Can't relocate to Puerto de la Cruz - others areas similar?

[ginandmilk]

Hi,

For some time we have been considering moving to Tenerife and our hearts were set on Puerto de la Cruz. The reason we like it so much is because there's more greenery (I know there's more rain), and it's more traditional and less touristy than other parts. However, we have come to realise that on my husband's pension of £26K, we won't be able to get the kind of property we would like. We would like to live in a house, (we've heard that noise can be an issue in apartments) but all the properties seem to be really small. We visited Orotava, Los Realjos, Santa Cruz, but they were either too steep, too expensive, or just not what we're after. We saw a property in Tacaronte that looked nice, but it was too isolated for us.

I know I sound really fussy - if money was no object it would be a house in La Paz, however I don't know of any others to consider looking at. We're not really Los Christianos people if you know what I mean, but do any of you have other suggestions of what might be available - and is it true about noise levels in apartments?

Thanks

[cressrt]

You haven't said what you are looking to spend, do you intend getting a mortgage? There are many areas on the island to look at but without more information as to you requirements it will be difficult to give recommendations on areas. Hills will always be there as we live on a large volcano, the main flat areas are to be found on the tourist areas. Yes apartments and complexes are usually noisy, especially in the tourist areas, but there are always places that will be OK.
The better option would be to rent initially and take your time looking around the island, there will be something there for you.

[ginandmilk]

You haven't said what you are looking to spend, do you intend getting a mortgage? There are many areas on the island to look at but without more information as to you requirements it will be difficult to give recommendations on areas. Hills will always be there as we live on a large volcano, the main flat areas are to be found on the tourist areas. Yes apartments and complexes are usually noisy, especially in the tourist areas, but there are always places that will be OK.
The better option would be to rent initially and take your time looking around the island, there will be something there for you.

Sorry, figures would have been a good idea! We reckon we could afford 1000 euros on rent, as for socialising etc, we're simple souls really and wouldn't intend on spending a fortune dining out etc.

I know what you mean about the hills, we're in Yorkshire so we are used to them, and the hills in PDC were OK too, but La Orotava in the heat really is in a league of it's own. The plan is to rent, we wouldn't want to buy a property out there in case we needed to come back although I know renting can be dead money in some ways.

Thanks for your reply by the way

[Sharmey]

To be honest I think its the luck of the draw who your neighbours are

We have an apartment in Tejina, Guia de Isora, in a small local street, there are only 4 apts over two floors in each block and we are on the top floor, (we would never live under anyone again)! But we can sometimes hear the people below scrap the chairs when they move and slam doors when they go out, but after a while you get used to it

As the windows and patio doors are open most of the time, we hear the dogs barking, cockerels crowing at all hours, and younger drivers from neighbouring houses making more noise, but again you switch of to it after a while

So even if you lived in a house you will have issues with noise, unless you are more remote and have no neighbours!!

[ginandmilk]

To be honest I think its the luck of the draw who your neighbours are

We have an apartment in Tejina, Guia de Isora, in a small local street, there are only 4 apts over two floors in each block and we are on the top floor, (we would never live under anyone again)! But we can sometimes hear the people below scrap the chairs when they move and slam doors when they go out, but after a while you get used to it

As the windows and patio doors are open most of the time, we hear the dogs barking, cockerels crowing at all hours, and younger drivers from neighbouring houses making more noise, but again you switch of to it after a while

So even if you lived in a house you will have issues with noise, unless you are more remote and have no neighbours!!

The outside noise such as cars, birds etc I can cope with. It's just that we were warned about the noise levels due to lack of carpets etc a while ago and it's kind of stuck!

You're right about it being pot luck though. The walls where we are now are thin, but we've got really quiet neighbours so it isn't a problem. I don't think I could stay otherwise.

[ronniecee]

I have to agree with Cressrt, you havent mentioned whether you have any savings but it sounds as if you are looking to buy? my partner and I, both retired, rented and took our time to look around the island. It is cheaper in the North ( more green and yes, a little more rain ) the houses and apartments are also cheaper, but basically the temperatures are pretty stable. We finally decided on a small municipality called La Guancha, just 5,448 people ( very Spanish ) but that's what it's all about isn't it? Just 20 minutes from Puerto de la Cruz, the house was well within our price range and therefore we had enough over for some small renovations. As a side note, it was only recently that the law changed here on the island regarding joining walls, you probably will not find a double wall between you and your neighbour in either an apartment or a house!! so be prepared. There are plenty of web sites where you can view properties to rent/buy on the island and if you are having difficulty then please private message me for some addresses. Good luck and all the best in your search.

[DrScouse]

Have you looked in El Toscal or Santa Úrsula? Very near Puerto de la Cruz.

[ginandmilk]

Hi, I did mention in a previous post that we would be renting, and we will have the equity from the sale of our house (which isn't mortgage free) as savings. I will take a look at the area you mentioned, as somewhere traditional is certainly what we're after.
Thanks for your reply btw

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Have you looked in El Toscal or Santa Úrsula? Very near Puerto de la Cruz.

For some bizarre reason we've never visited either when we've been to Tenerife, but I can't remember why. Are they easily accessible by bus? If not, that might be why we didn't go, but I'll take a look online now.
Thank you

[DrScouse]

Santa Úrsula has the 101 bus going through pretty much every half hour and terminating in Puerto, and you can also get the 102 from the motorway. El Toscal has a few bus services aswell, but I can't remeber the names now. It is defo worth an explore.

[ginandmilk]

Santa Úrsula has the 101 bus going through pretty much every half hour and terminating in Puerto, and you can also get the 102 from the motorway. El Toscal has a few bus services aswell, but I can't remeber the names now. It is defo worth an explore.

I'm stumped as to why we didn't visit Santa Ursula in that case. I've looked online and it looks really nice!

[ronniecee]

I'm stumped as to why we didn't visit Santa Ursula in that case. I've looked online and it looks really nice!

Me again!!, just moved from Santa Ursula to La Guancha, sorry to say that we were not happy there at all, we rented for a year ( with charges etc, came to about 1000 euros a month ) the place was damp and cold from Nov through to March, the most fantastic views you could ever wish for looking across the La Oratavo valley down to Pto Cruz and some nice restaurants down in the high street but that was about it, so happy that we moved away. Just my experience. Hope you find what your looking for and are happy there wherever you choose.

[cressrt]

Jump on the local bus from PdeLC that goes through all the small towns and villages and see what takes your fancy, there are lots of places to look at, in both directions!

[ginandmilk]

Me again!!, just moved from Santa Ursula to La Guancha, sorry to say that we were not happy there at all, we rented for a year ( with charges etc, came to about 1000 euros a month ) the place was damp and cold from Nov through to March, the most fantastic views you could ever wish for looking across the La Oratavo valley down to Pto Cruz and some nice restaurants down in the high street but that was about it, so happy that we moved away. Just my experience. Hope you find what your looking for and are happy there wherever you choose.

Oh what a shame it didn't work out for you in Santa Ursula, and doesn't it just go to show how misleading photos can be! At least you didn't buy the property you were in and it sounds as though it all worked out for the better in the end. Fingers crossed we do find something somewhere. Sometimes I can be really positive about it, and then there are times where I think it will never happen!