09 Aug 2008 3:59 PM:
Hi Noggins,
I have to agree with Macki and Mutley. We bought in Camposol 6 years ago. We did our homework and found out that it was an up-and-coming area with EU grants to improve the infrastructure. We could not have afforded to buy in the popular areas further up the coast that were already developed.
Over the years we've visited and been impressed with the rate and quality of development of the Port, the roads, and Mazarron itself. We did not buy for the short-term as an investment to sell for a profit. We intend to retire there in a few years, and in the meantime have some relaxing holidays. We let friends use our house, and they come back having loved the area.
All big housing esatates have their problems, Spain is no exception. For some unlucky people, there have been problems with subsidence but the builder, MASA, is putting these right. I don't know the numbers for total houses in the Urb and those with problems, but would guess the percentage is small. When I worked in Quality Control for a major electronics manufacturer we aimed to keep defects to about 15 per thousand, I would think Camposol has about the same proportion.
As for the comment about pre-fabs, yes, the concrete panels are factory made with insulation already inside the panels and door & window holes pre-formed. Foundations are concrete piles cast into holes drilled in the clay/shale ground. Our house has 15ft at least, but I think it varies depending on the ground. Pre-cast concrete channels are set on the piles then cranes lift the wall panels into place where they are bedded on mastic in the channels. This allows some movement (earthquakes) while keeping the house square. An advantage of this is that windows & doors fit properly and are in the position intended by the architect unlike in our brick built house in the UK. Insulation is also better than with the terracotta hollow bricks used in many Mediterranean areas. It enables the builder to used semi-skilled labour to keep costs down. The only downside we've found is that drilling holes is almost impossible, one needs a high powered, heavy duty hammer drill.
The roads and green areas are the last to be developed in most urbanisations in Spain, and lack of rainfall means that they stay looking grotty for years: in the UK they would be greened over in a season. Rainfall in UK is one of the reasons we want to move to Spain.
On MSN Camposol forums there are many level-headed, well balanced contributors as well as those who like to stir up trouble. Unfortunately the latter group are the noisiest. I'd go with Mackie's advice. If you want to stay in our humble little house while you check out the area send me a pm. One thing though - think about activities for your teens. I don't think there's much in Camposol at the moment. Of course, if they're 15 and can ride a moped into Mazarron, they'll be able to meet up with their Spanish schoolmates.
Forum thread:
Mazarron anyone?
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