As an avid reader of many forums relating to the area I have chosen to make my home (none as good as this, I hasten to add), I find some surprising posts about a place I have been visiting for the past seven years. It begs the question, Are there 2 Torreviejas? The one these people go to and the one I visit? Am I living in a parallel universe to these people?
Their Torrevieja is dangerous, crime-ridden, muggers on every street corner and they daren’t go to any of the markets because they will have their handbags snatched, wallets nicked, be conned by every trader they have the temerity to speak to and you will be left lying in the gutter bleeding from every bit of your body that can bleed.
My Torrevieja has a thriving street culture, wonderful markets with friendly stall-holders (alright, they’re trying to sell you something but what’s new?). The lookey-lookey men are a pleasant distraction and a polite no is immediately accepted. Never had anything nicked, camera bag strap slashed or seen any violence whatsoever.
Their Torrevieja has a home broken into every minute. One poster says every flat in his complex has been broken into (some several times) and the security guards and police totally ignore it.
My Torrevieja does have crime and I’m not denying it. However, my flat is only a couple of k away from the every flat broken into and there have been 3 burglaries in my street in the last 7 years. My new place, north of Torrevieja, is a new build and has had no break-ins at all. The security guard waves and smiles as he walks past and the police presence, in my new place and in Torrevieja, is very high and reassuring.
Their Torrevieja is, to paraphrase, a toilet and covered in graffiti.
My Torrevieja is a lively town with pleasant walks. I love the sea front with its vast diversity of reasonably priced restaurants and coffee bars, the walk from the port along the promenade to Playa de los Locos is a genuine treat. The hustle and bustle of the streets reminds me that I am in a different country and, even after 7 years, I’m still amazed at how different it all is, in a nice and friendly way. I have seen worse graffiti in many, many other European towns and cities and far, far worse in UK towns.
Their Torrevieja has a corrupt, racist police force who often beat up the British just because they can.
My Torrevieja has a police force that enforces the laws fairly and equally. I have had two brush ins with the police (1 Policia Local, 1 Guardia Civil) and they have been helpful, efficient and conscientious on both occasions. The Policia Local chap was very apologetic when he had to give me a parking ticket and the Guardia Civil gave me advice on how to contact the hire car company and helped me fill in the forms after a traffic accident.
Their Torrevieja is full of Spanish who hate the British, who don’t realise that they would still be riding donkeys and living in hovels if it wasn’t for all the money the Brits have brought into the area.
My Torrevieja has a smiling Spanish populace who go out of their way to help you if you have the decency to speak in their language. They give you advice on where to go, where not to go and where to obtain things if you they can’t help in that department. They are a hard-working people with a strong, family-orientated tradition.
Their Torrevieja has a Carrefour store where the assistants won’t help you, where you ask for things and are ignored, where the customer service won’t lift a finger.
My Torrevieja has a Carrefour where they explain about the goods, will walk to the aisle with you to show where things are, who deliver larger items the next day at the time they say and at no charge and where they apologise if something is not fit for purpose and change it there and then.
Their Torrevieja is too hot in the Summer and too cold in the Winter.
My Torrevieja also gets hot but I love it. Isn’t that why most Northern Europeans move there, anyway? It gets chilly but bearable and I very rarely have to wear a thick jacket except at night.
Their Torrevieja has dirty, sewage infested waters surrounding scrubby beaches filled with North Africans trying to steal all your belongings.
My Torrevieja has lovely, clean Blue Flag beaches lapped by the cooling, clear waters of the Mediterranean. All of them a joy to visit and anyone stuffing their belongings in their trainers whilst they go half a mile away to have a swim deserves to get their stuff nicked, if only to teach them a lesson.
I apologise for the lengthy post and I could go on about many things. I am sure I do not walk around with rose-tinted spectacles all the time and feel that I have made absolutely the right choice for my future home. Fortunately, my wife agrees with me. As another example, Their Torrevieja urbanisations are full of the neighbours from hell who have uprooted from sink estates in the UK to follow them here and make their life a misery.
My Torrevieja has lovely neighbours of many nationalities who are friendly, helpful and excellent company.
All I can say is, I’m glad I’m moving to My Torrevieja and not Their Torrevieja.