Long Term Rentals in Costa Blanca

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by Eva33

Thanks! This for sure does help. If I trust the Internet there seem to be many "pisos" for rent!
Question for Costa Blanca residents: Which would you recommend: Benidorm, Denia, Altea or Oliva? I need a place with a primary school and possibly a life without (or nealy without....) a car. Working is not an issue.

Denia or Oliva

Benidorm is nice to visit, but apparently can be a nightmare to live in, especially July & August. Altea is lovely also, but is getting built on everywhere.

Denia & Oliva are likely to be better priced
Less built up
Excellent transport links

[Eva33]

Originally Posted by Stravinsky

Denia or Oliva

Benidorm is nice to visit, but apparently can be a nightmare to live in, especially July & August. Altea is lovely also, but is getting built on everywhere.

Denia & Oliva are likely to be better priced
Less built up
Excellent transport links

I did finally choose Alicante! I am not made for "Pueblo Life" and we (me, my wife, and 4 year old) would like to try to integrate with the Spanish population and not live in an ex-pat ghetto. I don't know if it will work..... My wife (Filipina) already did observe that the Spaniards always seam to be angry when they talk.... Also respect for older people does not seam to be fashion over here. She was shocked when they all called me by my first name, and not "Sir" as in the Philippines. Personally this is not important to me, but it is kind of interesting that a poor third world country over all shows better education as an European, developed country such as Spain.
We did rent a very nice flat, 100 meter from a big shopping center, with a Carrefour, school (200m away) and all other things one can need. 3 bedrooms, 130 m2 and a terrace of 120m2! 900 per month. Beach and central market is 15 minutes away with bus, no need for a car. This is not a lifestyle, which can suit everybody, but we will try it out.
For our papers (I am Swiss) I did go the "Estranjeria" :-( The policemen did start yelling at me, because he could not understand what I wanted - My Spanish is actually quite good, but I think this was his "policy". There was a line of at least 250 people! This was at 08:30 AM. One men from Bolivia told me he was there since 01:00 AM. He did bring a blanket in order to sleep on the floor. I did go straight back home and did call a lawyer. He will fix all for me. It will cost money, but I cannot stand in line for 10 hours, about 5 of them in the bright sun.

I will keep on posting of my experience. Just to repeat for those, which did not read my earlier posts: I am a Swiss national, married to a Philippine national and we have a little boy. I did live in Spain before; I have a NIE, but no residency. My wife has nothing, just a tourist visa.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by Eva33

I did finally choose Alicante! I am not made for "Pueblo Life" and we (me, my wife, and 4 year old) would like to try to integrate with the Spanish population and not live in an ex-pat ghetto. I don't know if it will work..... My wife (Filipina) already did observe that the Spaniards always seam to be angry when they talk.... Also respect for older people does not seam to be fashion over here. She was shocked when they all called me by my first name, and not "Sir" as in the Philippines. Personally this is not important to me, but it is kind of interesting that a poor third world country over all shows better education as an European, developed country such as Spain.
We did rent a very nice flat, 100 meter from a big shopping center, with a Carrefour, school (200m away) and all other things one can need. 3 bedrooms, 130 m2 and a terrace of 120m2! 900 per month. Beach and central market is 15 minutes away with bus, no need for a car. This is not a lifestyle, which can suit everybody, but we will try it out.
For our papers (I am Swiss) I did go the "Estranjeria" :-( The policemen did start yelling at me, because he could not understand what I wanted - My Spanish is actually quite good, but I think this was his "policy". There was a line of at least 250 people! This was at 08:30 AM. One men from Bolivia told me he was there since 01:00 AM. He did bring a blanket in order to sleep on the floor. I did go straight back home and did call a lawyer. He will fix all for me. It will cost money, but I cannot stand in line for 10 hours, about 5 of them in the bright sun.

I will keep on posting of my experience. Just to repeat for those, which did not read my earlier posts: I am a Swiss national, married to a Philippine national and we have a little boy. I did live in Spain before; I have a NIE, but no residency. My wife has nothing, just a tourist visa.

Most Spaniards are loud .... it doesn't necessarily mean they are shouting at you
Im not sure that not calling you Sir means the Spanish nation is less educated than a third world country though

Well please keep us informed of your journey and how you find Alicante

[Eva33]

Originally Posted by Stravinsky

Most Spaniards are loud .... it doesn't necessarily mean they are shouting at you

I know , but for my wife it's the first time in Spain.

Originally Posted by Stravinsky

Im not sure that not calling you Sir means the Spanish nation is less educated than a third world country though

Of course, but it is still a fact that generally speaking, formal education is much more traditional in the Philippines. Personally I do not really consider the spanish way as negative, because even if the Filipinos call you Sir and give you a big smile, many of them will not hesitate to cheat you or maybe even worst.

Originally Posted by Stravinsky

Well please keep us informed of your journey and how you find Alicante

Until now I found Alicante a great place, but I am only here since a week. Not to big, but still a good size city. And quite cheaper cost of living as Barcelona or even Tarragona.

[Stravinsky]

Originally Posted by Eva33

I know , but for my wife it's the first time in Spain.



Of course, but it is still a fact that generally speaking, formal education is much more traditional in the Philippines. Personally I do not really consider the spanish way as negative, because even if the Filipinos call you Sir and give you a big smile, many of them will not hesitate to cheat you or maybe even worst.



Until now I found Alicante a great place, but I am only here since a week. Not to big, but still a good size city. And quite cheaper cost of living as Barcelona or even Tarragona.

Ive got to admit I dont know Alicante that well. Its somewhere we pass on the way to the airport
Ive been only a few times and found it a bit overpowering for some reason. Seemed very condensed. I'm guessing from what you say you're not right in the centre though?

[Eva33]

Originally Posted by Stravinsky

Ive got to admit I dont know Alicante that well. Its somewhere we pass on the way to the airport
Ive been only a few times and found it a bit overpowering for some reason. Seemed very condensed. I'm guessing from what you say you're not right in the centre though?

Hi Stravinsky,
You are right, we are about 10 minutes by car from the center, in a kind of futuristic new Neighborhood. The center of Alicante is quite small, old and actually nothing really special.
There is a very nice beach front with decent restaurants. But the city has expanded tremendously, actually too much, because there are so many flats for rent and for sale, that I nearly could not believe it. It will probably getting more in this direction, since the spanish government will put a nearly complete stop to the immigration of foreign workers starting from 2009.

I am aware that this kind of life is probably not the one most foreigners, which come to Spain, are looking for. Me also, I never did live this kind of lifestyle before and also, I am only for 10 days in Alicante, so I really can not give any kind of valid opinion until now.

While living in Tarragona, my house was right in "primera linea" with the beach in front. I think in the time of four years, I went to the beach not more then a douzen times..... But I also had to take my car to buy a bread and had other negative experiences, mostly due to the intolerance of Catalan nationalistic people, which seams to be different over here.
But let's see, if after a while it's no good, we will move on.

[pepesmith]

Are you still looking for somewhere to stay?

QUOTE=TinaP;37711]Hi there. We are hoping to move to Costa Blanca later this year and are currently looking at various properties for long term rent.

We have found one that we like in Playa Flamenca but not sure about the area.

I have family who live near Alcoy in Northern CB and wondered if anyone knew of any rentals near Denia, Oliva etc?

Either private or agency - but would need 2 bed villa with private garden - also one dog allowed!

We are hoping to come over within the next few weeks so if we can line up some viewings that would be fantastic

Thanks for your help!
Tina[/QUOTE]

[Pasanada]

I really wouldn't recommend Playa Flamenca, it's crime ridden and hardly what I'd call "Spain". Each to their own but its definitely NOT my cup of tea!

[Eva33]

Originally Posted by pepesmith

Are you still looking for somewhere to stay?

QUOTE=TinaP;37711]Hi there. We are hoping to move to Costa Blanca later this year and are currently looking at various properties for long term rent.

We have found one that we like in Playa Flamenca but not sure about the area.

I have family who live near Alcoy in Northern CB and wondered if anyone knew of any rentals near Denia, Oliva etc?

Either private or agency - but would need 2 bed villa with private garden - also one dog allowed!

We are hoping to come over within the next few weeks so if we can line up some viewings that would be fantastic

Thanks for your help!
Tina

[/QUOTE]

No, that's it, we have a place in Alicante town. Alicante town is a great place, with all the advantages of the surrounding pueblos (Beach etc.) but also the commodities of a real mid-size town.
There are plenty of rentals available. Of course if you are looking for less expensive and still very good, there is less choice. My experience is, that even if they write: "NO dogs” you can still negotiate, since they have trouble to find solvent renters. I think if I would have to start looking again, I would first choose an area and then drive around to look at the "Alquiler" signs hanged out at the houses. There is always a phone number. This way you do not loose your time at looking at flats in neighborhoods where do not want to live anyway.

P.S. I WOULD NOT RENT JUST BY WEBSITE OR OWNER/AGENCY CONTACT. I HAD A BIG SURPRISE THAT WAY, WHEN SEEING THE "REAL HOUSE" AND LOST 600 EUROS RESERVATION FEE.

[Paulita]

Hi Tina

I have a property with 2 beds 1 bathroom and a private garden that I am happy to have a dog for rent in a town called Benichmbla. If its not too far away from where you are looking let me know and I can give you some more info. I am only looking for 400 euros a month plus bills.

Paula