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Another interested newbie

Another interested newbie

Postby PGA » Mon Mar 19, 2018 9:13 am

Good morning All.

I am another one looking to make the leap, or partial leap, over to Spain and Quesada has peaked my interest.

By way of a little bit of background, my parents bought about 30 years ago in La Sella, Denia and many happy memories as a kid for me spending school holidays there. When my father retired, they then had a house built in Alcalali, and spent 6 months or so of each year out there. By then I was working hard so enjoyed less time there but still many good memories. I would often visit and rent an apartment and visit the parents frequently.

In the last few years I have enjoyed portability with my work life - I went self employed about 4 years ago and its given me geographical freedom subject to having internet. As a result, I have stayed extended periods abroad and many trips to Spain. Whilst in the UK I enjoy city living, I am 40 this year and thinking a bit of balance with a more relaxed life is called for - at least some of the year. My plan is therefore to split my time between 2 homes, not dissimilar to the approach my parents had before health issues forced them to return to the UK full time 5 or so years ago. Winters I would like to spend longer in Spain with the odd week, say, once a month, back in the UK. Summers the ratio would probably be in reverse and between those seasons probably about 50/50.

No kids to think about. I do have friends and family dotted over both the UK and further afield, as well as work commitments dotted around the UK as and when necessary. I do want access therefore to a useful airport to be able to fly in to Southampton, London, Dublin and Leeds. I am not a beach go-er particularly so would rather take the benefit of less premium on house price by being slightly inland.

So why Quesada looks appealing?

Obviously the weather and also the air quality

Proximity to Alicante and Murcia airport (I had looked closer to San Javier and then became aware of the potential move to the new airport further South - if flight routes changed/were abandoned and/or airports closed or relocated, I don't want to have all eggs in one basket - I do not want the "commute" to become a resented issue. It won't be every week, but I am aware that it needs to be as smooth as possible).

Security - non-rural location with a sense of community. I am conscious I will have periods of time when I am not there so security is a concern.

Community - as above really but the flip side of it - good to have when I am there. Also a less seasonal community as against some areas whereby there are predominantly holiday homes (either foreign owned or Spanish owned from Madrid etc).

Local infrastructure - supermarkets, bars/restaurants, gym, lakes, golf course etc

Prices - not daft!

The property styles appeal in Quesada too.

One place I am interested in is on the Calle Sierra Morena. As I do enjoy an evening in the bar still, and will often be in Spain on my own, is this sort of area sufficiently close to be able to walk to a few local bars and restaurants or is that area out toward the golf a bit part of the newer part and less "down town" to have amenities close walking distance?

Whilst renting would probably be advisable for the 1st 12 months or so, there is a temptation to crack on and buy if the right place comes up...Renting always seems dead money and even more so when I might only be there for 5-6 months of the 12 months rental. I could do a 6 month rent purely from Oct - March or so but not sure that gives a true reflection of the picture I face as owning somewhere and the freedom to come and go all year round.

Any input welcome - I appreciate my only question is about Calle Sierra Morena but any other advice welcome. I have read through the repeated Q&A's on here so as to hopefully not ask anything obvious and/or that you are sick of having to tell newbies!

All the best,

Phil
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Re: Another interested newbie

Postby Shiva » Mon Mar 19, 2018 10:41 am

OK, firstly I would say Quesada is a good area fitting much of what you say and crucially has easy access to a major airport, one that operates with flights all year round and not just summer ( Thanks to Benidorm!) That was the first and foremost element for us when we narrowed down areas due to a similar need for a lot of travelling. For someone on their own I would also say if you pick right place to live it can be that good mix - where there is plenty going on and opportunities to socialise if you feel like it but also keep to yourself when you want. Now I am sure people living in the Recorral area where the street you are talking about seems to be ( from the map anyway) will comment but it does strike me that that particular area could be a bit too isolated and far away from things for a lone person. You'd really need to have a good look around so while I can appreciate what you say about not wasting time renting , a couple of months renting in the winter would not break the bank and could really be well worth it to get a feel for Quesada geography and to avoid making an expensive mistake. It is very hilly in places ( and I for one would not want to be walking up the Calle Onda hill home from the pub...though I have met people who claim to have done it and survived ...) OK so we probably overdid the taking our time to choose the right area thing - rented around about , Santa pola, LA marina, benimar, Quesada etc ) for 6 winters before we bought in Benimar) but it meant no surprises. And in fact winter renting in this area is a good way to find out which areas may be more residential and hence not ghost towns etc . But I'm sure others will give good comments too.
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Re: Another interested newbie

Postby TonTri » Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:03 am

We bought our apartment 15 months ago and, like you plan to spend our winters here. This has been our first one here. We also chose Quesada for most of the reasons you have cited and we love it here. I honestly don't want to go back to the UK in a couple of weeks time.

I think most people on here will recommend renting to start with until you find the right place for you. There are quite a few area with a selection of pubs/shops/restaurants: La Marquesa by the golf course, Benimar, Lo Marabu area of Dona Pepa and the top of Dona Pepa by Coopers Arms to name a few. All of these have nice residential areas around them. It could be good to start by looking around these areas to find the style of property and area you like.

La Marquesa is our local area and is ideal, particularly I would think for singles as it is very sociable with always quite a few things going on. And Shiva, quite a lot of people do walk up Calle Onda and also Calle Santiago de la Ribera (aka Cardiac Hill), believe it or not. Not us I hasten to add as we aren't fit enough unfortunately.
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Re: Another interested newbie

Postby Shiva » Mon Mar 19, 2018 11:50 am

TonTri wrote:
La Marquesa is our local area and is ideal, particularly I would think for singles as it is very sociable with always quite a few things going on."
Actually right down by the golf course is a great area, and could be very good for someone on their own with easy access to pubs , restaurants , supermarket and level 10 -15 minute walk into Rojales. Some nice apartments and those lovely semi-detacheds overlooking the course . Busy enough all year round and best pub imo is Shenanigans.




TonTri wrote: And Shiva, quite a lot of people do walk up Calle Onda and also Calle Santiago de la Ribera (aka Cardiac Hill), believe it or not. Not us I hasten to add as we aren't fit enough unfortunately.


Oh I admire their stamina !!! I prefer a level walk home from the pub.
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Re: Another interested newbie

Postby PGA » Mon Mar 19, 2018 12:17 pm

Thank you for all your input - really useful and thought provoking.

The cautious side of me is leaning toward winter renting for this year and so I have posted on the property section seeking any suitable properties. Enquiries previously into renting was deterred by a 1 month "fee" for arranging a rental - so a 4 month or so rental costing an additional month as a result. I think ideally a rental arranged with a property owner directly may be more suitable. The other consideration was a need to have reliable internet to continue working seamlessly and I don't want to be at the mercy of another's connection only to find it to be below par and useless for the purpose which would render the whole idea impossible if I cannot work ok.

I appreciate I am not in the property section specifically here, but any recommendations on a reputable agent to look at with a view to a mid-term rental?

La Marquesa is of interest I must say and seems to fit the bill. I had not realised Rojales was so close and walkable. The idea of having a mixture of lively and less lively bars is appealing. Whilst I have central city life in the UK (which I still enjoy), I do like the idea of foreign time being nowhere near as hectic but equally do want to have some bars and restaurants in walking distance when I don't want to sit with a book or in front of a film of an evening. :text-thankyouyellow:
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Re: Another interested newbie

Postby Angela17 » Mon Mar 19, 2018 12:34 pm

We made the move to Quesada last year. Initially like you we wanted to rent to enable us to find the right area and the right property to buy. We also thought the same and didn't want to rent too long as we wanted to purchase a property and put our money into our place rather than someone elses.
We couldn't rent in Quesada as there was nothing available but we did secure a 3 month rental in the nearby town of Algorfa. We used the site HomeAway to arrange this:
https://www.homeaway.co.uk/lettings/spain/r58
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Re: Another interested newbie

Postby Shiva » Mon Mar 19, 2018 1:28 pm

Someone on this form may have a place for a winter let - so asking on here could be fruitful. Alternatively you could try looking on owners direct or homeaway etc for holiday lets and then email directly inquiring if they would consider a 4 month winter let and what would they charge. That's generally how we found places. We found that ***typically*** a winter let for between 3-6 months would usually cost per month what the fee per week would be in summer time. (Sometimes plus bills ) . Not terribly keen on rental agents as have encountered some not very nice ones here but someone on this forum may be able to give a positive recommendation .
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Re: Another interested newbie

Postby PGA » Mon Mar 19, 2018 5:38 pm

Thank you again all - have made a few inroads with those on here regarding a possible letting. I have also found an agent via the search function who seems to offer reasonably priced rentals and a good number on their books.

I agree that off-season rents seem to match a month for a week in peak. I have little desire to be in Quesada over summer months - I remember these in Denia and I in fact quite enjoy summer in the UK so will happily sit that out and return in October or so. If I do buy then I have the question mark of whether I let out my property in the high season or leave it locked up. A question for another day.
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Re: Another interested newbie

Postby TonTri » Mon Mar 19, 2018 5:53 pm

One thing to note is that, unless you plan on taking up Spanish residency, you cannot legally stay more than 183 days in any one year in Spain. We currently split ours up as 5 months in the winter and then a couple of weeks in early June. We find the summers here just too hot for us and, like you, enjoy summer in the UK (weather permitting ;) ).

As a footnote, we do let our apartment out in the summer. Last summer was our first and the income we received after tax paid for all the year's bills and that was only 14 weeks of letting. It's a matter of personal preference but is something you might consider once you've settled on a property.
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Re: Another interested newbie

Postby Busters Mum » Tue Mar 20, 2018 10:09 am

You can easily walk from Sierra Morena to the bars and restaurants on each side of the golf course and the supermarket, and also into Rojales itself if you’re feeling like a longer walk. Coming back, not quite so easy as you’ll have to walk up “Cardiac Hill” :D , but I’m sure you’ll manage it. It’s a good area to live.
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