Advice please on Torrevieja - Page 5

Bencr85 wrote on Sat Apr 13, 2019 11:56am:

Torrevieja what a horrible place , had a holiday there last year, really boring place, if you need services of a prostitute you'll be well catered for. Try villamartin/la zenia area much better by miles , loads to do .very clean loads of bars and shops etc.

Grannyrose wrote on Sun Apr 14, 2019 4:24pm:

Torrevieja..

We bought our house here on the La Mata side of Torrevieja 16/17 years ago.

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Without doubt,it is one of your he best things we have ever done . Last night, my husband and I got dressed up and went around to Torrelamata for a meal.  We joined lots of diners in a busy restaurant and had a delightful meal and shared a bottle of wine.  We ended our meal with a liqueur and walked home.   At no stage did we see anyone behaving badly, indeed, it is the most peaceful and quiet residential area. People seem to be quiet at night and you never hearlate night music or noise.  Wecame home and sat outside on the patio watching The Masters on tv. I had a coffee and my husband enjoyed a beer.  Day and daily I repeat to anyone who will listen to me and say “This place is the next stop to heaven”. Spending time here is utterly blissful. We walk the boardwalk into La Mata most days and join all the other lucky people who are sitting overlooking the sea enjoying refreshments .In heaven’s name, how could anyone not enjoy this beautiful coastline and climate?  

Torrevieja is a working town...on the coast.  Yes, there are many lovely apartment blocks in the centre of town and all the way to Los Locas or in the other direction going towards Playa Flamenca. Most of us who plan to spend months or indeed retire in this area will choose a location on the outer coastal area. If you want to find a home along with lots of English speaking people ,then you must choosethe southside eg Cabo Roug, Playa Franca, La Zenia. If you want to live in a cosmopolitan area, then look at the north side. There are many Scandinavian people who have bought near us in the past few years...all lovely people who speak very good English. 

Prostitution seems to be legal in Spain, you see these working girls but I was unaware that they hassled people.

 Fights.    Never, ever saw a fight since we came here.

Criminals...  when we first bought, there most definitely was crime...everywhere. Thankfully, the Guardia seemed to clear them out of the town.

No doubt there are people ready to relieve you of your valuables but this is the same the world over. We are adults and should know how to look after our bags, lock up our security gates when going out,all the thingsyouwould do if visiting any city in the world.

As a previous poster said, they never feel fearful when walking anywhere in this area day or night.

This area is perfect. We are well serviced with 2 airports, one in Alicante and another in Corvera,Murcia. Only 30 to 35 mins from either airport. Greats hops, supermarkets and the most affordable restaurants.  

The best advice I can offer you is to find an area of Torrevieja that appeals to your and be selective when choosing your new property. Make sure that you get the sun, you must have a good drying area for your washing, storage for suitcases and junk.

Check that you can’t hear the people next door talking.  Winter can be very cold at night, look for a fireplace.  Do not get carried away by the immediate appearance of the place...think on your feet. Try to get 2 bathrooms or simply 2 toilets...vital when visitors come to stay.

Your 23 year old son.....

As mulch as you would like your son to enjoy Torrevieja, remember, he might suddenly meet a young lady and no longer  wish to spend as much time with you in Spain.

Speak with  your son and ask his views.

I am lying on my lounger on the solarium, listening to music and getting a suntan while I compose this post. If I were at home, goodness knows what I would be doing but I most assuredly would be fully clothed!

Consider yourselves to be amongst the luckiest people now that you find yourselves in a position to be thinking about your future lives away from the hustle and bustle of the U.K.

Good hunting.

Best wishes,

Granny Rose.

ColinL wrote on Tue Apr 9, 2019 11:26am:

I appreciate that no area is perfect and there are issues everywhere you go but, for what it's worth, my experience of Torreveija isn't great. Just last Sunday, in broad daylight in the middle of the afternoon, we were approached on the prom by a guy asking if we wanted "weed". He was as bold as ...

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...brass and we spent the next 30 minutes sitting in a cafe watching him ply his trade - he was doing a roaring business. Lots of dodgy characters coming up to him and buying (and selling all sorts of stuff).  Despite being a Sunday afternoon the side streets felt a bit intimidating too and we were relieved to get back to the car (which thankfully wasn't touched). Contrast that with the previous Sunday in Santa Pola - lots of happy families strolling around enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. I'm sure there were weed dealers there too but we didn't see them, maybe we were just lucky there. The difference in atmosphere between the two places was like chalk and cheese. 

Janet Isabella wrote on Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:00am:

Torrevieja can be whatever you want it to be.  Being an extremely Cosmopolitan town you can keep to everything Spanish, or British or enjoy the diversity of both.

I'm a single lady and don't feel threatened at all.  I'll happily walk into a Spanish bar full of men, bid my "Buenas dias" and no one bothers me....... even though I'm a Transgendered woman.  You may see a lady of the night on a roundabout, but that can be everywhere and that's Spain f...

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...or you.  Indeed, when you come from the airport you'll pass the "Nightclub" on your left hand side between La Marina and Guadamar....... it's a brothel, but live and let live.

Regarding the Spanish not being robbed!   I can assure you the thief does not come knocking on your door enquiring as to your nationality.  Thieves want an easy time and they'll pick easy targets.  Unfortunately many people drop the sensible security practices they have back "home".  In addition, crime can happen anywhere as you'll read in the papers.

If someone approaches you and asks if you want any "weed" just tell them you have enough of it in your garden 😀. Seriously though, simply ignore them and carry on walking.  In the unlikely event of them asking again a brisk, dismissive "no quiero"  will suffice.

Property.  Just like the UK, it can happen, but again take the appropriate security measures.  From Ciudad Quesada through the Urbs leading to Torrevieja, up and down the Costa as well as inland in the beautiful Vega Baja you are not immune.    I live in a gated Community near the salt lake.  It is not everyone's cup of tea.  Indeed, location wise I'd like to live in a small Finca out in the Campo with views of the magnificent mountains that surround us.  But it just isn't practical and I personally think you're way more vulnerable.  So living in a gated community gives you that extra bit of security. We have a good mix of Nationalities, tennis court, a very large community pool and yes, even a bar right by the pool.  I've had this property for 22 years and quite happy.   Everything is on my doorstep, apart from the salt lake I have supermarkets, Spanish & Brit bars, restaurants, the Habaneras Mall, the Ozone Leisure centre where I go tenpin bowling in a league and if I want to pop into town a healthy 20 odd minute walk or a quick cycle.

May I say despite some people knocking Torrevieja it is no bad place.  I actually started coming here over 35 years ago and I'm still very fond of it.  

It all boils down to personal preferences.

Janet