Library Ticket

I know that the Torrevieja area isn't everyones cup of tea but we are thinking about buying in the area mentioned in the thread title. It seems to have everything we need in the way of infrastructure, including a decent bus service and importantly it's fairly flat terrain.

We've toured the area, looked at the commercial centres, one has a very well stocked supermarket, two more have bakers and there is a Mercadona across the road.

Does anyone know of any obvious disadvantages to living there that we may not have thought of i.e

is it low lying enough to flood?
does it have more than an average mosquito problem given its proximity to the two lakes?

Again because of the lakes are the humidity levels higher than elsewhere?

Any other disadvantages?

missile

What is one persons ideal location will not suit another. You seem to have selected areas which suits you guys. There are many Brits happily living in those urbanisations. They are well serviced by public transport with shops close at hand e.g. Mercadona, Carrefor plus several pubs and restaurants to choose from.
Mosquitoes breed in water, so best to avoid properties close to water. They can be voracious during summer evenings.
I have not seen any flooding in any of the areas you mention. Having said that, in CB there can (on occasion) be extremely heavy and prolonged rainfall, the drainage system simply cannot cope. This leads to flash flooding in the streets, When the rain stops the water will soon drain away.

me me

You might bump into HGB That could seen by some to be a disadvantage,

HBG

Cheeky!

HBG

The downside could be that the area has plenty of cheap and cheerful terraced bungalows up to 80K and plenty of villas over 180K, but little in between, apart from over-extended bungalows that look silly, and villas that have been left to rot.

But if you like elderly Scandinavians who dress on hot pants, men and women, you will have come to the right place.

Domino

a further downside is the number of illegal properties around the Alicante area including Torrevieja.
check, double check and then triple check the legality of any home you decide to buy.
do not use a local solicitor, use one from another area or use one based in the UK who is Spanish - there are a number around.

remember that no matter how nice the people are that own the property you like, they may well be hiding the true situation of the property. And you will take on any/all responsibilities once you have bought it. Including the €9,000 demolition charges.

If it quacks like a duck, waddles like a duck - it doesn't mean it is a duck.

HBG

There are indeed thousands of illegal houses in the Alicante province, but not in this particular area near Torrevieja, which was mostly built over 30 years ago and does not have urbanisation status having been administered by the city of Torrevieja for many years.

The area has a settled population of 30,000 with an established infrastructure, and is highly regarded by the city's administration who reap the taxes.

Nevertheless it is good sense to check on the legality of extensions through an independent lawyer and even better sense to rent rather than buy in this still-falling Spanish property market.

Domino

thanks for that update - and yes, extensions, alterations etc that haven't been approved by the planning dept will make for a difficult time for the new owner unless they can get the previous owner to sort it before exchanging.

as to a falling market - not so sure about that for properties that are legal, its the illegal ones that are dropping like a stone. But that then leads to another problem with the Hacienda wanting to have their taxes paid based on unrealistic prices without arguement.

Its a tough place out there if anyone is buying a property, but the best advice is to NOT use a local solicitor or one suggested by an estate agent. Look further afield for a truely independent and unbiased legal advice.

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minouette

So, if intending to buy somewhere like Cabo Roig, this means I could try to find an English-speaking solicitor in Alicante?
If so, can anyone recommend one, please?

HBG

You don't have to go as far as Alicante, there will be some in Orihuela or Torrevieja. I can't recommend one, but the foreigners office in Torrevieja can do that for you. They've just moved so I don't know whether their phone number is up to date.

They're part of the new tourist office by the yacht club on the front, a really pleasant place to visit.

Library Ticket

I really can understand not using any solicitor recommended by the estate agent.

However I would have thought that given the fact that every local area operates in a slightly different way to the neighbouring areas, using a local solicitor with local knowledge would be prudent.

Please can you explain your reasons for thinking otherwise.

missile

I would recommend a very good Spanish solicitor who speaks excellent English. e mail: [email protected] Tel: +34 965 725 410 / Fax: +34 966 717 121

Library Ticket

Hmm. Would that be better or worse than bumping into the elderly Scandinavians wearing hot pants ?

If no-one comes up with anymore disadvantages I might be back with a new thread relating to living there.

jackytoo

Don't know the place but have read a lot about high crime rates there, discarded needles on the beach etc. Suppose it's like everywhere else. depends on the location.

Library Ticket

This area is at the back of the town about 6km inland. I think it's supposed to be one of the better areas.

Some areas of the towns beaches are OK but there are other beaches within 10 -15 minutes drive which are nicer (in my opinion).

I think HBG has posted in the past that the crime rates have reduced during the last few years.