A new venture

[Christine Thompson]

We have visited Italy many times but never before been to Calabria. However for some years I have wanted to go and buy an apartment there. Finally we are now booked to visit Scalea on 28th February and will be viewing places whilst there. If anyone can give us tips and places to visit it would be much appreciated.

[claire tudge]

Just enjoy it, the buying process is easy and the place is beautiful, have not ventured into the surrounding villages due to a lack of transport have a great time

[Lynn]

Hope you find what you are looking for, christine. We love Scalea and surrounding areas. the hill towns are lovely and there are some stunning views. We used Ivan at Agenzia Casabella when we bought. He was great and 3 years later still looks after us. He keeps our post, handles the insurance and even checked up on our renovations.etc. His English is excellent. His website is www.realestatecalabria.it I'm sure you will have a successful visit. Good luck,

Lynn

[annetigano]

Hi
You will have great fun looking in the area which is so varied and so totally different from the rest of Italy. We used Antonio (a local who speaks good English) at A&M Immobiliare for our purchase Affitti estivi case vacanze Scalea, Riviera dei Cedri, Calabria - A&M Immobiliare and like Lynn it was an easy procedure. He too looks after our interests while we are in the UK. All the people we know who have purchased through Antonio still go and visit him whenever they are in the area and he is a good friend. We will be in Scalea from 26th February so maybe we will see you.
Have fun
Anne & Tony

[Christine Thompson]

Can any one help us. We have booked our trip but cannot find a hotel that is open in Scalea apart from the holiday village which is too big for our likes. We need something near the centre as we wont have a car. Any info would be appreciated. We are a mature couple looking for something nice. Hope to meet some of you sometime. Thanks.

[annetigano]

If you want something really central try the Hotel Genova - it only has 8 rooms and was renovated last year. We have not stayed there but it might be what you are looking for. There are some reviews on TripAdvisor but most are in Italian (but they say it is good).
Hope this helps.

[Italy4me]

This hotel is very central and Francesca has a bit of English if you need to ring to book.
Hotel Lucia: vacanze a Scalea, Calabria

We bought our property through Tony Hackett of Calabria Property Consultants/Scalea Property and would recommend him for purchase, translations, project management of renovations etc.

He has been invaluable to us since our very first trip to Scalea and is always willing to help sort out our problems.
We now consider him a great friend and I'm sure he'd be able to help you.

- Welcome to Calabria Property Consultants

Hope this is useful,
Lesley

[ht54]

Hi
Just to wish you luck with your search. The area around Scalea is beautiful both along the coast or inland. It has to be said though, that, you will get more size wise for your money inland.
It was on our first visit to the south in 2007 that we found our dream home and bought off plan. We own a small villa at Cirella Diamante [5km south of Scalea and 400m from the sea] with spectacular views facing the water and Cirella Island, the mountains and national park to the rear and the ruins of the old fort across the valley. Our neighbours are Italian, they are very generous and supportive of us [our Italian is vey basic at present]. A few words of advice if you find something you like ask plenty of questions, get a good lawyer and make sure you have every thing listed in your contract.
You will receive a warm welcome in the south and where ever you choose you will not be disappointed. Hope you find your dream home. Enjoy yourself and good luck.

[uakelly]

Just to add a 4 star recommendation for Antonio at A & M in Scalea as above. He has so much local knowledge and supports you afterwards. We stayed at the hotel Lucia when we were finalising purchase (in February) and we were the only ones there but it was so warm and cosy in our bedroom and so central! We will be in scalea from 13th to 20th Februry so if we can be of any help, will be free and available! Can I just add that 2 years on our place in the area has been such a destressing factor (Once you've bought!)

[claire tudge]

I cant recommend Tony Hackett enough, has a wealth of knowledge about the area, he was brilliant at the Notary, as that was the only nerve wracking part, when hubby and I were the only non italian speakers in a room full of people, he made sure we understood everything, and his expanding company Scalea properties, covers all aspects of purchase and maintanance, rental and renovation, we stayed at the Hotel Continental which is reasonably priced very clean and serves delicious food, and Tonys office is right next door.

[Italy4me]

Claire,
Tony has moved office and he's now in Mattoni Casa on Corso Mediteranno (next door to Bar la Playa).

[Andy&Kath]

I can also highly recommend Tony Hackett. He helped to make the whole process really easy. He deals with most of the Immobiliare (estate agents) so you can view a multitude of properties through one point of contact. Hope your house hunting goes well.

Andy

[claire tudge]

Originally Posted by Italy4me

Claire,
Tony has moved office and he's now in Mattoni Casa on Corso Mediteranno (next door to Bar la Playa).

Sorry havent been out since July

[iradoggy]

Hi Christine,
We can recommend Hotel Genova as a base for your viewing trip in Scalea. It is very central, the rooms are very nice and modern, and the lady running the hotel is very friendly (her son is a great cook!). We stayed there last February and got a discount for staying more than one night.

We have a 2-bedroom apartment for sale in Centro Storico (not too far up, just a few steps from the church of San Nicola in Plateis, which is the lower of the two churches in Centro Storico). A few photos are available on this forum, in the 'for sale' section. Please let me know if that is of any interest to you, and I'll give you more details.

Best wishes,
Delia

[June&Jerry]

Hi Christine
We too used Antonio at A&M Immobiliare and can recommend him one hundred percent. We found him in 2006, bought through him and am pleased to say he has looked after us ever since - and still does - move than ever since we moved here permanently in Dec 2008. Our a two bedroomed apartment is for sale, fully furnished, if you want to email me we could chat about it. You can get me on juneandjerry@hotmail.com. Best wishes. June

[brynithel3]

Hi Christine

I have sent you a private message.

Ciao

John

[JanetC]

Hi Christine:

I have sent you a private message!

Janet