Buying in Condado de Alhama

Hi all,

We're looking to but an apartment in Condado de Alhama and I found quite and old thread answering most of my questions, but I still wanted to double check in case anything has changed in the meantime. I'd like to know how other people who have bought property there are finding it, for example:

Are they easy to rent out short term?

Are there bars/restaurants nearby?

Are there grocery shops nearby?

Are there any plans to change/close down the golf course?

Have there been any problems/ safety concerns in the area?

Anything you wish you'd known before purchasing?

I appreciate all the information I can get! Thank you!

You would be much better off buying on Camposol ..that has all the amenities you are asking for...CDA is not a place you would pick to go on holiday...in answer  to all your questions  the reply would be no to all of the.

Hi Sonya, I suppose I have the complete opposite opinion of windtalker. I purchased on CDA and found it difficult to get any decent advise online beforehand, so hopefully this clears things up for you:

Are they easy to rent out short term?

Yes in Summer, as I suppose most places in Spain. We have been booked all summer. Winter doesn't see much tourism to the area so the odd booking here and there. (Camposol is 10 minutes down the road, so would likely see the same).

Are there bars/restaurants nearby?

Yep - several bars and eateries on site. Best restaurants are down on the Port (puerto de mazarron) - about 20 minutes drive. There are also great indian restaurants at Camposol.

Are there grocery shops nearby?

SPAR shop on resort - mercadona, lidl etc. all within driving distance.

Are there any plans to change/close down the golf course?

The golf course has recently reopened following closure over covid. Looks like a lot of time and money is going into it, which will hopefully be a great thing for the resort.

Have there been any problems/ safety concerns in the area?

Nothign major. Summertime see's a lot of Spanish tourists who stay for weeks / months on end. Kids get bored and the minority will cause some issues (breaking garden lamps etc.). Defintiely annoying and I think all owners would prefer it to not happen at all, but it doesnt make it a bad resort, and the issues we have have been dealt with by 24/7 security and the police. Outside of July / August doesnt really see any issues that I can note. At the end of the day its how you take it - I see it as I pay community fees to ensure my property is safe and secure and protected by patrolling security and CCTV year round, with well maintained gardens (we are on Jardins side) - the little issues havent affected me directly and I think it would be a rare case if you were.

Anything you wish you'd known before purchasing?

Be aware of the Non residents tax for renting out your property. Its high, but if you work your money right you can still make more than enough to pay your yearly community fees. 

In response to windtalker 'CDA is not a place you would pick to go on holiday', I think that is entirely wrong. Yes it depends what you want from a holiday, but CDA is perfectly situated between the mountains of the Sierra Espuna where you can do a lot of adventure activities, and the coast with gorgeous beaches - Yes you will likely need a car if you want to go off resort, but the area has enough going on to keep anyone happy. If you prefer chilled days on the roof terrace reading a book, or chilling in the pool, then you dont need to leave resort at all.

Hope this helps give you a bit more of an insight!

In reply  to Conors post the port of Mazarron is a 25 minute  drive up the motorway at 70 mph ...Condo has very  little in the way of amenities....on Condo you pay Council Tax and Community fees of approximately £2,300 per year on camposol which  has all the amenities and you only pay Council Tax my council tax on a large 3 bed 3 bathroom detached  villa with swimming pool comes to £350 for the year Camposol is classed as a urbanisation  and thousands  of people  live permanently all year round places like The Condo or nick name as its called the sugar cubes locally due to square construction..the Condo has very few permanently based residents and like most big sites like this that was built by polaris world tend to turn into a ghost town in the winter  months...remember the old saying think twice and part with your money once. 

Condado is a 20 or 25 minute drive to the beaches, it's also 15 minutes to Sierra Espuna and 30 minutes for to door to the airport. It's well positioned and on good motorway routes.

With regards to annual costs, my apartment is 1000 euros per year, plus utilities, although it does vary a lot not depending on where you are on the resort. For that we get high steed internet and Tv, security, well maintained gardens and roads, loads of clear well maintained pools, childrens playgrounds, there are about 10 bars and restaurants on site many which remain open all year round - there are a growing number of permanent residents, probably close to 1000 now I'd guess. In contrast, Camposols roads are often damaged by flooding and not repaired because the council won't take ownership. Street lighting is so bad in places that residents have to put their own up or risk being burgled. That's why fees on Camposol are low, they don't yet pay community fees (seems like there's talk about that happening though).

Camposol has better amenities such as cheaper supermarket, medical center, some nice bars and restaurants, etc, but it's only 5-10 mins from Condado - not much further than the walk from the farthest places on Camposol itself. I've been at Condado for ten years now and best thing I even did, I simply wouldn't choose Camposol over Condado.

Lost of new builds are happening on Condado right now, new bigger villas, apartments, etc. there is new investment in the golf course to bring it back to its best, a new golf club house is being built ready for next year, a 400 unit apart hotel, new football stadium and semi professional football pitches - so lots happening. Choose wisely and remember that saying, you get what you pay for! :)

Hi 

I purchased on condado I did look at camposol but it wasn't for me. We pay fees etc but cda is spotless Co.pared to camposol. The gardens look fantastic and 14 pools to choose. The bars and restaurants are great and more to cone. Lots more building starting new apartments and golf club. Plus all the other bits going on. And when I sit on my balcony with unspoiled views of the sierra espuna mountains with a beer its heaven. New pharmacy opened yesterday so it's a great place.

Kevin 

The annual cost of my flat is 1000 euros, including utilities, however this may vary somewhat depending on where in the resort you are. In exchange, we receive high-speed internet and television, security, immaculate roads and gardens, numerous clean, well-maintained swimming pools, children's play areas, and approximately ten bars and restaurants on the property, many of which are open year-round. The number of long-term residents is increasing, probably approaching 1000 at this point.

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