This Place I Call Home - Reflections of Gran Alacant!

Like most people who move to Gran Alacant, I had my own reasons for choosing this place to live. My destination was chosen by chance; at 46 years old, I still had to work; my decision to relocate to this part of the Costa Blanca was primarily based on access to employment. Initially we chose an area between Torrevieja and Benidorm, managing to consolidate our area of search to the Alicante region; the airport being the deciding factor in our new choice of home.

I remember sat at home in the UK, during the August before we left for Spain, watching ‘Bargain Loving Brits In The Sun,’ at the time myself and my partner had decided to move to Benidorm, however this popular television programme put pay to that idea. This particular episode showed Expats trying to navigate the employment market, in this large Spanish city, the difficulties involved and the conditions they were living in. I was shocked at what these people had to endure, just to make ends meet. After much soul searching we decided on Gran Alacant, sticking a pin in a map; a place I had never visited before, but a location that looked geographically perfect for us to begin the next chapter of our life. Once I got over the initial shock of moving to Spain, the differences in culture and lifestyle and the new opportunities on my doorstep, I began to settle in to my new surroundings. The research we did at the beginning paid dividends, we had chosen the ideal urbanization for us, feeling confident about the future ahead.

During this entry, I want to discuss the reasons why people choose Gran Alacant as their home or holiday destination. What made this small town so popular among the British and many other nationalities that live here and what has been responsible for the success of this friendly, welcoming part of Spain. Working in a bar, was a great place to get to know the locals; at times I asked a lot of questions, but that is part of who I am, a writer, who enjoys real life. I asked customers and others their reasons for adopting Gran Alacant as their home, temporary, a few times a year or otherwise. I was surprised by the responses I got; they were never entirely what I thought.

Many of those I saw on a daily basis, have lived here for a decade or more; a large portion of these people, really didn’t know Gran Alacant before they bought a house here, turning up on one of the many organised ‘buying’ trips, exploring this part of the Costa Blanca. Gran Alacant was essentially part of an itinerary, where people could discover the area and the properties it had for sale, on and off plan. Potential customers were shown accommodation up and down the coast, as far south as Torrevieja, buying in one of the many urbanisations that disseminate this region; a large number chose GA for a very simple geographical reason, like me, it is close to the airport, only ten minutes away; an important factor for second home owners, spending brief but frequent periods staying here. Nobody wants to travel an extra two or three hours to their home, when they disembark from Alicante Airport. This urbanisation is less than fifteen minutes away, an ideal start to ones vacation!

I have met many ‘long termers,’ residents who have had property for fourteen years or more, buying in Gran Alacant, at its inception, all of whom have been happy with their decision to acquire a home here. Like anywhere there are niggling issues of concern, usually around maintenance charges and local infrastructure, but in general people are happy living in GA. That speaks volumes for the urbanisation, but also for the thriving community that has sprung up. Community remains an important reason why tourists and homeowners continue to come and spend time here. Gran Alacant is one of the friendliest, welcoming urbs along the Costa Blanca, something I can concur with. My time as a resident was made easier, because of the nature of those who live in GA; always willing to pass the time of day and help others if they could.

Many of those I spoke to mentioned the health benefits of residing in this region. Gran Alacant is surrounded by mountains protecting it from the harshest weather conditions. Combined with the numerous salt lakes and 320 days of sunshine a year, this part of Spain is one of the healthiest places to live in the World. Apart from these unique attributes, Spain encompasses a far healthier life style, mediterranean diet and outdoor activities, in complete contrast to northern Europe. A great recipe for longevity, endurance and sense of well being; difficult to replicate elsewhere. I have spoken to local residents on the health benefits of moving to the Costa Blanca; some, like me had been suffering from the effects of arthritis to differing degrees and all have said the climate has done wonders for recovery, many having not experienced any difficulties since their move. Arthritis can be particularly disabling, so too can depression, another condition kept at bay through hot sunny days, environmental factors and changes in behaviour more conducive to a positive disposition. The advantages to health are clear, the effects immediate and expectation fulfilled, Spain really is a destination of choice for many who want to grasp real life changing and enhancing opportunities!

I have also met a number of new residents to the area, ‘newbies’ who have just arrived to begin a new adventure in Spain, as I did two years ago. Events at home had brought forward their plans to move to Europe. Brexit is still causing uncertainty in Britain; many like the family I met chose to relocate to Gran Alacant, before the UK left the European Union. In their view their children’s future was under threat; they would not be able to enjoy the benefits that the EU brings and would become second class citizens in Europe. This family believed, rightly or wrongly that Brexit was a terrible idea and by moving to Europe now, they would avoid the worst of what is yet to come. Many people are deciding to take the plunge and move now, after all none of us have any idea what our future in Europe is. The infighting, lack of progress and rhetoric from both sides of the argument are causing deep anxiety for some, who want to choose their own destiny now, before as they believe, it's too late.

Despite the difficulties myself and my partner experienced when moving to Spain, Spain has been welcoming in every respect. Our reasons for choosing Gran Alacant as our home, were very different to those of other people. All of us who moved here have equally valid reasons for doing so; the weather and lifestyle being the biggest factor, followed closely by cost of living, health and opportunity. Notwithstanding the differences, the one factor everyone agreed on, was the desire to leave the UK, believing life would be greener on the other side of Europe. I have had both positive and negative experiences since I relocated here, there has never been a dull moment. Like most people I have spoken too, I believed my future lied in Spain. I was happy to call this place home and content at how far I have came. As we prepare to move to once again, reflecting on life in Gran Alacant, I am confident my expectations were fulfilled. GA is a melting pop of people, ideas and aspirations, all striving for the same goal, a new life in Spain; this is one place that will always remain in my heart.

---

---

---