Well we have booked a week in September to have a look around Los Altos and area. If we like this area we will rent for longer once OH has retired to see if it suits.

Any info to do with this area would be appreciated, thank you.

Regional allowances for inheritance tax have been abolished-v important if you want to live here. Do some research on this.
It is the driest region in Spain
It is on the earthquake belt, none lately, though.
there are lots of nice unspoiled beaches, beauty spots, picturesque villages etc
Good roads, airports, shopping condominiums
Property is generally lower priced, you can get bargains
Interesting to see you come from Lincolnshire-we want to settle in that area, or Yorkshire when we return to the UK.

Thank you Neptuno for that info, we have friends that own a holiday apartment there, so we are using that for looking around. There's a lot they don't know with only holidaying there but we can ask others who live there. They've given us good knowledge of their area but we are going to look at the wider area around there.

Lots of bargains to be had in inland Murcia. Four bed villa's with pool and garage set in 3 to 4 acres of land (planted with almond and olive) can be found for around 130/150.000euro. 8 years ago the same property would have been in excess of 300.000, we know because that is what we paid and what the agents tell us its worth now!

Our builder must have laughed all the way to the bank! Don't forget that the 150 grand will drop considerably, expect on paper to pay about 100.000euro with the rest going as a cash handover. Black money is alive and well, no matter how much the government say they are clamping down on it

Only a fool would agree to selling their house in this way now.
Why would anyone want to anyway, the prices are so low.
What is likely to happen is that even if you've honestly bought it at a very low price, the tax man will think you've under declared and send you a nice bill for "complementary tax", as according to his little list he thinks you should have paid more!

Do you mean Los Altos urbanisation Torrevieja?

Yes we do

I think I would stick to the legal side of it, but yes we have seen these prices.

Some people have no other choice than to sell, Spain has become more and more expensive to live in yet the wages and job opportunities have become poorer. For many it's become a choice of sell now or wait for your house to be repossessed.

My point referred to being a fool going down the black money route, not about having to sell your house.

I would urge a bit of caution here. The OP has got the regions mixed up and placed Los Altos in Murcia. It's in Valencia and vastly different rules apply.

Murcia is the smallest and poorest region of Spain. It is nothing like the rest of it.

Right so Los Altos comes under Valencia not Murcia? Is that Definite?
Thanks.

Just looked and yes it is Valencia. Thank you HBG. So we are going for a look around Valencia LOL

Valencia is a much nicer place. Have a look at Zenia Boulevard, you're right on top of it.

Neptuno. Only a fool believes it doesn't exist any more. Recently a couple bought in our village, they were TOLD not asked by the agent that 40.000euro would be expected as cash, as the agent said "It is the Spanish way"

This is the problem- Many who bought lots of years ago paid black money. For them to get a return on their investment, then they too have to ask for black money.

It is something the authorites should have stamped out years and years ago. Now they are content to let it happen and then ask for 'complimentary tax'

Many will be caught out by it but it just makes a problem worse- When they sell not only will they be asking for black moey but also adding on the money they have paid in complimentary tax.

To say its illegal and shouldn't happen won't make black money go away. Instead of saying it shouldn't happen, why not offer your ideas of stopping it? Advising buyers not to pay black money is burying your head in the sand