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Posted: Sun Jan 5, 2025 3:00pm
5 replies5 members subscribed
Furby34

Posts: 2

Location: Estepona

Joined: 27 Jul 2024

I was widowed in May 2024 and I'm now thinking of taking early retirement and moving to Spain (as was planned with hubby when we retired). I plan on visiting several times this year but wanted to know where there is a good welcoming expat community where I could visit and spend to get a feel for what to expect when I eventually make the move. The idea is not to feel as lonely and disconnected as I currently feel now. Any advise/tips would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks 😊 

Chris 06

Posted: Sun Jan 5, 2025 5:31pm

Chris 06

Helpful member

Posts: 147

54 helpful points

Location: Marbella

Joined: 10 Feb 2023

Posted: Sun Jan 5, 2025 5:31pm

Age Concern San Pedro is a good start.

tebo53

Posted: Sun Jan 5, 2025 6:24pm

Posts: 97

29 helpful points

Location: Torremolinos

Joined: 18 Feb 2024

Posted: Sun Jan 5, 2025 6:24pm

Furby34 wrote on Sun Jan 5, 2025 3:00pm:

I was widowed in May 2024 and I'm now thinking of taking early retirement and moving to Spain (as was planned with hubby when we retired). I plan on visiting several times this year but wanted to know where there is a good welcoming expat community where I could visit and spend to get a feel for ...

...what to expect when I eventually make the move. The idea is not to feel as lonely and disconnected as I currently feel now. Any advise/tips would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks 😊 

Hello Furby,

Welcome to the forum. 

It's a bit of a myth that there is expat "communities" within the popular towns and cities in Spain. I've been asked the question before about expat areas and meeting places where I live but it's a fact that there aren't any.......

Expats of any nationalities live their own lives usually privately and meet their friends in local bars or restaurants etc.

I suspect that in the area that you would like to live has several nationalities living there but it's just a matter of getting to know people and organising meet ups etc. 

A good place to start would be to join the U3A organisation who organise outings, meetings etc.

Steve 

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Furby34

Posted: Sun Jan 5, 2025 7:05pm

Furby34

Original Poster

Posts: 2

Location: Estepona

Joined: 27 Jul 2024

Posted: Sun Jan 5, 2025 7:05pm

tebo53 wrote on Sun Jan 5, 2025 6:24pm:

Hello Furby,

Welcome to the forum. 

It's a bit of a myth that there is expat "communities" within the popular towns and cities in Spain. I've been asked the question before about expat areas and meeting places where I live but it's a fact that there aren't any.......

Expats of any nationalities live their own lives usually privately and meet their friends in local bars or restaurants etc.

I suspect that in the area that you would like to live has several nationalities living there but it's just a matter of getting to know people and organising meet ups etc. 

A good place to start would be to join the U3A organisation who organise outings, meetings etc.

Steve 

Thank you for responding Steve

Jeanpye50

Posted: Sun Jan 5, 2025 7:55pm

Posts: 15

4 helpful points

Location: Mijas Golf

Joined: 2 Oct 2023

Posted: Sun Jan 5, 2025 7:55pm

tebo53 wrote on Sun Jan 5, 2025 6:24pm:

Hello Furby,

Welcome to the forum. 

It's a bit of a myth that there is expat "communities" within the popular towns and cities in Spain. I've been asked the question before about expat areas and meeting places where I live but it's a fact that there aren't any.......

Expats of any nationalities live their own lives usually privately and meet their friends in local bars or restaurants etc.

I suspect that in the area that you would like to live has several nationalities living there but it's just a matter of getting to know people and organising meet ups etc. 

A good place to start would be to join the U3A organisation who organise outings, meetings etc.

Steve 

Think you will make friends of the English ex pats and Spanish 

They are lovely people 

I made friends with a Spanish couple over 30 years ago and I visit them still every year .. great friends 

I’m in my 70s if you want to meet up anytime when you go over again 

I’m in the Uk but would love to live there too 

You need a fair amount of income and savings more if you are in your own to get the residential now 

Keep in touch my email is [email protected] no dash after the E in Jeanpye 

Humidityhater

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2025 5:39pm

Posts: 34

12 helpful points

Location: Fuengirola

Joined: 28 Jul 2024

Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2025 5:39pm

Hi, you don't mention your age or nationality, but I'm guessing British. There is a large expat community of different foreign nationals including many Brits. here in Fuengirola. The 3 groups you could consult are U3A ,Age Concern and Age Care. I find Age Concern to be better organised. There is also the Arts Society, which have monthly lectures in Fuengirola and also do several trips around Spain. It all depends on your interests and hobbies. U3A have many different activities including dancing, learning Spanish, Bridge and many others. If you are younger, there are groups for all ages and activities. My advice would be to come and stay for at least 2 to 3 weeks and check out the local scene. On the Costa del Sol, Fuengirola is definitely the place to meet more kindred spirits. Hope this will help. Regards.

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