2331 San Nicola Arcella, Calabria

Hi Lee and Anna
We've owned a small place in San Nicola for nearly two years now. Isn't it a wonderful area! We've found the Calabrian people really friendly and welcoming.
We're heading off there next week for a week -- we use Easyjet to Naples, and then a hire car (though we've just bought a lefthand-drive car which we're leaving down there for visits by train from Naples).
Best wishes
Eddie B

Hi Eddie

We love the area and try to go as often as possible, hoping to get a week in March. Did you know that Ryanair are now flying Stansted-Lamezia starting mid Feb? You can book now though and there's some real cheapies to be had. We've got a left hand drive uk registered car that we leave over there but it's got to come back towards the end of April latest for MOT. A bit of a pain but we'll load it up with goodies to bring home with us! and the drive back is fantastic, through the Italian lakes and up into Switzerland.
We've only managed to go to San Nicola on 3 occasions so far, the first trip for 2 weeks was spent working on the apartment, painting, cleaning, hanging curtains etc. We managed to paint all the inside and outside (2 floors) and generally brighten up the place. It's in Eden Park, do you know it? on the south side of the village outskirts. It's a little far out but we can walk to the village centre in about 20-25 minutes or drive it in 3-4 so it's not too bad. Where abouts is your place? We love the friendlyness of the locals and have enjoyed a few evenings drinking in Crawfords Pub and Bar Norman next door. Have you tried Il Clubbino, it's meant to be superb but we've not been to it yet.
Lee & Anna

Lee and Anna
Eden Park is not far from us, I think. Anyway, we're in Contrada Gioffa, just off the Via Telegrafico. I may be wrong, but I think you're just a bit further along out of the village.
You've certainly been busy with painting etc. Happily, our place didn't need much doing to it (because I've certainly not done it!) though I have been busily qualifying for a PhD in Ikea Assembly. Whenever we go over, we tend to call into the Napoli Ikea and then I end up making chairs etc for the rest of our stay.
My main project at the moment is to try to get broadband installed. Problem has been that none of the major ISPs want to wire up San Nicola, because there isn't enough demand. I'm thinking about AliceSat.
For a casual drink we've tended to use the Giovanni's bar, the Bar Miele (nearly opposite the Bar Norman). Lovely man, and very helpful. Our geometra (anotgher really great guy) is his son-in-law, and has an office in the same building. Have to say we haven't sampled Il Clubbino -- I fear it's the joint whose hi-fi disrupts my afternoon nap!
Sounds like we use the same driving route through France and Switzerland. We have to take our car back in October for an MOT etc, and I'll then drive it back again a week or so latger. Any excuse for an extra visit.
As I've mentioned, we're off to San Nicola soon for a week, and we hope to go back in early March (though I may have to skip that one because of work commitments).
Hope we can get together down there during the year.
rgds
Eddie B

Hi Eddie B

Pino was our Geometra too!! we purchased through Andiamo Homes which is owned by an English lady (Annie) who has a house in the Centro Storico although we've not met her. You're right about Pino's father in law, he seems really nice and has always been friendly and remembererd us each time we've gone there.
We're heading over on the 9th March for 5 days but may drive the car back as the MOT runs out late April - or i may go again in late April with a mate and drive it back then, like you say, any excuse for an extra trip!! I think we are further out of the village, but down the same road, we have to pass the Venice Beach Club outdoor pool if you know it.
It would be good to get together if we're ever in the village at the same time, I'm sure we can learn from each others experiences and travels!

Lee & Anna

Lee and Anna
Well, whadaya know! We were Annie's first sale in San Nicola. We still see her and her husband Terry fairly frequently - as you say, they also have a house in the village. I'll tell her we've been in touch through the Italymag forum.
Since this thread is in danger of becoming a two person dialogue, I'll mention that Annie's website is [url]www.andiamo-homes.com[/url] in case anyone else wants to follow our joint lead and look at property around San Nic.
Looks like we may be down there again at the same time as you, since I've booked some flights from Stansted to Naples on March 8 (though there's still a danger I may get caught up in some work instead).
It would be great to meet up. Let's stay in touch.
rgds
Eddie B

Hi Eddie,
Would be great to meet up - assuming you can make it!! nearer the time we'll have sort time/place once you know whether or not you'll definately be going.
Lee & Anna

Lee and Anna
Have sent you a 'private message' with contact details. (You should be able to access from the top right link on this page.)
rgds
Eddie B

Hi there
read your messages and it seems you really like the area you have your apartments. We are in the process of moving to Torremezzo di falconara with our 8 yr old daughter. This is between Paola and Amantea. Looking at the forum more people than we thought have properties in the area and its nice to think we could make contact with other ex-pats.

Regards Yvonne & Vince

Hi,
Small world...We bought a house in Bridge Villiage last January. We also bought of Annie and Pino!! We went over Jan, March, May, July and September last year and loved it every time. We went to who Annie calls cousin Pinos new bar in Tortora (think the spelling may be wrong) alot while we were over, he's a lovely man and a great cook. he showed us round the properties with Italian Pino, has anyone met him? We are hoping to get back over at easter, can't wait!!!!
Mealnie

Hi Mel

We've met the other Pino, he showed us round properties (including one at Bridge Village) with the other, other Pino! in October 04. He was great and extremely helpful but we've not seen him since, we're going over in March and if you let us know where his bar is or what it's called we'll stop by and say hello.We remember him telling us that he's from Tortora but although we've been to Tortora/Praia many times we've never bumped into him.

Lee & Anna

Hi Lee and Anna

My name is Teresa I do not know if you have seen my message on the forum thanking you for information about Ryanair flying into Lamezia. We bought an apartment in San Nicola Arcella a year last October. It is the Residence Perle, it is close to the Bar Norman. We go over every half term which is approximately every 7 or 8 weeks as I work in a school.
A nice restaurant which is open all year is the Serpente Rosa on the road leaving San Nicola towards Scalea.

I am still trying to get the hang of the forum, so I hope I am doing the right thing by posting this message here.

Hi Lee and Anna,

I have just managed to trace your message, I am still trying to find my way round the forum.

We stayed in San Nicola for 2 weeks beginning 13th August last year, it was exceptionally busy. You could not move anywhere. We heard that the last two weeks in August are always the busiest, but I think all of August is busy. The traffic from Naples to San Nicola was a nightmare. This year we are trying to go earlier as soon as the schools close.

My sister went over in July and it was not very busy. I have been over in May, June and July and it has been lovely.

Our apartment is close to Bar Meile on that side of the road.

We thought we were the only English speaking people in San Nicola as we have never heard any English voices and we must have visited about 13 times.

Regards Teresa

Hi teresa,

I will send you a private message which you can access at the top right hand side of the screen, that way the forum does not just become a 2 way conversation.

Lee & Anna

Hi Lee & Anna
If you follow directions to Tortora and drive down the main road with all the shops and bars on, his is on the left, it's called Stop 62. He is 50 on the
7th May so we are trying to get over for that. Another great place to eat is on the road to Maratea called The White Horse and it's open all year round, we were sat in there freezing a few times last January when it was snowing! Also the marina in Maratea is fabulous, have you been to either of these.
Have a great trip in March, are you flying to La Metzia, if so let us know what the drive from the airport is like, I read somewhere that the road is really bad.
Regards melanie

Hello all,
We are at our house (between Diamante and Belvedere Marittimo) at the moment and have been here since 5th Jan (leaving on Tuesday :( ).
We took a trip to Lamezia to see where the airport is and drove via Cozenza on the main road then back on the SS18 (the coastal road) and I much preferred the coast!
It's an interesting journey and took us about 1hr 25 from the airport to our house.
As we are about 20 minutes south of Scalea I would guess it would take nearer two hours from Lamezia to San Nicola .

Lesley & Brian

[QUOTE=Leeandanna]Hi, we live in England but have owned our apartment in San Nicola Arcella for 10 months now and enjoy visiting as often as possible - living in Bedfordshire and with the new Stansted to Lamezia route visiting will be even easier this year! We looked all around the Scalea/Praia A Mare area at apartments but the first time we drove along the coast and into San Nicola we knew we'd found the right spot. We'd love to hear from anyone living or owning property around this area and if anyone wants to rent our apartment we'd love to hear from you too!!
Lee & Anna[/QUOTE]

Hello there, we lived in the North of Italy for over two and a half years when my husband was relocated with work. We are now back in the UK and House hunting for a place near Scalea. We are going over there on the 28 th Feb for one week and are looking for an apartment to rent, maybe we could rent yours if it was available! Or you could reommend somewhere, there is my husband and myself and our three year old son. We would also appreciate any help or advice that forum members could offer us.

Looking forward to hearing from you

Hello fellow San Nicolesi (and other Calabrians)
We've just arrived back from nine days in San Nicola, where we had a wonderful time (despite a car heater burn-out which was fixed for next to nothing by a wonderful auto-electric guy in Scalea. If anyone ever needs help with auto trouble, I'll pass on his details).
We had exceptionally fierce winds for a few days, but blue skies nearly all the time. Certainly a lot warmer than the same time last year.
As Lee and Anna have touched on, there's a danger that this thread could become a conversation which excludes other forum users, so I wonder if we might all give some thought to useful tips about Calabria which we could pass on; things like good restaurants, helpful tradespeople (and there are so many skilled tradesmen and women in Calabria who deserve a decent bite out of whatever the tourist economy is generating), good itineraries for a day out (and not just the wonderful Parco Pollino).
Calabria is such a terrific province that it would be good to sing its praises in some detail, I think.
rgds
Eddie B

[QUOTE=Monza]Hello there, we lived in the North of Italy for over two and a half years when my husband was relocated with work. We are now back in the UK and House hunting for a place near Scalea. We are going over there on the 28 th Feb for one week and are looking for an apartment to rent, maybe we could rent yours if it was available! Or you could reommend somewhere, there is my husband and myself and our three year old son. We would also appreciate any help or advice that forum members could offer us.

Looking forward to hearing from you[/QUOTE]

Hi Monza,
Good luck with your search. We were assisted in our quest by Tony & David of [url]www.scalea-property.com[/url] who were absolutely invaluable, from organising accommodation during our viewing and subsequent trips and also on an ongoing basis. We couldn't recommend them highly enough.

Also for anyone in San Nicola Arcella there is already a special section set up on the forum at [url]www.scalea.info[/url] for anyone who would like to post about their favourite places in SNA or just to contact others who are in the area-you can find it here..
[url]http://www.scalea.info/Forums.html[/url]
It is waiting for some input!

We have found that it gets better and better every time we visit and wouldn't hestitate to say -'Come to Calabria!' - but don't tell everyone, we want to keep it a secret too if that's possible :D

Lesley & Brian

Hello:

Is anyone familiar with I Delfini in San Nicola? We are currently looking at several villas/townhomes in this community to purchase for investment properties. Also, what is it like in San Nicola during the summer? We would greatly appreciate any feedback.

Janet
New Jersey, USA

[QUOTE=Monza]Hello there, we lived in the North of Italy for over two and a half years when my husband was relocated with work. We are now back in the UK and House hunting for a place near Scalea. We are going over there on the 28 th Feb for one week and are looking for an apartment to rent, maybe we could rent yours if it was available! Or you could reommend somewhere, there is my husband and myself and our three year old son. We would also appreciate any help or advice that forum members could offer us.

Looking forward to hearing from you[/QUOTE]

Hi Monza,

I hope your property hunting goes well at the end of Feb, unfortunately we're unable to help with apartment rental as ours is not available then. You could try contacting A&M in Scalea ([url]www.aeemme.it[/url]) or Scalea Property Services ([url]www.scalea-property.com[/url]) as they rent property as well as selling it. We bought via Andiamo Homes ([url]www.andiamohomes.com[/url]) although i'm not sure whether they rent anything.
Good luck.

Hi EddieB and all,

On the subject of things to do in the area, we travelled down (and up!) to Camigliatello Sila (i'm sure i've spelt that wrong!) last September. It took us about 2 1/2 hours but what a great place. Obviously, in September there was no snow but we could've been in Switzerland or Austria, it was very "Alpine". I would imagine it would be fantastic in winter and is all geared up as a ski resort. There's also a steam train that runs from Cosenza up into the mountains which would make a fabulous way to get up there in the snow - I would imagine the journey would be a lot longer by road in the snow! There's also some huge lakes up there and it was just a great place to spend a day, completely different from the coastal area that we're all used to seeing around the area.

Eddie B -

Was wondering if you ever got a solution to your broadband challenge. We've recently purchased property near San Nicole and will need to "communicate" with the outside world.

I look forward to hearing your solution.

Thanks,

JanetC

Janet
Have sent you a 'private message'. You can access it by logging in, and then checking your Private Messages at top right of the forum.
rgds
Eddie B

Message to Mel......

Yes it is a small world!! I go out to Scalea early Dec to look at properties. I had a house 'fall through' in Tuscany but thought I'd look elsewhere....and Scalea it is! I've also sent you a private message through the 'Scalea Forum' because the small world I talk of is actually Ramsbottom....which is where myself and my wife Helen live.... If you get this message & you're willing to let me know your experiences......we'll meet up home or away!

Thanks

Hi
Have sent you a private message with contact details......see you soon!!
Mel

I know all of you are looking at the Tyrrhenian side, but I have a leasehold property overlooking the Ionian Sea that I'm looking to sell.

The village is perched on a mountain (3 km from sea), and the house has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, fireplace, and balcony with a view of the Ionian Sea and surrounding hills. It's fully restored in rustic fashion (terra cotta tiles, bricks, chestnut beams) and you can move in immediately.

Btw, I have lived in this village for 3 years, and I'll still be staying here, just in a different house; as through most of Calabria, the locals are very welcoming and enjoy that foreigners from England, Wales, USA, and Sweden have been moving in (joining the many northern Italians, Germans, and Swiss that visit in the summer).

If anyone is interested, please send me a private message :)

Hello Lee & Anna,
San Nicola is a very beautiful part of the coastline and congratulations on buying your apartment there. My husband and I were very interested in an apartment there in 2003 but opted for a house requiring total renovation at Santa Maria Del Cedro. We now live here permanently and are very happy! We would love to make contact with any other expats alontg the coast, for exchange of information, chats and the like. So when you otr other locals are here you can make contact with us via Italy Magazine Joantoncino

Tennis anyone?
Just moved to S.nicola. Calling all people along this coast to organize an afternoon of tennis. There are a couple of courts at the Bridge Village we can use (permission has been granted). All interested can PM me.

We'll be visiting our place, in I'Delfini, from December 22nd to December 30th. Maybe we can get together?

[quote=Leeandanna;17383]Hi, we live in England but have owned our apartment in San Nicola Arcella for 10 months now and enjoy visiting as often as possible - living in Bedfordshire and with the new Stansted to Lamezia route visiting will be even easier this year! We looked all around the Scalea/Praia A Mare area at apartments but the first time we drove along the coast and into San Nicola we knew we'd found the right spot. We'd love to hear from anyone living or owning property around this area and if anyone wants to rent our apartment we'd love to hear from you too!!
Lee & Anna[/quote]

Hi,

We're going out to Calabria for the 1st time on Friday and have seen details of La Perla Resort in San Nicola. Does anybody have any views on it? San Nicola sounds nice from the reports here. Are all the apartments around the village at the top of the hill and a lift down to the beach? That's what it sounds like from the description of the apartment.

Hi all, I am from london and here with my mum we have fallen in love with the area, the people and the stunning views!!! we came to scalea and then found plaia a mare and san nicola arcella which are bith just glorious, and really untouched, we are looking to buy an apartment and are interested in meeting anyone who also has an apartment here, typical the exchange is so dire for us we are a little worried about the whole economic situation and thought we had a bit more to spend than we do, how much can we barter the cost of a property down here??? we originally thought to get somewhere in one of the resorts but they are so dead in winter and i am planning to come and live here - while my mum and dad will use it as a holiday home more. I have decided better for me /us to be in a village where there is people living all year round. Are we crazy buying now??? we have found a 2 bedroom - well one tiny and one decent sized bedroom with a large balcony and sea view in really good condition for 70,000 euros right in the middle of the village san nicole arcella - and we are thinking about putting a desposit on it tomorrow a bit scared!!!! sorry first time i have been on a forum and i ma having a bit of a rant - kinda would like to speak with someone who knows a bit more than me
great to meet you all- lisa

Hope you al enjoy your new lives here in Bella Calabria! Just in case you didn't know there is a Calabria forum on this site where you can continue to write about all things Calabrian. Just scroll down on the forum index... :yes: