Hi all,

New to this forum. My partner and I are thinking of moving to Condado de Alhama. What we would like to know is this....is it a thriving community or have the recent financial problems left it somewhat depleted. We would hate to buy a nice apartment only to find out that nobody is in the complex. Any advice would be gratefully recieved.

 

Hi

I too am thinking of buying on condado even though the data coming out from spain(house prices still falling etc) tells me otherwise. I have visited condado twice recently and have been hugely impressed with the community in terms of friendliness, the facilities and how well maintained it is. The site seems to be expanding too with more restaraunts for example. I am a bit nervous but do expect to buy. Hope this helps.

 Hi,

Yes there is a very good community on condado with a growing number of residents which is increasing all the time.  If you are a golfer that join the society ( cdagolf.com ) which has a large membership and organises many social events throughout the year.  If you've not a golf, then with one of the best courses on your door step moving here should be your psuh to start playing.

See condadodealhamenews.com for all the latest information.

 

CDA is a strange entity in many ways. Statistically and set against the context of the Spanish economy it should be dying and in the ICU receiving life support. I bought back in 2008 at top dollar prices and there was a time in late 2009 early 2010 when we all feared collapse especially when the developer Polaris went into administration. Worrying times and there are still a few on here that remain disappointed in what they invested in when you comparing what was offered to what has been delivered.

The original model of expensive properties and lavish lifestyle is a distant memory now and has no place in current foreign property investment for the ordinary working person who are the majority buyers. Those places that only offer that type of deal are dying and will never recover their former glory, or not at least for 10 or more years, the economy just won't support it as real wage values have fallen a long way and will continue to do so for a while yet.

That's where CDA comes into its own. It was aimed at the baby boomers who have a bit of cash in their pockets. The age profile of the owners is mainly in the 40 - 60 bracket who required practically designed apartments that are cheap to maintain and easy to live in with great facilities on your doorstep. Even in the peak of the market they weren't expensive compared to some others but at today's rock bottom prices they are a bargain, even though most now need some tidying as they have been left for 4 years or more now.

The really strange thing is that most owners really love the place and that feeling is infectious. I can't put my finger on why that is, perhaps it is the beauty of locality or the amazing beaches and wildlife. Out of season you are guaranteed peace and quiet which is my favourite time to visit. The summer season is almost manic now and with the heat is too hot for me. We now have very good entertainment and eateries on site and expanding all the time. I would also say that this is true of the local Port area that too has improved in the last couple of years. CDA and the local area is reversing the trend of decline that has gripped some other areas of Spain. (Did you watch the Top Gear programme last week that featured Spain, worth watching as it sums the state of the country up well).

Do I regret buying, no chance. Did I buy as an investment, yes but not in financial terms more in quality of life terms. Would I buy now in the current climate, yes especially at these prices. Word of caution, if you have cash you cant go wrong, if you are borrowing on a mortgage, be more wary as it may be some time before you see growth on the investment that would justify interest payments.

There are lots of places to buy and some of the coastal areas are very attractive. However, CDA represents these days a very safe place to buy which is well looked after and in good hands. If nothing else happens and development stays as it is, then most people would be happy with that. However, if and it is a big if the Paramount theme park and Corvera airport open, then the whole area and our complex will expand rapidly. For the financial investor this will be good. For the quality of life investor like me I am less certain. At that stage might be the time to cash in and move on, but I think that is some way off.

I realise this is is a bit lengthy, but if I was looking at CDA to buy into, I would appreciate a comment that paints a broader picture other than the state of the restaurants and pools etc. Best advice, rent an apartment and see for yourself.
Jon Faulkner

 Thank you John. That was a very comprehensive answer and just the thing I was looking for. As we intend to live there year round, the only bit that worried me was the bit about summer being manic but that's to be expected and I'm sure I'll find a way to avoid a lot of that. Thanks for your reply and you never know we may meet sometime in the future at the golf club !!!

 

This message was last edited by craig46 on 21/07/2013.

Don't worry to much. My idea of manic is having to share my swimming pool with someone, not something more akin to Benidorm!

Jon Faulkner's post is excellent and absolutely sums up the place and the strange way our resort seems to be flourishing in a contracting economic situation. It is not as it was originally planned, far from it, but it seems to have developed and gone from strength to strength nonetheless. It is pristine, well run and certainly worth a punt. Go for it!