Hi

This is my first time posting on this forum. I am thinking of buying a small house in Torrevieja, preferably near to the town, within about 20 minutes or under walk there.

I will be buying alone so I would like some advice about safety around Torrevieja. I have been researching around Altos Del Limonar. Is this a nice area and would it be safe? Would there be another urbanisation that would be nearer to the town?

I would appreciate any advice given. Also, as you might have guessed, I'm Irish. Does that matter as it a British Expats forum.

Thanks
Helen

As Concierge for the Spanish section of BE I would like to say hello and welcome.

BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

I would first of all advise against buying in Spain at this time, it's a falling market, and there are thousands of rental opportunities to get to know a place first.

This being a forum to cover the whole of Spain, you might get more local information from a more local forum, there is quite a choice for the area you're researching.

Altos del Limonar is a recently built urbanisation and still a bit rough around the edges, though quite convenient. You may have visited and seen a large Irish pub on the urbanisation, but it's actually Spanish-owned like most pubs with Irish names.

A lot of Irish people seem to have congregated at Orihuela Costa, about six miles to the south of Torreviaja, on the coast. And some of the pubs there with Irish names, really are Irish. They always have the biggest St Patrick's Day parade in Spain right there.

We first purchased in El Paraiso, about 20 years ago. It is now a well established urbanisation and less than a 3 minute walk to the beach. It is a 20 minute walk into town. Prices as in most areas these days in that area are fairly low. Worth looking at.

How in god's name is the market meant to recover if everytime someone talks about buying all they get is 'Oh don't'.
Getting the housing market moving whether here or in the UK can only be achieved if people start buying !!!
But hey ho negativity on this subject is the norm here.

Hi Scolly, people ask for advice and it is good that advisors are as honest as possible. Dont worry about the purchase market recovering in Spain because it wont happen in yours or my lifetime.

I recommend renting also.

Be nice if the OP replied and thanked those who've contributed. Will we see that one show their face again?

Every sensible property index in Spain (like Tinsa) has recorded a fall in prices every month for the past five years, recording losses of some 40% in total.

Even if you have your own agenda, you can't argue with that, and surely it is only right to warn prospective buyers of some very obvious truths. It might not do any harm in pointing out that there are over a million unsold houses in Spain and every major builder and developer has gone bust.

I too own a house in Spain and I'm not happy with the situation either, but I'm not going to dupe people into believing that it is sensible to buy in Spain at this time.

It seems that a lot people a disillusioned because of the property crash. I disagree that its not the time to buy - yes some properties are still falling.
If you find a place you love then drive a hard bargain and you will not go far wrong. People who bought in the peak are taking the hit now!

We bought last October a 3 year old unused apartment for 1/3 its original price. Remember the good stuff goes first and the crap will remain.
We are happy to be part of the new wave of buyers that will lift this great destination from the financial gloom. Probably with the Russians and Scandinavians leading the way.

We decided on a village location away from totally tourist spots as I drive.
It depends what you want and if you like the shops then Torrevieja or La Zenia Boulevard area should be good.

Roll on 11th April as on way to Formentera del Segura - warmer than N. Ireland.

We've just recently bought so I'm not really in a position to advice anyone not to as I don't regret it at all, best thing we've ever done(so far) and "feet first" is the only way I ever intend leaving this house... However we did have the benefit of the use of a flat in Alicante for just over a year whilst we searched for the house so I can see the big benefit of renting first before buying as adviced by others. Also my wife is Spanish so "homesickness" etc would never really be an issue for us, although funnily enough my wife misses Newcastle more than me... I just miss going to the match, I don't know who that makes weirder out of the two of us

Thank you all for the honest advice. I had been to the area looking at property seven years ago and boy am I glad that I didn't buy then, as the properties are now less than half of what they were then.

I do feel sorry for anyone who has seen the value of their property go down, but it is an opportunity for me to buy cheap at the moment. I would most likely rent first but I would like to stay in an urbanisation near the town, so that I could get a feel for the place first.

I am still open to any advice about urbanisations near to the town that would be safe and well run.

Thanks again
Helen

Plenty of people are buying now as they feel money is safer in property than in a bank! I suppose you could work out what you would need to spend per year on a rental that suits your needs knowing that you cant do much to it as its not yours, that rental money is gone, its not coming back, then look at what you can get a similar property for in the current market climate, knowing that its your home to do with as you please!! How long do you intend to stay for 5,10 years??? More??? Could it be rented if you decided to move!! If you are looking at a long term move, I would buy, if not, rent!

I am looking at a long term move. Maybe not straight away but certainly in about 2 years. In the mean time, it would get plenty of use. Being a tour guide, I am a sociable person anyway and I actually like the whole expat thing. I think I would like it around Torrevieja, but I will go and rent while looking at properties in the summer. I have some spanish so I won't be totally alienated.

Thanks
Helen

Another worthwhile place to look at is La Marina. Either the village or the urbanisation. La Marina is situated half way down the road from Alicante airport going towards Torrevieja. It is one of the places that positively stays open all year. It is a fair size place we even have six full size supermarkets. Plus some rather long undeveloped sandy beaches. As for buying now the wise with the ability are doing this at the moment!

I certainly wouldn't advocate buying, at least not until the OP has tried it for a year or two and decided that's where they want to live permanently. These are strange times, property still dropping and not expected to rise for some time, she might find it's not for her after all, for many the move didn't turn out as they expected. The reason there are loads of properties for rent in these sort of Brit strongholds is many people want out and finding it impossible to sell. Rent is of course dead money, but if it's for you, it won't be forever. Listening to some on another forum, being trapped somewhere you don't want to be because you can't sell doesn't sound like a great life to me.