Where will we go

Sue said:
Saturday, January 9, 2010 @ 11:05 PM

Why not look in Murcia region? We live in Jumilla, which is over an hour from the coast, however there are lots of other lovely towns here. Most of them are very Spanish, unspoilt, and far cheaper than on the coast.

hotdog said:
Saturday, January 9, 2010 @ 11:13 PM

Hi Sue
Thanks for the quick reply.
I've been looking online at properties in Valencia in a town called Casinos. Do you know the area? What's it like in Valencia? I shall look at Jumilla and the area.

Doedoe said:
Sunday, January 10, 2010 @ 5:50 PM

Spain has many beautiful places to live & we all have diferent needs. After 6 years of looking & feeling we had researched everything needed we went to Atlas International for advice. How wrong we were to believe that these profesional Agents would be the best people to guide us. Don't believe them when they advise you to use their recomended Lawyer.
We have purchased an apartment in the village of Rafal, Costa Blanca. The Village ticked all our boxes and we love our apartment. BUT The lawyer did not tell us of a large debt on the entire site. The Notary told us at our final payment would be held with a bank draft from the Bulder total in excess of 53k to complete the Road, install Electric & Water Meters and many smaller jobs. 2 years on and the Builder has ceased trading, the Notary has paid the builder back the 53K but NONE of the outstanding work has been completed.
We do not have our Habitation Certificates. The Builders debts to the bank means The bank now owns 16 of the unsold apartments other owners are 5 Spanish, 1 French & 11 UK.
Our community fees are 60€ a month to keep Utility Service connected & also put extra cash into the fund to enable completion of many parcels of work that he Builder failed to do.
Many extra small problems with the building have shown up over the last 2 years & the Community have recently paid an Electricity bill for €8000, with only 4 apartments in perminent residence this will be paying the Builders debt.
On completion we knew none of these problems, The lawyer failed to do the job they were paid for. BEWARE OF THE CROOKS.

Doedoe said:
Sunday, January 10, 2010 @ 5:57 PM

Spain has many beautiful places to live & we all have different needs. After 6 years of looking & feeling we had researched everything needed we went to Atlas International for advice. How wrong we were to believe that these Profesional Agents would be the best people to guide us. Don't believe them when they advise you to use their recommended Lawyer or that the Builder has a Bank behind him with guarentee. We purchased an apartment in the village of Rafal, Costa Blanca. The Village ticked all our boxes and we love our apartment. BUT The lawyer did not tell us of a large debt on the entire site. The Notary told us at our final payment would be held with a bank draft from the Bulder total in excess of 53k to complete the Road, install Electric & Water Meters which we also paid €900 for and many smaller jobs. 2 years on and the Builder has ceased trading, the Notary has paid the builder back the 53K but NONE of the outstanding work has been completed.
We do not have our Habitation Certificates. The Builders debts to the bank means The bank now owns 16 of the unsold apartments, other owners are 5 Spanish, 1 French & 11 Brits.
Our community fees are 60€ a month to keep Utility Service connected & also put extra cash into the fund to enable completion of many parcels of work that he Builder failed to do.
Many extra small problems with the building have shown up over the last 2 years & the Community have recently paid an Electricity bill for €8000, with only 4 apartments lived in full time, this will be paying the Builders debt.
On completion we knew none of these problems, The lawyer failed to do the job they were paid for.
PLEASE, BEWARE OF THE CROOKS.

Moraira Property said:
Monday, January 11, 2010 @ 11:52 AM

Have you thought of or looked at Costa Blanca North. I know we are biased as we specialise in this area but we really do love it. We like Moriara which is on the coast and may be a little too built up for you.
I would suggest you look at the beautiful Jalon Valley. This is Spain's answer to Tuscany! It is only 50 minutes from Alicante along the Mediterranean motorway so it is easy to get to. Prices here have fallen and are much more affordable than say 2 or 3 years ago.
The valley is used for growing Almonds and Vines. The almonds flower in February changing the whole look of the valley. Later in the year the vines flower and again the character of the valley alters.
I know the Almanzora Valley and I can see why you might like it. The Jalon Valley is further north. The beauty of this is that you get a definite change of seasons here. Whilst Almeria is warmer in the winter, Costa Blanca North is greener.
The town of Jalon is only 15-20 minutes from the beach. There are also several sleepy little pueblos dotted along the valley that are really worth looking at.
Hope this helps. Let me kow if you need any more information

KP said:
Monday, January 11, 2010 @ 4:29 PM

Have a look at the Los Velez area, no developers and very spanish, town dates abck to prior 1500's, lovely place and we love it.

Sue said:
Monday, January 11, 2010 @ 7:24 PM

Although we don´t know the place you mentioned, the city of Valencia is great: we have been there several times, and can even catch a direct bus there from Jumilla! We are obviously closer to Murcia city and go there a lot more frequently. Although we love living here, having moved from London it is good sometimes to go back to city life if only for a day!

Irene&Alan said:
Monday, February 1, 2010 @ 8:30 PM

As always, it depends what you are looking for - do you want something typically Spanish or do you want to live with like-minded Brits? Can you speak Spanish? Do you want to integrate or just live a British life in the sun? Are you going to have to look for work or are you pensionistas?
It's just not a simple question you have posed and it doesn't come with a simple answer!
Good luck with whatever you decide though!!!

hotdog said:
Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 6:52 PM

We've already decided that living about an hour from the coast would be best for us and away from the large urbs.
The reason we are moving is for a complete change of lifestyle. I'm Rhodesian born and now trying to get away from the British way of life, so although I would like a few brits in the area (who can speak a bit of Spanish like me) I would like to be nearer the locals.
I'm setting up an internet business and my partner will be semi-retired. The weather is not that important but I am looking forward to living in a year round warm climate.
Our budget isn't great so we're looking for the best place we can find for around E100k.
Since we've already sold the UK property we're going for it. Alot of thought has gone into this and we intend to have a better life in Spain even if it kills us!!