RETIRING TO JAVEA

Thinking of retiring? What better place than Javea?

Javea with its enviable temperate climate, clean air and lack of heavy industry.

Javea with its laid back international ambience and attractive cost of living.

Javea with its wide variety of properties to suit every need.

Javea could provide your dream retirement.

Javea is an easy option for commuting if that is what you have in mind. An easy drive to connect with AP7 free motorway taking you north or south. To either continue by road or pick up a flight from Alicante or Valencia airports to your home country. Regular ferries from Bilbao or Santander to UK .

All year round living in Javea for the retired has lots to offer. Plus the opportunity to reach the rest of Spain by coach. For train travel you need to go a few kilometres to Denia to pick up a local train to Alicante and points in between.. Long distance train travel is available from Alicante and Valencia.

Pensions can be paid into Spanish banks quite easily.

And you can bring your pets.

Your choice of where to live will, of course, depend on a number of factors.

Bearing in mind that, apart from a very limited local bus service between the old town, the port and the Arenal beach you have to decide whether you want to be within walking distance of shops, banks, doctors, restaurants, hairdressers etc. Or maybe you prefer to carry on driving and live in an individual house with garden and maybe private pool. Some retirees start off with a villa on the outskirts and then move to a more central location. Others rent for a while before making a final decision on area.

There are several private doctors and clinics and national health centres in the old town and the port, many of whom speak your own language. The nearest hospitals, private and public, are not far away in neighbouring Denia. Dentists, chiropodists, gyms, hairdressers, beauty salons abound.

When you complete the necessary residential formalities you will be eligible for free health care.

The temperate climate means that less needs to be spent on things like home heating but if you have a garden and or swimming pool you need to bear in mind the maintenance costs involved.

The nearest large shopping mall is a few kilometres away in Ondara but as more and more recognisable shops are opening in Javea it's not always necessary to even go those few kilometres.

Local supermarkets offer a wide variety of Spanish and international products at reasonable and competitive prices. Fresh fruit and vegetables are moderately priced and available year round.

There seems to be something for everyone and plenty of things to do.

You may decide to offer a morning helping out in one of the many charity shops for example. Or what about dog walking for the APASA Javea dog rescue organisation?

Or joining Javea Players. A theatre group always on the lookout for enthusiastic participants both on stage and behind scenes.

Maybe you like green bowling. There is a busy club in Benitachell on the outskirts of Javea.

Don't forget the 2 golf courses. One 9 hole golf course in Javea, between Javea and Benitachell and another 18 hole course La Sella, reached via the Montgo road leading to Denia.

And remember the fantastic sailing and mooring opportunities in Javea port Yacht Club.

The U3A offers many interesting activities and clubs such as Bridge, Canasta, Dining out, Solos Dining, Wine Tasting, Aerobics, Painting, Spanish classes, Poetry, Computer, Walking etc etc etc And provides the opportunity to make like minded friends. They also have travel groups and holidays are organised as well as day trips. You need never be alone unless you want to be.

Restaurants and bars abound throughout Javea. There are restaurants offering not just local specialities but a wide variety of international dishes. Rice dishes are a particular speciality of the region, including the ever popular Paella. Most restaurants offer an affordable 3 course set menu, Menu del Dia. While others feature in the Michelin Guide of excellence.

Driving licences can be exchanged for Spanish ones, valid for 10 years initially and then down to

5 years for older drivers.

Javea is a popular, sought-after location for retirees.

Your gestor and/or accountant will guide you through all the procedures and explain the tax implications in Spain and in the Valencian Community in particular. For example. pensions are classified as income and are subject to income tax. Worldwide financial assets also have to be declared. Capital gains, for example on the sale of a property, is not applicable to those over 65. Get a full rundown of what you can expect in the way of taxes.