Eon does your name signify that you are an ex employee of Eon or is the name just coincidental. We have lived over here for nine years and there are more pluses than minuses. To list a few cheaper community charges, cheaper water, cheaper car tax, better weather,
you will find La marina is not a bad place to live. No where is perfect and life is what you make it.

Hi Eon, yes there are many pluses to living here in La Marina we are in the main a very friendly and welcoming place. Most of us have a fabulous life here, the weather of course being a big contributory factor enabling us to go out walking most days even in winter and we are able to sit outside with our coffee and enjoy lazy afternoons talking with friends. There is good evening entertainment within walking distance where you can enjoy a quiz or have a drink. There is also a really good choice of restaurants on the Urb where you can always get a good reasonably priced meal. There are so many good people who with no reward give freely of their time and raise money to help both animals and children. Pensioners find that their money goes further even though perhaps Spain in general has become more expensive than it was some 5 years or so ago.La Marina beach is fantastic one of the best around I would say and the view when you drive down from Urb is absolutely stunning.I hope you are tempted not to by pass La Marina just because of the odd moan and groan.

Hola
lamarina is what you make it, like most other places do your home work visit the area meet the locals (moaners and all) during the day and evenings, choose your home/location wisely to suit your needs am sure if you like eating/drinking/ entertainment and being HAPPY oh of course the weather beaches etc etc etc you will be fine, if moaning and groaning is your thing dont bother inflicting your demenor on the happy people of La marina stay in the M and G club (there are a few around in all areas)

Hi Eon
My first is a bit of advise before you buy,that is to rent for a few months to get a feel of the place and to which part of la Marina suits
you best.
Some good points,too many of these to include all.Most people are easy to get on with and will help you if it is needed.The fruit and veg from the markets,are so cheap and fresh.The area itself is fairly clean (much better than U.K.)although it has slipped a bit recently.car tax,cheap Suma(equiv. to council tax is 15% of what i paid in England.Plenty of restaurants not all English,but mainly sell good food at a cheap price.
If you are a pensioner,you have cracked it off,you will get free N.H.S. treatment,and I know first hand about that,the local Clinic has three doctors,and two of them have a fair command of English,the same with the receptionists,who are really great at there job and often go above and beyond the call of duty,The local Hospital is in Torrievieha which is about 25 minute drive,facilities there are superb,all Doctors i have spoken to have a good command of English,and treatment is quick.Shop staff appear very nice,
Lots more of good points but better mention a few bad points
The paperwork is so annoying,,and laborious,Spanish people tend to not want to queue and would rather go tto the front rather than the back of a queue.not a great amount of activity for some ages of children,but plenty of swings etc. for the very young.One or two moaners but they seem to vanish after saying their bit.Other than that .
When you arrive I would be only too willing to show you around the area .Just leave a message on this forum and i will sort out the rest,or better still e-mail me.Hope you pick La Marina,not perfect but a sight better than most
.

Thanks to you all for your replies and yes Alan I will take you up on your offer of showing me round, I have been before but was not staying on La Marina, I had the chance to visit and fell in love with the place.

I see what you mean by renting first sounds like a good plan.

Even though there seems to be some problems with the bars and stuff like that I think from what you have all been saying it is a great place to live.