Gran Alacant Forum
Gran Alacant Forum => General Discussions => Topic started by: Stepe on February 03, 2021, 23:26.
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Hi all. New member here. Hope everyone is keeping well in these crazy times.
My reason for posting is that I’m thinking of purchasing an apartment in the Gran Alacant area. I want somewhere for long weekends etc and I’m curious about bars and restaurants during the winter months. Not looking for anything like Benidorm of course but are there a few open for a morning coffee and a beer in the evening? There seems to be a cluster of bars around Molly’s, according to google earth.
Also is it viable to walk to Arenals from novamar or monte y mar.
Any thoughts really appreciated
Steve
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I remember meeting a member of the Ramblers Association once who wore a T shirt with the logo "Everywhere is within walking distance with enough time". GA is fairly extensive. Arenales is a reasonable stroll from the bottom end but would seem a bit tedious IMHO if walking from the top part. From the school opposite Novamar, it's 2.5Km to the centre of Arenales. Days can be bright and mild but the nights are cold in GA in the winter. I sold my place a few years back now and I've no idea what the bars/restaurants are like under the current situation.
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We’re normally out over winter but haven’t this year due to obvious reasons. Plenty of the bars/restaurants are open all year around particularly around Molly Malone’s area, GA centre and other areas. Several close for January after busy Xmas period.
We often walk to Arenales in daytime from Novamar area, it’s about 30 minutes walk. and several cafes etc open but evenings in winter in Arenales is dead.
As others have said lovely in the day , it’s been in high 20s Celsius last weeks but cold at nights
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Generally, whichever part of Gran Alacant you’re in there will be the odd bar or two open during the winter months.
Up the top there’s Tommy’s and the bars around by La Piedra.
A little further down you have a couple by Suena Azul and those around Sierra Marr.
At the bottom you have a few down the Carabassi strip.
In the middle as such, you have those at Massa Square and the GA centre.
Pretty much any of those four groups will have something open ( in normal times ) and any are within a 15 minute walk of the next group. However, the degree of uphill will vary greatly.
In general, there’s far more open in GA during the normal winter than there is in Arenals..
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We normally go out to our house in GA in January , and have a great time, have managed to get a sunburnt nose having fallen asleep in the sun, we've always found bars and restaurants open although it's anyone's guess what the situation is going to be like now and in the coming months.
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We normally go after February half term.Weather is generally very good ,lots of bars and most restaurants open.That was the last time we were there not sure when we will be allowed in again possibly May
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Hi
Thank you to all of you for your comments. Really getting itchy feet to visit after restrictions are lifted.
It sounds like a nice area and close to everything you could need and close to the airport too.
Im a bit nervous about the procedure for buying but after lots of research I think I know the ins out outs, especially getting a good solicitor!
I haven’t got the NIE number yet but can’t decide if I should wait until I visit or pay online for the service at around 200 euros.
Anyway, thank you all for the insights
Steve
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Our solicitor arranged the NIE number as part of the house purchase.
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If you intend to stay in the winter, buy somewhere that is south facing. It can get jolly cold with an icy wind at times.
Visit in the winter before you buy and have a good look around. Don't be in a great hurry to buy. Rent somewhere for a week or two first and see which area suits you best.
Get the book "You and the Law in Spain" by David Searl. We saved lots of money by following the information and advice.
Keith
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Sound advice from Keith and Jen.
We had a south facing house on Novamar, we coud sit out most days in the winter for a few hours in shorts and tshirts whilst those in northern facing houses were clad in full winter wear!! Our house was also so much brighter and warmer. We actually sold it to a couple who were fed us with seeing us and our friends sat in our garden enjoying the winter sunshine whilst they were sat in the shade in their garden with several layers of clothing on.
Take a look at the bars in winter with south facing outdoor seating areas, they'll have the customers in whilst the north facing ones by and large will be deserted.
We never rented ours out in 16 years of ownership, but if you are considering a rental income being south facing is a big bonus in attracting rental income in the winter months.
Keith & Jen are also bang on with their comment about renting first before commiting to buy, in hindsight, which is a lovely thing, we really enjoyed our time in GA, mainly because of the brilliant friends we made, but had we realised how long and cold the winter nights can be we would have bought a place in Tenerife.....the extra flight time and cost wouldnt have been important to us as we tended to visit around four times a year for four to six weeks a visit...obviously for shorter "week end" type visits it is important.
Finally another agreement with Keith and Jen, the bars and full of folk offering advice about the law in Spain and what you can and cant do, a lot of which is sound advice but a lot of which is absolute rubbish and will get you in trouble. David Searls book is a must have, it gets updated every year and is an invaluable reference as is good legal advice if and when you decide to invest your hard earned in a property.
Regards all
John
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Wow!
More really great advice thank you..
I’ll get the book ordered.
Thank you so much again
Steve
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Another useful book for background guidance is "Buying a home in Spain" by David Hampshire published by the somewhat dramatic 'Survivalbooks.net'
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Good advice already given, always do your own thorough research, many people you encounter in GA will give you advice but always take it with a big pinch of salt until you can verify it’s accuracy. Recommendations of tradespeople is a big no no, always steer clear of I know someone he’s really good. Even on forums you get people who plug they’re mates but usually a theme appears.You can do a lot yourself with most processes similar to the UK. Being a lawyer or notary in Spain is a license to print money. Some people pay others to do everything but hindsight is wonderful when you realise the ease somethings can be done.
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Stepe, if you are on Facebook take a look at this group, some great information on the area.
someone has just asked a question about buying in the area, some responses that you might find useful.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/580648528696897/
Regards all
John
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Hi again
Thank you for the continued comments.
I have ordered the books and joined the Facebook group.
As soon as I can I will be out there to check things out.
Thanks again everybody.
Steve
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From what Hancock had to say yesterday,even though inoculations are better than anticipated,it's doubtful if we in the U.K. Will get over to GA ,without isolating,until much later thiis Year if at all.
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The U.K. government will probably do everything it can in terms of flight restrictions and quarantines to discourage its citizens from holidaying abroad this year.
U.K. holidays create U.K. profits and U.K. taxation.
They need to recoup some of the borrowing in any way they can !
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What lefty nonsense.
They are trying to save our lives and get the economy back on track.
Derek
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What lefty nonsense.
They are trying to save our lives and get the economy back on track.
Derek
Lefty 😂😂
You couldn’t be any wider of the mark.
It’s common sense ( and good fiscal policy ) that the more people that take U.K. holidays the more money that stays in the U.K. pot.
They may not actively instal policy to that end, but you can bet your life that they’ll be in no hurry to reverse policy that inadvertently aids it.
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Hardly common sense.
Invent some virus variants and close the borders to increase the sales at Butlins! It is a good job I lack any "common" sense then or own a red coat.
Derek
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Hardly common sense.
Invent some virus variants and close the borders to increase the sales at Butlins! It is a good job I lack any "common" sense then or own a red coat.
Derek
Do not try to invent words and statements , you’re the one suggesting inventing viruses and closing borders is common sense.
What I stated as common sense is that the more people that holiday in the U.K. as opposed to abroad, the more of their money that stays in the U.K. Don’t really see how you can say that is anything other than obvious and common sense.
There are ample forums available on the internet for political discussion without having to turn a conversation into ‘Lefty’ or not as you appear to wish to label.
My original post had no political orientation other than to state that in my opinion, the U.K. government will do very little to encourage foreign holidays this year ( and most cabinet statements back that ) because people spending their money on anything in the U.K. helps to rebuild the U.K. economy quicker and helps to ease the burden upon the massive debts accrued.
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The economy will be open enough by the Summer to travel or there won’t be any airlines. There is no way that countries won’t open up their borders to allow travel by then. By the summer all adults in the UK will be vaccinated if they want one. Coupled with the warmer weather and the virus diminishing can’t see there will be a problem. Home owners need to get to their properties. Leaving them unoccupied for a year or 18 months is bad enough. We won’t be able to access our property soon as the garden will have taken over. Just hope Spain crack on with their vaccinations that will be the only sticking point. They are way behind all of Europe
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We won’t be able to access our property soon as the garden will have taken over.
I’ll pop around with the hedge cutters for a small alcoholic payment 😉 that’s if the bars ever reopen !
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I'm sticking by my earlier prediction that Mrs H and I will be lucky to be packing our suitcases by October, there's two key factors, will other countries allow visitors, assuming that we are allowed to travel, and the understanding of new strains of the virus and how they effect those already immunised....we still have a lot to learn about this virus.
Regards all
John
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I see that the Valencia region has just extended the restriction until the 1 st March.
It is not that often I agree with John (joking) but I also think October at the earliest.
Derek
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Interesting discussion on talk radio this week regarding personal finances, whilst many have lost everything, some have made money, there are many millions who have more money now than this time last year. Using myself as a bad example ,in a normal year 6 holidays of more than a week, 4 weekend breaks, numerous sports fixtures attended, Mrs Wilson and kids at least 4 theatres and shows attended, plus dozens of meals out. Hopefully the biscuit tin under the bed reflects this lean year.
The discussion was ,would all this money be spent once good times return and the overwhelming response was no, people would be prudent and sit on 2020s money. So if Rishi is expecting a bounce he might be disappointed.
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Interesting theme. Most years I manage to salt away a few bob. Consulting the back of my financial fag packet, this past year has been no different but the figure has been about the same as usual. The only major financial project has been changing the motorhome but I have adjusted for this. No flights anywhere or cruises. Notwithstanding the lockdown periods, we managed six weeks worth of trips in the motorhomes but they are 'low cost' needing only a bit of fuel and some pitch fees. So I wonder if people will have saved that significant an amount. I suppose it depends on how extravagantly they have spent on holidays in the past.
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I booked flights for October, might be £150 down the drain though. The government makes too much money out of air aviation tax to want to keep us in the UK, I hear conspiracy theories that powers to be want to keep us at home, the money men want a mobile population getting out and spending money, buying beer in pubs , same with cars, houses, and leisure, the last thing they want is us sitting at home.
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I booked flights for October, might be £150 down the drain though. The government makes too much money out of air aviation tax to want to keep us in the UK, I hear conspiracy theories that powers to be want to keep us at home, the money men want a mobile population getting out and spending money, buying beer in pubs , same with cars, houses, and leisure, the last thing they want is us sitting at home.
Exactly pure logic.
Derek
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Well we've missed out on a month in the Caribbean, the fiords last November with Hurtigruten and probably half a dozen trips to Spain since lock down started. My bank balance may be richer but my mental state definitely isn't.
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What lefty nonsense.
They are trying to save our lives and get the economy back on track.
Derek
Lefty 😂😂
You couldn’t be any wider of the mark.
It’s common sense ( and good fiscal policy ) that the more people that take U.K. holidays the more money that stays in the U.K. pot.
They may not actively instal policy to that end, but you can bet your life that they’ll be in no hurry to reverse policy that inadvertently aids it.
Problem is all UK hotels etc particularly in areas like Cornwall, lakes etc will raise prices considerably as demand will exceed supply. Greece, Spain, Denmark are all looking to accept tourists who have been vaccinated so that’s the over 50s sorted plus younger kids
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Not sure I would risk booking anything in the UK at the moment, many hoteliers etc requiring hefty deposit or some full payment, the risk being a 30 day cancellation required prior to arrival to get any monies back. With the current shower in office I wouldn’t risk 30 minutes let alone 30 days. Boris still owes me £400 from last year when he said Spain was “safe” to travel to 24 hours before our flight which meant no refund or chance of insurance claim, several weeks later he shut the door again.
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Not sure I would risk booking anything in the UK at the moment, many hoteliers etc requiring hefty deposit or some full payment, the risk being a 30 day cancellation required prior to arrival to get any monies back. With the current shower in office I wouldn’t risk 30 minutes let alone 30 days. Boris still owes me £400 from last year when he said Spain was “safe” to travel to 24 hours before our flight which meant no refund or chance of insurance claim, several weeks later he shut the door again.
Hi Wilson
This does not make sense (might be me). If you were told your flight was OK (safe) before travel why does Boris owe you the cost. Surely you were OK to fly.
Derek
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Sorry I don’t get either Wilson if you flight was ok to go surely you use it . If it was cancelled by airline or by gov policy you get a refund . How can that cost you £400
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Sorry I don’t get either Wilson if you flight was ok to go surely you use it . If it was cancelled by airline or by gov policy you get a refund . How can that cost you £400
It was a Ryanair flight which as you may recall last summer they still flew even with few passengers on board, the FCO advice was that Spain was high risk so travel not advised, this meant my insurance would pay out, then for no scientific based or logical reason with hours to go before departure our leader says all is now safe in Spain, which we all knew was a load of tosh written on a fag packet over breakfast which then cost me £400 because we didn’t fly as nothing had actually changed regarding risk. Whether you agree or not I’m sure both history and the inquiry will show that decision was wrong and made purely for political reasons.
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Now I understand. The flight was operating and there were no restrictions in force at the time of departure and that you, for your own safety reasons, took the decision not to fly. I can completely see that this is the fault of those in power and that the forthcoming inquiry will find that the Government owe you the cost of the flight that you decided not to go on.
Ryanair did allow passengers to move their flights if they wished. I hope the Government are not held to account for not arranging this transfer.
Derek
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I finally got my refund off Ryanair. Apart from using me as a bank for a couple of months I've never had any problems with flight changes or refunds. Occasionally it's been cheaper to scrap a flight rather than pay to move it in the past but that's always been my decision not theirs.
I can't see Derek being on Wilson's Christmas card list next December.
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Now I understand. The flight was operating and there were no restrictions in force at the time of departure and that you, for your own safety reasons, took the decision not to fly. I can completely see that this is the fault of those in power and that the forthcoming inquiry will find that the Government owe you the cost of the flight that you decided not to go on.
Ryanair did allow passengers to move their flights if they wished. I hope the Government are not held to account for not arranging this transfer.
Derek
I didn’t say I was holding the government to account just the buffoon that currently leads it. It’s like the current red list regarding countries that pose a significant risk it makes absolutely no logical sense. I sometimes wonder if he will pop out of his podium one day shouting April fool, unless you really can convince me that the last 12 months have all been a cunning plan Baldrick.
B&W I never take it personally it’s a forum if you can’t take it don’t give it.
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Wilson
I don't think a political rant is allowed.
It is funny when I do something right, which is not that often, the credit I take but whenever I get it wrong, which is often, it is always someone else's fault.
I used to, like many others, blame the EU for most things that in hindsight did not go correctly and I am at a complete loss now as it looks like I might one day have to accept that my actions are my own responsibility.
Derek
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Meanwhile, back to the original subject, if normal service ever does resume and there are any businesses left that survive it. Gran Alacant is a wonderful place to spend winter with plenty of things open and things to do.
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So Wilson it was your decision not to fly when restrictions were lifted then , so I’m struggling to see that as The fault of Boris .
You had a decision to make you made it fair enough but you decided not Boris not to fly .
Simple it’s your fault
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Meanwhile, back to the original subject, if normal service ever does resume and there are any businesses left that survive it. Gran Alacant is a wonderful place to spend winter with plenty of things open and things to do.
Economics show that when times are tough the weakest exit and when times are good new entrants appear. Therefore yes a lot badly run tourist businesses will go with the better ones hanging on who will do well when it opens up again. Consequently there will be a quite a few cheap businesses to be had and once sold to people that again have little idea but a desire for an easy life in the sun as an alternative to a real job it will all be back to normal. My advice is hang on in there and life will return to normal.
Derek
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So Wilson it was your decision not to fly when restrictions were lifted then , so I’m struggling to see that as The fault of Boris .
You had a decision to make you made it fair enough but you decided not Boris not to fly .
Simple it’s your fault
That sounds quite logical!
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Spot on Derek.
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Meanwhile, back to the original subject, if normal service ever does resume and there are any businesses left that survive it. Gran Alacant is a wonderful place to spend winter with plenty of things open and things to do.
Yes Pewster indeed it is, yesterday it was 25 degrees and while it isn't always quite that warm here at this time of year , it ain't bad is it. I find that where I am theres a lovely community spirit. Good luck, and if you haven't already seen the youtube video Gran Alacant Tourist train 2016, take a look as it gives you a decent circular look around the urb areas
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Meanwhile, back to the original subject, if normal service ever does resume and there are any businesses left that survive it. Gran Alacant is a wonderful place to spend winter with plenty of things open and things to do.
Economics show that when times are tough the weakest exit and when times are good new entrants appear. Therefore yes a lot badly run tourist businesses will go with the better ones hanging on who will do well when it opens up again. Consequently there will be a quite a few cheap businesses to be had and once sold to people that again have little idea but a desire for an easy life in the sun as an alternative to a real job it will all be back to normal. My advice is hang on in there and life will return to normal.
Derek
GA has always had an identity problem, some like myself who first bought 20 years ago chose the area for it’s lovely location and unspoilt way of life in sunny Spain. Sadly there was a minority who strived to turn GA into mini Benidorm with tacky bars selling pie and chips and cheap beer. Winter now in ga is how it used to be back in the good old days, with the decent bars and restaurants still open and shops with reduced hours, do people remember Sundays when everything was shut. So it might seem harsh but I agree derek hopefully all the tat and dross for the kiss me quick brigade won’t reopen and we will have a nice smaller selection of quality establishments.