Having worked hard for my whole life I felt I deserved a luxurious villa somewhere in Spain, I did not however want the usual villa in a complex surrounded by other Brits, which was my idea of hell, I wanted to be surrounded by local Spanish inhabitants and in a location that I could savour for the rest of my days.
The main question to ask however when buying a property in Spain is where? The country is such a diverse mixture of cultures that the choice is limitless. As long as you haven't got your heart set on buying property within spitting distance of the beach you can find places with a true insight into the culture of Spain, and I must emphasise again, why would you move to Spain, just to live in a British cul de sac?
A region worthy of note is Catalonia; in the north east corner of Spain it is much cooler than the south with the major city being Barcelona. Sitting close by to France it is a heady mixture of the cultures whilst retaining its own distinguishing features.
The cuisine however is my favourite element, and eating out is one of the greatest delights of this region. The mixture of sweet and sour, and the inclusion of pork and fish combine wonderfully to make menus of pure delight.
Murcia offers the usual delights of Spain and again is a great choice if looking for property, its climate can be defined as semi arid, it experiences extremely mild winters and warm summers, perfect for retirement. Over 300 hundred days a year are sun drenched, this makes Murcia the perfect place to buy a villa if you plan to plant olives, grapes and citrus fruits.
The idea of having my own orchard with the ability to make my own wine and olive oil is extremely appealing to me, despite retiring and looking for an easy life, I still want to undertake a few day to day chores.
If you are looking for a villa somewhere with an easier, more moderate climate however I would recommend Galicia as the ideal destination. Often referred to as 'green Spain' its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay means cooling seaborne winds bathe the peninsula with moisture and make it a much more bearable destination for property. The wide variety of golf courses in this region of Spain also makes this the perfect place for those who appreciate time on the fairways.
Out of all the regions of Spain however I like Andalusia, in the far south of the country it is by far the hottest and its proximity to the Straits of Gibraltar make it sweltering in the summer. As someone who likes the sun I find this climate the most preferable.
I also enjoy the heavy Moorish influence in the region, architecturally the domes of Muslim Iberia are a sight to behold whereas the cuisine has eclectic feel to it as it combines Mediterranean and European cooking styles with those of Moroccan North Africa. This is another benefit of the region as Africa is a short ferry ride away, opening up the wonderful bazaars for your shopping needs.
The reason so many retire to Spain is most probably due to the country's efforts to accommodate the retiring of Europe, however I feel it should be remembered that instead of taking the first option of property surrounded by your fellow countrymen, take the plunge into Spanish culture and find a region where you can soak up the way of life and truly integrate yourself with the locals.
Situated on the eastern coast of Spain, Alicante is the second largest town in the Costa Blanca region of Valencia Province. With its much regarded boulevard, pleasant climate, swaying palm trees, teeming nightlife, miles of sandy beaches, and vibrant streets, Alicante draws tourists from across the globe, particularly from countries such as Germany, Netherlands, and the UK. Alicante is also within easy reach of such famed resort towns as Benidorm, Denia, Murcia, Torrevieja, and Villamartin. Further, Alicante boasts an international airport, which is the only facility in the region, thereby serving as convenient as well as quick gateway to the entire regions in the Mediterranean Coast.
Perhaps, for these reasons, real estate in the region is booming, and Alicante property is always of special demand. Owning a property in Alicante has been proved to be a great investment, as tourist flock here year-round and hence there is no problem in finding a tenant or renting them out. This helps you to yield huge returns from your investment, especially during summer when demand for vacation rentals is at its peak. The market trend reveals that the property price in the region has reached the record highs. Not only great as an investment, Alicante property also allows you to enjoy annual vacation in one of the exciting as well as sought after destinations in the world.
A fabulous range of Alicante property is available to choose from for investments according to your budget and preferences, such as building plots, townhouses, country houses, elegant villas, and beautiful apartments with such facilities as gardens and swimming pools. No matter if the property you have chosen is re-sale or new construction, both have their own benefits. The prime benefit of a re-sale property is that it allows you to own the property within a short span of time. But in the case of new construction, one of the greatest benefits is that you can design layout according to your tastes and needs.
Even mortgages are available to purchase an Alicante property, and all you have to possess in order to avail a registration number, namely, NIE, which in turn is vital to sign certain important documents. However, it is important that you make a thorough research with regard to the property, before owning them. Although a plethora of real estate firms are here to fetch you the best deal, it is recommended to utilize the service of an expert attorney to check vital documents related to property, like contract and title deeds. The internet also serves as an excellent source to make a research on recent market condition of Alicante property. Above all, there are specialist companies in the scenario, which not only minimize the risk associated with the purchase of Alicante property but also ensure maximum returns from these properties.
Besides investment properties, there are a lot number of properties, exclusively designed for vacationers who take advantage of the place for short breaks or just to enjoy a weekend. From rustic apartments and villas to hotels and resorts coupled with the most modern facilities, all vacation Alicante properties are awesome and comfortable.
Both Shaun Parker & Lee Smith are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Shaun Parker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Online Marketing, Auto Insurance and Wedding Bells. Property expert Shaun Parker uses villas for his Spanish property needs. To find out more please visit. Shaun Parker's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.
Lee Smith has sinced written about articles on various topics from Online Dating, Internet Marketing and Travel and Leisure. Lee Smith writes about property in the Alicante region of Costa Blanca, Spain. Lee Smith's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.