What you consider the ideal home in Spain will depend very much on your personal circumstances. If you are a couple or are single, a large villa with extensive gardens and multiple bedrooms and is probably not the ideal home, as spending a lot of time maintaining a property where you only utilise a quarter of the space is not in my opinion, the best way to spend your time.
Think about if you would really use a swimming pool, use a large terrace or barbecue. If the answer is no, but you plan on renting the property for part of the year, then these features are assets that you will want to have as you can ask for higher rents. Be aware, in recent times local authorities are cracking down on the number of holiday rental permits given to property owners to allow them to rent the property to tourists. Before buying, check with your agent if this is the case in your area. A reputable agent will advise you on how to proceed if you wish to make money from renting.
If renting is not in your plans, like many others you may find you have little need for a pool and large garden when you move to Spain.
Location, Location, Location
The location of your property is extremely important. You might not be a driver, or maybe you are not planning to buy a car when you move to Spain, in which case it is important your new home is within easy walking distance of local shops and other amenities. Alternatively, you need to make sure there is frequent and reliable public transport services to the area.
Gather your information from a wide variety of resources, rather than relying on a single article or website. Online forums are useful places to get opinions and information from others who have already made the move.
When do you have a general idea of what it is you wish to experience when you start your new life in Spain, the next basic step is the all-important one of choosing an area.
Spain is a very large country and areas differ dramatically. The northern part of Spain around Santander and Galicia for example, is very wet with a lush green landscape, similar to that of Ireland due to the amount of rainfall it receives. In the south, it can get extremely hot in the summer time and might not be the best option if you are sensitive to heat or are taking an elderly relative with you.
One of the most popular area for expats in Spain is the Costa Blanca on Spain’s East Coast. The Costa Blanca has an idyllic climate and a booming tourist trade, which affords work opportunities and relatively cheap property prices. We spoke to Miguel Fornes, the owner of a local estate agents in Javea said he has seen a dramatic increase in the number of families moving to the area in recent years and not so much of the people looking solely to retire.
The World Health Organisation reports that Spain, and in particular the area of Javea in Costa Blanca, has one of the healthiest climates with more recorded hours of sunshine per year than anywhere else in the country, which in itself is a strong reason for selecting this area as your favoured destination.
ir The World Health Organisation reports that Spain, and in particular the area of Javea in Costa Blanca, has one of the healthiest climates with more recorded hours of sunshine per year than anywhere else in the country, which in itself is a strong reason for selecting this area as your favoured destination.
Javea itself has a thriving local and expat community so you will never be at a loss for things to do. For those who wish to venture into the business world, still, Spain presents an excellent opportunity for that. But, it’s always advisable that you work for someone in the industry you’ve chosen for some time, to learn about the Spanish market as well as systems. It’ll be unfortunate to open and close your business in less than a year because you didn’t do research on that specific industry. However, that’s not to scare you. There are many successful British businesspeople. But usually, it’s helpful when someone plans and prepares before establishing their enterprise. It’s always wise to use employ the services of a local agency that has a strong reputation if you are looking for any form of business premises in the area. With so many families now looking to move abroad to start a new life in the sun, it pays to research your options thoroughly and talk to people that have lived in the area several years before making the final decision.