buying an apartment in spain
Discussion
Shnozz said:
Yes, almost there and I must say we unexpectedly did a top to bottom redecoration and re-furnish when we hadn't really planned for that as it was in pretty decent condition but we wanted it perfect for us and its been a (within reason) no-expense spared process with the approach to furniture etc based on the fact I cannot see us selling up for a long while if at all, so decided we wanted it "just right". It's also soon become our entertaining home. UK property is a city centre penthouse and whilst its great for us, it's useless for hosting. Friends and family also seem more keen to visit the Spanish pad - no idea why! 
It's another factor when deciding we wanted it just right as we have had more visitors to that house than we have in years in the UK.
We did a U-turn for the Xmas visit. The plan had been for my folks to visit over Xmas, and my partner's parents to fly down from Denmark between xmas and New Year and stay over then. My Dad, however, is no spring chicken and we thought the whole thing would be a bit knackering for him so we are heading to them for Xmas and then flying out for New Year together, with the Danish inlaws flying in on the 3rd January from Copenhagen together with the dog. It is there impending visit that pushed me to get the log burner in before the visit as they are used to well-insulated Scandi houses and I think would have frozen in the tiled floored lounge with no form of heat! Bedrooms are toasty using the air con on warm, but that ground floor is freezing.
I was out a few weeks back with some mates (PH'ers too in fact) and we did the Valencia Moto GP for the weekend. Day times nice in the sun, but overnight needed a coat and woolly hat. The only room naturally warm at the Villa was the garage!
Great to hear. I’m pleased you are enjoying it so much. It's another factor when deciding we wanted it just right as we have had more visitors to that house than we have in years in the UK. We did a U-turn for the Xmas visit. The plan had been for my folks to visit over Xmas, and my partner's parents to fly down from Denmark between xmas and New Year and stay over then. My Dad, however, is no spring chicken and we thought the whole thing would be a bit knackering for him so we are heading to them for Xmas and then flying out for New Year together, with the Danish inlaws flying in on the 3rd January from Copenhagen together with the dog. It is there impending visit that pushed me to get the log burner in before the visit as they are used to well-insulated Scandi houses and I think would have frozen in the tiled floored lounge with no form of heat! Bedrooms are toasty using the air con on warm, but that ground floor is freezing.
I was out a few weeks back with some mates (PH'ers too in fact) and we did the Valencia Moto GP for the weekend. Day times nice in the sun, but overnight needed a coat and woolly hat. The only room naturally warm at the Villa was the garage!
Fantastic thread all thanks
Please could I ask a few questions
1. Where is most likely to be busy all year round and not a ghost town in winter? I’m thinking new golden mile?
2. Do any of you suggest an estate agent or website to look at?
3. For a cash purchase would you expect a discount in these times? Of course it depends on the property etc but these homes appear very illiquid and my friends warning that he paid 450k and sold for around 200 and odd k are still ringing in my ears
4. I do like good nightlife and bars etc so again have heard places like sotogrande are family oriented and quiet so that kind of thing isn’t for me really.
Thanks
Please could I ask a few questions
1. Where is most likely to be busy all year round and not a ghost town in winter? I’m thinking new golden mile?
2. Do any of you suggest an estate agent or website to look at?
3. For a cash purchase would you expect a discount in these times? Of course it depends on the property etc but these homes appear very illiquid and my friends warning that he paid 450k and sold for around 200 and odd k are still ringing in my ears
4. I do like good nightlife and bars etc so again have heard places like sotogrande are family oriented and quiet so that kind of thing isn’t for me really.
Thanks
jonah35 said:
Fantastic thread all thanks
Please could I ask a few questions
1. Where is most likely to be busy all year round and not a ghost town in winter? I’m thinking new golden mile?
2. Do any of you suggest an estate agent or website to look at?
3. For a cash purchase would you expect a discount in these times? Of course it depends on the property etc but these homes appear very illiquid and my friends warning that he paid 450k and sold for around 200 and odd k are still ringing in my ears
4. I do like good nightlife and bars etc so again have heard places like sotogrande are family oriented and quiet so that kind of thing isn’t for me really.
Thanks
Hi Jonah.Please could I ask a few questions
1. Where is most likely to be busy all year round and not a ghost town in winter? I’m thinking new golden mile?
2. Do any of you suggest an estate agent or website to look at?
3. For a cash purchase would you expect a discount in these times? Of course it depends on the property etc but these homes appear very illiquid and my friends warning that he paid 450k and sold for around 200 and odd k are still ringing in my ears
4. I do like good nightlife and bars etc so again have heard places like sotogrande are family oriented and quiet so that kind of thing isn’t for me really.
Thanks
I've lived out here since last August, a few km above San Pedro de Alcantara, near Marbella/Puerto Banus/Banahavis.
San Pedro is a Spanish residential town, so it's open all year round, as are most things in Marbella and Banus. Only big thing that changes in what Brits would consider 'the season' are shops open on Sundays... though some beach places don't open in the winter and some beach front restaurants may be open less hours.
We bought this place 5.5 years ago, and used an local agent - Crystal Shores. We booked a couple of days with an agent, and they showed us various properties in the price range we'd given them - from Calahonda to Estepona. They were brilliant, and I'd have no issue recommending them. I think another PH'er on here has subsequently used them and said they were good. You can get a good idea of what property is available on 'rightmove'.
We bought our place in November 2014, for less than half its peak price in 2007 (a lot of people got burnt by the 08/09 crash - which I guess includes your friend). We didn't go super hard on the negotiation as we knew exactly where and what we wanted and were just waiting for the right property to come on to the market. When it did, we got a call from the agent, my wife flew out to view it, and we put and offer in and closed within a few days... but the asking price was sensible vs other similar properties. If we had wanted one of the properties that had been on the market for some time we would have negotiated harder.
There's plenty of property for sale round here, so I would think you could get a decent discount if you found someone keen to sell, and who's property had been on the market for some time.
When we bought prices were rock bottom, and there was zero construction in the area. Over the past 2-3 years, prices have firmed significantly, and there's plenty of new construction happening - particularly big villas. There are at least 5 under construction on the Urb. I live on, all will be in the €3-5M range. Net of taxes (Spanish 'stamp duty' is 10%), I'd be confident of making 20-25% on ours, but we have done a lot of cosmetic work on it, and ours does have some fairly unique features.
Time will tell what the current situation will do to property prices in the future.
If you want nightlife you can walk to in this area it will limit your choice of property as most that are close will be Spanish residential... so smaller, with limited outside space, and probably no access to a pool. But there's plenty of nightlife available, from small Spanish bars in the town (open very late, and often serving great tapas), to bigger, more commercial stuff in Marbella and Banus. Massive choice of restaurants... Spanish, Italian, Indian, Chinese, seafood... pretty much anything you can think of. But there are plenty of cabs, and Uber operate in the area too.... I'm lucky as my wife doesn't drink, so I always have someone to drive home!
Good luck.
I would agree that property is, by and large, illequid. The attitude adopted by the Spanish also seems to be to leave property unsold rather than reduce the price. I have also seen many instances where inheritance has played a part in this and family disputes mean a Spanish owned house can be left for year after year seemingly abandoned. We have this with a large plot of land in prime real estate territory in our town. Inherited by 3 brothers who cannot reach agreement so its just scrubland - but with a security guard on site day and night whose car is parked up under a tent for shade..
If the seller is Spanish, don't expect much of a discount. They are notorious for standing to a price. I had witnessed this over the years and it was true of my seller (wealthy Madrid couple who had it as their summer home). No doubt there must be some forced sales but even then the Spanish seem to rather allow a repossession happen than to market the property at knock-down prices.
Other nationalities seem more willing to do a deal and the British will be prime targets I should imagine, especially those of an age who want to return to the UK either due to the death of a spouse or an illness. For the non-resident British I can see a few forced sales in the fall out to this CV carnage.
Prices are a funny one when buying in these areas, however. Your potential audience is not of a singular nation. You have an international audience. It's not like the domestic market where you can judge it based on one economy, but you have to look further than that. We have a big Scandinavian presence in our area (there is even a Norwegian private school down the road) and we are also seeing more and more Russian. Whilst Coronavirus is a global issue, some countries will be hit harder than others, and the same can be said on a personal level below the governments.
That is also reflective of the house style, in my view. The Scandis (and Russians) seem to desire a certain type of property. Think typical Scandi living, clean cut, modern, automated smart home stuff etc. They don't go for the more traditional (but fake) 1980s style "villa" that the older British seemed to favour. I have seen quite small but very modern villas sell at strong money against (on paper) a bigger, better positioned property purely as it was more Scandinavian in its design. They don't want the round curves, its straight lines and glass balconies.
The other big factor is currency fluctuations. When you buy in the UK, on appreciation/depreciation, its a one metric consideration. You can make that decision yourself on how you perceive prices might go.
When buying in a foreign country, the exchange rate is as important as to the price of the property. If £1 buys you €1.5, then that €300k house only costs you £200k.
At £1/€1, it costs you €300k.
If you bought it at 1/1.5 @ €300k (£200k), and the property then drops to being worth €200k, but at point of sale the exchange rate is £1/€1, you see back £200k (minus fees obviously) and effectively haven't lost, despite your house being worth only 2/3. Likewise, that can go against you...
There is talk of Sterling strengthening against the euro, but ultimately its a gamble. My point is house prices can fluctuate 10% - 20% or greater, but perhaps more likely, and certainly more swiftly, current fluctuations can do the same and ultimately lead you to the same place in what the property will cost you.
If the seller is Spanish, don't expect much of a discount. They are notorious for standing to a price. I had witnessed this over the years and it was true of my seller (wealthy Madrid couple who had it as their summer home). No doubt there must be some forced sales but even then the Spanish seem to rather allow a repossession happen than to market the property at knock-down prices.
Other nationalities seem more willing to do a deal and the British will be prime targets I should imagine, especially those of an age who want to return to the UK either due to the death of a spouse or an illness. For the non-resident British I can see a few forced sales in the fall out to this CV carnage.
Prices are a funny one when buying in these areas, however. Your potential audience is not of a singular nation. You have an international audience. It's not like the domestic market where you can judge it based on one economy, but you have to look further than that. We have a big Scandinavian presence in our area (there is even a Norwegian private school down the road) and we are also seeing more and more Russian. Whilst Coronavirus is a global issue, some countries will be hit harder than others, and the same can be said on a personal level below the governments.
That is also reflective of the house style, in my view. The Scandis (and Russians) seem to desire a certain type of property. Think typical Scandi living, clean cut, modern, automated smart home stuff etc. They don't go for the more traditional (but fake) 1980s style "villa" that the older British seemed to favour. I have seen quite small but very modern villas sell at strong money against (on paper) a bigger, better positioned property purely as it was more Scandinavian in its design. They don't want the round curves, its straight lines and glass balconies.
The other big factor is currency fluctuations. When you buy in the UK, on appreciation/depreciation, its a one metric consideration. You can make that decision yourself on how you perceive prices might go.
When buying in a foreign country, the exchange rate is as important as to the price of the property. If £1 buys you €1.5, then that €300k house only costs you £200k.
At £1/€1, it costs you €300k.
If you bought it at 1/1.5 @ €300k (£200k), and the property then drops to being worth €200k, but at point of sale the exchange rate is £1/€1, you see back £200k (minus fees obviously) and effectively haven't lost, despite your house being worth only 2/3. Likewise, that can go against you...
There is talk of Sterling strengthening against the euro, but ultimately its a gamble. My point is house prices can fluctuate 10% - 20% or greater, but perhaps more likely, and certainly more swiftly, current fluctuations can do the same and ultimately lead you to the same place in what the property will cost you.
PS - was thinking about you the other day Chris and wondered how you were getting on down there through all this. Hope all is ok?
Bizarre how swiftly things changed. I was at the football on 1st March and then came back to watch El Classico in the bar down the road (packed as always for that game). Flew to the UK 5th March, expecting to fly back on the 17th....which didn't happen of course. Fairly sure I left some bits of fruit on the side and no doubt the water in my flush will have evaporated by the time we are allowed to fly again so just hope I don't have a nice little insect farm to return to. First world problems and all - hope you are doing well down there and life gets back to some sort of normality shortly.
Bizarre how swiftly things changed. I was at the football on 1st March and then came back to watch El Classico in the bar down the road (packed as always for that game). Flew to the UK 5th March, expecting to fly back on the 17th....which didn't happen of course. Fairly sure I left some bits of fruit on the side and no doubt the water in my flush will have evaporated by the time we are allowed to fly again so just hope I don't have a nice little insect farm to return to. First world problems and all - hope you are doing well down there and life gets back to some sort of normality shortly.
Hey Shnozz.
Im good thanks - The cats and I are living a happy, peaceful life!
Obviously pretty much everything is closed, but plenty of food and wine in the supermarkets - and I’m using the time to expand my culinary skills.
The only real issue is I can’t see family - my wife came back to the UK from the US pre their lockdown, but can’t get here, and both sets of parents were due to come out across April/May but had their flights cancelled.
Bet you’re looking forward to this being over and getting back out here?
Im good thanks - The cats and I are living a happy, peaceful life!
Obviously pretty much everything is closed, but plenty of food and wine in the supermarkets - and I’m using the time to expand my culinary skills.
The only real issue is I can’t see family - my wife came back to the UK from the US pre their lockdown, but can’t get here, and both sets of parents were due to come out across April/May but had their flights cancelled.
Bet you’re looking forward to this being over and getting back out here?
Gents that’s such great useful info thanks so much
Do you find you need a car?
My plan is to essentially retire there and get up have a jog/gym, breakfast on my balcony and then sunbathe or cycle etc in the day, read the paper etc and then a quiet night or couple of beers in a bar etc with the occasional big night out once or twice a week etc
Never been the type of bloke to get bored as fitness and reading would take up much of my time plus I’m sure I’d have mates over or spend time meeting new people etc
Any other tips welcome - I’m in my 30s so not quite ready for the traditional retirement set quite yet lol.
Do you find you need a car?
My plan is to essentially retire there and get up have a jog/gym, breakfast on my balcony and then sunbathe or cycle etc in the day, read the paper etc and then a quiet night or couple of beers in a bar etc with the occasional big night out once or twice a week etc
Never been the type of bloke to get bored as fitness and reading would take up much of my time plus I’m sure I’d have mates over or spend time meeting new people etc
Any other tips welcome - I’m in my 30s so not quite ready for the traditional retirement set quite yet lol.
Chris Stott said:
I've lived out here since last August, a few km above San Pedro de Alcantara, near Marbella/Puerto Banus/Banahavis.
Off topic - you're fairly close to the Roman Oasis at Casares del Sol, a few km north of Manilva. Did you ever try it ?We started going there some 30 years ago and have lots of very fond memories of the place.
It's been maybe 5 or 6 years since our last visit and your post got me reminiscing but, after a quick Google, it seems it shut up shop about a year ago.
I appreciate Paul the owner wasn't getting any younger, but it would be a real shame if it's gone forever.
Chris Stott said:
Hey Shnozz.
Im good thanks - The cats and I are living a happy, peaceful life!
Obviously pretty much everything is closed, but plenty of food and wine in the supermarkets - and I’m using the time to expand my culinary skills.
The only real issue is I can’t see family - my wife came back to the UK from the US pre their lockdown, but can’t get here, and both sets of parents were due to come out across April/May but had their flights cancelled.
Bet you’re looking forward to this being over and getting back out here?
Glad to hear that its all been ok (aside from being apart from your wife - although some might not be too displeased by those circumstances right now Im good thanks - The cats and I are living a happy, peaceful life!
Obviously pretty much everything is closed, but plenty of food and wine in the supermarkets - and I’m using the time to expand my culinary skills.
The only real issue is I can’t see family - my wife came back to the UK from the US pre their lockdown, but can’t get here, and both sets of parents were due to come out across April/May but had their flights cancelled.
Bet you’re looking forward to this being over and getting back out here?
) I hear what you say re family. Mine are the other side of the UK and self-isolating as vulnerable, and my partners are in Denmark so we too cannot see either set of parents. The funny part on reflection on all of this is that we are now of course seeing family via online, and likewise with friends and likewise with work meetings and all the things one used to do face to face. The great irony of course being that once upon a time we were left out of a catch up or work meeting when we were in Spain, but now its the new normal and one could be anywhere in the world and have exactly the same social interaction as two people living in the same street!
Yes, we are itching to get back. Might be some rocky times ahead for a number of reasons after all this, but particularly business wise. Lets just hope to pull through and also hope the airlines do to facilitate the commute at reasonable fares.
Stay safe and hope your wife gets to fly over soon, or vice versa.
jonah35 said:
Gents that’s such great useful info thanks so much
Do you find you need a car?
My plan is to essentially retire there and get up have a jog/gym, breakfast on my balcony and then sunbathe or cycle etc in the day, read the paper etc and then a quiet night or couple of beers in a bar etc with the occasional big night out once or twice a week etc
Never been the type of bloke to get bored as fitness and reading would take up much of my time plus I’m sure I’d have mates over or spend time meeting new people etc
Any other tips welcome - I’m in my 30s so not quite ready for the traditional retirement set quite yet lol.
I find a car essential to be honest. Ironically I do far more miles in Spain than in the UK, as city based here. If you are in a big city, perhaps not, but given the area you are talking about, I wouldn't want to rely on public transport. Do you find you need a car?
My plan is to essentially retire there and get up have a jog/gym, breakfast on my balcony and then sunbathe or cycle etc in the day, read the paper etc and then a quiet night or couple of beers in a bar etc with the occasional big night out once or twice a week etc
Never been the type of bloke to get bored as fitness and reading would take up much of my time plus I’m sure I’d have mates over or spend time meeting new people etc
Any other tips welcome - I’m in my 30s so not quite ready for the traditional retirement set quite yet lol.
Car hire is dirt cheap, especially outside of peak season. Car prices to buy are bloody expensive, however. New cars aren't quite so silly compared to the UK, but second hand cars are vastly more expensive. I am after a little collection down there for hobby purposes, but for just A>B transport, if not a full time resident I would be minded to hire otherwise. I have paid less than a euro a day before for hire - even with cheaper road tax equivalent, factor in insurance and annual airport parking and you would struggle to break even, before factoring in purchase cost and any annual maintenance/ITV etc.
I work when I am there from an office at my house, but otherwise your days aren't too far adrift of my own. I have sadly just ticked over the 40 bracket so not a vastly dissimilar age. Tend to rise, hit the local gym for an hour or go over the nature reserve for a run or bike ride, settle down to coffee and work by 9 or so, coffees on the terrace during the day, and then close up the laptop late pm for a wine/gin on the terrace and a spot to eat. Might venture to the bars 2/3 nights a week. Play a bit of padel tennis perhaps one evening. It's really not too dissimilar to how a week would look for me in the UK, except for the fact the weather enables me to more of it outside without freezing my nads off and with more cooking outside outside of winter months.
To be honest, the winter months are always something I enjoyed. I don't have too much disdain for English summers, but escaping the grey, gloom and darkness of winter is a godsend. Nighttime temps might still be very chilly in Spain, but the odd 20 degree day over Christmas is great, and then a nice film and a brandy by the fire at night seems better than watching rain come sideways down my window.
SS2. said:
Off topic - you're fairly close to the Roman Oasis at Casares del Sol, a few km north of Manilva. Did you ever try it ?
We started going there some 30 years ago and have lots of very fond memories of the place.
It's been maybe 5 or 6 years since our last visit and your post got me reminiscing but, after a quick Google, it seems it shut up shop about a year ago.
I appreciate Paul the owner wasn't getting any younger, but it would be a real shame if it's gone forever.
Unfortunately you're a year too late, The Roman Oasis closed last year, it's going to be interesting to see what survives this year.We started going there some 30 years ago and have lots of very fond memories of the place.
It's been maybe 5 or 6 years since our last visit and your post got me reminiscing but, after a quick Google, it seems it shut up shop about a year ago.
I appreciate Paul the owner wasn't getting any younger, but it would be a real shame if it's gone forever.
Shnozz said:
To be honest, the winter months are always something I enjoyed. I don't have too much disdain for English summers, but escaping the grey, gloom and darkness of winter is a godsend. Nighttime temps might still be very chilly in Spain, but the odd 20 degree day over Christmas is great, and then a nice film and a brandy by the fire at night seems better than watching rain come sideways down my window.
I think that the hour ahead seems to make the biggest difference, I am retired so even in early January, the sun rises at 8:30am about the time I want to fall out of bed, cycle ride, breakfast, shower, walk up to town, coffee, shopping, jobs. Tapas lunch, relax in afternoon.But the sun is still up at 6pm, so a walk along the beach and perhaps a drink is possible before dinner. BBC News at 11pm - sleep before midnight.
Repeat with variations.
Though, it is too hot and has too many tourists (normally) during the height of summer.
rdjohn said:
I think that the hour ahead seems to make the biggest difference, I am retired so even in early January, the sun rises at 8:30am about the time I want to fall out of bed, cycle ride, breakfast, shower, walk up to town, coffee, shopping, jobs. Tapas lunch, relax in afternoon.
But the sun is still up at 6pm, so a walk along the beach and perhaps a drink is possible before dinner. BBC News at 11pm - sleep before midnight.
Repeat with variations.
Though, it is too hot and has too many tourists (normally) during the height of summer.
You make an excellent point and not sure how I overlooked that! The evening light being extended until 6:30 or so makes for a lot nicer day than dark (and damp!) at 4pm.But the sun is still up at 6pm, so a walk along the beach and perhaps a drink is possible before dinner. BBC News at 11pm - sleep before midnight.
Repeat with variations.
Though, it is too hot and has too many tourists (normally) during the height of summer.
jonah35 said:
Gents that’s such great useful info thanks so much
Do you find you need a car?
My plan is to essentially retire there and get up have a jog/gym, breakfast on my balcony and then sunbathe or cycle etc in the day, read the paper etc and then a quiet night or couple of beers in a bar etc with the occasional big night out once or twice a week etc
Never been the type of bloke to get bored as fitness and reading would take up much of my time plus I’m sure I’d have mates over or spend time meeting new people etc
Any other tips welcome - I’m in my 30s so not quite ready for the traditional retirement set quite yet lol.
Where I live you definitely need a car. There's a decent convenience store about a 15 minute walk away (plus pharmacy, a few restaurants and bars), but the walk is along a steep mountain road with no pavements... and I wouldn't fancy it when it's 30*+ either. Do you find you need a car?
My plan is to essentially retire there and get up have a jog/gym, breakfast on my balcony and then sunbathe or cycle etc in the day, read the paper etc and then a quiet night or couple of beers in a bar etc with the occasional big night out once or twice a week etc
Never been the type of bloke to get bored as fitness and reading would take up much of my time plus I’m sure I’d have mates over or spend time meeting new people etc
Any other tips welcome - I’m in my 30s so not quite ready for the traditional retirement set quite yet lol.
I ran my UK lease car for the 1st 3 months when I moved out here. Then I went through the painful process of buying a 2nd hand Spanish car - as Shnozz says, they are ridiculously expensive, but that's also true when you come to sell. I have a 2015 Focus 1.0... cost me €9k from a main dealer, has FSH, and is relatively low mileage. Other motoring costs are low though - my tax is €15 a year, insurance €165.
You're kind of planning to do what I've already done... we bought here as a holiday home and longer-term retirement place. Then I semi-retired last summer at 52 y/o. My plan was to take 6-12 month off, then do some consultancy just to keep the brain ticking over, but CV19 has put a temporary hold on that!
I'd agree with rdjohn... the extra hour of daylight in an evening fits with my day. Up around 9, coffee & breakfast, then gym. Back to shower and lunch, then chill in the afternoon. I love cooking, so I'm spending a lot of time learning new dishes I never had time/energy/motivation to do when I was working 60+ hours a week.
Gents thank you so much - this is the most helpful, least combative forum bit on PH
I’ve kind of got it in my head it’s what I want now so just have to sell some of my stupid trinkets I’ve bought when I was younger and dafter!
One final question if I may - how is it during the winter season of say October to March? Are most places on the costa del sol a ghost town? Are your days easy to fill if you’re not lounging by the pool etc
Thanks
I’ve kind of got it in my head it’s what I want now so just have to sell some of my stupid trinkets I’ve bought when I was younger and dafter!
One final question if I may - how is it during the winter season of say October to March? Are most places on the costa del sol a ghost town? Are your days easy to fill if you’re not lounging by the pool etc
Thanks
Are they still places in Spain where you can buy an apartment on a complex with pool for €40k or am I ridiculously out of date?
In essence I’m asking are there areas where you get a lot more for your money but still near the sea and if so where.
Feel free to laugh if I’m unicorn hunting.
Thanks.
In essence I’m asking are there areas where you get a lot more for your money but still near the sea and if so where.
Feel free to laugh if I’m unicorn hunting.
Thanks.
Thankyou4calling said:
Are they still places in Spain where you can buy an apartment on a complex with pool for €40k or am I ridiculously out of date?
In essence I’m asking are there areas where you get a lot more for your money but still near the sea and if so where.
Feel free to laugh if I’m unicorn hunting.
Thanks.
Yeah there will be in sureIn essence I’m asking are there areas where you get a lot more for your money but still near the sea and if so where.
Feel free to laugh if I’m unicorn hunting.
Thanks.
Maybe a few miles inland and maybe not southern Spain and it won’t be big but maybe
Check Rightmove
jonah35 said:
Gents thank you so much - this is the most helpful, least combative forum bit on PH
I’ve kind of got it in my head it’s what I want now so just have to sell some of my stupid trinkets I’ve bought when I was younger and dafter!
One final question if I may - how is it during the winter season of say October to March? Are most places on the costa del sol a ghost town? Are your days easy to fill if you’re not lounging by the pool etc
Thanks
Chris and tigerkoi et al will be better placed to answer this for the Costa Del Sol, although in the time I have spent in those parts out of season has always given me the impression there are enough year round residents in many spots. In my region, the towns right on the coast can be ghost towns in winter as they are often holiday homes rather than folk who live (or part live) there. I deliberately avoided them for that reason - a shut up feel in winter and then overly busy come summer. I went in land by 5 - 6 km and that brought with it a year round occupancy and everything remaining open 12 months a year. I’ve kind of got it in my head it’s what I want now so just have to sell some of my stupid trinkets I’ve bought when I was younger and dafter!
One final question if I may - how is it during the winter season of say October to March? Are most places on the costa del sol a ghost town? Are your days easy to fill if you’re not lounging by the pool etc
Thanks
Yes, summer is noticeably busier, but across winter still plenty of folks around and bars, restaurants all far from empty. In many ways feels a bit more normal than peak months where a lot of people no doubt have family to visit on holidays and it has that feel about it. If I head down to the beach towns in winter months, however, most places are closed up and whilst the restaurants and bars might be open, they are quiet. Nice for a walk and a coffee/beer, but I enjoy heading back to my town for a bit more life. Conversely, in the summer months its the other way around and I enjoy retreating back there to avoid the mass tourism!
Obviously it depends where you are, but having spent a fair bit of time in the Marbella area, it doesn't feel dead in winter, particularly among the communities. The harbours etc are noticeably quiet though, as you might expect. Marbella port area is pretty much shut up in terms of bars and restaurants and Banus, although most are still open, have only a handful of people in them. Similarly, I visited Fuengirola and Benalmadena in mid-winter (shudder - it was to visit a friend - don't ever take me back..) and it was pretty dead. In short, holiday destinations will be seasonal, urbanisations less so. Another reason to perhaps rent at first, particularly over winter. Or even a few cheap hotel stays where you have a hire car and you can soon drive around and see where feels like its a year round home ownership as against a holiday spot.
Thankyou4calling said:
Are they still places in Spain where you can buy an apartment on a complex with pool for €40k or am I ridiculously out of date?
In essence I’m asking are there areas where you get a lot more for your money but still near the sea and if so where.
Feel free to laugh if I’m unicorn hunting.
Thanks.
I would be surprised if there is much at all around Costa Del Sol for that to be honest. In my area, for about 50% again you might get a repo-ed 1 bed place needing some work (and when a property is repo'ed in Spain its not unusual to see the kitchen cabinets taken, bathroom suite etc..). Fair to say my area is cheaper than CDS too...In essence I’m asking are there areas where you get a lot more for your money but still near the sea and if so where.
Feel free to laugh if I’m unicorn hunting.
Thanks.
A few years ago there were some cheap apartments inland in the failed golf developments around Murcia region that were in that sort of price bracket. The headline was also the fact they had gone from 250k to 40k, but that's was usually because the developer had gone bust, the golf course wasn't finished and you were buying an apartment in a poorly kept piece of land miles from anything. The 250k "price" was when it was in a glossy brochure with numerous swimming pools, a "designer" golf course endorsed by some pro and multiple shops, restaurants and bars. Strip away that infrastructure and when its a poorly built block, in the middle of desert land, with the bars and restaurants either never being built or long abandoned, and it was never a 250k to begin with. Many of them also have had structural issues and I think you would be opening yourself up to a whole world of pain.
I have read of many horror stories with only a few happy folk who have paid the bargain bucket prices and are happy to just have a £50k bolt hole somewhere they can sit and drink cheap gin and get a tan. Frankly you would be better spending the cash on a sun bed and a craft gin club membership to my mind, but horses for courses.
I remember years ago renting a lovely penthouse in Denia for a few weeks over December to visit my folks. Whilst a wonderful apartment, it was almost spooky in driving into the underground garage and being the only car. There was one other property in the entire 4 walled development that had anyone in it, and that was a Spaniard who lived there year round and had created a business cleaning the apartments after rents. Whilst beautifully quiet, this stay was what put me off one of the more on/off touristy areas (and Denia is actually quite vibrant year-round compared to many!). On these semi-abandoned non-finished golf developments, I can imagine it like that, only with half built structures, weeds growing everywhere and a general feeling of glumness. Not the vibe I would want.
That being said, i don't doubt there are apartments in inland Spanish towns that fall within that sort of budget. Few on the Costas will probably be in that range (aside from the above), but go an hour inland and there are some stunning Spanish villages and towns where property is peanuts. The airports might not be so accessible and some of the general ex-pat lifestyle but if you want to truly experience Spanish life (and I can see the draw - regardless of the cost saving), then you could probably do that. However, I dare say that if you think property on the Costas is relatively illequid, property inland I think would be yours for life, whether you want that or not!
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