Looking to purchase property in costa blanca - Page 2

Hi Anna

Many thanks for your reply. As you say it is not a good time at the moment.  We are looking at all areas and where you are located does seem idyllic, but we do need to visit and when that will be is anyone's guess at the moment.  So I would like to thank you again for getting in touch and I do hope that you get your flights eventually.  Thank you and stay safe.

Hi, not sure If you are only looking around Torrevieja or also further north? About 30min away from Alicante Airport is a small comunity called Villajoyosa. It is an old fishing village. We bought an apartment there last year. Good prices, nice beach and restaurants and more or less walking distance to the beach and restaurants from everywhere. If you want more action it is only about 10minutes away from Benidorm If you take a taxi. 

Hi 

Many thanks for your reply. Not only looking at Torrevieja but elsewhere also.  This village certainly looks good on google and not far from Alicante and Benidorm.  It will certainly be on our itinerary when we eventually come and visit.  Thanks again and stay safe.   

Hi Allan , Just like yourselves I'm looking to retire early in the autumn and purchase a place on the Costa Blanca . I agree that this forum and its members offer great advice and help for those new to the area - thanks and keep it up everyone. I will initially look for a long term rental for 12 months so I will have a local base from which to carry out my property search a get a real feel for agents, locations, seasons etc rather than going back and forth to the UK.

I should be out there now looking at rentals but this pesky virus has put that on hold for a bit ,never the less I will be out as soon as its safe to do so and have not been put off living out my dream.

happy to catch up to see how you're getting on with your search when normality returns.

stay safe.

Hi

Thank you for your reply. We also would want to rent initially to get a feel for the different locations, as we have not been to this area of Spain and do not wish to make mistakes we will regret.  Similarly, we don't know when we will be able to do this.  I hope you will find what you are looking for and would be very happy to make contact again.  Take care of yourself and stay clear of this virus!      .  

Hi Allan, (my other half is another Allan too). I,m not sure from your post if this is to be a permanent purchase or holiday home as you are now retired. If permanent and just in case you are unaware of future changes which due to having to stay away from a visit for the foreseable future could impact on your plans. At present to Jan 1st 2021 as Eu citizens to obtain residency you would only require an income of approx 700€ per month or savings of approx 7/9,000€ per person (as differrent offices for residencia seem to have differrent ideas to their requirements). However from Jan 1st 2021 as non EU citizens the income requirements increase to 32,000€ per couple to obtain residencia which you would need to get after 90days of living in Spain. 

Depending on your incomes, this may affect your future plans and you may already be aware of this so I apologise for informing you but I felt maybe you might not have focussed on this change with the virus situation at present. Of course things may change too with new laws we dont know about due to the pandemic but that non EU ruling and if your purchase is to be a holiday home the Shengen Rule of only being allowed to enjoy 90 day max visits after January may impact on your decisions. Stay safe at home for now.

Regards

Pauline.

Hi Pauline, thank you for getting in touch with some valuable advice.  Our initial thoughts were to visit Costa Blanca and stay in long term rental in order to see if this is for us, maybe over-cautious I know.  Due to the current situation this of course will be delayed for, it seems, sometime.  It therefore is unlikely that we will be in a position to purchase our dream property before Brexit which is unfortunate. It's anyone's guess what will then be the criteria for residency.  Yes, I was aware of the current income rules for non-EU citizens.  Our intention was to spend less than 183 days but more than 3 months in Spain as we would still have a home in the UK.  Of course this may become impossible or just too complicated post Brexit, in which case our dream would not became a reality.   

Thank you again Pauline.         

Hi Allan

You can have 2x 90 days in Spain as non resident per 360days, not just 90days, but must have 90days between stays. Yes over 183days and you,ll become fiscal resident. But you cant have residencia without fiscal residency. Brexit has altered our plans we,ve spent 13years with spanish property working towards residencia, but we too still have our UK home of 40yrs which will take some refurbing to get best price. So we,ll just stay non residents,as we,re getting older and our house is a finca in the campo, couldnt access if we couldnt drive(now in our 70,s).

Good luck with your decisions

Regards

Pauline

Hi Pauline 

I wasn't aware of the 2 x 90 days so thank you for pointing this out.  I think not only Brexit but Coronavirus has also altered plans and circumstances for a lot of people everywhere. We all need to keep ourselves safe which is more important at the moment.  I hope your plans turn out ok for you.  Stay safe and thanks again for the reply.

Allan 

Hola Allen,

We bought a great house in Torrevieja, close to La  Mata beach which is truly stunning. We have had it since late 2001 and never regretted buying it. We bought it at the crazy prices time but there’s no point in crying about that!  Initially, it was for the hot summer time but we soon changed our views and much prefer to be there during the winter/ autumn months. Decide between yourselves what you really want and don’t settle for anything less it you will regret it.  If you plan to sell your home in the UK and move permanently please consider keeping a small property in the UK.  Summer months can be too much and a visit home would be ideal to see family members and friends but mostly to escape the heat.

Don’t be carried away when viewing. Take into consideration the mundane things that matter. Storage ,air con in every room, cloths drying area( not your balcony). Car parking, storage for bicycles, bbq area, sun in the later part of the day, no neighbours overlooking you, privacy,a living room with a door to keep winter cold out.

I could go on forever!  La Mara area is idyllic, no hills and most homes within walking distance to the beach. Multi cultural.  If you want ex pats, the far side of Torrevieja will suit perfectly eg plays flamenca, la Zenia etc.,  Torrevieja is a large Spanish working town which is always alive, summer or winter.... this is vital. Great bus service in town and from airport. Masses of restaurants , shops , banks but one if the best things to me is the fact that people go home to bed after 11pm so the place is peaceful. There are places to go for late night revellers but not for me!

Some people buy and sell others buy and stay because they knew exactly what they wanted and continue to keep loving it.

Good luck

Best wishes

Granny rose.