Spain is experiencing an unusual weather pattern. Over the past two weeks, we’ve had strong winds, cool temperatures, and ominous clouds, topped off with a severe weather warning. It’s a stark reminder that even in places known for sunshine, nature has its own plans. Just remember 29/10—the floods in Valencia—and you’ll understand our sense of alarm.
This isn’t our first experience with extreme weather. In Limoux, we witnessed several floods. In Brisbane, we endured a lengthy drought, only to see the Brisbane River rise nearly five meters during the 2011 floods. And in Cataluña, we house-sat during torrential rainstorms that sent water streaming through the house.
The owner’s reaction? Pure nonchalance. Her advice? Sweep the water through and go to bed. It was just part of life there. But it drove home an important point: location matters, especially when hills and water flow are involved.
River Aude – wider than ever!
The Importance of Water Flow and Hills
Everywhere we’ve looked for property so far is surrounded by hills. While picturesque, it’s essential to understand how water moves in these areas. One key lesson we’ve learned: avoid homes at the bottom of hilly streets.
Our house in Brisbane never flooded, despite being near the bottom of a slope, but we often had to sweep away water to keep it from entering the house. The garden, however, turned into a wild, raging river. The house below us? Its garage collected all the water, making it a terrible place for storage. Similarly, in Cataluña, despite being on higher ground, water still found its way toward the house from the surrounding hills.
Understanding Flood Risks Before Buying
So how do you predict what water will do in extreme weather? Are there experts who analyze these risks? We’re beginning to realize that understanding water movement is just as important as knowing about property taxes or local amenities.
The Brisbane River rising above 5 meters
Brisbane’s 2011 floods happened on a bright, sunny day. The water came from inland, and no one could stop its rise. The situation worsened because it coincided with high tide. Similarly, when Valencia flooded last year, the water’s origins weren’t immediately obvious.
Unpredictability of the Weather
Climates are shifting, and areas once considered low-risk are now vulnerable. Just last week, Brisbane was bracing for Cyclone Alfred—an anomaly for the area. Cyclones typically impact northern Queensland, but this time, the eye of the storm was heading straight for the southern coast.
It’s a sobering thought: when buying a home, you can’t assume the past will dictate the future. You need to prepare for the worst weather and factor in changing weather patterns.
Weather Lessons We’ve Learned:
Understand water flow – Hills can be beautiful, but water needs somewhere to go.
Research historical floods – If a house has flooded before, it’s likely to happen again.
Talk to locals – They often know which areas are prone to flooding.
Check drainage systems – Poor drainage can turn a mild storm into a disaster.
Climate change is real – Areas once considered safe may now be at risk.
At this stage, we don’t know exactly what kind of property we’ll end up with—flat land, a hilly plot to build on, or an existing house. But one thing is clear: we consider ourselves warned, and we’ll be paying close attention.
After two months in Moraira, Marina Alta, we set our sights further south, hoping to find a rental in or near Villajoyosa. We even had our eye on a charming old-town apartment in the heart of the city—but we missed out. And so, the search continued.
To find a rental through Facebook groups
Our first rental in Moraira came from a Facebook group, and thankfully, it turned out to be a genuine listing. So when another opportunity popped up on a different Facebook page, we were hopeful.
A guy reached out via Messenger, offering an apartment in Villajoyosa. He asked for my email to send more details and photos—not an unusual request, but in today’s world, a little caution goes a long way.
After some prompting, he sent over 10 photos and a detailed description. It all looked great. I asked for pricing, deposit details, and any additional fees. That’s when the red flag popped up—he wanted a 40% deposit upfront, nearly €600.
Colourful houses in Villa Joiosa
Something felt off. I asked for proof of a tourist license, reviews, or any official listing. Silence. No response. Suspicious, I did a reverse search for the apartment and found it listed on Airbnb—for over €100 per night—under a Dutch female owner. Classic scam.
Can you trust anyone these days? It’s hard to say.
Avoiding Rental Scams: The Banana Trick
When negotiating our Moraira rental, the owner had never rented it out before and had no tourist license. But they offered a video call to explain the situation and even lowered the deposit to ease our concerns. That gave us confidence, and thankfully, it all worked out.
A fellow renter once told me a brilliant trick: Ask the owner to take a picture standing inside the rental holding a banana. If they refuse or make excuses, run! It might sound silly, but it’s a simple way to confirm the listing is real.
No colour restrictions here…..
The Hidden World of Rental Agents
Many Facebook rental groups claim to be for homeowners and renters only, but the reality is quite different. The majority of “owners” are actually agents, cleverly disguising themselves until you decline the first property—at which point, they suddenly have plenty of options.
Meanwhile, well-known Spanish rental sites are notorious for not responding to inquiries. They live up to that reputation flawlessly. And when you do get a response, it’s often from an agent, not a direct owner. The site itself has no real control over customer service, so you’re left waiting, often indefinitely.
Key Takeaways
To find a rental in Spain is proving much harder than we hoped and we learned a few things:
Trust but verify – Always ask for proof like a tourist license, reviews, or an official listing. High deposits can be a red flag.
Use the “banana trick” – Ask the owner for a photo inside the rental holding a random object. A quick way to spot scammers!
Many “owners” are actually agents – Many Facebook listings come from agents, not direct homeowners. Be prepared for upselling.
Be flexible – The ideal house may not exist, so adjusting expectations can make the search easier.
Always different than the neighbours….
Rethinking the ‘Dream Rental’
Our vision of the ideal house in Villajoyosa is slipping away, and we’ve had to adjust our criteria. Now, we’re open to places that are less than perfect—as long as they’re available and legitimate!
With one month left to secure our next home, we remain hopeful. The ideal house might not exist exactly as we imagined, but we’ll find something that works.
After a couple of weeks in Moraira, we’re starting to see a pattern. Life on the coast is very much an expat scene, while inland Spain offers a more authentic Spanish experience. In this post, I want to share our impressions of a few inland towns we visited.
These towns have a few things in common. They are functional Spanish towns with real amenities—medical services, schools, town halls, council offices, and businesses that cater to local life rather than tourism. Just Spanish life as it is.
Market Towns in Inland Spain
We explored Benissa, Gata de Gorgos, Pedreguer, and Pego. One thing we noticed: they all have lively weekly markets. Benissa’s market is on Saturdays, Gata de Gorgos on Fridays, Pedreguer hosts a rastro every Sunday morning, and Pego’s market takes place on Thursdays.
Since we love markets, having one nearby is a must. In France, our weekly market ritual includes fresh fruit and veggie shopping, a café stop, and the occasional run-in with familiar faces. It’s a tradition we’re not willing to give up.
Little cafes everywhere
The Feel of Inland Spain
Walking through these Spanish towns, we were struck by how clean and well-kept they are. Small shops and bars are tucked away, buzzing with local life. You won’t get far with English or other foreign languages, but the locals are friendly, quick to greet you, and happy to chat or help—giving my very basic Spanish some much-needed practice!
A few weeks ago, we met someone living in Moraira who was house-hunting in Pedreguer. More space, better value, and a different pace of life drew her inland. Funny enough, we later spotted her viewing a house right on the town’s main square!
An Unexpected Conversation
While wandering Pedreguer’s streets, a local man struck up a conversation, asking if I liked the town. When I said I was Dutch, he went off on how Dutch buyers were pushing up house prices, making it harder for locals to afford homes. I’m not sure why he singled out the Dutch—we’re far from the only ones—but I get it. It’s a common issue in sought-after regions.
Street of Pedrequer
All these towns are in the Marina Alta, within 25 km of the coast but not all coastal areas are equally charming. We took a 20-minute drive from Pego to the nearest beach. The sandy, wide coastline was beautiful, but surprisingly quiet. No chiringuitos, no tucked-away beach bars—just a strip of road lined with restaurants, bars, and summer attractions that probably come alive in peak season.
After taking it all in, we wrapped up the day with a meal at one of our favorite spots in Denia. Reflecting on our inland tour, we realized we really liked the towns we’d seen. We could see ourselves living near a place like this.
Marina Alta: A Strong Contender
The Marina Alta is definitely growing on us. It has that perfect blend of authenticity, coastal proximity, and everyday livability. While none of the towns we visited screamed WOW, Benissa stood out as a place with real potential. This region is starting to feel like home, and we’re excited to dig deeper and see if it’s where we truly belong.
Denia – not a bad place at all!Benissa – a Spanish working town with a lovely old centreWandering old town Pego
Key Takeaways:
Inland towns feel more authentic and Spanish than the coast.
Markets are an important feature for us.
Locals are welcoming, but you need to speak some Spanish.
Coastal areas vary—some are lively, others can feel deserted offseason.
Benissa stands out, but we’ll keep exploring!
What do you think? Do you prefer coastal or inland life? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
On another note, if you like my pictures, you can find more in my new Etsy shop.
Two weeks in, and we’ve been soaking up the Spanish sun while getting to know Moraira and its surroundings. With work claiming four days a week, I make every moment of my free time count—like our visit to Calpe.
A trip to Calpe
Calpe is famous for Peñon de Ifach, a towering 337-meter limestone rock that juts out dramatically into the sea. I love natural formations like this—El Montgó is another favorite, so is Pic de Bugarach in France and after years in Australia, I have to include Ayers Rock.
Fun fact: the view of Peñon de Ifach from Moraira is actually better than the one from Calpe itself!
Calpe’s main beach with Peñon de Ifach
Calpe is home to around 30,000 residents, half of whom are expats, mostly Brits and Germans. Someone told me “If you shop for a property, the agent will tell you how many English speaking professionals there are”.
First impressions
The town boasts wide beaches, a charming old town, and plenty of beachfront cafés. But it’s also high-rise central, giving off a Benidorm or Australian Gold Coast vibe. The area is a true cycling paradise, attracting both amateurs and pro teams—great for cycling fans, not so great when you’re stuck behind a peloton on a winding road.
Coffee in Calpe? About 2 euros. But the real win? A massive slice of birthday cheesecake for an absolute bargain, enjoyed right on the beach. Now that is the kind of research I’m happy to do!
We wandered through a surprisingly quiet town, with many eateries and bars still closed for the season. I’d love to come back later in the day or closer to peak season to see it in full swing.
What I Think of Calpe
You don’t get the feeling you are in Spain. You could be anywhere.
You hear mostly North European languages.
It feels restricted because of the high rise. It must be horrible to build a house on a nearby hill to see the next tower develop and block your sea view.
Spanish Flag Stairs Calpe
Defining what we want
While Calpe or any place that looks like this, has its perks, it doesn’t quite feel like Spain to me. The old town has charm, but the touristy areas could be anywhere in the world. I get why people love it—the beaches, the weather, the lifestyle—but I’m craving more authenticity. I want to hear Spanish, smell sizzling tapas, and feel like I’m in Spain, not just visiting a sunny outpost of Northern Europe.
When we bought our house in France, we had a checklist list with clear criteria. Now, it’s time to create one for Spain: size, culture, local life, and proximity to the coast
Calpe has helped refine our search—we want a place that feels Spanish. Maybe it’s time to head inland and see what hidden gems we can find and where Spain still feels like Spain.
Share your thoughts
Last but not least—don’t forget to comment! It helps others find my blog, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Also, if you have any tips, send them my way!
On another note, if you like my pictures, you can find more in my new Etsy shop.
January 2025 kicked off a new chapter for us! We temporarily packed up our life in Limoux, France, rented out our home, and hit the road in search of our dream lifestyle in Spain. Some might find this level of uncertainty nerve-wracking—but for us, it’s all part of the fun.
So, why Spain? To simply sum it up: great weather, a lower cost of living, and the perfect spot for our future retirement.
Finding Our Way
In 2024, we spent six weeks road-tripping through Spain also with a dream lifestyle in mind—starting in Valencia, the area North of Valencia and then Mallorca. Funny enough, instead of finding our what we wanted, that trip helped us figure out what we didn’t want in a future home. This turned out to be just as valuable as knowing what we do want.
We found our current rental through social media, despite some initial sketchy warnings about it being a scam. Turns out, the owners are just getting started—brand new in the rental game and just lovely genuine people!
Now, we’re in Moraira, a picturesque town on the Costa Blanca. Our villa sits in a typical Spanish hillside community—an ubanizaciòn. We tend to call it an ‘Urb’. Not exactly our dream setup, but super comfortable. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sunny outdoor space, and a pool—yes, please but a bit later in Spring! Coming from chilly Limoux, sunny outdoor living feels like a luxury.
Lessons Learned and Tips for Others
So far, our adventure has taught us a few things:
Do Your Research – Take time to visit places before committing.
Embrace Uncertainty – Sometimes, you won’t have everything figured out, and that’s okay!
Investigate Rentals – Online listings can be hit or miss—vet them well before making a decision
Know What You Don’t Want – It’s just as important as knowing what you do want.
Enjoy the Perks – Yes, practicalities matter, but so does soaking up the sunshine.
What’s Next?
Our journey is far from over. Over the next few months, we’ll keep exploring, meeting new people, and refining our vision. Moving abroad is a big leap, especially in your 50s and beyond, but it’s also an amazing opportunity to create the life you really want.
For now, we’re soaking up the Mediterranean vibes, dreaming big, and seeing where the adventure takes us next. Stay tuned!
