What is Torrevieja really like - Page 2

JillPe wrote on Fri Oct 30, 2020 11:51am:

Very exciting for you! Such a shame that Covid is making things, like house hunting, so difficult.

If you look on Google Maps, there’s a road called CV95 that more or less gives you the divide between Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa. Los Altos  is near this divide, so well suited to having the best of both worlds!...

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We live in Lago Jardín 1, which is just across the CV95 (Torre side). It’s a lovely community, with a good mix of full time and holiday residents, and a good mix of nationalities. 

A car is a good idea, to make the most of this lovely part of the world, but there’s a good bus service around the area, so getting into Torrevieja isn’t a problem.

If you don’t mind being inland a little, there are some nice small towns that might be worth investigating.

My Spanish teacher, Lorena, also has her own estate agency, which you can find on Facebook: Casas Wilson. She’s very good at understanding the brief and hunting it down! She’ll also be very honest with you and will be upfront about any potential pitfalls. Definitely worth talking to her. 

If I can be of any help when you are ready to start looking, please feel free to message me. We took early retirement and moved out 2 years ago - best thing we ever did! 

Christina92 wrote on Fri Oct 30, 2020 5:36pm:

I’m taking a rental apartment , in torrevieja , whilst I look to buy. On my own so I’m asking if there are areas that are more safer than others? 

Davebev1 wrote on Fri Oct 30, 2020 5:53pm:

If you are concerned about safety then the same basic rules apply in Spain as in the UK - buy in an established area where you have full time neighbours who you can get to know.  You may feel 'safer' in a community.  Ensure there is good lighting around and in the vicinity of the proper...

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...ty.  You probably won't want a situation where you have to walk some distance from your car to your property late at night, or down dark alleys.  It isn't that it is necessarily dangerous, more to do with personal comfort.  As you will be renting for a while you will have time to visit an area you think you like at different times of day and different days of the week before committing to a property, so don't rush your decision.  Use your head as well as your heart when you buy, if you feel uneasy about any aspect of the security or surroundings then move on to the next option.

Christina92 wrote on Fri Oct 30, 2020 5:36pm:

I’m taking a rental apartment , in torrevieja , whilst I look to buy. On my own so I’m asking if there are areas that are more safer than others? 

JillPe wrote on Fri Oct 30, 2020 9:57pm:

I’m sure there are, as there would be anywhere in the Uk.

I take our puppy out for her last walk, quite late in the evening and have never felt unsafe. If safety is a concern for you, check that the place you are renting has full time neighbours around you - preferably some English speaking ones - some places are pretty quiet out of season, and can seem...

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... quite desolate without the holidaymakers. 

Grannyrose wrote on Sat Oct 31, 2020 10:04pm:

What is Torrevieja really like?

I would say, wonderful.

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Torrevieja is a peninsula which juts into the Mediterranean . On the La Mata side, you will find stunning, natural and Sandy beaches. In town, there are several man made beaches designed to suit people who actually live or holiday in Torrevieja..There is a stunning marina now which is a joy to see.There is a magnificent pier which is a wonderful place to take your daily walk and allows you to stop to watch the skiers practice their jumping skills. In the high season, the stylish night club scene is built beside the pier and is frequented by both young and old...it’s lovely.All along the seafront, you will find many restaurants and ice cream shops, people sit on the comfortable rattan furniture enjoying a coffee or a drink while watching the world go by or being entertained by street artists. The other side of Torrevieja is occupied by Spanish people who live in apartments very close to the sea...almost on the beach  It’s rather nice over there too! The beach is protected by the sea walls so the sea tends to be very calm and safe. Restaurants line the Sandy beach and we love to have lunch literally on the beach and getting a suntan into the bargain. The Orihuela Costa is relatively new and created to appeal to people looking for a holiday home. My only criticism is that the very busy N332 cuts a swath through the whole area so you have to get across this highway if you want to go to the beach....not ideal if you are planning to walk.  This is NOT the case on the La Mata side. We can walk to the beach/ sea safely.  There’s a wonderful bus service from the town to most areas which costs approx.€1.35 per journey. Torrevieja boasts a very good hospital based on the far side of town whilst we have a private hospital within walking distance should we need it,( Hospital QUIRON)

All in all, Torrevieja has a great deal to offer. I have never, ever been frightened. All house have security gates and grills which is necessary as many of us pack up and go home leaving our lovely holiday home sitting for months at a time unused but secure.

Clearly, you are keen to make your dream a reality and buy your own dream home.  Slow down and do your research. If you don’t, you may regret it. Decide what it is that you both want  if you love the beach, try the La Mata side  we are actually classed as living in Torrevieja but it’s between both. We can walk into town, we can walk to La Mata and we can definitely walk to the beach!  We finally bought a car 2 years ago which we should have done along time ago. Car hire firms are appalling and treat decent and honest people badly. By having a car, you enjoy the luxury of being able to drive wherever you fancy and there are some wonderful places to visit in Spain. There are two local coach trip companies, we have travelled with them on day trips and also 3 night breaks. Superb value. Don’t sit about doing nothing or lying in the sun, take a coach trip and see places that you wouldn’t have thought of going to.  
I should add that our side of Torrevieja would have fewer English/ Irish people, there are any Scandinavians and lots of other nationalities as well.

It’s a shame that somebody has maligned Torrevieja, I’m sorry to hear that. Every Christmas you will find a magnificent Nativity scene set up outside the big church in town. It is really so special and a joy to behold. When I tell you that there is no security set in place to guard it overnight, nobody would touch it. The people living here are decent and hard working people or retired. I don’t know how long this Nativity scene would last at home...sadly ,not very long.

We bought our holiday home here 19 years ago and love it as do our family and friends. Be aware that it’s a luxury and costs money to buy and maintain. That said, if you can afford it and believe that you will get years of joy from owning a property here, do it but do your homework first.

One final note...during the busy times, the N332 becomes very congested and driving into Torrevieja or from Torrevieja can be dreadful. Of course, you may have no wish to go there and you will find masses of English speaking people, shops, restaurants, bars etc., on the Orihuela Costa.

Paisley13 wrote on Sat Oct 31, 2020 10:34pm:

Bit unfair on the Orihuela Costa , just to let you know they have discovered bridges and underpasses down in Orihuela 🤩