutes’ drive apart.
Located in the heart of Orihuela Costa, Playa Flamenca merges with La Zenia to form one of
the best served areas in terms of amenities. Its coastline includes sheltered beaches, coves and cliffs, with restaurants and bars dotted along it. There is also a large seafront commercial centre two minutes’ walk from its main beach. Playa Flamenca’s school, large sports complex and large weekly market (Saturday) add to its appeal.
Alicante Airport is around 40 minutes’ drive and Murcia International Airport 45 minutes from most communities in Orihuela Costa.
