Before purchasing any property in Spain there are a number of things you should consider, and the first three are, as they say, location, location and location. If you are a daily beach baby then inland Spain may not be for you, unless you are prepared to make the journey on a regular basis. However, if you do choose a coastal location, be aware that this usually comes with a price. i.e. Overcrowding, severe traffic congestion that will become untenable during fiestas or summer holiday periods, considerably higher prices, and crime, to mention just a few. A fact is that many people living close to the sea, eventually, for one reason or another, end up never seeing it, preferring a tranquil day visit to the mountains and campo, and taking an economical 8€ menu del dia lunch at one of the many village watering holes
We ourselves lived for several winter seasons in Benidorm, a vibrant town that we still enjoy to visit, before seeking out the more peaceful San Javier on the northern Mar Menor in 1999. However, by 2003 we realised that even this backwater location was heading the same way as Benidorm, and eventually the whole coastline would link up to become one coastal city. In 2004 we relocated once more to the tranquility of La Ñora, Calasparra, in the northwest of the province of Murcia.
Calasparra is one of the more prominent inland Murcia towns with happy, friendly, inhabitants that have, by and large, given a great welcome to the circa 3,000 British newcomers that have settled in the area or on one of the 4 new urbanisations that satellite the town. From here you can easily and quickly travel to neighbouring towns like Jumilla, Caravaca de la Cruz, Mula and Yecla. It is also only 65 miles or just over an hour from San Javier airport or the coast, on new modern motorways. Governed locally by a progressive socialist town hall, the almost daily changes in the area are apparent. Most Brits. live in out of town urbanisations or country homes, rather than town centre apartments like many Spanish families. If you were able to apply for planning permission to build an out of town country home before June 2004 you would only have required a minimum area of 5,000 square metres, or just over an acre, however, at that time the law was changed to require a minimum of 20,000 sqm in order that the local countryside would not be subject to overbuild.
Assuming you have made the decision to come and live with us in Calasparra, what are your choices? First let me say with the greatest respect, and as much tact as l can, that virtually every Spanish person we have met in the many years we have been their guests would prove to be a superb neighbour, however, living in close proximity to a number of them, in poorly insulated town centre apartments can be very trying for a north European mentality. Their hours of existence are not quite like ours, with late mealtimes, loud televisions, frequently visiting large noisy families, and a happy, non complaining attitude that allows you to live your life as you wish, while they live theirs likewise.
Next there is the possibility of a new modern home on an urbanisation, (housing estate) usually sold off-plan at one of the numerous “UK Homes In Spain” shows. With the promise that with so many British neighbours on this virtually all British project you will “never” need to learn a word of Spanish, many people sign up, only to find themselves running for an interpreter each time they need to buy anything larger than an ice cream. Having moved in it is then time to consider those little extras like a pool, car port, fencing, or maybe a little doggy, until your British neighbour flexes his/her British mentality to complain that the pool will create noise as family and friends booze their way around it on sunny afternoons, the car port casts a shadow over his/her terrace, the fencing appears to have been erected a couple of inches inside his/her plot, and that barking pooch disturbs his/her siesta. None of which would be an issue with a Spanish neighbour.
So now you consider a “casa de campo” or country home, until you discover that due to the best being snapped up in recent years, those left available are quite expensive while others need a small fortune spending on them to give them a semblance of habitability. With so much building work going on all around Spain an inexpensive quality builder doesn’t exist any more, and strict new rules apply regarding planning applications which in themselves can be quite complex and expensive. Country home living can also be a lonely existence, and should they come with a large tract of unkempt land, can easily swallow up a huge amount of your free leisure time and financial resources with weeding, tree pruning, fence mending and general maintenance.
The next option is a village house, but typically, most of these need more money spending on them than they are worth. Many people we know have unfinished country or village home projects due to cash running out before renovations are completed, however, on the plus side, if you can find a suitable village house in reasonable condition you will likely be most impressed by the open and friendly attitude of your neighbours. If ours are anything to go by they will be easy going, uncomplicated, extremely friendly, and generous to a fault, bringing you regular gifts of eggs, fruits, vegetables, olive oil, flowers, and maybe the odd oven prepared rabbit, all from their own lands.
With this latter option in mind we have recently demolished an old farm house in the heart of our own little village of La Ñora, just a few kilometers from central Calasparra, to make way for a project of 3 two bedroom, 1.5 bathroom townhouses that are currently in construction and due for completion in 2008. These will provide a living area of c.100 sqm and are being built on the stronger and more expensive structure system, rather than just blocks from a concrete pad, and the benefits of such a quality built totally new property, with insurance backed 10 year guarantee are obvious. To the front there will be approx 33m of off-road parking for one car while another can stand adjacent on the road. As these new homes will be south facing, each will also have a small front terrace to make the most of winter sun. To the rear a c.75 sqm garden will be quite sufficient to relax or BBQ, and maybe to install a small splash-pool or Jacuzzi. Priced at 189,000 euros, they present an amazingly economical opportunity to live in a happy, safe and peaceful Spanglish community. La Ñora, the little village with the big heart.
If you would like to chat more about coming to join us here in La Ñora, or the Calasparra area, or would like more information about any of the properties we are currently building, please don’t hesitate to call Jim or Marie on (+34) 968 748 006 or mobile (+34) 626 022 014.