Re: Torrevieja
 

They are really cheap.. indeed... I went to the property show A Place in the Sun 2-3 weeks ago and probably the cheaper properties in the show were those in Torrevieja. Probably the crime rate is a factor but it is true that Torrevieja is still being a relevant destination.

Re: Torrevieja
 

The reason properties are cheaper there is that there are thousands on unsold ones, especially as you go south towards Playa Flamenca and Campoamor. When we moved there there were huge numbers of urbanisations being built, and then the bubble burst, leaving huge areas of completed houses, and no-one to buy, between Playa Flamenca and Punta Prima there are a lot of fully completed urbanisations, with very few people living there.

Re: Torrevieja
 

The low prices are not always related to crime levels - more the over supply, it is a town with 100,000+ permanent residents and has seen a huge building boom - many are unsold from new , mortgage repossessions or being sold by Spanish who can no longer afford to keep 2 properties (many live in Madid etc and had holiday homes) so there is currently plenty of supply holding down the prices.
Mind you I am not saying it is all desirable or quality - you get what you pay for but prices are obviously down from the boom peak of 5 years ago.

Re: Torrevieja
 

Definitely the oversupply is a factor. I was very surprise when seeing prices such as €46k for a 2 bedroom apartment. Probably it is not the best location but if you are looking for your own place close to a sunny beach, Spanish bars, open spaces where to have long walks and travel around the province exploring other villages... Torrevieja seems to be a cheap option to get that.

Re: Torrevieja
 

A hell hole. Sorry but it is, I lived just outside it for some time and worked in a well known bar and also a nightclub there and I am not easily shocked by much but the drug crime there was shocking and judging by the comments of friends who still live there when I speak to them it still is. It is an easy entry point for drugs to Spain and the crime that goes with that import export culture is evident if you scratch the surface slightly.

I will say however, there are some great Urbs south of Torre and some lovely campo inland but I just couldn't ever dream of going back there again... (((shudder)))

Re: Torrevieja
 

Of course we don't know where the people who think it's posh come from do we?

That may be one reason others have overlooked that they see it as a wonderful place?

Re: Torrevieja
 

Come on Matt, when you were there the drug dealers were still riding around on donkeys. It's changed a bit since then, they're riding about in BMWs now, with blacked-out windows.

I don't blame you for not wanting to come back, wasn't the place you were working in closed down for drug dealing?

And it couldn't have been pleasant to arrive in a boat and be greeted by the Guardia Civil with machine guns thinking you were a drug dealer?

No wonder you're shuddering.

Re: Torrevieja
 

I do think your being hard on the place, many of us who visit never are aware of any of this seedy place described.
WE dont frequent night clubs or late night bars tho. just enjoy the place during the day and early evening.
I think this is true of many visitors, as mentioned before I live further inland in one of the small villages.
Everywhere if you scratch the surface these days you will find crime and drugs Im afraid to say thats the way of the world these days but you dont have to be a part of it.
Yes there is crime and drugs probably, but you can get mugged or robbed anywhere these days you really dont have to be in Torre its happening all over UK and Europe.
Just avoid circumstances that may make you a target, and take sensible precautions, you can do no more, its a lottery.

Re: Torrevieja
 

All true, although the bar was never closed down completely, in the end we had a Guardia on the door. Last time I was there it was still open and last time I spoke to a friend connected with it all was still the same, however the dealers were driving around the best cars their filthy money could get hold of even then and there were plenty of police officers in their pockets.

Re: Torrevieja
 

In my time in Torre, every person was affected by crime. In my block EVERY person had either had a breakin or was mugged or had their car broken into.

I was afraid of sending people to rent our place cause of the level of crime.

On the surface the area is nice but just scrape the surface and it is terrible.

There is definitely an oversupply of houses but the area is far less desirable than other places in Spain

Sorry
Al

Re: Torrevieja
 

It would be daft for me to disagree about the levels of crime, especially as I've just come back from walking the Doberman.

And drugs? The place is awash with them, and every time a major gang is busted, Brits and police officers seem to be involved.

And the ridiculous over-building for many years has led to houses now being as cheap as chips. You can get an apartment for the price of a car.

So why have by far the largest population of expats come to live in this part of Spain?

Cheapness is probably at the top of the agenda, followed by an existing infrastructure that makes life easy for them. Everything an expat needs is in place and has been for years. The expats themselves have established an army of volunteers to help each other, and expats have been voted on to local councils all over the place.

In other parts of Spain you are likely to be met by surly and unhelpful officials when approaching authorities, but not so much here; town halls won't employ them unless they speak English, or German.

Supermarkets and other Spanish businesses all have English speakers on their staff, they wouldn't survive otherwise.

It leads to the thorny subject of integration, a much misunderstood phenomenon. All I can say is that the Spanish are trying their best to integrate with us.

Heaven or hell, you can take your pick.

Re: Torrevieja
 

Well if you lived there you must know better than myself, its such a shame.:(
I obviously havent attempted to scratch the surface and dont look tooo hard
.But I can only say what I have found there.
If thats the case I feel sorry for the people who live there.:(

Re: Torrevieja
 

We lived just south, and had only one personal experiance of crime when I was distracted in a bank and my bank card stolen from the slot, I had just withdrawn my limit for the day, and the idiots left the money still in the slot, nicked my card, which was maxed out for the day, and left me with the €10 they had dropped on the floor as a distraction. I had the card cancelled withing 10 mins, so they got was a useless card, and I gained €10. So not all criminals are that clever. Never had a problem in Torre though, although we only visited during the day. I did see a Spanish TV programme about the drug and drink problem there, and they were showing onr of the industriaal estates where there was an English snooker bar, the drug dealing was going on in the street just outside. During the day it was a safe area, and the garage that did my car servicing was on the next street, so I was there a few times.

Re: Torrevieja
 

Most crims are not bright. Often they carry out the same crimes, using the same M.O. and then wonder why they eventually get caught. The problem is it's this type of criminal who will affect most of us, whether it's being robbed in the street or breaking into your house.
The smart crook on the other hand targets those who have money. Why risk going to jail for £150 when the bigger job is worth $2 million?

Re: Torrevieja
 

Crimes one thing, why don't they invest in a presure washer on the prom?:confused: