Little Britain

[sunshinegal]

A few years ago Torrevieja was a very poor fishing village.

The Spanish have made a fortune out of the Brits (and other nationalities) and still continue to treat with the utmost contempt.

Essex Gal is spot on.

That would be about 30 or 40 years ago that torrevieja was a poor fishing village, and it still keeps its fishing roots alive. My home town was literally just a hamlet of about 5 houses before it was declared a New Town for the Londoners that had los their homes in the war, now it's a propsperous town, albeit dirty and over ridden by yobs.

Any town in 30 or 40 yrs will grow, and Torreieja has innevitably grown due to the demand on tourism - not only foreign tourism but National too, the Spanish from the north tend to come very much to torrevieja and in fact in the summer I see more Spanish tourists than English. Tourism is a legitimate business and anyone taking advantage of a business opportunity with tourism is OK by my books, as long as they're legal and no conning people out of loads of money. THAT is something that is wrong and should be stopped, and yes Spaniards do this as muh as the English.

[ScottB]

The Spanish have made a fortune out of the Brits (and other nationalities) and still continue to treat with the utmost contempt.

That's not the impression I get - but then I made the effort to learn the language and integrate, not hole myself up in some urbanisation's Brit bar ...

[phat wheels]

People often say that this is a very beautiful area, and small towns described as 'pretty'. In my opinion these people must have come from the less scenic areas of the UK. With the exception of the lake at Torremendo, and one or two fairly unspoiled bits of coast, this area is singularly unattractive. You must travel 70 or so miles south west to Calasparra to find some really good landscapes. Or better still, move to north Gerona, where the scenery is wonderful and the seaside resorts imaculate. I come from the west country and am used to having rich, green scenery outside my door. I live in one of these so-called 'pretty' villages on the periphery of the Orihuela Costa. Its not wonderfull, but not so bad, public services are good (how many people in the UK would like their refuse collected 5 days a week?)

As someone said to me, this is the ar*e end of Spain, and of the Costa Blanca in particular. In a few years many of the urbs may become slums. Why are we all here? Could it be because its cheaper in almost every way than 'better' places? I make no bones about it, I'm here because my partner is here, and he's here because of cheap, plentiful housing. I really feel for those who are not happy here, and hope they can find ways to make life worthwhile until they can 'escape'. Best to try and remember why you left the UK in the first place.

[Placebo]

A few years ago Torrevieja was a very poor fishing village.

The Spanish have made a fortune out of the Brits (and other nationalities) and still continue to treat with the utmost contempt.

Essex Gal is spot on.

[sunshinegal]

I was born in Essex I dont live there.

Compare this area with Gloucester, Wiltshire, into Wales - no comparison at all.

Respect the Spanish - they have done well out of gullible ex pats and grabbed their money. The Spanish have sold their souls and will live to regret it. No one wants to buy here any more and those that have are trapped.
I dont respect them any more than I respect any other money grabbers who work by a system of curruption and backhanders. I say again, this part of Spain is ruined and a bloody tip. I enjoyed the 2 weeks with my parents but I shall be glad to go home and so would they if they could sell and get their money back.

Not all of the UK is the same, there are horrible parts, nice parts, historical parts, and you may even be lucky enough to find some cultural parts... my point is that not all of Spain is the same in the same way that not all of England is the same.

And regarding your comments regarding the spanish taking advantage... how dare you? British people move here for CHEAP lives, to not have to work, to sit in a bar all day and gossip (in English of course) complaining about the way they can't integrate with the locals who SHOCK HORROR don't speak very good English if at all. How many British 'Entrepreneurs' move here, start up their own business, conveniently ignore the taxes they should be paying, con plenty of their own countrymen out of thousands of pounds and then when they get caught they quickly pack up and move off down the coast to start again.

I repeat, if you come to Spain for an easy life... don't bother unpacking you bags, go home. If you come here ready to be a part of Spain then you will be welcomed with open arms and huge smiles. I don't pretend that Torrevieja is paradise, and in fact I'm not planning on staying here forever, when the market improves I will sell up and move to a less touristic area so that I can enjoy the Spanish life without hearing the whinging of the Not-So-Ex-Pats.

[sunshinegal]

Spot on!

I don't know why anyone would think anything different!

Having had the misfortune to visit some of the urbanisations in and around Torrevieja, I can't help but think of Basildon in Essex - and that is an absolute dump. Perhaps I should consider myself lucky that I live in a modest two-bedroom finca away from the urban sprawl. Others seem to have been duped into purchasing a lego brick villa similar to the other 200 lego brick villas in the same street ...

Oh my gawd!!! You hit the nail on the head... Basildon is exactly where I'm from! hahaha however, having lived there I can honestly say Torre is much better. :P

[essex gal]

I was born in Essex I dont live there.

Compare this area with Gloucester, Wiltshire, into Wales - no comparison at all.

Respect the Spanish - they have done well out of gullible ex pats and grabbed their money. The Spanish have sold their souls and will live to regret it. No one wants to buy here any more and those that have are trapped.
I dont respect them any more than I respect any other money grabbers who work by a system of curruption and backhanders. I say again, this part of Spain is ruined and a bloody tip. I enjoyed the 2 weeks with my parents but I shall be glad to go home and so would they if they could sell and get their money back.

[ScottB]

Spain is not a dream where the streets are paved with gold and foreigners greeted with palm leaves and parades. It is a normal country, that only asks that foreigners pay their dues and respect the spanish way.

Spot on!

I don't know why anyone would think anything different!

Having had the misfortune to visit some of the urbanisations in and around Torrevieja, I can't help but think of Basildon in Essex - and that is an absolute dump. Perhaps I should consider myself lucky that I live in a modest two-bedroom finca away from the urban sprawl. Others seem to have been duped into purchasing a lego brick villa similar to the other 200 lego brick villas in the same street ...

[sunshinegal]

I am not proud of being English. It happends to be where I was born and that is all. I have no loyalty to the place. BUT, if you visit Torrevieja or adjoing areas like Orihuela Costa etc. you will see Spain at its worst. What a bloody tip ! Filthy, overbuilt - and the Spanish allowed it don't forget - overcrowded and sold to gullible people in search of a dream as the place to live. I feel sorry for Mum and Dad. They fell for the propoganda. I never would. Now they are trapped here. I don't have the room for them but they do visit me. When I look out back home I see tidy streets, open areas with well tended gardens and fairly good public services. This place no wehere near compares. That's why I would never ever buy here and I told my parents this but they would not listen. This place is the tips, it really is.

For those who disagree, name me one decent and well tended openly available park, a few places locally where there is a pleasant view, open spaces etc. There are none and those that attempt to be are left to go to rack and ruin.

For parks... I can name 2 now, but could probably name more if you wish - at the corner of Avda Dr Waksman and Avda Paris there is a nice park, kept nice by the locals (english and spanish), also you have the Park of Nations (Parque de los Naciones). I am also from Essex and feel the same about Essex as you do about Torrevieja. Ofcourse there are places that are dumps, but there are also places that are nicely kept. You'll probably find that a lot of the 'dumps' are community owned and have a lot of owners who neglect to pay their community fees (which incidentally go towards the upkeep of community areas such as parks) as they feel that they don't need to being that they only use the services 2 weeks a year. Other areas yes, also are badly maintained, but I can certainly name a number of places that previously were thought to be lovely in Essex and now are considered 'no go' areas.

Spain is not a dream where the streets are paved with gold and foreigners greeted with palm leaves and parades. It is a normal country, that only asks that foreigners pay their dues and respect the spanish way.

[Scorpio]

It's a dump that is for sure.

[Chrisdee]

I am not proud of being English. It happends to be where I was born and that is all. I have no loyalty to the place. BUT, if you visit Torrevieja or adjoing areas like Orihuela Costa etc. you will see Spain at its worst. What a bloody tip ! Filthy, overbuilt - and the Spanish allowed it don't forget - overcrowded and sold to gullible people in search of a dream as the place to live. I feel sorry for Mum and Dad. They fell for the propoganda. I never would. Now they are trapped here. I don't have the room for them but they do visit me. When I look out back home I see tidy streets, open areas with well tended gardens and fairly good public services. This place no wehere near compares. That's why I would never ever buy here and I told my parents this but they would not listen. This place is the tips, it really is.

For those who disagree, name me one decent and well tended openly available park, a few places locally where there is a pleasant view, open spaces etc. There are none and those that attempt to be are left to go to rack and ruin.

Try visiting The Parc of Nations, La Mata sand dunes and the wonderfully pretty parc with it's waterfall then immediately the beach, not much up at OC that I know off but I don't live there.

[essex gal]

I am not proud of being English. It happends to be where I was born and that is all. I have no loyalty to the place. BUT, if you visit Torrevieja or adjoing areas like Orihuela Costa etc. you will see Spain at its worst. What a bloody tip ! Filthy, overbuilt - and the Spanish allowed it don't forget - overcrowded and sold to gullible people in search of a dream as the place to live. I feel sorry for Mum and Dad. They fell for the propoganda. I never would. Now they are trapped here. I don't have the room for them but they do visit me. When I look out back home I see tidy streets, open areas with well tended gardens and fairly good public services. This place no wehere near compares. That's why I would never ever buy here and I told my parents this but they would not listen. This place is the tips, it really is.

For those who disagree, name me one decent and well tended openly available park, a few places locally where there is a pleasant view, open spaces etc. There are none and those that attempt to be are left to go to rack and ruin.

[sunshinegal]

couldn't agree more scottb

I only have english TV cos my bloke can't live without it... I on the other hand enjoy a few programmes but in the main stick to getting to know the area that I live in... and I put it to you, as I do with anyone I catch complaining that they have to pay for a translator to go to the town hall or the police etc... would you be happy living in England and paying higher taxes so the town hall could employ full time translators, or being required to speak at least 1 if not 2 other languages just to get a minimum wage job in a bar? No, and so I suggest you don't complain that here (as the foreigners) we are expected to learn the language or pay for the services of someone who has done so.

I also couldn't name one company in England that specifically and solely offers Spanish channels. (Correct me if I'm wrong).

If you want English food, English TV, English neighbours and English laws... I can only suggest one place that you can be guaranteed all of that...

I hate to sound negative, I am English and proud of it, and when applying for jobs (in Spanish) I frequently take advantage of my ability to speak English too, but I don't take anything for granted and make the most of not living in a country that has horrible weather, and is breeding a society of anti-solcialism.

[ScottB]

I have found this part of Spain dirty and rubbish and litter everywhere. Overdeveloped. Lack of public facilities. More graffitti than I ever saw.

Much like Essex then. (And I come from Southend).

It all depends where you are. I live on the outskirts of a small village just slightly inland. It's clean, the rubbish is collected every day (unlike the UK) and development has been kept to a minimum so we are in no danger (at the moment) of being swamped by an ex-pat urbanisation sprawl. Public facilities are adequate enough (one can use toilets in any bar by law) and I haven't seen any graffitti, although that's not saying there isn't any, I just haven't seen it.

[essex gal]

I don't live here but have come down to see my parents. I go home in a few days. I have found this part of Spain dirty and rubbish and litter everywhere. Overdeveloped. Lack of public facilities. More graffitti than I ever saw. Cheap and tacky even for an Essex girl.

My parents came here four years ago on a dream. They are trying to sell but stand to make a loss. They say now they made one of the biggest mistakes of their life. Their house here will not buy one at home so they re not sure what to do.

A dream for some, a nightmare for others.

(bet the estate agents that run this site delete this pretty quick !)