Re: Living the DREAM?
 

can recommend Gandia - I live 5 mins from there :thumbsup:

UK is pants and Carol I feel for you I really do - but as has been said take your time and dont rush into anything

renting is always my number 1 piece of advice so perhaps you could come over for a few months, rent and look around and find an area that suits you

being a non driver could be a bit of a pain depending on where you live - in our village there is A bus driver, not sure what happens when he is off sick !!!! anyway the service seems regular enough

take care

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

Hi Montgomail...The Denia// Gandia area sounds absolutely wonderful...just the sort of place we would love. My husband does drive...for over 40 years..but he gets very nervous if he doesn't know his way around..and gets really stressed. And that is in the Uk. But the roads we noticed while we were in Spain..didn't seem too crowded..and in time you get used to where you are going. A Reliable Bus service would be Ideal...to get us out and about and aquainted with the area..and totally necessary for the future...as we are getting older. I doubt we would be able to sell and move another time..so we must make sure we get it All right the first time..I am very grateful for all the help and advice. Many thanks, Carol

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

Carol your husband sound like he needs to get a good satnav and play with it till its second nature, then the nerves should disappear.:thumbsup:

Re: Living the DREAM? Inspection Tours!!
 

Hi there... Thanks for your support and another thumbsup for Gandia. It is definitely a popular choice. I am truly sorry to find myself the victim of an attack. And even angrier to confirm today.. through the local papers... that there definitely was another identical attempt on a woman.. On the very same street...and She was also walking her dog..but at 8am. This was almost a month before my attack. But they listed it as "an agressive driver!" As the man had tried to mount the pavement with his car to get at her. This lady was able to run away. If warnings had been issued...I would have been much more cautious. And could have been spared the pain. both physical and mental . I am truly sorry to see the country deteriorate..I have been very proud to call Britain my home.The Countryside is beautiful..the people are very kind and caring..(as shown on this forum). But sadly the politicians never learn. They protect and support the wrong people.

Thankyou for your advice.... I do think renting makes sense. We did that before moving to Derby. Getting the right location is crucial. The problem for us is... how to accomplish this long term rental in Spain.. As we still have a house and dependents.. a shortage of funds....and my husband still in work as a teacher.

The next best thing.. we planned to rent a car and pick an area to spend 3-4 weeks in August. But we don't know where to form a base.. So today we went to see a... MASA... Exhibition for Spanish properties in Derby. We Just wanted info on what is available..in what areas. Or future builds. "GRAN ALICANT" ..15 minutes from the airport..near Santa Pola...with mountain and sea views...was recommended as a good choice for us. They have a small townhouse..with roof solarium ..completely furnished...in a so called residential area near the beach. We have explained our circumstances..but despite not being ready to move for sometime..an inspection tour was suggested as the best option. Enabling us to see All areas available. they even agreed to show us the areas around Denia and Gandia. They swear there is no pressure to buy. I'd be very pleased to hear any advice from anyone regarding MASA or these inspection tours. Is it a good Idea?? Any comments on GRAN ALICANT area would be very welcome as well. Many thanks for Everyone's help, Carol

Re: Living the DREAM? Inspection Tours!!
 

Inspection tours in general have always got a thumbs down, for although they are a cheap way of getting over here .... basically they are going to try to sell you a house here and as most are on commission there will very probably be pressure on you to make a decision.

My only thoughts on 15 mins from the Airport are .... do you want to be that close to the airport? Denia / Oliva / Gandia are in fact just 40 mins from Valencia airport / 1 hour from Alicante and you have no worries about aircraft noise ;)

Re: Living the DREAM? Inspection Tours!!
 

Hi Mitzyboy....To be fair...the reason we were interested in this property...was due to its' very low price of £107,000..for a small 2 BR townhouse... completely furnished...with a roof terrace. The 15 min wasn't important...and The thought of aircraft passing over.. did cross my mind. As you say... It is a lovely ride to Calpe..it was 1 hr exactly for us. We did explain that we preferred that region and scenery. Which is why she suggested Gran Alicant. A cheaper option than the north... but supposedly still offering sea/Mountain views..and not as crowded as Torrevieje...or other built up areas nearby. And with All Year Round residents. I agree about the pressure..and probable hard sell. which is what concerns me about an inspection tour.. We have never wanted to impose on anyone... until we have the cash. Masa are aware that we can't move now for around a year.. But my husband feels we would find it very difficult to cover as many areas on our own..and even if we did..would still need to contact estate agents in order to view anything or get details. We would definitely come back independently and research any areas of interest.. spending some time there...before committing. But We must sell our house to fund this deal in any case. Plus...The situation in Spain with the slowdown in the market..will hopefully mean that more houses will become available within our budget. I worry about buying offplan...as We did that originally in Derby...paid our deposits...and On our return visits..we were horrified to find a lot of angry customers... with many problems..and our own house was going to be totally boxed in with another house..sharing one plot as it were. We managed to pull out just in time..cutting our losses. Thanks Mitzy. Carol

Re: Living the DREAM? Inspection Tours!!
 

Fair comment, but consider carefully why it is so cheap. BTW, 139000 euros (17k less than your budget) would buy you something like this here!
http://www.spanishselection.com/listings/l0015.html

Re: Living the DREAM? Inspection Tours!!
 

hi Mitzy...I agree 100%.I feel it would probably be a very small holiday type accommodation. Not suitable for a permanent home.Certainly a huge contrast to the house we now have. It was just another area to take a look at. I have checked on the links you passed on... and found some really large 3 bedroomed residential apts...in the Oliva/Gandia area.Also a beautifully restored townhouse. Everyone seems to love this area. we must get over to have a look for ourselves. Many thanks, Carol

Re: Living the DREAM? Inspection Tours!!
 

Hi Mitzy...completely missed the link the first time..Just had a look at this property....Ideal!!...absolutely perfect. Wish I could go tomorrow. I can't wait to get back..and to see for myself. You really have brightened my day.. Cheers, Carol

Re: Living the DREAM? Inspection Tours!!
 

Hey Carol, I was just using this as an example ... Not so sure its ideal but it DOES have some amazing views:) Its actually about 100 meters away from where I live and I looked around it a month ago. My only issue was theres no agreement between all the owners to look after the pool and grounds

Re: Living the DREAM? Oliva Apt.
 

Hi Mitzy....what is perfect about this apt... is the views...and the general area from what we could see..with low scale buildings...and lovely surroundings. 2km to Oliva...Not part of a massive urbanization. And with only 4 apts.sharing a pool..it is virtually private. The question of pool maintenance..is something to considerer. But not that major. The fact that you have actually seen it..and live nearby....is even more exciting!! My husband absolutely loved it when I showed him. He came in stressed and tired after a long day of teaching Maths.. to kids who want to be elsewhere....and just said "OH if only we could go now." We even sat for a change..and talked with the kids about it. Who for once were interested. We keep trying to find a way to be able to move sooner than a year...18 m. Or at least to buy..and use it part time... until my my husband gets his pension.

In reality we would need something larger..as we want the kids to visit..and we have Our furniture..and personal items. But a bonus was that it had a store area mentioned. that is a tremendous help. On the other hand...we appreciate that our budget is quite low. Originally it was to be around £150,000 max....it is now £120,000 max for the property....taking into account costs to move from here as well. Plus the 10/12% additional required to buy in Spain. For safety...the lower price... the better. The last thing we'd want..is to find there are costs we couldn't pay. So if need be.. we will accept 65 sq mt....but we will look for one with the best possible features. And that had a lot to offer. The second bedroom was the only drawback for me..as it seemed a tiny single size. We have our son/partner and grandaughter to visit. Plus our 2 daughters...(identical twins) and partners..who are always a foursome. Our little grandaughter...she is the one that I would miss..having spent half her life in hospital..born with a severe heart complaint...and surviving open heart surgery...and MRSA. She is nearly 4..and doing brilliantly. She is now able to fly short distances..and would be in heaven to come for holidays...and be on the beach.

Can I ask if you know anything about Cumbre del Sol in Benitachell ? I know it is on a large hill...so access is a concern. But They have quite a few in our price range..and the views are amazing... Aside from 2 bedrooms.. Our main priority is a balcony...with a nice view... I like the wood trims and solid wood doors.....arches from the kitchen.... shown in their properties. The apts are listed as 80sq mt. not sure if that includes the terrace....but at just over £100,000 for apts....another possible contender. Thanks Mitzy... ...regards, Carol

Re: Living the DREAM?
 

Pm'd carol

Re: Living the DREAM? Thanks Mitzy!
 

Sorry, Mitzy...I really have rambled on here an awful lot.. gone off the beaten track...and taken a lot of your time. If we can get over there as planned..we will definitely check out Oliva...and this property...also Gandia. I definitely think they are most suited to us..and the prettiest areas. We are trying to find the best way forward. .We will tread carefully. It has been a very difficult week..and I have had to deal with the police again today. With the info I gave them on Sunday...They actually admitted knowing where the suspected man lives. But still behave ..after 3 reported incidents..as if he is innocent. I have been spending all my time on here..trying to forget...and thus my over enthusiasm...Cheaper than therapy!! I OWE YOU A BIG, BIG THANKS! Regards, Carol

Re: Living the DREAM? Thanks Mitzy!
 

No problem .... by the way I have pm'd you .... check your personal message in box

Re: Living the DREAM? Oliva Apt.
 

yes there are some lovely views up there, I have a friend who lives there, actually I am going tomorrow to meet her for lunch

It seems a nice urb, nice bar/pool at the bottom of the side my friend lives - not sure if there is a bus service I will ask her tomorrow if not a car would be essential I would say

think there are lots of English and Germans there and a lot of holiday rentals which might be a bit of a pain in the summer months - I personally wouldnt like to live anywhere where holiday makers were coming and going all the time - making noise and "enjoying" themselves - not that Ive got anything against enjoying myself, if Im on holiday also !!!! if you know what I mean

if you wanted to rent there Im sure you would be able to find a place - there are loads to choose from here