A lifestyle to die for is on offer here Waterside living at its best

You have made the decision to leave the cold and rain behind and live in Spain

The question is then where to live. For those seeking waterside living Spain offers many options, however whilst many marina port developmentslook attractive and similar the question you need to ask is whether there is a nice community that lives there.

Puerto Banus - Marbella sounds upmarket but for those that live here the location is pure and simply a tourist trap living on a reputation glam glitz reputation that has long been lost. These days its a hen and stag destination a party location surrounded by all the usual problems you would expect from locations such as Magaluf,Kavos and Playa de las Americas Tenerife.

Many other marinas in and around the Costa Del Sol offer much better affordable options for expats looking to live on the waters edge and seeking that better lifestyle. The first thing to establish is whether the community that live there would suit the lifestyle you are looking for. Nothing worst than buying into a marina port community to find that you cannot cope with the surrounding nightlife.

Sotogrande Port and Marina is one of Spains best kept secrets that so far has avoided the tourist trap. The majority of people that buy here live here or are second home owners. In Sotogrande you will find a mix of wealthy expats and well heeled Spanish.

This marina is a small part of this upmarket Spanish estate, one of the largest private gated communities in Europe. Yet surprisingly property here is still affordable. A good example is the marina waterside apartment on the market for sale for 390.000,00 euros

For this price you will buy a 3 bed 3 bath apartment marble floor airconditioning with waterfront balcony terrace not far from beach restaurants and bars. Most bars restaurants are centered around the old Port a few minutes walk away. The property market here in Sotogrande has been picking up but prices are not as high as most expect for such a great location on the western side of the Costa Del Sol.

So if you love the sun the Sea, Golf, Tennis,Sailing, Fishing or even Polo take a trip to Sotogrande and spend a few days or more finding out just what a wonderful place this is

Alternatively you could always consider trying the area before you buy. Waterside apartments rent long term from around 800,00 euros per month having said that they usually go for a little more and the average rental on offer is 1000 pm. Demand is high so make sure that the agent you approach can actually show you the apartment that has caught your eye. Too many agents here never update their website's and people come believing their is a glut of rentals only to be disappointed. Now with strong GBP Sterling many people who work in Gibraltar prefer to rent and live in Sotogrande, Spain .

To see the apartment featured click on this link Waterside Apartment in Sotogrande Spain Nearest Airport Gibraltar 25 minutes away or Malaga just over 1 hours drive

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Rental apartments are readily available and the standards vary. Price is not always a mark of quality as there are many owners who may have not been here for a number of years and are not aware of price fluctuations in rental values. A very nice basic 2 bedroom waterfront apartment can be rented for an average of 850.00 euros per month and whilst some may have rented for lower its usually a case of very fortunate timing and who you know. If your looking to pay 500.00 to 600.00 euros a month then you will probably need to search for an apartment in one of the surrounding villages close to Sotogrande such as Torreguadiaro, Pueblo Nuevo or San Martin. For around 900.00 to 1000.00 euros a month you will find yourself a very nice 3 bedroom waterfront apartment and these depending on apartment specifications can be up-to 1500.00 euros per month for say a 145m2 on the Sotogrande marina. We are currently offering a very special 2 bedroom apartment which has its own gated garden and swimming Pool, in the marina Sotogrande but fronts the Port. Here is the link to find out more about this property Port Marina apartment to rent

If its high specification luxury apartments you are seeking then the most popular choices are the Valgrande gated community, the Polo Gardens development or the Ribera del Rio apartments. These tend to have higher specifications than most developments in the area and are little more spacious. In the last year we have rented several 3 bedroom 3 bathroom Valgrande flat in the region of 1800.00 euros per month. Because its near to Christmas and market is quiet we currently have a 3 bed flat listing in Valgrande at 1400.00 euros per month click on this link Valgrande for more info. The Valgrande development enjoys 3 outdoor swimming pools, 1 indoor heated Pool, a Spa area as well as Gymnasium, steam room & sauna and my blog link describes the community facilities in more detail. For those who enjoy the Polo then Polo Gardens apartments have good specifications and there are some very beautifully presented apartments in the development with good views of the Santa Maria Polo pitch this picture shows the location

. The flats are also very central and not far from the Port and beach. The rents for the large luxury apartments range from 1600 for a 3 bedroom to 2500.00 euros per month for a 4 bedroom 4 bathroom with own plunge pool. Following round the marina towards the Octogano tennis club Ribera del Rio fronts the River. Of the two blocks the one with South aspects has the larger higher specification apartments from 3 bedroom ground floors with plunge Pools and 3 bedroom triplex penthouses with magnificent partly covered balconies. In Ribera del Rio rents for the luxury end of the development can be around 1800 per month for a 3 bedroom ground floor or over 2500.oo per month for a triplex penthouse.

Maybe you have children who will attend the Sotogrande International School and would like to live in a spacious flat near the school. There are not many as Sotogrande Alto is mainly Villas with some town houses. Literally on level walk to the school you will find Los Gazules a gated development with a community swimming pools overlooking Almenara golf and Almenara lake. In Los Gazules a 2 bedroom can rent from 800 per month, 3 bedrooms 950 per month and 4 bedroom duplex penthouse about 1500 per month. To see a penthouse currently on the market click on this link Penthouse apartment to rent Los Gazules Sotogrande

If you live in Gibraltar and would like find more spacious accommodation, save some money and enjoy the resort lifestyle Spain has to offer then Tailor Made estate agents has a choice of apartments within 20 minute drive of the border at Alcaidesa and San Roque. A very spacious 3 bedroom modern duplex apartment on San Roque golf 5 minutes from Sotogrande will set you back around 1000.00 euros a month.Compare that to your rental property in Gibraltar.

Article by Francis Payne of Tailor Made estate agents

office in Sotogrande Port tel. 0034 956 790 320

www.tailormadesotogrande.com