Life in Altea ?

Leprechaun wrote on Sun Apr 24, 2022 12:39pm:

Hello to all expats living in Altea.

Please would you be kind enough to tell me what it's like living in Altea.

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This week we passed it quicky in a car but unfortunately didn't explore it further.

Many people said it's a beautiful place to live and it isn't too quiet.

Any more information would be very welcome.Is it easy to make friends with English speaking people  ?  What amenities are available there,restaurants, music bars,shops,cinema,gym, theatre,Spanish classes etc

Thank you in advance,

Ursula

dinnerout wrote on Mon Apr 25, 2022 3:44pm:

Altea is busy all year round, and even busier in summer! It's a beautiful town with a fantastic old town up on the hill behind the main new part where the N332 runs through. The old town is well preserved, beautifully presented.

It doesn't have sandy beaches which keeps cheap tourism away. It's a little more expensive than most Costa Blanca north towns. There are quite a few Brits living there and more with holiday homes nearby. It doesn't have the same British groups as say Benidorm or Torrivieja so making friends is mo...

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...re about saying hello in bars and restaurants. There are many cultural activities but they're Spanish.

It has a slightly arty bohemian feel in places and quite upmarket.

It has good amenities, a great daily indoor market, nice bars and restaurants, and you have also Albir nearby which is popular with the British. 

It's beautiful but in a simple phrase - pretty much the opposite to nearby Benidorm. 

Steve

Leprechaun wrote on Mon Apr 25, 2022 4:17pm:

Hi Steve,

Thank you so much for your very helpful reply.You have answered lots of my questions,and this area seems to be what I am looking for.A pity about not having an English drama group,but one can't have everything I suppose.I would like to feel part of a community and get to know people.I am very soc...

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...iable,so it shouldn't be too much of a problem.However,in Alicante city,I don't think it would be ideal for this.People are all just passing through to have a good time.

I stayed in Alicante city for six days,but it isn't exactly what I am looking for.Compared to Switzerland,where I live now,I found it ugly and noisy,and the bars seem to attract  a strange 'cheap and cheeful' tourist element. 

I passed through Altea in a car and it looks beautiful.It is only an hour from Alicante City on the tram if ever I want to go on a shopping spree or need a change of scenery.

Is transport good from Altea to Valentia?

It's nearer to Valentia than Alicante City,so it would be pointless to return there to take a train I suppose.I am enquiring about all this as I don't drive 😖

The restaurants there sound lovely,and yes the beach will not attract the Benidorm type of tourist,thank goodness!

Do you know of any estate agents around the area who do long term  house / apartment rentals.You might recommend one or two perhaps.I would prefer to rent in Spain and keep my property in Switzerland.If I don't like the lifestyle,I can always return.

Sorry to bother you with these questions,but it's nice ask someone who knows the area.

Best wishes,

Ursula

Jeff22 wrote on Mon Apr 25, 2022 4:44pm:

Hi Ursula,

We bought our home over four years ago. We had fallen in love with Altea many years ago and had frequently visited the town before we committed to buying and living here.

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First of all, Altea is a very vibrant lively town with a very cosmopolitan feel, during the summer months many tourists descend on the town to enjoy the many varied and colourful fiestas. During the winter the town is still very much alive with plenty of facilities for residents. Most of the very best restaurants remain open during the winter and it is a delight to toma un café whilst enjoying the warm winter sunshine looking over the sea. As the weather starts to improve we are starting to see more tourist around the town and by the time July and August are here the town will be very busy.

Where to buy

This will of course depend on what use the property will serve you (i.e. holiday home or permanent residence). We retired here from the UK and have no intentions of ever going back to the UK other than for visits. Although we are fairly fit and active, we wanted to ensure that the property we purchased met all the criteria on our property wish list. Property in the town close to amenities, swimming pool, secure parking, well kept grounds and gardens, storage space and plenty of living space. We achieved this and are very happy living in a large apartment in the Garganes area of Altea. Most of our neighbours are Spanish and are very friendly.

We hardly use our car as everything is very local. There are many groups and clubs for various pursuits around Altea (I believe there is a local dramatic group who perform sometimes at the local Palau de Altea). The town is also well served by the local tram and a regular bus service. After being here for three years we very much feel apart of the town and whenever we walk out we meet and talk with other local Alteanos. At present we are still trying to learn Spanish to help with our integration to the town. The local market is here every Tuesday and there are plenty of interesting shops and not just selling seaside holiday junk. 

Altea Hills and Mascarat are nice selective areas, however these are residential, mainly holiday homes and the areas feel isolated and cut off from the still very vibrant town of Altea during the winter months.

If you intend retiring to Altea a good tip would be to rent for a while whilst you establish what suits you best before committing to a purchase.

Throughout the year there are many fiestas which are great fun to either get involved or just watch and enjoy. There is some refurbishing going on at the sea front and the sports centre and these should be finished by June.  

I do hope this helps

Best regards 

Jeff

Jeff22 wrote on Mon Apr 25, 2022 4:44pm:

Hi Ursula,

We bought our home over four years ago. We had fallen in love with Altea many years ago and had frequently visited the town before we committed to buying and living here.

Read more...

First of all, Altea is a very vibrant lively town with a very cosmopolitan feel, during the summer months many tourists descend on the town to enjoy the many varied and colourful fiestas. During the winter the town is still very much alive with plenty of facilities for residents. Most of the very best restaurants remain open during the winter and it is a delight to toma un café whilst enjoying the warm winter sunshine looking over the sea. As the weather starts to improve we are starting to see more tourist around the town and by the time July and August are here the town will be very busy.

Where to buy

This will of course depend on what use the property will serve you (i.e. holiday home or permanent residence). We retired here from the UK and have no intentions of ever going back to the UK other than for visits. Although we are fairly fit and active, we wanted to ensure that the property we purchased met all the criteria on our property wish list. Property in the town close to amenities, swimming pool, secure parking, well kept grounds and gardens, storage space and plenty of living space. We achieved this and are very happy living in a large apartment in the Garganes area of Altea. Most of our neighbours are Spanish and are very friendly.

We hardly use our car as everything is very local. There are many groups and clubs for various pursuits around Altea (I believe there is a local dramatic group who perform sometimes at the local Palau de Altea). The town is also well served by the local tram and a regular bus service. After being here for three years we very much feel apart of the town and whenever we walk out we meet and talk with other local Alteanos. At present we are still trying to learn Spanish to help with our integration to the town. The local market is here every Tuesday and there are plenty of interesting shops and not just selling seaside holiday junk. 

Altea Hills and Mascarat are nice selective areas, however these are residential, mainly holiday homes and the areas feel isolated and cut off from the still very vibrant town of Altea during the winter months.

If you intend retiring to Altea a good tip would be to rent for a while whilst you establish what suits you best before committing to a purchase.

Throughout the year there are many fiestas which are great fun to either get involved or just watch and enjoy. There is some refurbishing going on at the sea front and the sports centre and these should be finished by June.  

I do hope this helps

Best regards 

Jeff

Leprechaun wrote on Sun May 1, 2022 3:40pm:

Dear Jeff,

Thank you so much for this detailed description of life in Altea.

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I am still hesitating about moving there ,but your mail has really helped me with my decision.I feared that Altea would be dead in winter but you saycthis is not the case.That's encouraging,as I will be alone.I am very sociable,but it's a little scary making a major move like this.

I think it may have to be a permanent move for me,or a place where I will live for six months a year.I really haven't made my mind up just yet.

I think the best plan would be to visit Altea soon,flights are direct from Geneva(where I live now) to Alicante.

I know that I don't want to live in Alicante city,it's not for me.Although the beach is lovely there,also playa de St.Juan.

I believe the beach is not the best in Alttea,it has pebbles it seems,but I suppose there are nicer ones in Javea,not too far away.

It's great that you have settled in so well,and feel integrated despite not having fluent Spanish.I speak French very well,so Spanish should not be a big problem.I love languages and learn fairly quickly,have taken about twenty lessons or more already.I love the Spanish language,so this helps enormously.

Well,I will close now, and ask if you would kindly recommend any estate agents who do long term rentals in the area of Altea.

Thank you again.

Best tegards,

Ursula

MeathMaria wrote on Sun May 1, 2022 8:09pm:

Hi Ursula,

Hopefully your search for a home is going well.    

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Did you know that a lot of French expats have chosen  El Campello/ San Juan areas as their base?  Personally I only have visited  but seems to be a lovely beach area with restaurants and major plus of tram and buses nearby.  Other members on forum may have a lot more information.

 There is a Lycee there (1,300 students ) and probably other activities for their community.    It is not far from Alicante City/Airport. 

Absolutely agree with others that renting in an area for as long as possible is the ultimate test of whether an area is right for you.     

Good luck in your search 

Regards

Maria