buying an apartment in spain

[rdjohn]

[quote=jonah
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
[/quote]
We spend Jan to March in San Pedro. As you would expect, it is very busy over Christmas, but tails off quickly after 6th Jan. Some bars etc will take their holidays and do refurbs then, but by 14th Feb, things are getting busier through half-term to Andalucia Day on 28th. March is normally quite brisk.
We also normally grab a week in late October. To my mind that is just perfect.Right temperature, loonies gone home, everything you could ever want is still open.

Although winter temperatures in the Canaries might look better, I could not cope with being on a small island dedicated to tourism.

On the CdS, it’s an easy drive to visit Ronda, Cadiz, Jerez, Malaga (much nicer than you might think) and even Granada. Flights from Malaga are so numerous, it’s very easy to take a short break anywhere, or transfer via Madrid to do business worldwide.

Provided that you make an effort with your Spanish, everyone will try to help you out if you get stuck for something.

[Chris Stott]

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

I think rdjohn and Shnozz have mostly answered this. I live on a 'resort' (Los Arqueros), a mix of apartments and villas, with a golf course. In my block of 18 apartments, there are 7 occupied year round, a mix of English and Spanish. Fortunately it never really get busy here - even in the height of summer it's peaceful and you can always get a lounger round the pool.

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Are they still places in Spain where you can buy an apartment on a complex with pool for €40k or am I ridiculously out of date?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.

That's pretty much how our journey started - my wife saw a program on TV (place in the sun, I think), and in her mind we were going to buy a 2 bed with a pool for €60k, cash. We then went to a property exhibition at the NEC, and looked at what was available in different parts of Spain, Italy, France, Turkey, Cyprus etc... in the end we settled on the part of Spain we already knew.

The only thing you'll get on the CDS for that money is a small one bed in a village inland, or a static mobile home.

When we started looking 6 years ago, the agent showed us round a couple of resorts that were owned by the government - for all developments that went bust post the 08/09 crash, the Spanish government nationalised one of the banks (known as 'the bad bank'), and then tried to gradually clear all the repossessed properties through this. At the time, they were asking €167k for a 2 bed apartment, in a poor area, with an unfinished golf course, paint peeling off the walls outside, no internal fixtures, stinking drains (as they'd had no water in them for years), no landscaping, no water in the pool, and about 1-2% occupancy. The prices were non-negotiable.

When we came here, it was completely different - perfectly manicured landscaping, freshly painted exteriors, quality fixtures and fittings... we ended up paying 4 times the original budget, but we got much more than we'd originally planned... I guess that's what you call budget creep

[jonah35]

Thanks again gents appreciate the replies

I think hiring a car in October/November and driving around for 2/3 weeks may make sense

As a single bloke with no kids I don’t think I could cope if there were no females around at certain times of the year!

[Shnozz]

jonah35 said:

Thanks again gents appreciate the replies

I think hiring a car in October/November and driving around for 2/3 weeks may make sense

As a single bloke with no kids I don’t think I could cope if there were no females around at certain times of the year!

Its very cheap to visit. Flights, accommodation and car hire out of season are next to nothing. If it could save you making an expensive mistake by buying in the wrong location, its money well spent. Also worth doing to get familiar with airport routes, flight availability/carriers/costs, etc. Even the journey at the other end - which I had factored in where I wanted to be but the importance of it really didn't bite until after i had bought and was back and forward to the airport sometimes a few times a week if you are flying in, mates flying in for a weekend, heading back etc etc.

I spent a few years popping back and forward to a few areas, CDS a fair bit of that. I probably spent the same on a long weekend as I would have done if I was on a big one in the UK. Being flexible with dates, I would book through Onthebeach and a long weekend, flight down to Malaga, hotel somewhere near Marbella and surrounding areas, would be about £300.

Car hire if wanted to explore a bit for research would rarely be over €10 through DoYouSpain. Just get an annual car hire excess policy for £35 to save on the CDW cover. Only issue with a car is if central location you might find parking charges on top unless you can find a side street. I probably did 12 - 15 trips down to Spain over a few winters to get a feel for different parts, discounting some areas, adding others to the list and even if it hadn't resulted in a purchase, had a good time doing so. Mrs Shnozz's mum was convinced I had some secret wife and kids in Spain as I snuck off down there at every available chance.

If you hang around the bars of Banus as a single fella with a property in the proximity, I think you shouldn't have much trouble finding entertainment, other than the standard of lady you might attract of course..or the chance of them wanting payment. Being further up the coast I don't have that trouble, although we did have an interesting night when we had a couple propose a swap - ah, the good ol' bored expats with a few drinks in them. You do find some of the stereotypes to be true and the gossip is rife and there seems to be plenty of slightly weird older sorts chasing a good time, male and female. All part of the fun. As a younger man, you'll probably have to worry more about some wealthy, undervalued and bored older woman propositioning you.

[jonah35]

Shnozz said:

jonah35 said:

Thanks again gents appreciate the replies

I think hiring a car in October/November and driving around for 2/3 weeks may make sense

As a single bloke with no kids I don’t think I could cope if there were no females around at certain times of the year!

Its very cheap to visit. Flights, accommodation and car hire out of season are next to nothing. If it could save you making an expensive mistake by buying in the wrong location, its money well spent. Also worth doing to get familiar with airport routes, flight availability/carriers/costs, etc. Even the journey at the other end - which I had factored in where I wanted to be but the importance of it really didn't bite until after i had bought and was back and forward to the airport sometimes a few times a week if you are flying in, mates flying in for a weekend, heading back etc etc.

I spent a few years popping back and forward to a few areas, CDS a fair bit of that. I probably spent the same on a long weekend as I would have done if I was on a big one in the UK. Being flexible with dates, I would book through Onthebeach and a long weekend, flight down to Malaga, hotel somewhere near Marbella and surrounding areas, would be about £300.

Car hire if wanted to explore a bit for research would rarely be over €10 through DoYouSpain. Just get an annual car hire excess policy for £35 to save on the CDW cover. Only issue with a car is if central location you might find parking charges on top unless you can find a side street. I probably did 12 - 15 trips down to Spain over a few winters to get a feel for different parts, discounting some areas, adding others to the list and even if it hadn't resulted in a purchase, had a good time doing so. Mrs Shnozz's mum was convinced I had some secret wife and kids in Spain as I snuck off down there at every available chance.

If you hang around the bars of Banus as a single fella with a property in the proximity, I think you shouldn't have much trouble finding entertainment, other than the standard of lady you might attract of course..or the chance of them wanting payment. Being further up the coast I don't have that trouble, although we did have an interesting night when we had a couple propose a swap - ah, the good ol' bored expats with a few drinks in them. You do find some of the stereotypes to be true and the gossip is rife and there seems to be plenty of slightly weird older sorts chasing a good time, male and female. All part of the fun. As a younger man, you'll probably have to worry more about some wealthy, undervalued and bored older woman propositioning you.

Thanks and again all taken on board

The proximity to the airport is a bit of a downer for much of CDS/Banus etc

I liked a bar called la sala when I was there last and a nice restaurant next door called oak or something

It’s hard to know for sure as I think what me and my mates want now will change a little as we age

Just somewhere walking distance to a gym and coffee shops and a bit of nightlife but far enough away in the day to sometimes have a ‘day at home’

Where exactly do you live schnozz - seems like you’ve done your research

I was thinking nueva ANDALUCIA as it’s close enough to walk to Banus or get that boat to Marbella and close enough to the beach clubs but yet not in the thick of it

In a way though I’m more of a ‘normal’ bloke in so far as I like a curry and a few beers or a normal club rather than some pretentious nightclub where it’s about just trying to look good and that puts me off Banus area a little

[Chris Stott]

jonah35 said:

Thanks and again all taken on board

The proximity to the airport is a bit of a downer for much of CDS/Banus etc

I liked a bar called la sala when I was there last and a nice restaurant next door called oak or something

It’s hard to know for sure as I think what me and my mates want now will change a little as we age

Just somewhere walking distance to a gym and coffee shops and a bit of nightlife but far enough away in the day to sometimes have a ‘day at home’
my place.
Where exactly do you live schnozz - seems like you’ve done your research

I was thinking nueva ANDALUCIA as it’s close enough to walk to Banus or get that boat to Marbella and close enough to the beach clubs but yet not in the thick of it

In a way though I’m more of a ‘normal’ bloke in so far as I like a curry and a few beers or a normal club rather than some pretentious nightclub where it’s about just trying to look good and that puts me off Banus area a little

Takes me c.35 mins in the car to get from Malaga airport to my place, which is about 10 mins inland from Banus... don't think I've ever seen a police car on the A7/AP7, and a 1.4 diesel Ibiza will happily cruse at 160kmh+.

When you're thinking about what you want it's important to consider how you'll spend most of your time there... for us, that meant maximum outside space, which is why we waited until a place came up with a big terrace - we have 130sqm, enough for dining for 8, 2 x 3 seater couches & coffee table, 6 sun loungers, a hammock and a massive BBQ... none of it crammed in. The weather is so good, you only really use the inside for sleeping most of the time.

[Challo]

jonah35 said:

Thanks again gents appreciate the replies

I think hiring a car in October/November and driving around for 2/3 weeks may make sense

As a single bloke with no kids I don’t think I could cope if there were no females around at certain times of the year!

Not sure if your just looking around Marbella way, but my gf's parents have a couple of places further up the coast inbetween Murcia and Alicante in a town called Quesda. They have purchased a small apartment initially, then found a repossed town house which they have since bought and moved into.

I cant help on the purchasing piece, but i'll chip on that area if you want more info.

[dmahon]

Challo said:

jonah35 said:

Thanks again gents appreciate the replies

I think hiring a car in October/November and driving around for 2/3 weeks may make sense

As a single bloke with no kids I don’t think I could cope if there were no females around at certain times of the year!

Not sure if your just looking around Marbella way, but my gf's parents have a couple of places further up the coast inbetween Murcia and Alicante in a town called Quesda. They have purchased a small apartment initially, then found a repossed town house which they have since bought and moved into.

I cant help on the purchasing piece, but i'll chip on that area if you want more info.

I would be interested. I’m most familiar with CDS but Alicante has potential too.

Current situation is making me more inclined to pull the trigger depending on the market and flight situation post COVID.

[jonah35]

Challo said:

jonah35 said:

Thanks again gents appreciate the replies

I think hiring a car in October/November and driving around for 2/3 weeks may make sense

As a single bloke with no kids I don’t think I could cope if there were no females around at certain times of the year!

Yes please

Thoughts welcome

Not sure if your just looking around Marbella way, but my gf's parents have a couple of places further up the coast inbetween Murcia and Alicante in a town called Quesda. They have purchased a small apartment initially, then found a repossed town house which they have since bought and moved into.

I cant help on the purchasing piece, but i'll chip on that area if you want more info.

[mart 63]

jonah35 said:

Challo said:

jonah35 said:

Thanks again gents appreciate the replies

I think hiring a car in October/November and driving around for 2/3 weeks may make sense

As a single bloke with no kids I don’t think I could cope if there were no females around at certain times of the year!

Yes please

Thoughts welcome

Not sure if your just looking around Marbella way, but my gf's parents have a couple of places further up the coast inbetween Murcia and Alicante in a town called Quesda. They have purchased a small apartment initially, then found a repossed town house which they have since bought and moved into.

I cant help on the purchasing piece, but i'll chip on that area if you want more info.

My dad lives in Ciudad Quesada most of the year. We go there a couple of times a year and love it there.
Lots of bars, shops and supermarkets, only a 10 minutes drive to the beach. You do need a car there, as they don't have many buses.
The properties there are well built. You can get a decent villa on a walled 500m plot with pool for a £250k, close to the town centre. You can also get a quad villa by the golf course with communal pool for around £100k, they don't come on the market often though.

[Baldchap]

We used to have a place in Nueva Andalucia that was a short walk to Banus etc and TBH that whole area these days is overpriced, full of British willywavers and not particularly enjoyable any more.

We moved north near to San Javier on the Costa Blanca by the Mar Menor. Do not regret the decision one bit. We see plenty of Spanish residents, plus Dutch, German and British tourists, but not overwhelmingly British or chavvy. There's not the 'Look at me' factor and everyone is friendly.

Corvera airport is a breeze and about 20 minutes away. Cartagena, Alicante, even Benidorm are short drives away (one night in Benidorm was enough ).

Property in this area is cheaper, too.

One to think about.

[Shnozz]

dmahon said:

Challo said:

jonah35 said:

Thanks again gents appreciate the replies

I think hiring a car in October/November and driving around for 2/3 weeks may make sense

As a single bloke with no kids I don’t think I could cope if there were no females around at certain times of the year!

Not sure if your just looking around Marbella way, but my gf's parents have a couple of places further up the coast inbetween Murcia and Alicante in a town called Quesda. They have purchased a small apartment initially, then found a repossed town house which they have since bought and moved into.

I cant help on the purchasing piece, but i'll chip on that area if you want more info.

I would be interested. I’m most familiar with CDS but Alicante has potential too.

Current situation is making me more inclined to pull the trigger depending on the market and flight situation post COVID.

Come on Challo. I too am waiting

[Simon-k41v9]

Baldchap said:

We used to have a place in Nueva Andalucia that was a short walk to Banus etc and TBH that whole area these days is overpriced, full of British willywavers and not particularly enjoyable any more.

We moved north near to San Javier on the Costa Blanca by the Mar Menor. Do not regret the decision one bit. We see plenty of Spanish residents, plus Dutch, German and British tourists, but not overwhelmingly British or chavvy. There's not the 'Look at me' factor and everyone is friendly.

Corvera airport is a breeze and about 20 minutes away. Cartagena, Alicante, even Benidorm are short drives away (one night in Benidorm was enough ).

Property in this area is cheaper, too.

One to think about.

Have a place on a golf course at Mar Menor, don't regret choosing that location over the more popular/well know destinations. Can get the first flight out of Stansted, and be sitting by the pool at the house by 11.30am.

[Phil.]

Simon-k41v9 said:

Baldchap said:

We used to have a place in Nueva Andalucia that was a short walk to Banus etc and TBH that whole area these days is overpriced, full of British willywavers and not particularly enjoyable any more.

We moved north near to San Javier on the Costa Blanca by the Mar Menor. Do not regret the decision one bit. We see plenty of Spanish residents, plus Dutch, German and British tourists, but not overwhelmingly British or chavvy. There's not the 'Look at me' factor and everyone is friendly.

Corvera airport is a breeze and about 20 minutes away. Cartagena, Alicante, even Benidorm are short drives away (one night in Benidorm was enough ).

Property in this area is cheaper, too.

One to think about.

Have a place on a golf course at Mar Menor, don't regret choosing that location over the more popular/well know destinations. Can get the first flight out of Stansted, and be sitting by the pool at the house by 11.30am.

I bought a place on La Manga Club in 2011 with views of the Mar Menor. We love the area. Loads of walking and biking opportunities. Great people too. 5 hours door-to-door. Looking forward to when we can visit again.

[Challo]

Shnozz said:

dmahon said:

Challo said:

jonah35 said:

Thanks again gents appreciate the replies

I think hiring a car in October/November and driving around for 2/3 weeks may make sense

As a single bloke with no kids I don’t think I could cope if there were no females around at certain times of the year!

Not sure if your just looking around Marbella way, but my gf's parents have a couple of places further up the coast inbetween Murcia and Alicante in a town called Quesda. They have purchased a small apartment initially, then found a repossed town house which they have since bought and moved into.

I cant help on the purchasing piece, but i'll chip on that area if you want more info.

I would be interested. I’m most familiar with CDS but Alicante has potential too.

Current situation is making me more inclined to pull the trigger depending on the market and flight situation post COVID.

Come on Challo. I too am waiting

Apologies I forgot to reply.

Just seen mart 63 reply and her parents live in the same place called Cuidad Quesada. Its a very large town made up of serveral urbanisations about 40mins from Alicante airport. The place itself mainly residential with a large high street running through the middle with your usual shops, bars and resturants. Outside of the main area and into the developments they each have a parade of businesses which normally include a bar, resturant, estate agents. As you can imagine some are better than others, but most tend to have live music, and you can find a good food for a variety of different tastes. It can feel more ex-pat, than local Spanish but depends on what your after. There is also a good golf course a few mins drive away.

In terms of accommodation there is plenty to choose from going from apartments, villas to townhouses and you can pick-up some very cheap places. They dont have any high rises, more your duplexes style apartments. GF's parents have a 2 bed apartment they rent long term, and a 3 bed townhouse with sundeck and underground garage. In the local area to them they are building brand new townhouses which look fantastic, but have the prices to much.

Overall the area they live in is nice in the summer, but can feel a little quiet in the winter as less tourists around and things shut down.

Outside of Cuidad Quesada you have good options if you have a car. Torrevieja is about 10mins away by car, and beaches like La Mata and Guardamar are the same in distance. Alicante is 45mins away, and Valencia 2hrs if you want a day out or weekend away. I can recommend both as places to visit. If you want shops then you have Habaneras and La Zenia Boulevard which are between 10-20mins away and have lots of good shops similar to what you would see in any UK shopping center.

Overall I quite like it as a place to visit and a base to do some travelling around the local area, but you defiantly need a car to get out and about, but everything is simple and easy to find.

[PurpleTurtle]

Phil. said:

Simon-k41v9 said:

Baldchap said:

We used to have a place in Nueva Andalucia that was a short walk to Banus etc and TBH that whole area these days is overpriced, full of British willywavers and not particularly enjoyable any more.

We moved north near to San Javier on the Costa Blanca by the Mar Menor. Do not regret the decision one bit. We see plenty of Spanish residents, plus Dutch, German and British tourists, but not overwhelmingly British or chavvy. There's not the 'Look at me' factor and everyone is friendly.

Corvera airport is a breeze and about 20 minutes away. Cartagena, Alicante, even Benidorm are short drives away (one night in Benidorm was enough ).

Property in this area is cheaper, too.

One to think about.

Have a place on a golf course at Mar Menor, don't regret choosing that location over the more popular/well know destinations. Can get the first flight out of Stansted, and be sitting by the pool at the house by 11.30am.

I bought a place on La Manga Club in 2011 with views of the Mar Menor. We love the area. Loads of walking and biking opportunities. Great people too. 5 hours door-to-door. Looking forward to when we can visit again.

I was waiting for you to comment Phil. After all the problems with the Gota Fria last year I was really looking forward to getting out to my folks' place across the road from you.

This is the first year our 5yo is in school so we are now tied to school holidays, I had been tentatively looking at flights from LGW to Corvera and trying to tie it all in with a triangulated return trip via Dublin to visit extended family in Ireland on our return when the whole lock down kicked off. Alas none of that happening now I fear.

[Shnozz]

Hi Challo, I didn't want to prejudice your post hence inviting you to respond first.

I am in Ciudad Quesada, not far from the golf course. If lockdown is lifted and entry to the country allowed, there's a good chance I will drive down for this Autumn/Winter so if you see a black Aston around when visiting, give me a wave. Likewise, if you or Mart 63 fancy a beer when you are down there, drop me an email.

40 mins to the airport if you are driving Miss Daisy One of the criteria I had, as said earlier, was proximity to airport for being able to travel back and forward with ease (ahhh those memories..). 25 mins is the usual time but 30 mins I allow for a splash and dash fuel top up.

Some parts of the town are more seasonal than others. On my road, I would say its about 60/40 between permanent and holiday homes. Of the holiday homes, some are like me and there on a frequent basis such that its still not a feeling of "closed shop" for months on end. Likewise, the bars and restaurants are open all year round and even in the middle of winter aren't totally dead, albeit obviously far busier in peak months. Even those who are year round residents tend to hibernate a bit over winter months and then are out in summer, often added to by the visitors all arriving to stay.

The downside of my part of the town is its a bike of a hike to the arches area (one could say that can be a good thing). The upside is the fact I can walk to Rojales to get life in a real Spanish town and less expat. My immediate neighbours on the urb are a mix of nationalities. We have Moroccan, Norwegian, Danish, Irish and English. The French seem to have been gradually increasing in the area too and the house opposite has been bought by a retired French couple. We have have a few Russian families further up the road.

Walking between my place and the arches area in winter can feel a little quiet, but once down in the town area there is usually some life all year round. In summer sat atop Vista Lounge with some Ibiza chill out tunes playing and drinking gins I can pretend I am in the hipper parts of the Costa Del Sol

We have the nature reserve on our doorstep, the beach a 10 min drive, airport 25 mins away, Rojales a 20 min walk and enough bars and restaurants locally to keep us entertained. Sports centre in between Quesada and Rojales where I play football and there are padel courts, petanque etc.

It's not for all, and a far cry from "proper" Spanish life. Whilst one day I might pursue that dream, being only semi-capable with Spanish rather than fluent, and being there only part-time, I see it as a stepping stone. There are enough bureaucratic headaches as it is dealing with certain things, let alone to be in an area where communication was strained further.

Likewise its not got the glamour of the posher parts of Marbella/Banus. It's not kiss me quick so much as just an older grey haired set predominantly. The younger generation buying in are Scandinavian, more often than not. In time that might make the area a bit more fashionable, albeit you might see the cost of living rise with it. The Scandis have money to spend and when its £15 a pint back home you can see the excitement in their eyes when they arrive. The (older) English retirees, on the other hand, tend to sip their one drink and make it last the night.

A lot of the building in the area does seem aimed at the Scandis/Russians in their style. As I said earlier, they don't want the round arches and what the English tended to envisage as a Spanish villa. They want the latest straight line, glass filled properties. The prices seem very much aimed at that demographic too but they do look nice.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/prop...

These are in the new Residencial Oceanic which to my mind is a little cut off as it sits on top of the hill up over the other side of the golf course, looking to the sea. The view from there is one of the best in the area mind. Similar to the newish Scandi development heading down to Consum, there is a big absence of bars and restaurants and the Scandis seem to adopt the same approach as they do at home - most entertaining is done in people's homes rather than out in bars and restaurants. That said, its not uncommon for there to be a big group of Norwegians getting smashed on Irish coffees in the old Don Carlos!

I would be interested to know which townhouses you are referring to in terms of the new builds.

[Not Ideal]

^^ forgive me for being dense but that link you had in your post - am I reading it correctly that its 4 bedrooms in a c.650 sq ft property ???

[Challo]

Shnozz said:

Hi Challo, I didn't want to prejudice your post hence inviting you to respond first.

I am in Ciudad Quesada, not far from the golf course. If lockdown is lifted and entry to the country allowed, there's a good chance I will drive down for this Autumn/Winter so if you see a black Aston around when visiting, give me a wave. Likewise, if you or Mart 63 fancy a beer when you are down there, drop me an email.

40 mins to the airport if you are driving Miss Daisy One of the criteria I had, as said earlier, was proximity to airport for being able to travel back and forward with ease (ahhh those memories..). 25 mins is the usual time but 30 mins I allow for a splash and dash fuel top up.

Some parts of the town are more seasonal than others. On my road, I would say its about 60/40 between permanent and holiday homes. Of the holiday homes, some are like me and there on a frequent basis such that its still not a feeling of "closed shop" for months on end. Likewise, the bars and restaurants are open all year round and even in the middle of winter aren't totally dead, albeit obviously far busier in peak months. Even those who are year round residents tend to hibernate a bit over winter months and then are out in summer, often added to by the visitors all arriving to stay.

The downside of my part of the town is its a bike of a hike to the arches area (one could say that can be a good thing). The upside is the fact I can walk to Rojales to get life in a real Spanish town and less expat. My immediate neighbours on the urb are a mix of nationalities. We have Moroccan, Norwegian, Danish, Irish and English. The French seem to have been gradually increasing in the area too and the house opposite has been bought by a retired French couple. We have have a few Russian families further up the road.

Walking between my place and the arches area in winter can feel a little quiet, but once down in the town area there is usually some life all year round. In summer sat atop Vista Lounge with some Ibiza chill out tunes playing and drinking gins I can pretend I am in the hipper parts of the Costa Del Sol

We have the nature reserve on our doorstep, the beach a 10 min drive, airport 25 mins away, Rojales a 20 min walk and enough bars and restaurants locally to keep us entertained. Sports centre in between Quesada and Rojales where I play football and there are padel courts, petanque etc.

It's not for all, and a far cry from "proper" Spanish life. Whilst one day I might pursue that dream, being only semi-capable with Spanish rather than fluent, and being there only part-time, I see it as a stepping stone. There are enough bureaucratic headaches as it is dealing with certain things, let alone to be in an area where communication was strained further.

Likewise its not got the glamour of the posher parts of Marbella/Banus. It's not kiss me quick so much as just an older grey haired set predominantly. The younger generation buying in are Scandinavian, more often than not. In time that might make the area a bit more fashionable, albeit you might see the cost of living rise with it. The Scandis have money to spend and when its £15 a pint back home you can see the excitement in their eyes when they arrive. The (older) English retirees, on the other hand, tend to sip their one drink and make it last the night.

A lot of the building in the area does seem aimed at the Scandis/Russians in their style. As I said earlier, they don't want the round arches and what the English tended to envisage as a Spanish villa. They want the latest straight line, glass filled properties. The prices seem very much aimed at that demographic too but they do look nice.

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/overseas-property/prop...

These are in the new Residencial Oceanic which to my mind is a little cut off as it sits on top of the hill up over the other side of the golf course, looking to the sea. The view from there is one of the best in the area mind. Similar to the newish Scandi development heading down to Consum, there is a big absence of bars and restaurants and the Scandis seem to adopt the same approach as they do at home - most entertaining is done in people's homes rather than out in bars and restaurants. That said, its not uncommon for there to be a big group of Norwegians getting smashed on Irish coffees in the old Don Carlos!

I would be interested to know which townhouses you are referring to in terms of the new builds.

So the apartment is on Calle Mar Mediterraneo which is between the golf course and the country club. They bought a townhouse over the otherside of town towards the Hotel area. They are in walking distance of Spanglish which is there local. When I was walking there last year there was loads of new villas going in around that area by Euromarina.

[Shnozz]

Not Ideal said:

^^ forgive me for being dense but that link you had in your post - am I reading it correctly that its 4 bedrooms in a c.650 sq ft property ???

I think we can safely say that is rollocks, even by looking at the rooms.

A quick google brings up another cheaper place in the same development that gives a more realistic size indicator.

https://edenpropertiesinvestment.com/en/property/6...