House hunting

Hi Rosie, One thing to check after the storms we have had this year is how susceptible the area you are looking at is to flooding.

We wouldn’t want her living in a ghetto where she had to be rescued would we.

The housing market is such that, if you buy and decide you've made a mistake, then it could take years to sell again.  Why not try renting in various areas for a year or two first?

We holidayed in the area a few times before deciding to rent in Torrevieja in the av habaneras area, and had difficulty finding a suitable property.  We'd just about given up when a property to the west of Torrevieja came up for rental and we decided to take it for a year, on the basis that we could keep looking in our preferred area.

We've since decided we are happy here, local bars, shops and eateries are open year round, we are not living in little Britain and renting means less headache for our children when we go out feet first.

Just a thought to add to the confusion, I'm sorry.

Thank you. Given that I just feel ready to take the plunge, I'm concerned that I'll end up not being able to make any decision at all!

I understand what you are saying...I've moved around a lot with work and really just want a base to call my own,the plan is to explore Spain while I still have the use of my legs and my mind!  

Hi, we are in the throws of purchasing a detached villa in Lo Crispin, near Ciudad Quesada, hopefully gonna be moved in early December, glad to keep you updated on our Journey and the area, ours is a really retirement, so living permanently in spain, we are both excited and scared at the same time!

Don't let your desire to find a base outweigh the need for it to be the right base. As others have said, if it is the wrong one it could take months, if not years to sell and you will have estate agents fees on top plus another set of solicitors fees.
Some areas change beyond all recognition between November and August. I will repeat the advice about flooding. It is not usually the inland rural areas that get the worst of the flooding but the built up coastal areas where drainage channels overflow and debris is carried along the streets as the water rushes to the sea or lakes. The CV905 is usually closed at least a couple of times a year due to flooding but that said, I like the general feeling in the area, it has many facilities and there will be homes which are less at risk than others. Rojales and Formentera are quieter and have a more traditional Spanish feel in my view.
Will you have a car? If you do then you will need allocated parking if you are close to the beach, if you don't then you will either need everything very local or be close to a bus stop with a regular year round service.
Many Spanish homes are not built to the same standard as in the UK and can feel very cold in winter and noise can be an issue between adjoining properties and nearby bars and restaurants especially in the summer when everybody is out and about.

If you want Spanish culture and authenticity, move further inland ( although in my experience Guardemar Del Segura is as close to the sea that provides it).

If you prefer a mixture of northern Europeans, low rise buildings, as well as a smattering of Spanish locals then San Luis and surrounding areas would be better. They are also fairly quiet and no major traffic issues, except around the Mercadona and Plaza areas.  

If you want hustle and bustle then Torrevieja.

Good morning Rosie,

While I am at home experiencing winter as we know it, you are where I ought to be. 

La Mata.

Certainly one of my favourite places and it is no longer dead during the winter months.

It has so much to offer, it is on the level so easy to walk to where ever you fancy. There is an excellent bus service into Torrevieja, the most beautiful beach and many and varied restaurants. In truth, it is idyllic and affordable too.

We have a great house near La Mata which we bought on the advice of in laws who spent a lot of time walking about and recognised the house we bought as pretty good.

Ok. Here are the points to look for 

Good outside space with privacy

Evening sun

Place for a clothes line, room to park a car outside/ driveway. Somewhere to put bikes should you buy some, storage for deckchairs and suitcases.

Preferably 2 bathrooms

Living room with a door so that you can heat it in winter 

Air con in all bedrooms and living rooms

A well maintained urbanisation

Close proximity to restaurants and shops

If possible , low maintenance building

Now, assuming that you have found somewhere that can fill all of the above boxes, don’t worry about the furniture as you can get rid of most things you don’t like. Take note of the living room shape and imagine how you would set your imaginary furniture around the room. Be wise. Do not let your heart rule your head or be brow beaten by the estate agent. 

Do you plan to buy a car?  If not, make sure that you can walk to the places/ things that are important to you. 

We can walk to the beach, into Torrevieja or Habaneras.

Carry a notebook with you when viewing and don’t trust your memory.  Take a note of  everything. Look at the neighbouring properties Ask yourself if you are impressed. 

Go home and think, well away from your dreams.  Assuming you have taken photographs of the places on your short list , decide if you have reached the right decision and go from there.

Back to my defence of La Mata.   The winter has drawn numerous lovely Scandinavian people to the area and you will see numerous wonderful mobile homes parked up close to the beach. Just before the sun sets, you will see lots of people relaxing in a sunny spot enjoying a pre dinner drink while people like myself are having a coffee before doing the boardwalk walk home!

Find the right place and you will love the life. Good hunting 

Grannyrose