Torrevieja
#1
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Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Gozo
Posts: 63
Torrevieja
Hi there everyone, my partner and I are moving to Spain on 9th May and have initially rented an apartment in an urbanization near Torrevieja, have been reading about all the crime in that area, does anyone have any personal experience of what it is like in that area?
#2
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Joined: May 2009
Location: Alicante province
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Re: Torrevieja
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=435945
This thread is five years old. I wasn't a forum member then but have lived in Torrevieja for 13 years. I'm going to add 'for commercial reasons', to make sense of it.
Since that link in 2007, the local police forces have been quadrupled in number and crime figures have fallen (from ridiculous levels). but most of what was discussed then still rings true.
What more can I say? It's not for the faint-hearted.
This thread is five years old. I wasn't a forum member then but have lived in Torrevieja for 13 years. I'm going to add 'for commercial reasons', to make sense of it.
Since that link in 2007, the local police forces have been quadrupled in number and crime figures have fallen (from ridiculous levels). but most of what was discussed then still rings true.
What more can I say? It's not for the faint-hearted.
#3
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Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Gozo
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Re: Torrevieja
Thankyou HBG
#4
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,590
Re: Torrevieja
Might be more police but, I went for a day around last May and it was quite dirty, the promenade was the worst I have ever seen in my life
#5
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Re: Torrevieja
I feel that I should clarify my earlier post. The thread I quoted was from five years ago, and things have improved considerably since then.
The largest expat population in Spain, mainly Brits, live to the south of Alicante, mostly around the 'greater' Torrevieja area, including La Marina and Orihuela Costa.
The reason for the continuing influx of British expats is quite simple. The housing, whether renting or buying, is cheaper than anywhere else in Spain and the infrastructure is totally geared up for expats. All Spanish businesses, from Banks to Bodegas, speak English, they have to.
There is nothing an expat will miss from back home, from the British Legion to countless slimming clubs. If he needs help of any sort, it will be on his doorstep.
And an extensive Neighbourhood Watch network has cut crime considerably.
The largest expat population in Spain, mainly Brits, live to the south of Alicante, mostly around the 'greater' Torrevieja area, including La Marina and Orihuela Costa.
The reason for the continuing influx of British expats is quite simple. The housing, whether renting or buying, is cheaper than anywhere else in Spain and the infrastructure is totally geared up for expats. All Spanish businesses, from Banks to Bodegas, speak English, they have to.
There is nothing an expat will miss from back home, from the British Legion to countless slimming clubs. If he needs help of any sort, it will be on his doorstep.
And an extensive Neighbourhood Watch network has cut crime considerably.
#6
Re: Torrevieja
Hi
I used to own an apartment in Torrevieja. I loved the bars, there are some great venues.The port is excellent. The infrastructure is good and there are loads of expats all over the area.
The town itself being a grid pattern cannot be described as pretty, and the graffitti in the area was always a big problemo.
The crime problem was an epidemic, and I am glad to hear it is cleaned up a bit.
The property prices are really cheap (thats what attracted us), but they are cheap for a reason.
We sold up and bit the bullet and moved to the CDS where we are genuinely in a wonderful area.
My experience of good old Torre was negative and I do not wish to upset people who live there . PM me if you wish to know more.
Regards
Al
I used to own an apartment in Torrevieja. I loved the bars, there are some great venues.The port is excellent. The infrastructure is good and there are loads of expats all over the area.
The town itself being a grid pattern cannot be described as pretty, and the graffitti in the area was always a big problemo.
The crime problem was an epidemic, and I am glad to hear it is cleaned up a bit.
The property prices are really cheap (thats what attracted us), but they are cheap for a reason.
We sold up and bit the bullet and moved to the CDS where we are genuinely in a wonderful area.
My experience of good old Torre was negative and I do not wish to upset people who live there . PM me if you wish to know more.
Regards
Al
#8
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 288
Re: Torrevieja
I was there for a couple of days and didn't have the sense that it was full of thieves - other than some of the vendors on the promenade selling overpriced junk - and thought it quite a pleasant promenade. And property was very cheap but looking on google maps there is an awful lot of water surrounding the town and I wonder if it is prone to flooding?
#9
Re: Torrevieja
I was there for a couple of days and didn't have the sense that it was full of thieves - other than some of the vendors on the promenade selling overpriced junk - and thought it quite a pleasant promenade. And property was very cheap but looking on google maps there is an awful lot of water surrounding the town and I wonder if it is prone to flooding?
#10
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Re: Torrevieja
There are two giant natural salt lakes on the outskirts of Torrevieja, which apart from producing the finest salt quality, have some beneficial side effects on the local population.
First of all, they live longer, the town hall is forever publishing lists of many people over a hundred years old.
Another curious statistic is that the area has the highest birth rate in Spain. The council are always building new schools and extending old ones.
I've known Asthma sufferers come to the area and throw their puffers away after a couple of weeks here. They say it's the amount of iodine produced by the lakes; when the wind blows, the waters turn purple.
But the most curious side effect is the birth rate, and it must have something to do with the iodine laden air quality. They'll find out eventually and probably discover some kind of Viagra fumes in the air.
Come on down.
First of all, they live longer, the town hall is forever publishing lists of many people over a hundred years old.
Another curious statistic is that the area has the highest birth rate in Spain. The council are always building new schools and extending old ones.
I've known Asthma sufferers come to the area and throw their puffers away after a couple of weeks here. They say it's the amount of iodine produced by the lakes; when the wind blows, the waters turn purple.
But the most curious side effect is the birth rate, and it must have something to do with the iodine laden air quality. They'll find out eventually and probably discover some kind of Viagra fumes in the air.
Come on down.
#11
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Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Gozo
Posts: 63
Re: Torrevieja
The air quality sounds like a good thing as my partner suffers from asthma, dont know about the birth rate though, we are too old to have another child
#12
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Posts: 3,120
Re: Torrevieja
Hmm, lived here a long time and never the stat about the birth rate.
But yes the salt lakes are very beneficial, and no pollution (no heavy industry) in this area.
Not convinced the crime rate is that bad given the town has 100,000 residents and many more in the summer and naturally tourists attract the scallywags.
But I agree it is not quaint and we have few architectutal gems - it is what it is a a town that has grown very fast and offers most things, whether you want them or not is another matter.
But yes the salt lakes are very beneficial, and no pollution (no heavy industry) in this area.
Not convinced the crime rate is that bad given the town has 100,000 residents and many more in the summer and naturally tourists attract the scallywags.
But I agree it is not quaint and we have few architectutal gems - it is what it is a a town that has grown very fast and offers most things, whether you want them or not is another matter.
#13
Re: Torrevieja
We lived in several areas just south of Torevieja and used to visit the town regularly, never had any problems, and, in it's defence, the prom was always spotless, with cleaning people going round every day.
#14
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Re: Torrevieja
It's not the most perfect place in the world and is riddled with problems, but perfect beaches and a multi-cultural population help to take some of the pain away.
The strip at OC is not for everyone, but whatever you may be looking for is there. I don't know if they're still there, but I remember Rangers and Celtic bars quite near to each other. If you fancied a punch-up, that was the place to go.
#15
Re: Torrevieja
I like to visit Torre with the bustle and multi cultural atmosphere, I have not witnessed any bad behavior or crime there myself tho.
I have known quite a few people that have lived there and love it but I must admit that I do like to retreat to my quiet place inland,
I have known quite a few people that have lived there and love it but I must admit that I do like to retreat to my quiet place inland,