Frequently Asked Questions
Daily life in Ciudad Patricia
Which are the formulae to live in the Apartamentos Ciudad Patricia?
You can live in our resort in three different ways, namely via the purchase of the usufruct (uso vitalicio), via the purchase in ownership or via renting (for more information please read our brochure).
Do I have to be an official resident of Spain to live in the Apartamentos Ciudad Patricia?
No, you are not obliged to be a resident in Spain.
Who lives in Ciudad Patricia?
Ciudad Patricia is a very international resort. There are Dutch, Belgians, Englishmen and Germans and some Spaniards, Norwegians and Swiss.
Is there a minimum age to live in Ciudad Patricia?
The resort is created for senior citizens (pensioners). The minimum age is 55 years in order to guarantee a quiet atmosphere in the resort.
Where can my guests spend the night?
There are a lot of hotels near the resort. Ciudad Patricia has made an agreement with Hotel Deloix that is situated at five minutes walk from Ciudad Patricia. This hotel applies special tariffs for the visitors of our residents. Hotel Deloix is a beautiful four stars hotel that offers all services, both for young and old people.
How do the residents participate?
Every two years the residents choose the members of the Board of Residents, which frequently consults the owners of the Apartmentos Ciudad Patricia. They also choose the Audit Committee; these people study and control the association’s budget and the service costs.
Apartmentos Ciudad Patricia attaches great importance to the residents. Each year a resident general assembly is organized. This is an assembly in which the expenses and the association’s current business are discussed. Next to this yearly official meeting, the residents can always contact our coordinator - who is the contact person of the residents - about their questions, desires and complaints.
Park and surrounding area
How is Apartamentos Ciudad Patricia located?
Apartamentos Ciudad Patricia is located in a 100.00 m² quiet and green park at the foot of the Sierra Helada just outside Benidorm. About 20 years ago these projects were developed on a very large scale which nowadays is a great benefit for the residents.
How can I reach Apartamentos Ciudad Patricia?
You can easily reach the resort from the A7 highway (10 minutes) and form the Alicante airport (50 km). You take the exit Benidorm Levante. By car you follow the signs Munomar Aqualandia or Benidorm Palace until you see the “Ciudad Patricia” sign. Bus number 11 also has a bus stop next to the central building of Ciudad Patricia that goes to the centre and the beach of Benidorm each hour between 07.30 hr and 21.30 hr.
for the route description.
Are there any golf courts in the neighbourhood?
Golf-lovers can live it up in two golf courts which are situated in the direct neighbourhood of Apartamentos Ciudad Patricia, near Terra Mítica. In a radius of 45 km you find even five courts more.
Apartments
How big are the apartments?
The surface area varies between 85 m² and 200 m².
How many bedrooms do the apartments have?
Most of the apartments have two bedrooms. Some of the apartments have 1 or 3 bedrooms.
I like to be outdoors. Do the apartments have gardens or a terrace?
Each apartment has a terrace and some have their own garden.
In which state are the apartments?
The apartments are delivered completely renovated. They have new floors, kitchen, bathroom, air conditioning with heating and electric sun blinds.
I would like to have my car parked in the garage and I would like some storage space for my things.
In that case you can hire or buy “uso vitalicio” one of our very big garages (about 30 m²).
Facilities
Does Apartmentos Ciudad Patricia have its own indoor swimming pool?
Apartmentos Ciudad Patricia has got three own outdoor swimming pools. The Deloix hotel, which is very close, disposes of its own wellness centre that you can make use of.
Which kind of facilities does the Apartmentos Ciudad Patricia offer?
In the park you can find a lot of sports facilities such as swimming pools, a tennis court, a midget golf and petanca. In the central building you can use the library (with internet connection), an excellent restaurant and cafeteria with fantastic views on the valley. In the resort there is also a supermarket and a bank. Twice a week you can participate in the gymnasium, and in summer the programme offers aquajogging (aquarobics). Moreover our coordinator regularly organises various activities and excursions and the residents themselves like to take initiatives in the organisation of events. As more, the bus to Benidorm stops in front of the resort.
Is the park safe?
Ciudad Patricia is famous for its security. Each of the four blocks of apartments has got its own caretaker who keeps an eye on the building. Besides, the resort closes at night and a porter controls the park during the night.
Can I use internet?
You can make free use of the internet computer in the central building or you can log in with your portable PC into the wireless network of the resort.
Can we receive English television?
Yes, you can receive many English and other international channels.
Services and health care
What kind of services does the medical centre offer?
The medical service centre aims to support and/or to make daily life of the residents of Ciudad Patricia more pleasant. The centre offers made-to-measure services: from small household help until intensive health care.
Can you take care of the meals?
From Tuesday till Sunday you can enjoy a delicious lunch of three courses with wine and bread in our restaurant between 13.00 hrs and 16.00 hr for only € 10,00. In the weekend we offer you a lunch buffet. We can also deliver your meals at home.
Do you also clean my apartment?
Upon request we can also clean your apartment.
I don’t like go out shopping. Do you have a solution?
You can give your shopping list to us and we take care of it. You can also do your shopping yourself in the supermarket in the resort. At the same day we deliver your shopping at home. Next to the standard assortment the supermarket also offers all kinds of international products. Here you can also buy your newspapers.
Can you take care of my laundry?
You can make use of the services of our laundry. You can deliver your clothes at the laundry and afterwards you can pick them up clean and ironed.
Do you deliver the mail in my apartment?
Your mail is delivered in the central building. The same day the porter picks it up and delivers it at your apartment.
I don’t understand very well the Spanish language to read my letters. Can I get any support?
No problem. Our coordinator can translate your mail.
If I want to visit my family in England for instance, can you drive me to the airport?
For the transport to and from the Alicante airport we can offer you various possibilities, depending on your personal situation. We can transport you by bus, by a special bus adapted for passengers in a wheelchair, or by car.
I would like to live in one of the blocks in the upper part of Ciudad Patricia because of the marvellous views. But what happens when I get less mobile?
In the resort you can make use of our shuttle service that goes very frequently round the whole park. You can also rent or buy a special scooter. Starting from € 1.200 you can already buy a sports scooter. We will take care of the instruction classes so you can move safely on the road.
Is there any specialised health care?
Some personal situations ask for specific professional help. The medical service team can also help you in difficult moments, for example after an operation, specialised treatment of wounds, the use of medical instruments, etc.
Is there an emergency help?
Of course. A doctor is at your service 24 hours a day. You can be sure that in case of emergency you will be attended in no time. If needed, you can dispose of a wireless emergency bottom.
Does my insurance company refund the costs for illness and accidents?
There are agreements with insurance companies. You should inform with your own health insurance company to check if this is your case.
Backgrounds
Who are the owners of Ciudad Patricia?
Ciudad Patricia was acquired at the end of 2005 by Credo España S.L. (a VolkerWessels company) and Gericon España S.L. (linked to Argos Zorggroep in Schiedam). Credo is responsible for the distribution and the management of the apartments and Gericon has a lot of experience in health care and services. They exploit the nursing home, the central building, and offer services and health care services. Gericon and Credo cooperate very intensively with the aim to make easier the life of the residents as much as possible.
What happens to the usufruct (“uso vitalicio”) contracts if Apartamentos Ciudad Patricia becomes bankrupt?
You don’t have to be afraid of this, because the owner is the big company VolkerWessels. Besides, all contracts are officially registered in the bank. Even in case of bankruptcy the contracts remain valid and they will be transferred to the next owners.
Financial aspects
Which solutions do you offer when my house is still for sale?
Apartamentos Ciudad Patricia (ACP) has good contacts with various agencies that can help you with the sale of your house, if required. By mutual agreement you can pay your purchase or “uso vitalicio” in terms until your house has been sold (within a reasonable period). You temporarily borrow from ACP the periods you have still to pay.
How can I calculate the price of a life right of use (“uso vitalicio”) ?
In the price list you can find the base prices based on the age of 65 years. For each year that you are older we give you a discount of € 4.500, - and for each year you are younger you have to pay an extra of € 4.500, -. For example, when you are 70 years old, we will give you a discount of 5 x 4.500 = € 22.500, - on the base price list.
How much are the service costs and what do they include?
At his moment (2007) the service costs come to € 292, - per month. The service costs are updated every year in function of the real costs.
The service costs include: the maintenance of the buildings, installations, gardens, swimming pools and the central building, surgery hours and a 24 hours medical urgency, joint and individual water consumption, electricity of joint space, elevators, caretaker, the coordinator and the activities, the building insurance and the municipal taxes IBI (property taxes), sewerage and the processing of waste. So it includes almost everything that is related to daily life, except the consumption of electricity and the telephone costs. You have to pay these costs directly to the companies.
When I live in Spain, do I receive the payments the pension plans?
You will keep the right of pension plan.
Where do I have to make my tax declaration?
If you live more than 183 days in Spain, you have to make your tax declaration in Spain. If you live less than 183 days in Spain, you have to make your tax declaration in England.
Can I deduct the mortgage interest?
In Spain you can deduct the mortgage interest until maximum € 9.000, -.
Can I raise a mortgage on the life right of use (“uso vitalicio”)?
You can’t raise a mortgage on the “uso vitalicio”, but you can do so when you buy in ownership one of the apartments in the Flora block.
Buying a apartment in the Flora block
Which option is the best: to raise a mortgage in Spain or in England?
The different possibilities of financing are much bigger in England, however the costs are higher. We can help you to raise a mortgage. In the neighborhood there are various banks with personnel that speak English
What are the monthly costs when I buy for example a apartment for € 246.500, -?
alculation example:
Cost apartment: € 246.500,-
Cost apartment incl. costs buyer (9,5%) € 269.918,-
Mortgage (80% of the purchase including costs buyer) € 215.935,-
Interest per year (e.g. 5%) € 10.797,-
Interest per month € 900,-
In this example the interest charges amount to € 900,-. In this example we did not take into account the costs of repayment. The costs of repayment to the bank depend on the percentage you have contracted with the bank. For a more detailed calculation of your own situation, please contact our sales department.
What does “buying with discount” mean and what are the monthly costs?
Buying with a discount means that you pay 75% of the purchase price and that you receive 50% of the benefits in case of sale. Apartamentos Ciudad Patricia pays 25% of the purchase price and when the apartment is sold it receives 50% of the benefits as a compensation of the interest and benefit. For the apartment in the above mentioned example you will have to pay:
Cost apartment: € 246.500,-
Part of for buyer 75% € 184.875,-
Cost apartment incl. costs buyer (9,5%) € 202.438,-
Mortgage (80% of the purchase including costs buyer) € 161.950,-
Interest per year (e.g. 5%) € 8.098,-
Interest per month € 675,-
In this example the interest charges amount to € 675,-. In this example we did not take into account the costs of repayment. The costs of repayment to the bank depend on the percentage you have contracted with the bank. For a more detailed calculation of your own situation, please contact our sales department.
Miscellanea
I’m interested in a apartment. Can I take an option?
When you are seriously interested in a specific apartment it is possible to take an option during approx. 2 weeks. Therefore you have to pay € 250,- and the apartment will be definitely reserved for you. When you decide to live there, we make a contract and you have to pay 5% as entrée.
Does the staff speak English?
The location manager, the coordinator, the sales representatives and the receptionist speak English. The Spanish doctors also speak a little bit of English. The residents can always count on the coordinator who can help to translate.
Can I also test a apartment in Ciudad Patricia?
This is possible by using the so called discovery holidays and winter (hibernation) possibilities, however only if the apartments are available and only once per family. There are 5 apartments that are fully equipped for this purpose.
Can I bring my pet?
We only admit small pets, if this does not provoke nuisance for the rest of the residents.
Are there any low-cost companies that fly to Alicante?
Transavia, Vueling and Easy Jet offer cheap flights. Please contact their websites , and
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