Torrevieja

New duplex townhouses with 3 bedrooms + 3 bathrooms, Solarium with sea & laguna views, and a large community pool. Next to the Torrevieja Hospital and all services & amenities. 5 minutes from the sea! Area Beautiful natural surroundings, year-round sun and a thriving social scene make Torrevieja one of the most popular expat destinations in Spain. Today it’s a thriving coastal resort, but until the 1980s Torrevieja was built on salt. The town is surrounded by two vividly coloured salt water lakes which were once the most important salt works in Europe. This natural resource was sent as far afield as Cuba; from there exporters returned with music, which is still celebrated in the Habaneras festival every year. You can now visit the lakes as part of a breathtaking nature reserve that is a great place to see the region’s bird life and visit the salt museum on the quayside to find out about their history. Torrevieja has since quadrupled its population and now stands at 105,000. Despite this rapid growth and an influx of international inhabitants, you will find a friendly and welcoming city which still manages to retain a distinctly ‘Spanish’ atmosphere. With five blue flag beaches in town, served by numerous restaurants and bars along with more secluded spots in which to while away the days you won’t find much to rival Torrevieja on the Costa Blanca. Winters are warm and summers are hot in Torrevieja, so for respite you might consider taking a stroll along the impressive Paseo de la Dique de Levante. This 1.5-kilometre-long breakwater in the harbour stretches out across a wooden boardwalk and offers soothing breezes in the summer heat. Property The town, and particularly the surrounding developments have much more to offer than hotels and high-rises, offering plenty of alternatives including smaller apartment complexes, bungalows and whitewashed villas. Health If you are coming to the area for the health benefits, unfortunately the restorative effects of the pretty pink salt lake is now forbidden. However excellent health care facilities abound locally, including a brand new Spanish National Health hospital and a variety of public and private health centres. Cost of Living Things are a little cheaper here than the average Spanish, and your grocery basket will cost about the same as if you were living up the coast in Valencia, although property is generally a lot cheaper in Torrevieja. Amenities Everything you need is in Torrevieja including banks, a town hall and leisure centres. There are plentiful shopping opportunities at the local shopping mall or grab a bargain at one of the largest street markets in Spain every Friday morning. Transport You will be within easy reach of the two local airports at Alicante and Murcia via the N-332 which runs through the centre of town. If you’re without transport, local buses have regular daily services to most major local towns and airports. Best of all, bus travel is free in town for residents holding a citizen card, or Tarjeta Cuidadano, which also gives you access to some superb local museums and galleries.