Which areas 'Not' to buy a property in Torrevieja

The Sewage treatment works in Torrevieja is situated north of the N332 and south of the Pink lake, to the west is The Desalination Plant, Torrevieja Hospital, Los Balcones/Altos and Lago Jardin, to the east are the Salinas de Torrevieja/Salt Flats and Torreta, South of the N332 there are Urbanizations running along a secondary road called Calle/Avenida de Urbano Arregui and/so between Calle Mar Menor and Calle Jose Hodar this area known as in the Acequion area of Parque de San Roque and the urbanizations of El Paraiso at times especially after 10pm the smell of sewage can be terrible and sitting outside or having windows/doors open is not possible. This does not happen every night or/and sometimes early morning, but it is something to be aware of. As for any other of the above mentioned, it may depend on the way the wind is blowing or tidal movements. So ask questions when viewing these areas or inform the Estate agent you do not want to see properties within one/two/three km? of the Torrevieja Sewage treatment plant/works. Also beware of the road noise along this single carriage stretch of the N332 and at some point in time this has been given the go ahead for/to dual carriageway? 

To add to what Peter has said you need to consider flash flooding. There has been major flooding in Spain recently although we seem to have got off lightly this time in the Vega Baja. In built up areas the storm drains get blocked and some streets become raging torrents with beaches washed away (usually soon repaired).

Thanks for that Cheryl 

Thanks for going into so much detail Peter. Thanks very much. 

I’m not sure where Peter 3473 lives.

We live on the Naufragos estate, part of the St Roqué parish, and do indeed notice an unpleasant odour from time to time from the sewage works, although not pleasant, it is certainly not bad enough for us to charge indoors closing all doors and windows behind us.  We just turn to each other and say “drains are bad today” and get on with our lives.

The roads between Urbano Arregui and the N332 are subject to standing water after heavy rain.

We don’t find the traffic noise bothersome either, so it’s just a matter of what one is used to and personal tolerance, we certainly wouldn’t let Peter’s views rule our area out without at least taking a look.

Thank you.  I will. 

The urbanisation of El Paraiso is very close to the sewage treatment works and suffers from sewage smells often, it is certainly not the drains playing up! The roads I mentioned in my post I often walk (urbano Arregui) and during my walk I can smell the sewage treatment works, as said this is early morning, when I reach Calle José Hodar the sewage smell is not so bad on a good day. The El Paraiso urbanisation has a road bridge (Calle Mar Menor) spanning the N332 that leads to the Torrevieja Cemetery and just behind the cemetery is the Torrevieja sewage treatment plant, also this was the point I made about road noise. As for the Naufragos estate, I must admit I know of not, but I have used the Naufragos beach ( shipwreck beach) which is a fair distance from the sewage treatment plant many a time and occasionally have had a slight smell of the sewage works ( the way the wind blows) As you stated You can smell this unpleasant odour from time to time from the sewage works and if I am correct that you being closer to the seafront this may be due to tidal movements. Torrevieja is in my personal opinion a lovely friendly place to live, but unfortunately I did not do enough research when I purchased my property in September 2019, even at my age I learn something new every day and it’s good to talk and help others. Stay safe and healthy my friend/s. 

Check out.

https://www.agamed.es/depuracion

I would certainly appreciate anyone’s honest remarks about areas to avoid when choosing a property and the original poster is looking for this information. So some really constructive advice given.

I wouldn’t like constant noise from busy roads and as much as your ears we get used to the noise so that you hardly hear it. I’d prefer to hear the noise of the birds singing. Or just reflecting in how quiet and peaceful an area can be. 

I think when you look for a property in Spain, the guide tells you about the 320 days of sunshine a year. Nobody tells you that when it rains heavily, there are no drains to cope with excess water and certain areas are prone to flooding. My point here being that on a normal summers day and  with next to no knowledge or the Spanish drainage system, you wouldn’t even consider that the slight dip in the road  outside the property you are looking at, could mean that it floods every time it rains. 

As for smells, we all come to live in Spain to live outside and eat outside, the smell from a sewerage plant would make that very off putting.

We all have different levels of noise and smells we can put up with but forewarned is forearmed as the saying goes.

Lynn

There are many other things to consider such as how you will get from the airport and back. Will you be hiring a car or using public transport? If hiring a car, does the property have private or allocated parking because the closer you are to the beach, the worse it will be. Are you going to be prepared to scrabble about under the hire car when you arrive, possibly in the dark, to take pictures to prove that dents were pre-existing and then go back to the terminal to ensure that damage is reported before you take the car? Unfortunately many people have been charged for damage in hard to see places that they are adamant they did not cause. If you are going to be a very regular visitor would it be worth buying a car to keep here? If so you need to make extra sure you are able to get it MOT'd (ITV) before it runs out because you can't drive it on the road without one, even if you only use it to get to the ITV station.

If using public transport how far is the bus stop from your property (dragging cases, tired from the journey etc) and will it be available for very early or late flights? How much will a taxi cost?

If you want to be within easy walking distance of bars and restaurants can you put up with the noise from them when you are trying to get to sleep? Unless you have top of the range double glazing the basic windows don't perform very well.

Some areas become like ghost towns in the winter.

The ongoing costs will include standing charges for water and electric, council tax (IBI), rubbish collection, community fees (if applicable), Non Resident Tax, TV and internet (switch on and off is available), property insurance and ongoing maintenance. This will be on top of 10% purchase tax.

Post Brexit you have to consider the time you spend in the whole Schengen area, a maximum of 90 days in a rolling 180 days.

A property can never really be considered an investment here, especially when you factor in all your costs over your ownership. In the UK there is a shortage of housing, in the tourist areas there are thousands of properties for sale at any time and can take months, if not years, to sell. Don't believe the estate agent signs saying they have more buyers than properties. You can't just rent your property for holiday lets to offset costs anymore because you need a Tourist Licence and getting one can range from a "right faff" to impossible.

I am not trying to put you off because there are so many people who enjoy their holiday homes for many years but the happiest will be those who fully understood the downsides before they purchased.