Moving To Orihuela

[DevonCream]

Hi,
We are Ray & Theresa. Living in UK but we have bought an apartment off plan close to Orihuela. It will be ready in the next 2 months and we intend to come and live there when we both retire in 3 years time.
Having read some of the comments about the growing crime rate and a drastic water shortage in the Costa Blanca region I am wondering if we are doing the right thing. We have been coming to Spain for the past 20 years and never encountered a problem in the past.
Can anyone put our minds at rest.
Thanks

[sunseaandsangria]

Hi Ray and Theresa,
You have just taken the plunge!Congratulations!
We are just starting the process of investigating the property market on Orihuela and I wondered which companies you used to find your apartment?
Did you look at resale or just new build?
Any advice you can offer someone who has not started the process?
Anything you would have done differently?
Did you look at any other areas?
I thought about Los Alcazares as well as Orihuela,anyone know about that area?
Sorry to bombard you with a million questions but we would like to get it right!
I think the crime situation is not as bad as it it painted if you take the same precautions as you would in the UK and I am sure if you are vigilant you will be fine.
Hope you have a wonderful time in Orihuela and you thoroughly enjoy your new apartment!
I hope we will bw joining you in a couple of years!

[kenbowns]

SSandSangria

We bought or 2 bed apartment in the La Florida area on the outskirts of Torrevieja 4 years ago as a resale (3yrs old)
Initially I sought UK agents who made appointments with their Spanish counterparts to view resales only and on a one to one basis only,
Knowing what I know now this is not neccessary as there are so many properties for sale with Estate agents on virtually every corner.
At the moment its a buyers market, you should be able to obtain healthy discounts from the advertised prices as the selling prices quite often include hefty commisions for the agents,-----app 20,000 euros on a property for sale at 150,000 E.
Another thing which I would do if I was buying another property is cut out the agents altogether and buy direct from the vendor cutting out all that commision but in this case I would advise the involvement of a reputable solicitor.
As we are 'relatively' experienced and have spoken to so many people over the years I would not trust buying off plan whatsoever, I have heard so many horror stories and quite often they have considerable delays.
I have to be careful what I say on the board so I will keep my depth of feeling against the big builders muted but it can be a minefield.
I do not condemn the genuine decisions made by people such as Ray & Theresa and fortunately it looks as though their property is on schedule but all I am saying is its not for me.
The big advantage of a resale is that you can see what you are buying, what the surroundings are like (can anyone build around you ?) what the neighbours are like, ask questions of local residents, ask about how the community is run etc etc
I am sure everyones opinions would differ as you would expect but I know that the majority of people who I have spoken to would do the same thing suggested above.
Buying a property needs to be considered as...is it for hols or will you eventually want to live there, very different considerations these.
Above all don't be taken in with the euphoria of owning abroad, keep your feet firmly on the ground and don't do anything in Spain which you wouldn't dream of doing if purchasing a house in the UK.
I personally wouldn't turn back the clock, I love our apartment in Spain but for every one like me there is another who is trying to sell up, hence the need to take your time, have a good look at the different areas and even when you have found the property you wish to buy think about staying in the area for a few weeks to get a real feel for the area.
Good luck and happy hunting, done properly you will not regret it.

Ken

[sunseaandsangria]

Thanks Ken,
You have confirmed some of the information that we have picked up about the resale market.
Like you we are on the whole sensible people who research situations before we make a descision.
Resale sounds the best option and like the UK market if you can purchase direct from a vendor you are bound to make a saving.
I had heard agents can add on massive commisions so your information confirms that.
Without going in to too much depth,I am sure the large companies have
played their part over the years and succesfully helped people to purchase in Spain and they no doubt have 1,000's of satisfied customers but I am sure the market must be changing as people are upgrading/moving back to the UK and so on.
We shall certainly have a good look round,rent a place and see how we like it,not get carried away and leap in without thought and hopefully one day be the proud owners of our own place in Spain.
Thanks Ken for your advice,I think reading between the lines you are telling us to search out a property WE like and not be lead towards properties that agents are desperate to sell at inflated prices.
Glad you are happy with the choices you made and I hope you enjoy spending as much time as you can in your apartment.
Regards,
Val

[DevonCream]

Dear SSS,
We particularly liked inland close to Orihuela and Murcia simply because we did not want to be in Torrevieja. We are in a nice village so I dont anticipate too many problems. We bought off plan because we saw several developments the builder is involved with and were very happy with the quality of build and the price. Our agent was great he showed us only what our budget would stretch to and at no time did he try to influence our decision (except that he left the one he knew I really liked until last). We are going over in Oct to see how things are progressing and sort out Airconditioning etc.
Ray & Theresa

[sunseaandsangria]

Hope you are soon enjoying your property,looking at the weather outside ,the sooner the better!
Everyones comments and experiences have been really helpful to me,it is a very individual thing purchasing a major item such as property and I shall take on board all the things you have highlighted and its good to know this message board exsists should we need help.
I have found this site very informative and a great help.
Thanks

[squeals]

Devon and Cream, without wanting to scare you, just be very careful, when you move in. I suspect some of the Urbanisation will still be a building site. It is the time you are most likely to encounter crime. You are likely to have cash on you, not alot of security etc etc. Change your locks immediately you take possession. If you have no grilles, get them fitted and an alarm. Just be careful as they know you will have new stuff in there. Good luck with your purchase.

However i would always recommend buying a resale, there are sooooo many out there. Look at The Round Town News, Coast Rider, The Leader and the Costa Blanca News online. These all have adverts for resale property, some will be private, some will be agents. Not all agents rip you off with commision. I know several that add on very little, although they mostly cover the Orihuela Costa areas rather than inland. Good luck.