After two fun-packed decades owning a second home in the Costa Blanca, in the summer of 2020 Brian and Ann Clarke took the step of moving to Spain permanently.
Neither Brexit nor the on-going problems of the Covid crisis were enough to deter them – both had had busy careers in the NHS and were determined to enjoy a sunny retirement! So on 25th August that year the Yorkshire couple flew out to Spain and two days later picked up the keys and moved into their semi-detached house in Punta Prima, one of the popular beach resorts that make up Orihuela Costa.
“We started coming to the Costa Blanca 30 years ago, staying in bungalows in Torrevieja, so we know our way around!” said Brian. “We’d thought about moving out for years but kept delaying it. Then around the start of 2019 we decided it really was time. We were getting concerned about our health and running out of time, more so than Brexit or anything else.”
The Clarkes’ new home in fact became their second property in the Costa Blanca. Twenty years previously they had bought a penthouse in nearby Torrevieja, a friendly coastal city that caters for expats, where they used to spend spring and autumn months. Their plans include selling the penthouse while at the time of moving to Spain they intended to keep hold of their UK home in Wakefield, at least for the foreseeable future.
Help from a friend
Being familiar with the Costa Blanca and already having friends there proved a huge help to the couple and it meant they were able to progress their property purchase despite the Covid travel restrictions that were in place.
“We were lucky that a friend of ours in Spain was available to assist,” said Brian. “We were at home
in the UK when we first spotted our house on-line. That was in the July. From the details and photos, we knew exactly where it was and liked the look of everything about it. So our friend agreed to view it with the local agent on our behalf. They reported back saying they approved, so soon after we made a successful offer! The property’s advertised price was €148,500 but we agreed on €145,000.”
The Clarkes’ home is on an urbanisation called La Ciñuelica. The ground floor includes a living/dining area, separate kitchen, two bedrooms and large shower room. Stairs lead to the first floor with the third bedroom, separate family bathroom and large terrace. Outside space includes a driveway and garage.
“It’s perfect for us, just what we wanted,” said Brian. “It’s beautifully decorated throughout, a bit like a show home! And the vendor, a British lady, left lots of lovely oak furniture, which we’ve complemented with items from our Torrevieja penthouse. We have access to two communal pools and we’re one of few properties that overlooks one of them.”
Bars and shops are just a 10-15 minute stroll away, while Punta Prima’s seafront is around 30 minutes’ walk. The Clarkes, who began the process of applying for their Spanish residency soon after moving, clearly won’t be short of things to do.
“We’ve played petanca here for years and we love it,” enthused Brian. “There are lots of leagues up and down the coast, involving all nationalities. Currently we’re in two different leagues, which means we get to play at least three times a week. Meanwhile, on Wednesday nights we go to a dinner club, where
a group of us meet up at a chosen restaurant. We also like visiting La Fuente commercial centre, where we enjoy a drink and meal.”
Torrevieja & Orihuela Costa
Torrevieja, where the Clarkes owned their original holiday home, is a friendly coastal city that was once a former fishing town. One of the first destinations to attract large numbers of British homeowners, today it offers an abundance of seafront complexes and urban communities,
a wonderful seafront promenade, aquaparks, hospitals, plenty of bars and restaurants, and great shopping, including the
La Habanaras shopping mall and regular markets. A natural highlight is the Lagunas de la Mata y Torrevieja natural park, home to the city’s famous salt flats where you can see flamingos.
The southern edge of Torrevieja is the beginning of one of the most developed and foreigner-friendly stretches of coastline anywhere in Spain. Known as Orihuela Costa and formed of a string of linked beach resorts and English-speaking urbanisations, it follows the coast south for around 16 kilometres, ending at Torre de la Horadada just north of the regional border with Murcia (very close to the Mar Menor lagoon). Access it excellent, for transfers and flights. The AP-7 motorway skirts the edge of it, making the rest of the Costa Blanca and Murcia easily accessible, while Alicante Airport is around 40 minutes’ drive and Murcia International Airport 45 minutes from most communities there.
Punta Prima, where the Clarkes now live, is the Orihuela Costa’s most northerly resort, being 5 minutes’ drive south along the N-332 from Torrevieja. It’s known for its sandy beaches, seafront promenade – which follows the coast as far as Cabo Roig, and its sea-view restaurants. Off the strip, the extensive amenities include a shopping centre, supermarket and fast-food outlets and there is also a go-kart track.
