Sorry to be pedantic but the word you are looking for is EXPATRIATE: a person not living in his native land.  An EX PATRIOT is someone who used to be a PATRIOT!  It's a good site, though, giving useful information to those who may be thinking of buyung or visiting.  I am here because I'm looking for a map of Pego.  This afternoon, our football team, La Nucía, is playing Pego and I wanted to check if it's best to go on the motorway, the old N332 or over the Col de Rates!

I'm a teacher of English (thus my interference), translator and interpreter and have lived here since 18.08.83 so we're soon to celebrate our 'Silver' anniversary.  My two boys, 32 and 29 are both 'Spanish', one being an electrician and the other works in the Town Hall.  We have never regretted moving to the middle of a small Spanish village, going native - no Brit schools, bars etc. - and often wonder where our boys would be now or what they'd be doing if we'd stayed in Birmingham.  Sky News once a day is enough for us!

Best wishes and keep an open mind!  People often say to me, "The doctor/shopkeeper/policeman etc. didn't speak English!"  I always ask if his equivalent in Blighty spoke Spanish or Serbo Croat!  Remember, we're the immigrants here and we should feel priveleged to live in this corner of Paradise.

Cherry

Well said Cherry,

I said I was English - not intelligent!

Thanks for the correction though!

You are right on the money in your response. As I type, I look out my window and see blue skies and a fantastic climate for folks like me of a certain age.

I live most of my day outside my villa - unheard of in the UK, I am not tied to the TV, I meet and socialise more, My neighbours are my best buddies, I drink fantastic wine for small money, I eat fresh local produce, have great healthy cheap local meals in restaurants that put UK establishments to shame for quality and cost - and not the usual plastic-wrapped-chemical-infused supermarket rubbish I used to get in the UK.

I have just dragged myself out of a refreshing pool dip (28 degrees) - moments later here I am "working" on my computer. My wife and I enjoy life and live it - not just "existing".

I don't get "Monday-Morning" feelings - ever - I only know it's a weekend because I take my wife to church....I don't wear a watch...I don't read Uk newspapers (pile of sensationalised nonesense), I don't vote (it only encourages them), every evening sundown brings me closer to nature or God - whichever your preference....it's still just as majestic...

I notice large hyper-markets starting to get a hold as well as a profusion of chinese and Indian food - and McD....stay away from tourist beach-front stuff and you'll eat well. If it has faded colour pictures of the menu - walk quickly past.....!

But luckily, most locals are local-community-bonded in a way the UK has lost touch with since the 1950's. It influences the way you think upon waking each day...you'll have to live here to understand that...

You will see young teenagers in similar fashions -being boisterous sometimes - but never threatening. You'll see the same young citizens proudly playing a trumpet in a weekend Fiesta band - or in Church parade on Sunday. Yeah- respect in a way that the UK has lost. They'll be dancing the night away in disco's as well....

You won't see drugs or street crime - you won't see "hoodies" - or disrespect for the Police - quite the opposite - Dixon of Dock Green culture is alive and well, and living in Spain Today!

If you hear of some crime on the Costa Blanca - it's almost certain to be East-European illegal immigrants....

I still have some work in the UK - and my heart sinks a little as the aircraft wheels lift from Alicante - and my heart lifts a lot when I return.

Each to their own - but the Med culture lifts the heart in ways I can't explain.

The Spanish folks are boisterous, noisy, hard-working, logical and intelligent...thank goodness they like UK folks and accept us into their community.

At nearly 62 years old - I am blessed to have my remaining (20-plus please!) years here.

Monte Pego is unique. Although the recession is hitting Spain, and folks looking to buy a quick-steal brick-box on a golf course, and make a killing 2 years later - well they won't.

But Monte Pego mountains was owned by a guy that probably used it for his goats. As an Urbanizacion of over 25 years it is not affected by the so-called Valencian Land grab Law.

Better still the builder only builds to order, so you won't have any high-pressure sales guy...my purchase was like having a few beers with a friend....he even offered to show me around other urbanizacions....find that in the UK if you will!!! it's the best dwelling I have ever had the privilege to live in.

The Spanish Builders where totally professional - 4 years later I have to say this is the best and easiest house move I've ever made....

I could buy the plot only, if I wanted...

And get this...the decision, purchase, etc, was a simple walk in the park...nothing like the stressfull chaos of the UK. My hand was held all the way.

I even bought my 91-year-old Dad with me - who lived his remaining years on a mountain/valley/sea view most folks would never dream of...

I wish I had moved out 10 plus years ago....

Worried about recession, etc? If you just wanna invest - then be patient, but if you wanna get a better quality of life....move now....come on over - the waters and the life-style are great!

Dave (Uncle Buck) Litten

PS. No I ain't on commission!

Hi Again Cherry,

As you enter Pego via the long straight CV700 Road, turn right at the second roundabout - and you will find their Tourist Information service shop. You can get yourself a detailed street map.

Or you could email me - dave@teaching-yourself-how.com and we can discuss how I can get you a copy

Regards

Dave