Spain.life in the sun be aware Isolated Villages

Location Location Recession Spain Expats be aware Choose you location in Spain with careful thought

One of the noticeable trends I am increasingly aware of on the Costa Del Sol and a direct result of recession, are the number of expats moving back into the more populated coastal areas after years of living in more isolated fincas or cortijos in the mountain valleys or white villages of Cadiz or Malaga Provinces. It seems to me the expat dream of a character home in the Andalusian countryside wares thin when money gets tight. The affect of reduced currency exchange rates and reduced incomes resulted in isolated villages seeing a steady stream of expats leave many returning to their homelands. Those left behind start to feel the social affect of becoming the remaining few. For the remaining expat families local bars and restaurants that once meant a guarantee of good food and company have in recent years been empty. As an agent in Sotogrande i have received a regular stream of email inquiries from wives wanting to get their family back to a busier social scene. When funds are tight having to fill the 4x4 for the 45 minute each way daily school run suddenly becomes an issue and as children get older they want to be closer to their friends. For the older retired expat with exchange rates diminishing their pensions there maybe a skill that can be revamped in order to bring in well needed additional revenue. I myself use a retired British electrician and a German plumber for small jobs. Both these men had retired to the sun with their wives and were living in the mountain village of Guacin. In order to supplement their income both chose to move to a larger expat community and both rented modest homes in Spanish villages adjoining Sotogrande. Sotogrande is the largest private residential estate in Europe a location of natural beauty sandwiched between Mountain and Sea with several scattered lakes and bisected by the river Guadiaro. In Sotogrande the well heeled Spanish enjoy a privelidged lifestyle mixing with wealthy expats from all over Europe and its main selling point is the safe environment for children, many who attend the Sotogrande International School for children of ages 3 year to 18 years.

The lesson here is to be aware that some locations are not what they were. At one time entire valleys of beautiful farm type houses were filled with expats who were sold the property in pursuit of their dream of living in the Andalusian beautiful countryside. The life was one of horse riding in the mornings lunches in the best Ventas {country eateries}and a constant circle of BBQs with the fun loving neighbours. Whilst I am certain that time will bring a new wave of country dweller to these areas my advice is to try country living and rent the farm house leaving you to try before you buy and retaining the option as so many before you to move without too much pain to an established community usually found along the coast. A number of my friends have done just that and now wives enjoy group coffee morning husband the regular invitations to play golf or maybe to join in the nightly padel tennis sessions at some of the local tennis clubs. The expat community in Sotogrande is a very close one and to outsiders there may not see a lot going on, but be assured that once you have settled it will not take very long to integrate through the school the sports and other hobbies. Sotogrande has had its fair share of expats returning to their homelands but a steady stream are arriving and amongst them many who enjoyed the country living at its best but who could no longer cope with the unforeseen changes to the lifestyle that they once knew.

Villa Ideal family home rent or buy in Sotogrande Spain. Written by Francis Payne of Tailor Made estates offices Puerto Sotogrande www.tailormadesotogrande.com Tailor Made Estate Agents also have offices in Poole 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.

Country Home in Southern Spain

Country Home in Southern Spain

Its a dream for many people buying a traditional Spanish cortijo or finca cottage on a good size plot. Many people realize that dream yet not so many enjoy the dream. Isolation becomes the issue for many. A holiday is wonderful but full time living is very different. Here in Sotogrande we often find people arriving who have rented their country home out and are looking to rent a villa on the Sotogrande Estate simply because they want to be part of an expat community. So here is a super country home in a village adjacent Sotogrande very close to the port and beach. This home enjoy 4600m2 of land and is on the edge of a Spanish village within 3 minutes of Santa Maria Polo club and 5 minutes of Sotogrande Port. The present owners have spent many years lovingly restoring it and this home is in very good condition. The property includes a number of outbuildings including a shop, workshop studion and an office building. All the property is kept in character. The house is offered for sale by Tailor Made Estates whose offices are in Sotogrande Port tel 0034 956790320 our agency also have UK offices in Sandbanks Poole and Poole Town Centre. For mor info on this property click on our weblink Country Property In Spain

Spain why Follow the Money

I would love to Spend more time in Spain. But where shall I choose ? So many of us in answer to this question are guided too quickly by our package holiday experience in Spain. So you have been to Spain many times and enjoyed yourself

Celebrity Golf Classic comes to Marbella

Celebrity Golf Classic comes to Marbella 

Bargain Land for luxury Home in Sotogrande Spain Frontline La Reserva golf

A steel in Spain A parcel of Land

Live by a Lake, an Island, a river or Polo field in Southern Spain

Homes on Islands or overlooking River,Lake,Golf,Marina,Polo or beach

These are the choices of living in Sotogrande Spain and now it is much more affordable. Prices have dropped dramatically and there are bargains to be had.

The picture in this article shows a development called Los Gazules in Sotogrande Alto a development built over the lake with views across the Almenara golf course and the green countryside beyond. Despite the location having the rural feel it is inside the Sotogrande Alto, a security gated & patrolled urbanization with its manicured roads bespoke villas and luxury developments.Los Gazules is within 10 minutes of the beach 5 minutes to 5 golf courses and under 10 minutes to supermarkets and shops.

The development has a mixture of 2 bed 3 bed & 4 bedroom apartments with large balconies. There are also 2 free form community swimming Pools. Prices in this development were 460.000,00€ for a 3 bedroom apartment and 875.000,00€ for a 4 bedroom duplex apartment. Now you can find a 3 bedroom for around 325.000,00€ or a 4 bedroom 450.000,00€

Sotogrande is not over developed and is a very tranquil area of natural beauty. However it does have community living here full time as reflected by the internationals school where approx 700 local children enjoy living and learning in Spain. People who live in Sotogrande love its outdoor life, the sports and the laid back lifestyle in a very multi cultural community. There are also many retired people who will spend 3 or 4 months at a time between their home here in Sotogrande and their home elsewhere.

Other choices in this stunning area include bespoke villas on Golf courses with sea views, Homes on the beach or by the Riverside (Formula 1 Eddie Jordan has a home on the river)or maybe an apartment on one of the marina islands with a boat berth on the door step. Many people love Sotogrande for the busy Polo Scene and again you can buy overlooking Santa Maria polo club. Apartments that were 650.000,00€ now 370.000,00 sit on the balcony watching the excitement of the

Sotogrande is just over an hours easy motorway drive from Malaga airport or 25 minutes from the Gibraltar airport.