Looking at buying an apartment in an old block

Just a view but be thorough, the Spanish are lovely people but they are loud, social and dare I say this...have pets.

Just be well aware of the noise/social element of living in such a proximity.

This is not meant to be condescending or disrespectful, just walk the streets a number of times and then take a view, or better still, rent for a few weeks in an area/street you like...

Anthony 

Hi Tracey,

I was dubious about buying an older property but wanted something close to the beach, ended up buying a ground floor apartment in Santiago La Ribera, in a block that was built in 1979. It is 5 mins to the beach has all the shops you would need for everyday living, Lidle, Aldie, Mercadona ect within walking distance.

As Anthony said it can be noisy in the summer months July and August but you must remember that Spanish are on Holiday as well, and yes the like to enjoy themselves. But I do not see them getting drunk and fighting like many English do (I am English)

The Spanish community is fine and they always pass the time of day and will try to speak some English, however in the older properties t it is mainly middle aged and pensioners that live there as the property would have been in the family's since they were built.

You can get some good deals by buying older properties, the one I bought was on the market for 63.000 Euro, I offered 48.000 and it was accepted completed within 3 weeks.

There are some apartments near me for rent and sale so again as Anthony said rent and if you like it buy.

Hope this has been useful and you find your property

Kind regards

Ed

Excellent feedback Ed, what a super deal you had too.

We are looking to retire sometime in the future and perhaps looking to buy an apartment to rent, your price indication is a good indication for price negotiation, so thanks for the indication.

If you don`t ask you don`t get and they can always so no and negotiate from there.

The area is beautiful and still has that Spanish feel, it weird to see them sitting out on the street late at night and at times they are going out with their kids when we are heading home to bed !

Agree on the point about drunken BRITS, it happens in Wales too ! so glad we have avoided any of that.

Anthony

Hi Ed

You seem to have got a great bargain there!  How long ago was this?

We are aware of the 'vibrant' Spanish culture and the noise from locals and tourists (especially in holiday season) is expected and welcomed.  Part of this 'buzz' is why we are looking either in the town or by the beach.  We do not intend to hire a car for every visit, so also wanted to be in easy walking distance of all amenities.  (easy meaning very close in the summer heat!).

Good to know that the Spanish welcome neighbours.  One thing having us 'foreigners' buying up in urbanisations and contributing to the tourist industry, but wasn't sure how they felt about buying in to the older parts of town.  We don't really speak Spanish (yet) but have re-started our studies.  We did start to learn when we were last buying in Spain 7-10 years ago but are now very rusty.

This is to be a holiday home for us at first, with a view to spend more time once we can take early retirement.

Many thanks for the responses.

Tracey