20 May 2012 10:31 AM:

 To those who are considering buying property at this time in Spain - DO NOT.

Here in Ireland so called experts have been proclaiming year after year - since 2008/9 - property prices have bottomed out. 

They were wrong. Property prices are still falling. Houses have dropped by 50% approx and apartments by 65% approx from their height in 2007.

Yes, we must be near the bottom - but this phrase has been used so often during the last 4/5 years one cannot be sure.

Now, do any of you out there believe Spanish property prices have bottomed out? 

Or, with regard to property prices falling more or not, is Spain different to Ireland?

I don't.

Seamus

P.S. Spain and Ireland will still have one thing in common in the years ahead - both countries will remain in the Euro.

Forum thread: The future for ex pats

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18 Feb 2012 3:38 PM:

I got Alex to fit the ICP in January in my Las Chapas, La Reserva de Marbella apartment.

His service was superb.

He arrived on time on the appointed day.

(No - I am not on commission from him!).

 

Forum thread: Changing electricity provider (Q&A)

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31 Dec 2008 10:22 AM:

Was in my La Reserva Amatista apartment recently for 12 days and found the Internet service provided by VIP Hotspot very unreliable.

Out of the 12 days I had service for only 8.

I sent them an email (when I got home) on the 29th Dec and have not got any response to date i.e. 31st Dec.

I also noticed when whilst the download speed can be good - up to 3000/4000 kbps - the upload speed

can be as low as 24 kbps!  No use if you want to play Bridge on line.

In summary they need to get their act together and also improve their customer service.

At the week-ends they cannot be contacted after 2 pm on Sat and not at all on Sunday. 

If only there was an alternative service - can't beat competition.

Community thread: Internet in la Reserva

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19 Dec 2008 12:00 AM:

My wife and I had our first meal this Friday evening (19th Dec) in Andys Bar/Restaurant At La Reserva (Manzana).

Food was very good and the portions were huge and prices very acceptable.

Only negative was most people were smoking and coming from Ireland where a 'proper' no smoking ban operates it is very hard to accept smokers in a dining area again!

Then again the Spaniards have copped out with their laughable so called smoking ban.

In practice it does not operate unless the establishment is bigger than 100 sq m there is no requirement for a no smoking area!!!!

Anyway back to Andys. As a resident in La Reserva (Amatista) I am pleased with the emergence of a good food/price Restaurant so close by.

Seamus

 

Community thread: Andys Bar/Restaurant

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01 Dec 2008 12:01 AM:

Re insurance. I used to deal with a Spanish company direct but communication was a problem due to language.

I now use Solbank's insurance and I find it very efficient as I found out a few months ago when I had a claim.

(The hot water boiler 'more or less blew up').

So if your bank is one which you are comfortable dealing with, try them first.

Community thread: INSURANCE

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