Where to start?
 

As a retired couple we are planning to buy a small house in Spain this year. We will be looking at property on the Costa Blanca in the next few weeks and are taking listings to include: Ciudad Quesada, Pilar de la Horadada, Algorfa, Cabo Roig, San Miguel de Salinas, Entre Naranjos and somewhere called La Marina ? Hope we have time to see them all in four or five days!
Can anyone members who live in or near these areas help with tips, opinions and/or explain the differences among them, i.e. which is more typically Spanish, best maintained urbanizations etc.
My facility with the Spanish language is quite good and we would like to live in a smaller village/town rather than a large urbanization. Thanks in advance for any help :)

Re: Where to start?
 

First tip is never buy first, always rent and see if you like the area.
Things change so much, from morning to evening, midweek to weekend, summer to winter.

Re: Where to start?
 

Thanks so much - sounds like a very sensible tip.

Re: Where to start?
 

On what ever area you decide to buy. Just hold on. Visit several times during the year especially off season. You don't need to live in a 'ghost town' during the winter where you need a car at all times.

Wherever you decide should have:-

1. Supermarket within walking distance.

2. Medical Centre where you can see a doctor (usually free) unless you are quite isolated.

3. Other people all year round, where you can talk, share etc etc

4. A Pharmacy where you can buy medical prescriptions.

5. A decent level area in which you can walk.

6. A Beach, if you have visitors, you may want a safe beach nearby.

7. Proximity to one or more airports.

The remainder of your requirements is up to yourself really e.g you might want a pub within walking distance, restaurants etc etc.

Like the carpenters say "Measure twice - Cut once." Therefore, rent before you buy. Also, when you have chosen the town/pueblo/resort of your choice, you have got to decide where in the place you want to live.

Re: Where to start?
 

I really think that people over the age of 55 would be far better off renting than buying, why invest your money in a house that only your family will potentially benefit from upon your demise. I know that owning a property seems to be something older people strive for but it is not always the best way to go.

It is a renters market and you can get a really good property for a really reasonable price without the hassle of legal fees, taxes, council tax etc and if you do need to return to the UK for what ever reason you just say thank you and good bye. It is in my opinion better to rent and invest you money in something that gives you a return but at least you can get at it should you ever need to and have the freedom to move than buy and tie up any money you have, you may not have the monthly rent to pay but to get the benefit from buying you would need to live for about 30yrs or more in the house.

Life is for living and there is nothing worse than having a big expensive house but no money to enjoy life or not be able to sell it should the need be. Moving is all about research, research and more research take your time but give yourself a realistic move date example 3 months, 12 months etc you will be very surprised how quick it goes, no good saying we want to move in 3 months and then have to maybe sell the house to fund the move, it is better to say 12 months and work to a schedule.

Take a good look at your life, what can you not live without, what can you live without, what do you want to take with you and what are you happy to leave. Hindsight is a valuable thing and we will all tell you that we left things we wish we had brought as they are like god dust here, me it is a British garden fork and spade but I am sure others would say different things. If either of you have any doubt about wanting to move then think seriously is the move is the right thing as no amount sun will make up for having a unhappy partner.

I wish you good luck for the future and those that have moved before are the best ones to ask but you will always get different advice depending on that persons experience, take it all and look for the common denominator.

Re: Where to start?
 

With the possible exception of Algorfa, all the places you mention are large ‘Brit’ urbanisations, some of them almost exclusively so. The Brits still living there seem happy enough, but a lot have had to go home, a hell of a lot.

For God’s sake don’t buy at this time, especially in those places, the prices are falling rapidly and there are thousands of rentals available for you to try first. If you’re coming over on an inspection tour with the likes of Atlas, which is what it sounds like, do not part with any money – thousands of Brits have been conned in the past in exactly the places you mentioned.

The internet is full of sad tales from Brits who have lost money this way, search around and you will find them.

Re: Where to start?
 

Renting or buying is dependant on individual circumstances.
However there is little to lose by renting first at the present time, as property prices seem unlikely to increase in the near future, so if you do find a spot you like, there should still be the option to buy there at an attractive price within the next year or so.

Re: Where to start?
 

The problem with renting long term is that at say 80+ years of age after having lived in the same rented property for maybe 15 years you might find you have to move. Maybe the owner has died and the children want to sell the property. I know I wouldn't want to be forced to move at that age.

Re: Where to start?
 

Great Post. I would agree with renting over buying and also hold on to your home in the UK. Remember renting it out will probably more than pay for your rental property in Spain.

Re: Where to start?
 

All of these comments have helped me think about a few priorities ---- one thing I do know, is that joining Britishexpats.com today was a great and worthwhile decision. Much wisdom here, thanks everyone :)

Re: Where to start?
 

I understand what your saying library ticket but when your 80 would you want to be in the middle of the campo, isolated and potentially alone and possibly being trying to sell for several years.

You would still only have had 15years of living in the house which may have cost you 150,000+ plus the repair bills, charges etc so your total cost would be in excess of 10,000 a year, at least when you rent you can move should the need arise and it would have cost you no more per annum than buying but with a lot more freedom and at 80 your whole requirements would have changed anyway.

It is about choice but owning a house in Spain is not the be all end all, it is all right buying a house when your 55, 60, 65, able bodied, healthy and mobile but it only takes ill health, inability to drive or loss of a partner to make a home a prison. The property market will recover, houses will increase in price but the older a person gets the more they need people around them and yet most people move here to get away from the rat race.

Re: Where to start?
 

I understand what you are saying as well Jay01 but our plan would be to buy for our old age in the next couple of years i.e. a place that is flat, with good public transport, local shops and certainly not in the campo, we would like neighbours.

We're hoping to be around for at least the next 20 - 25 years and that's a long time to be living in a property that isn't yours when you can't do any major alterations. We might not be able to rent the type of place we want for the amount of rental we would get from our UK home (after letting agents fees, insurance, income tax etc) so our capital would dwindle anyway.

I'm willing to be convinced that rental is better than buying, our plans are not cast in tablets of stone, we are planning to rent for at least the first year.

Re: Where to start?
 

I am more inclined to come down in favour of renting.

Alot of older people are beginning to realise that when things are getting more difficult, getting around, when they cannot drive any longer, or if one is left alone, then, despite all the intentions never to go back to the UK, they often find it is the best or only solution for them.

Quite of lot of the owners have had to leave without selling their properties, due to having or wanting to return to the UK where their network of family and friends are.

It need careful thinking out

Re: Where to start?
 

I'd rent for a year or 2 max, any longer you may as well buy.

A neighbour of mine rented for 5 years or so, maintained it superbly & must have thought he'd see his days out there. We all thought he owned it as he did loads in the garden.

Anyway, owner wanted it back so served notice.

Outgoing tenant was 75, not a brilliant time to be househunting.

Just giving a balanced view.

Re: Where to start?
 

£10,000 per year to buy sounds reasonable when compared to renting with nothing at the end of it