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sondeck53 wrote on Sun Jan 7, 2024 1:38pm:
Altea is lovely, apart from the pebbly beach, take a look at Calpe two lovely sandy beaches and long and wide, which attracts families.
Thank you. Did check out Calpe and quite liked it but we're not much into beaches so not high on our priority list but will not rule it out.
Thanks again, Val
BruceK wrote on Sun Jan 7, 2024 4:08pm:
Val, firstly you will likely get many replies with passionate please about how great 'their' area is, which is good in some ways. I have found the best method is to go and hand out for a few days in the area you have interest in. As for the cars and driving, i'm not sure how you won't be driving ...
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...to most places, off to Leroy Merlin, the larger retail in Benidorm or Denis, groceries etc. Living on the water front in an apartment seems nice, and maybe is in winter when its quiet, but after a few seasons i have changed my mind completely on living in town along one of the water fronts, to me its like being in a zoo and your the one people have come to see. Altea Hills is quiet, great views, but many are 2nd homes so neighbors are usually gone and in season many rent out so strangers are coming and going each week with a larger holiday crown mindset. Decide if you want to have a car and drive, then many small villages will work, or if you want to be in the mix and go through the high season pain. Both can be good but depends on your preferences.
Yes, had a look also at Altea Hills but (and this probably very much depends on where we went - mostly up a winding road) we felt it was just a little too far out for us. We ideally would like to be able to walk to shops, bars, restaurants, etc and have a choice of such. Some lovely properties and I appreciate what you're saying about security, but would rather live a bit nearer to the coast. I bet you have fab views though!
Thanks again for response.
Val
Hi Val,
We bought our home over six 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.
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 Wed Jan 24, 2024 8:54am:
Hi Val,
We bought our home over six 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
Good morning Jeff
Many thanks for taking the time to reply so thoroughly to my question. Agree with all your points, especially re outlying areas, and glad to hear that you are fully integrated into the town. It is also very important to us to "properly live" in a town and want to have Spanish neighbours, rather than empty holiday lets!
We are now in Nerja for a month to try it out and yes, our plan is to go for a minimum 6-month rental before taking the plunge to buy.
So, Altea is very much on our list and hope to come back one day for a longer stay.
Thanks again
Val
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