Living and Loving golf in Spain

Well lets face it the sun does shine a lot

More and more couples are looking to take advantage of low cost air travel and play golf in Spain and Portugal with regular trips to their favorite locations. Our golf club see's its fair share of extremely good competitive golfers who have been coming and playing in Spain for many years and finally want to commit to more golf in their favorite location not to mention a wonderful championship course.

There have been so many people inquiring in the last 12 months that this year that the Golf Club have created a more user friendly International Membership to entice them to join the club and many are doing just that. I look back fondly at my golf days in Dorset getting up at 6.30am just to get a tee time and making sure I had my woolen beanie and the single fur lined glove just to keep your hands warm. Not any more, these days on this western fringe of the Costa del Golf if it looks like a few spits of rain we delay until tomorrow when we know that the sun will shine again. The new members under their 6 month membership come and go with the seasons and many take a month at a time before the draw of family takes them back to the Country of origin.

As people become familiar with the club and its members friendships are formed and people suddenly start to book their golf trips in line with club events when they know the rest of the gang are more likely to be there. Some great rivalries materialize and tournaments then provides some great social aspects including the 'after golf' when that couple of drinks on the terrace turns to a few more and a few more. What about when you return home to rain and wind can you forget what you have just left behind. Its hard with all this social media particularly if you are constantly reminded that life in the sun goes on

In Spain we are also seeing quite a few families with talented golf children who look to take a gap year after GCSE's or A levels so that they can practice golf with very little weather interruption. The whole family are often involved and once again find club golf life very enjoyable. So enjoyable that they start to look at the options to continue the golfing lifestyle once the gap year ends.

Club golf in the sun becomes very addictive. I love my coffee and bacon roll in the sun on the terrace pre-warmup followed by 18 holes on well manicured golf course wearing shorts. Our club always runs 2 roll up competitions per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays and fortnightly there is either the monthly medal or the club Ranking competition, throw in a main club event maybe once a month and there is plenty of competitive golf to play. I should also mention the inter-club events as we play all over the coast.

For myself I have not retired yet and need to work. Having said that estate agents in Spain are not the busiest of people in these economic times but we do work very flexible hours so taking a morning off for golf in the week is always a possibility and maybe knocking off at 3pm for some social golf. Very often we like to play the course with a client who maybe seeking a golf front villa or apartment. No point trying to sell an apartment until the client decides the course is good enough.

In our area we have 7 courses all within 7 minutes drive of each other and once you get involved with golf locally you will meet members from other local clubs who will sign you in to play their course at a fraction of the wrack rate. Of the 7 courses 5 are in Spains top 10 so we are very spoilt for choice here. These include Valderrama, La Resrva, Real Club Sotogrande, San Roque New Course & San Roque Old course. Other local courses include Almenara's 27 holes, Alcaidesa beachfront course and La Canada golf. The wonderful Finca Cortesin is within 15 minutes drive.

This morning I met a client at the golf club and whilst there introduced him to a number of members some who had just arrived back in Spain and a few that were departing having spent most of the summer here. These people were all members who had taken the 6 month option but some were already looking to maybe upgrade their membership to full time and spend more time here than back in their country of origin.

My golf club is the San Roque golf club and whilst the majority of members are Brits and Irish there is also a great mix of other Europeans and a few Spanish. The atmosphere is always friendly and very few play and dash off immediately as there is always a drink while waiting the results of the match.

I am happy to chat to anyone thinking about Spain Golf and the logistics of a second home in the sun. One thing I do know if you make the commitment you will not regret it and I still say 10 years on that moving here was the best decision I have ever made.

Isnt it time you discovered the stunning western fringe of the Costa del Sol

article by Francis Payne

Tailor Made estate agents of Sotogrande

www.tailormadesotogrande.com

Golf in Sotogrande Southern Spain

Golf Family fun and Retirement you will find the Lifestyle on Costa del Sols western fringe Spain

As an agent working in Sotogrande I find it wonderful to see Grandparents who move to the area planning a life in the sun and making provision for the extended family to enjoy the lifestyle. Recently a client sold their waterside penthouse apartment simply to buy a villa with garden so that the grandchildren could come and enjoy the location with them.

It seems that Joseph & Tanya Kettle realized soon after moving here that it was easier for them to fly the family here to Sotogrande and spend time outdoors in the sunshine having fun instead of traveling back to UK and often spending time stuck indoors watching the rain.

Its nice that since now they bought the villa they see more of the family than ever before. Where once it was the odd visit for to their home in Surrey for a weekend often cancelled due to busy social lifestyles, now the family plans its yearly trips to spend time at Easter, Christmas and of course the Summer. The teenage grandchildren love Sotogrande having made new friends last year. Josephs son also sneaks over on his own for several long weekends to play golf with his father and his fathers golfing freinds at his golf club.

'Buying the Villa has been the best move we have ever made' says Joseph. 'We had started to think our family was going in different directions and we were seeing them less and less. Now here in Spain we eat play and laugh together and I believe we are all a lot closer as a result of moving. Its the best retirement we could have wished for.'

If your looking for a family home and your a lover of golf then this beautiful home is on the Almenara golf Course and a few minutes drive to Sotogrande International school. The property is a very large luxury Villa with wonderful Sotogrande views. The Road is called Formentera where 2 International football players have holiday homes.

To see more information about this beautiful villa click this link Luxury Golf Villa Sotogrande Sotogrande is the largest private residential estate in Europe considered the best location in Spain for golf,tennis, polo and equestrian sports

Francis Payne Tailor Made estate agents

Spains best kept secret if you like sophisticated lifestyle in unspoilt surroundings

Spains best kept secret

I wanted to write something brief which sums up this beautiful location in Southern Spain.



Sotogrande is located on the western edge of the "Costa del Sol" just outside the province of Malaga. The Sotogrande estate is approximately 40 minutes drive west of Marbella and 20 minutes from Estepona.



Also in close proximity is Gibraltar and many Sotogrande residents work on Gibraltar or live in Gibraltar and have holiday homes in Sotogrande. My wife likes to pop over there simply for the occasional British shop, its a comfort thing.



Often when the TV flashes up the luxury lifestyle  in Spain the eating drinking dancing are normally images of Marbella. However many of the images that are used of Marbella are infact Sotogrande. Its annoying to a Sotogrande estate agents when the press show stunning scenery shots are shown alongside party people enjoying life in the sun and state its Marbella. All the Polo, Our port scenes, beach scenes, mountains forests are not Marbella. Sotogrande is very unspoilt with no high rise development and no traffic congestion.

Marbella has become over developed crowded and congested and often traffic grinds to a standstill.



All too often those beautiful scenes are photo shots of Sotogrande. The word Sotogrande means "a large wooded area" and that is exactly what it was. A vast valley chosen for its natural beauty and wonderful scenery. The gated community is possibly the largest private upmarket estate in Europe.

Sotogrande is roughly 4 kms wide x 8kms deep and is surrounded by a mountains, native forest and sandy beach's and there is even a large river running through the heart of the estate. Sotogrande has its own Port, an upmarket marina, 7 golf courses within 5 minutes of each other 4 of which are in the top 10 for Spain. There are two tennis centres, 2 International Equestrian centres and two beautiful beach clubs and a great international Polo scene with 10 local polo clubs in close vicinity.

Security is good and  Securitas control entry gates and cctv in and out of the walled estate with regular patrols and are on call 24/7 if needed or worried



Sotogrande is not a mass tourism destination and whilst tourists do come to Sotogrande the main residents are the full time dwellers and the second home visitors with many of the latter often choosing to live here more often than not. For me Sotogrande is wonderful because there is a good community its a place where new faces are readily accepted. Join a few clubs get the kids involved in a few activities and in no time your social life will rocket. The International school is at the heart of Sotogrande as without a good school this place would become a faceless holiday destination. The schools reputation has often been the decider for any parents who maybe concerned at any move that may affect there children's education. With nearly 700 children at the school that's a lot of families all involved in community the life .



A quick drive around Sotogrande is no way to find out what this location has to offer, its so spread out that its impossible to take it in on a single day trip. People who do a day trip may comment that the area is very quiet and maybe too quiet for them. I would respond by explaining that in Sotogrande its not always the most obvious locations where people gather and meet. There is a lot going on here socially and the people who live here are very open and welcoming the key is to make a couple of friends whether its from chatting to other parents while waiting on your childrens activities or your own involvement in golf tennis boating fishing etc and from there you quickly will start to know and understand Sotogrande.

When searching online for Sotogrande via web portals please note that we are on the western fringe of the Costa del Sol infact we are 1km outside the boundary. So property websites such as rightmove overseas, zoopla abroad do not include Sotogrande in a search of Costa del Sol. Its annoying for an estate agent as mentally we are considered part of the Costa del Sol lifestyle yet factually we fall just outside the boundary being in Cadiz province and technically Costa del Luz.



Sotogrande 1 hour 10 minutes Malaga airport, 30 minutes Gibraltar airport



Article by Francis Payne



Tailor Made estate agents based in Sotogrande Port. 



www.tailormadesotogrande.com

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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

Find Sotogrande on our map click on MAP

In Sotogrande Spain Tailor Made estate agents have more UK interest for Spanish luxury homes market

A upturn in the Spanish luxury homes property market and a strengthening of the Pound results in more Brits arriving and bargains being snapped up in Sotogrande Spain Signs of improvement in the UK property market and stronger Pound is having a knock on effect here in Sotogrande Spain. Am pleased to say the phones are ringing again as people revisit the prospect of buying a home in Spain.Having said that the hardest hurdle to bridge is the price difference between what owners will sell for and what buyers are willing to pay and with low interest rates continuing many owners in prime locations are holding their prices. Sales that have been happening have in the main been for bargain property. The press would have us believe that in Spain the market is littered with give away bargains and yes there are plenty of cheap homes around most areas. Having said that the press often fail to mention that a lot of these vacant properties in Spain were not desirable in the good times let alone a recession. Too many greedy developers over building and reducing building specifications creating concrete jungles many of which are half built or remain unsold. Here in Sotogrande much of the property that was for sale has been removed from the market because owners have rented them long term or simply decided to wait It seems to me that people are now street wise about buying in Spain and these days are asking all the right questions. As a country the South of Spain has tackled the huge corruption issues and many a developer, Lawyer, Planning officers and town Mayors languish in Spanish Jails guilty as charged.

The risk factor in the property market is not what it was and slowly but surely progress is being made. I feel people recognize the improvements and whilst many changes to the law are long winded, bureaucratic and frustrating the end result will be to stamp out many of the risks and issues Spain's property market.

As an agency selling property in Sotogrande Spain, the risk is further minimized simply because this area one of Europe's largest upmarket private residential estates is well established. The development was originally set out in the 1960s and has grown to become one of the main holiday home locations for many wealthy Spanish.

So there is no surprise that this estate with so much natural beauty and sporting facilities has attracted many city lawyers, top sports people and Spanish Government ministers to choose Sotogrande for their second homes.

My gut feeling is that Spain is about 18 to 24 months behind the UK market and for property in wealth locations particularly in respect of upmarket prime location homes.

Sotogrande does have its share of bargains although no where near the levels the generalizing press would have you believe. In the last 12 months property has been selling for me it is a reflection of some owners wanting to offload after reaching an impatience threshold.

On our books a 5 bedroom villa in Sotogrande that would once have been on the market for in excess of 1 million euros yet recently these owner have conceded to re-market the property inviting offers on 595,000.00 euros. In any given month you can find 1 or 2 such bargains but the truth is that with low interest rates many owners in wealth locations prefer to be patient. Trouble is that for some unknown reason Agents are still valuing property far too high and when presenting their values throwing in the old agency gem "We will put it on the market at price X but people will make low offers anyway so no point reducing" For me this is an outdated approach to agency, and any sales person worth their salt will know that if you establish a value close to your selling level then you are more likely to be looked at by a lot more prospective customers than you would with an extortionate unachievable price. This 3 bedroom waterside apartment once 760.000,00 euros has just exchanged contracts for 310.000,00 euros a real steel for a property on the waters edge and 100 meters from the beach.

Its not uncommon for a property in Sotogrande to go on the market at 1.5 million the owner knowing the reality that its not worth more than 900,000.00. Real buyers know their budget and may NOT look at property 100,000.00 over their budget so the closer a property is priced to the sellers bottom line the more chance there is of selling.

It is very frustrating for me as an agent when giving a true selling value that's a much lower valuation than provided by my competitors and then 2 years down the Road the property sells very close to my original indication.

Francis Payne Tailor Made estate agents Sotogrande tel.0034 956790320

Offices in Sotogrande Port

A lifestyle move to a special place and a Villa in Millionaires row fronting golf course and views of Mediterranean

Millionaires row high on the hill overlooking Sotogrande, Spain for an idyllic family lifestyle

The ultimate location with a view in Sotogrande Spain. Sotogrande is a millionaires enclave and one of Europes largest private residential gated communities where well heeled Spaniards and European expats enjoy life in the sun with all the sporting pursuits one would expect couple with some stunning real estate.

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The stunning home pictured enjoys a wonderful elevated position with views directly over Almenara golf and the famous San Roque golf resort and beyond to the meditteranean sea with beach a 10 minutes drive away. Houses in this street start at 8000 sq ft and there are several built at 15000 sq ft and another currently under construction indicated at 20,000 sq ft

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The beautiful villa featured was completed within the last 5 years to a very high specification and incorporates the best of modern finishes.This Sotogrande property is a grand design set inside beautifully landscaped grounds enjoying southerly views fronting a beautiful golf course.

to find out more about this stunning home click on the link Villa Sotogrande.

Sotogrande resort unlike Marbella has been carefully planned offering low rise developments and luxury homes on landscaped grounds along palm tree lined avenues where you are never far from nature yet safe within a security patrolled gated community

Calle Granada is the premier street of Sotogrande Alto and this part of Sotogrande attracts people who love to wake up to the best of views so this street its panoramic.

So what does it mean to bring your family to Sotogrande. Well Sotogrande will provide your children with a lifestyle like no other.The Sotogrande International school is warm friendly and welcoming and kids soon integrate and in no time at all will be looking to pursue similar interests as their friends in this very safe environment. From my own experience my children have enjoyed golf, tennis, horse riding, sailing and particularly dance.As one off activities in summer or winter camps within the estate they have tried children's polo fun, kayaking on the river, padel boarding at the beach and many kids surf. As parents in Sotogrande its good to know that wherever the kids go they are never far from recognizing people they know and so often in my daily travels people stop me to say they spotted my daughter on the beach at the port and this in itself has given us a lot of reassurance. Sotogrande is a community and parents will soon find themselves adapting and attending fitness classes, gymnasiums, tennis clubs, golf clubs, book clubs, cycling groups at all levels. Back in UK my wife was not a sports person and despite being here 7 years still isn't but does attend sport on a social basis as well as joining the odd gymn class and playing padel tennis once a week for fun and making new friends as new people arrive in the area and join in the fun.I myself love the sports here and am a member at the San Roque golf club I also love playing padel tennis and normally aim to play in the open mixings 3 nights a week. I occasionally try the odd cycling trip through beautiful Andalusian country and forests that surround Sotogrande. Fishing is another favorite hobby and I have even caught several good sized Tuna over the years its fun to be out on the water particularly when the dolphins are about. Our teenager is of course a worry aren't they all but at the end of the day this place is reasonably safe and kids love hanging out at the late night beach bar or in the local village out door disco. At least you know there are lots of friends around at all times. Occasionally they worry us more with the odd trip to Marbella but its 45 minutes drive and these night out are not frequent.Our lives here have changed from the UK where the day ended at 7pm wife watching TV kids home and bed by 9.30. Socially I would go for a curry with mates on a Thursday night, maybe out with wife Saturday and a Sunday roast with friends after Sunday morning golf. Now a typical work day for me in the summer means the Sotogrande Port at 9am coffee with friends {and theres always a few there} until Tailor Made estate agents office opens at 10am I will work until 2pm take 30 minutes for tapas and a drink then if I have no viewings i head home 4pm to enjoy pool fun with my youngest. My youngest depending how she feels may come with me to padel tennis at 6pm where she meets other kids and I get strenuos excercise until 8pm promptly followed by a cold beer.

Once home I may fire up the BBQ and sit out on the terrace chatting with the wife for an hour. Alternatively during the week if not busy I often get to play twilight golf and there are 6 courses within 5 minutes drive. On a weekend I aim for a golf game in the weekend competition. On Sunday mornings there is open play padel tennis and normally the day continues with lunch at the beach or up in the mountains. What about the wife I hear you say, well the wife here in Spain is a lot more chilled these days it comes with the more relaxed lifestyle. For my wife she keeps herself entertained coffees,lunch, beach club, shopping in Marbella some social sport and getting involved as a helper in the numerous community social charity events. Living here you also get a lot of invites for dinners BBQs and family day sporting events.For instance for us there are various family fun days at the Octogano tennis club. I know from being here 7 years that there are wives who have never been sporty and are now total fitness fanatics with Piloxing Yoga Pilates Zumba running club and a lot into equestrian pursuits. Of course it wouldn't be Sotogrande without a few family trips to the Polo and the Santa Maria Polo club is an excellent centre to pass a few hours sipping Pimms shopping in the various stalls and sitting out in the sun watching skilled horsemen thundering past. For our family we have a wonderful social life with a large circle of friends and sometimes we feel there is simply too much going on week to week. Of course if you are not into a lot of activity it is the best place to grab a book and lay be the Pool or chill at at one of the several beach chiringitos or the luxury beach clubs. Marbella wasnt for us it was simply too built up and the roads were chaotic not to mention the seedy side of Banus too close for comfort when bringing up teenagers. In Sotogrande we are away from the madding crowd but with the added benefit if we need a small piece of England Gibraltar is 25 minutes away. My parents live in Northern Spain and regularly visit us. When they arrive one of my dads first trips is to Gibraltar and Morrisons he wants his Branston Pickle, Birds Custard and a Christmas pudding.

We believe that Sotogrande is a family and community lifestyle like no other place in Spain. Moving abroad is about integrating and improving your life and I believe Sotogrande offers all the options towards such a goal

. Driving through the estate several times may give you the impression that its a little sleepy. You will not get to know Sotogrande by a drive through there are places that you will not find there are restaurants in stunning locations you will not see unless you know a local who can show you. The main thing is that you Visit us and get expert advice

As you can see I am very enthusiastic about Sotogrande Spain even after 7 years I still wake up for work feeling like I am on Holiday. I am happy to share my experiences as a family man moving to Spain and settling. I always thought it may have been my wife who would not settle but she loves it here and we call it home. Its important before buying or renting a home and moving over that you establish what this community has to offer and how it may benefit your own life and I am happy to meet for a coffee and chat before even discussing property in Sotogrande.

Francis Payne. Tailor Made estate Agents Puerto Sotogrande Spain

tel. 0034 956790320

Tailor Made estate agents also have offices on the Sandbanks Penisula Dorset UK & Poole town centre rental agency Dorset

Is it the time to buy a property in Spain? Choices to be made as the property market starts to warm up

Expat inquiries are on the Up in Sotogrande Spain As the Spanish property market starts to turn its no wonder interest in buying a property on the Sotogrande private residential estate is rapidly improving. Yet the prices remain a lot lower than they were in 2007 but for how long? Maybe now is the right time for that investment abroad Sotogrande in Southern Spain is one of the largest private residential estates in Europe with its own port, Marina developments surrounded by beach, forest, and mountains and bisected by the Guadiaro River. In essence the ideal location for a wonderful full time family lifestyle or alternatively a great safe holiday home location where you can enjoy fishing,golf,tennis,sailing,riding,polo and cycling to name but a few. The development is gated with security cameras in and out whilst Securitas continually patrol the estate and man gates 24 hours a day and are always a phone call away. One of the reasons that people love Sotogrande is the fact that it has a strong community bonded by a wonderful outdoor lifestyle. Many families have children attending the Sotogrande international school which is attended by over 650 children ages between 3years to 18 years studying on the ever popular International Baccalaureate curriculum. Whilst there are many that live in Sotogrande full time there are also many seasonal regulars. People myself included look forward to holiday periods when my circle of friends doubles with families coming and staying for Easter or the whole of the summer. For many of these seasonal regulars you often see fathers commuting during the holidays knowing the family are happy staying in this safe environment. In the last 18 months the Swedish, Danish, Belgium's, & French have been prevalent in looking for bargains and now with the UK property market taking off we are seeing an increase in British buyers. The choice of property can only be described as diverse and for this reason I say that Sotogrande caters for everyone. So if you are looking for a home on the water with boat moored outside, an apartment overlooking a championship golf course, a mountainside home with ocean views or maybe a riverside property or even an apartment on an island then Sotogrande has the choice. This grand upmarket estate boasts multi-million pound luxury villas upto 15 million euros, waterside apartments from 250.000,00 euros and an alfresco lifestyle and climate second to none. So here are some examples of good value buys currently on offer in our area. Here is a detached villa in a complex within the larger complex located on one of the Coasts most exclusive upmarket golf courses with stunning views. This property was originally sold 8 years ago costing the current owner over 1.3 million euros and can now be yours for cerca 550.000,00 euros

The golf club house as well as riding stables and kids adventure park are all within a minutes walk. Maybe you are looking to retire here and cannot find quite what you want. Then consider buying this plot of land again frontline golf with views towards the sea. Maybe we can rent you a long term villa whilst the build is in progress. This land was bought for cerca 1.1 million euros and you can now buy it for 400.000,00 euros. A very good price for just over an acre of land. The house next door was recently valued for over 7 million. Click on this link to see the plot of land La Reserva golf resort Sotogrande For waterside living some of these apartments once cost over 700.000,00 now under 400,000.00 euros

This 6 bedroom luxury villa is front-line golf and located on one of Sotograndes premier locations enjoying panoramic golf and sea views.

waterside apartments in the marina where apartments are for sale with berths on the doorstep should you want to rent or buy a berth. Here is a link to a berth for sale near the beach. If the sea isnt for you maybe a home at one of the highest points on Sotogrande. Apartments overlooking a beautiful lake and the golf course countryside beyond

As an agent formerly selling property on Sandbanks in Dorset I have seen recessions and lived through the recovery. Just like Sandbanks these wealth locations are the place to buy when the recovery starts. Get in at the right time and you maybe buying into a home whose value in a few years time will once again go beyond your reach.

the expat in Sotogrande,Spain

Luxury Lifestyle in Sotogrande Spain

Dream of living in Spain
Consider Sotogrande a Gated community surrounded by stunning countryside
A sporting estate bordered by Sea, mountains, Rivers & real Spain on your doorstep.


10 reasons we love Sotogrande

1.Golf: Valderrama, Sotogrande Real, San Roque Club, La Reserva golf, Almenara Golf, Alcaidesa golf, La Canada golf . All either inside or surrounding Sotogrande

2.Equestrian: Two equestrian centres surrounded by cork forest. San Roque & Hipica Sotogrande

3.Private Marina: yacht haven. Berth outside youR apartment or in the main port with its restaurants bars & shops

4.Securicor: 24 hr manned gates in and out of community & regularly patrolled

5.International Polo: Santa Maria Polo, Ayala Polo and many others within few minutes drive

6.Gibraltar: (20 mins) our slice of UK Morrisons M&S. Its a Brit comfort thing. Consider the tax benefits of Gibraltar

7.School: Modern facilities beautiful location. Kids love it from 3 to 18. Authorised International Baccalaureate

8.Beach: In the summer we love the Chiringuitos beach bars for friends food, drink music, long into the evening. Alternatively try one of the 2 luxury beach clubs

9. Tennis: 2 tennis centres. We all end up there Adults and kids playing tennis or simply for the social

10. Health: outdoor life, more social , sporting fitness & fun is where my family has benefits from living in this wonderful community

Discovering Sotogrande was a master stroke in our lives. The climate makes you happy and sociable, the envoirenment is safe and secure. We are an international community as reflected by the school 50% British, 25% Spanish and 25% the rest of the world.

If you want to live in Spain then make your decision after you have seen Sotogrande

Marbella not for me

Sotogrande quieter than Marbella but for those who love the outdoor life and want to enjoy a great sporting heritage there is no better place than Sotogrande.

Life in Sotogrande offers the outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of sport and leisure. The Sotogrande marina is unspoilt here you will not find tacky pictures of pizza plastered all over the marina. Here you will find sleek yachts that enjoy sailing through the nearby straits of Gibraltar a haven for fishing,Whale and Dolphin spotting.
The Guadiaro river never dries out and runs through Sotogrande we often hire canoes and take a half day trip up this Andalucian water way.

Tennis and the ever popular padel tennis are a great social draw and most morning the Sotogrande mums can be seen at Octagono or Cucarrucho tennis centres taking lessons or playing some friendly matches.Evenings and weekends its open invitation when men and women turn up and mix in the daily matches
When it comes to Golf not many will argue that here you find the very best of the Costa del Sol golf courses Sotogrande Real, San Roque Golf, Valderamma Golf and La Reserva are all within 5 minutes of each other literally surrounding Sotogrande. I am a member of San Roque Golf and love playing the Old Course although the San Roque new course takes some beating. Then if you want to sit back and be entertained pop along to Santa Maria Polo. The notice boards around Sotogrande tell you when and where there is a tournament and many people take the kids and a picnic. Here home of Santa Maria Polo you dont have to be a toff to spend a lazy social day in the sun. Whilst living in Spain for us Brits tends to be a lifestyle move you cannot beat the fact that from Sotogrande you can still get a slice of England and most Brit wifes pop along to Gibraltar for a Morrisons or Marks & Spencers shop after all the exchange rate isnt great so being able to spend some British pounds becomes theraputic although my wife thinks not loosing on exchange is a reason to spend more. On a rainy day we often take the children to Gibraltar for Cinema ice skating or bowling.

Whilst Sotogrande is mainly an expat community it is great to escape to real Spain and La Linea town is 20 minutes drive and we often walk the paseo on the warmer evenings and enjoy the mix of young and old sitting out drinking coffee and its fun to discover the many tapas bars and restaurants in the alleys and side streets around the historic quarter. All that and I havent mentioned the Beach Sotogrande has beach on both sides and to the west it stretches beyond Sotogrande to Alcaidesa and all the way to La Linea. Miles of unspoilt sand and sea with nothing else behind it other than cork forest and marsh land.

Three years living here and for us there is no going back. No traffic jams, probably one of the greenest areas of Southern Spain a large estate of tree lined avenues and Roads with a mountain backdrop and a stunning sea front. Once a month we visit Marbella 30 to 40 minutes away but for us a day is enough to keep the wifes shopping habits in play whilst I amble around the historic old town.
Then its back to Sotogrande approximately 4 km wide x 6 km deep all gated entrances manned by securicor and recorded on CCTV. Once inside even after 3 years it feels like you are back on Holiday