sPANISH lIFESTYLE

What makes investment in Spanish property such a popular move for so many people around Europe and indeed the rest of the world? Is it the wide selection of quality Spanish properties available? The warmth and friendliness of the people? The ease of access and availability of flights to and from the UK and northern Europe? These are all factors in it’s favour, but ask one hundred people who have done it and you are likely to get the same answers time and time again – the fantastic climate and the lifestyle which is perhaps second to none in the world.

Although the Spanish have a reputation worldwide for laziness this is not strictly true. What they do have however is a slower pace of life, an emphasis on spending quality time with the family (long since lost across much of the UK for example) and a wonderful amount of space and light with which to enjoy life. Excluding the cities of Malaga, Murcia, Valencia and Almeria, the coasts of southern Spain have none of the hustle, bustle and stresses of the sprawling metropolis to be found in northern Europe. This means you are free to enjoy your Spanish property without the worries of crime, excessive traffic, pollution and many of the stresses of modern city life. Should you be interested in purchasing a Spanish property with the idea of relocating to work in southern Spain you can forget the hour plus commute into work you are accustomed to. With a couple of exceptions you will more than likely be no more than a fifteen to twenty minute drive from your place of work.

Across the board, purchasing a property in southern Spain will open up a new world to you and a new way of life. Many of those who buy property for sale in Spain will not attempt to learn the Spanish language. Indeed one of the attractions of owning property in this part of Spain is that if you don’t wish to learn Spanish you can get away with speaking English and to a lesser extent German, Scandinavian and Dutch, with virtually no issues. Those who do make the effort will not be disappointed in the response they get from the locals and the social doors that even a basic command of the language will open up. If you are planning to buy property for sale in Spain in order to come and work your employment chances will of course be helped no end by stating a command of Spanish on your CV. There are many great Spanish teachers available and also numerous college courses. A good place to look is the classified section of the Sur in English newspaper.

Southern Spain has a summer season which runs more or less from early May until the end of September with temperatures higher than 25 degrees centigrade for much of this time. Obviously during the sweltering months of July and August the temperatures often peak over 40 degrees. This allows for an outdoor culture, which is the envy of those living in cold northern European climates.

Beach Life

Beach life obviously plays a big part in the lives of both the Spanish population and that of the foreign population who have flocked to live here in recent years. On the Costa del Sol where much of the highest value luxury property for sale in Spain may be found, the famous hotspots are obviously the beaches in the Marbella and Puerto Banus area. Here the beaches become the playground of the rich and famous during the long summer months. Two of the nicest beaches can be found at Cabo Pino near Marbella and also Playa de Cristo on the outskirts of Estepona.

On the Costa de la Luz a more trendy, bohemian crowd may be found. The popularity of the area for kite and windsurfers has led to a hedonistic lifestyle with a definite lust for life. Property for sale in this part of Spain tends to be much more low key and hey lets face it low rise! Tarifa and the beaches of the Costa de la Luz are definitely a place for the more discerning surf or beach bum. Hotels and bars in this area are some of the coolest and most progressive in southern Europe.

Elsewhere on the coasts of Almeria, and Calida a more traditional beach environment may be found which can be enjoyed by all the family. The Spanish are certainly fond of family life and it is not uncommon to see whole families of locals taking the outside family environment to it’s logical conclusion by bringing their fridge, TV, barbeque and kitchen sink along to the beach along with granny and every family member of all ages.

Space

The majority of the best properties for sale in Spain available to the foreign property buyer or investor will be found in ‘Urbanizaciones’ or private developments and will be built away from town centres either in coastal areas and inland. This means that often all around you will be wonderful open spaces and clean air.

Golf

The coasts of southern Spain especially the Costa del Sol are lined with more quality golf courses per kilometre than almost anywhere else in the world, making it a paradise for those who count golf as a hobby. Indeed there is such a wide selection of quality golf property available for sale in Spain and a golf culture that permeates so much of society, that it is a wonder that any keen golfer could choose anywhere else in the world to consider buying a home on the course in the sun.

Shopping

The luxury areas of Puerto Banus and Marbella provide some of the world’s largest selection of luxury shopping opportunities. Many of the most exclusive brands have outlets here. Elsewhere in southern Spain there are wonderful shopping centres and quaint boutiques to be found areas such as La Manga on the Mar Menor boast numerous great shopping zones. On a more basic level there are a wide variety of international high street chains operating in Spain some Spanish such as Zara and Mango whilst many staples of the British high street such as Top Shop, Miss Selfridge and Dorothy Perkins may also be found at 30% cheaper prices!

Cost of Living

One of the major benefits of living in southern Spain wherever you choose to buy your Spanish property is of course the cheap cost of living. Although prices have risen since the introduction of the Euro, the cost of living is still much cheaper than in the UK, France, or the Scandinavian countries.

The staples of day-to-day life will be significantly cheaper than elsewhere in Europe. Petrol is 30% cheaper than the UK while diesel is cheaper still. You can walk out of one of the numerous high quality supermarket chains with a full trolley load of standard products and have change from 80 Euros. You work it out! Taxes on alcohol are very low and many visitors from northern Europe are amazed at how many bottles of delicious Spanish wine; beer or branded spirits can be obtained at such low prices. It would be a rude not to!

In a nutshell lifestyle in Spain wherever you choose to buy your Spanish property, is more laid back, sunnier, more vibrant and significantly cheaper than the UK or Germany or Scandinavia.

For more information on how we can help you to find your dream Spanish property please call us on +36 1 266 5968 or click info@arenaestates.com and one of our advisors will be in touch as soon as possible.