quasada or villamartin

Having read about all the kerfuffle that went on earlier in the year re: thefts, squatting, stolen electricity, etc, I'm beginning to wonder whether we are doing the right thing by buying an apt at Mar Y Sol, and yet you all sound so-ooo lovely it would be a shame if we are put off.
What's the story now, folks?
Jill

Dont be put off Jill. There have been, I think, 4 breakins and there are 164 apartments. I'm not very good at sums, but I'm sure they're pretty good odds!

Electricity; well just look upon the 'donation' to Palacios as a goodwill gesture and move on.

The people we've met have all been lovely. We're all trying to make a new life for ourselves, whether it's a holiday home or a permanent home, doesn't matter. Its the sun, the different pace of life and the challenge of learning Spanish - yes we must learn!!!

If you were to do a chart of the pro's and con's. I don't which side of my list would be longest!

Irene

Hi All

Don't really like to post bad news but the break-ins are still happening.

We heard over the weekend that our apartment had been broken in to. Not really sure how BUT we don't have bars and grills fitted yet. (I really don't like them but may have to come to terms with that) Apparently our kitchen door was left open by the thieves (it cannot be closed from the outside as there is no handle) but it was not damaged. The door is about 20 feet off the ground as we have a basement.

We are not really sure what is missing, apart from our brand new (bought at the end of Dec.) 32in.flat screen TV ! Did they watch that being delivered, I wonder?

Well, no doubt we will find out more when we are out for our long stay next month, but I must say that I am extremely upset. I have managed to live 63 years in the UK without anything like this happening (luck,I suppose) and for it to happen after just 6 months of owning a property in Spain is beyond belief.

Mike has taken it much better than me, but it has certainly taken the shine off our new life in Spain.

Gloria

Hi Gloria

That's a real shame and I am very sorry to hear about it. I think the reason that the apartments are vulnerable is because the majority are empty for a good part of the year. At home neighbours see the comings and goings, but until more people move in permanently, which I hope will happen, there are plenty of opportunities for thieves.

We got grills fitted back and front. You are right, it's a shame that we had to do it, but it has brought a bit of peace of mind and you do get used to them.

I hope you were insured!

Let's hope things get better when the building work is finished.

When are you out there again? We're there for a short visit third week of feb.

Irene

Hi Irene,

We are going to be out for 8 weeks  from 7th Feb. as Mike is going to semi-retire. We had hoped to spend increasing amouts of time there over the next few years. Maybe even selling up in the UK if that seems practical at the moment!

Yes, we are insured, but it's just the thought of someone being in my apartment that is so upsetting.

I'm sure that you are right about the vulnerability of the apartments. We have only ever seen about 4 or 5 occupied  in our block whilst we have been there., and of couse the back is really open (thats what we liked about it!)

It just seems that our spanish dream is a little tarnished at the moment.

Gloria

To Gloria and Mike.

So sorry to hear of your break in.

I was unsure about having grills fitted but i think i have made up my mind now.

I hope you have a good time on your next visit and do not let some low-life spoil your future plans.

Kind regards

Sue

 

This message was last edited by twiggy on 1/21/2008.

To Gloria And Mike

Sorry to hear about your bad news

How did you here about the break in, to your apartment

and do you know if there is any more apartment that have had a break in

Look like i will be out there same time as you i will be going out there late Feb just for a week

hope you have a good holiday

Brenda Dennis

Thanks Sue,

I hate to say it but you are right to consider having grills fitted. How I have changed my tune, I was always very anti grills as I said I didn't want to live in a prison but  sad to say it seems that we don't have much choice!!!!

I'm not quite sure how I feel about Spain at the moment and it's not just what has happened to us, which in the scheme of things is pretty minor after all. I have been having second thoughts after hearing about the demolition of the Prior's property in Vera. I understand that thousands of homes are under threat despite the owners having all the legal paperwork. Instead of going after the officials who gave the permission they decide to purnish the poor souls who have spent their life savings on a 'better life' Well, if thats Spain i'm not sure I want any part of it. We should all feel outraged on their behalf. The regional goverment needs to be sent a message that the ex-pats are not going to stand for this disgraceful behaviour.

Sorry, rant over!!!!

Maybe we will meet up soon

Gloria

Hi Mike and Gloria

Sorry to hear about your break in, I experienced it once in the UK and know that it it very upsetting.  Hope you have better news when we see you both in February.

Hi Gloria and Mike.

Sorry to hear about your hard luck. I still think that most of the Mar Y sol and Brisas del Mar (as we are) owners are the nicest bunch of people and will eventually have a strong presence there. Dont let these low lifes get to you !!!! Formentera is a gem of a place !!

 

Marie and Adrian

Hi Gloria & Mike

Really sorry to hear that,  grilles or no grilles they knew what they wanted may be they came through the front door?  have you changed the locks? no damage to the back door sounds a bit  strange, hope things work out for you.  Alan

Thank you all for your good wishes. Yes I also think that all the owners are great people and we look forward to meeting a lot more of you in the coming months.

Alan- I really can't see how they came through the front door as we did change the locks last June and there has not been any damage. I know that they were kicking in the front doors last year. I suppose it will remain a mystery unless we find out more when we are over in a few weeks time.

Gloria

Gloria and Mike,

I have also been following the message threads about the Prior's property in Vera, and I cannot begin to understand how they (or other people facing the same fate) must feel.

Sue

Alan,

They didn't come through the front door, I can guarantee that!  I had special high security locks fitted when we moved in and have since fortified it internally so that a tank would have a problem getting through.  They must have come all tooled up with ladders to get in the back, so someone new for certain that we had only just had a new TV delivered.  They may have taken more, we don't yet know, but we will see when we get there.  They were definitely not opportunist, just the usual scum that seem to crawl out from under every rock wherever you are these days..

Mike

Hi Gloria and Mike,

Sorry to hear about your break in, try not to let it spoil your future plans.

We had already decided even though were going to be on the second floor (Brisas del Mar) to have grills, especially after we heard about the break in's last year.  We would like to have peace of mind - there is more development yet to happen directly in front of our apartment.

Regards

Sharron and Chris

 

 

Hi Gloria & Mike

Any further news on the break-in?

Irene

Hi,

Yes, there was little damage, but the new TV was missing and some jewellery Gloria left there.  The damage and TV are covered, but not the jewellery.  We think our own home insurance may cover it (hope!).

Mike

PS e-mailing from the Liffey Bar.

Have you any idea how they gained entry?

Irene

They inserted a screwdriver in the top of the kitchen door and forced down the top catch, which opened the rest.  We are having a grille fitted across the whole area tomorrow, as we hadn´t realised it was so vulnerable.  Would suggest everyone do something to secure the kitchen entry.

 

Mike

Just thoght I would say that we have been back over for 2 weeks of our 8 week stay now.  We are getting use to things a bit more though the weather hasn`t been too great (dry, cool and cloudy), but the last couple of days have been good.  A meeting has been called to discuss costs etc next Thursday at 20.00 for blocks 1 & 2, so we will see how things go.

Mike

(PS - e-mailing from the Liffey Bar)