| Spoilt for Choice |
 The Costa Blanca’s highly developed infrastructure, healthy climate and plentiful golf facilities continue to attract a large number of foreign residents, both to its new inland developments and its pretty coastal villages. The Costa Blanca takes in the long strip of white coast that extends from Denia in the north to El Mahon in the south, as well as the inland reaches of the Alicante region. It remains one of the most popular areas of Spain with UK buyers, with large numbers of British and Europeans now living and working there. They appreciate the highly developed infrastructure of hotels, restaurants, road and rail systems, golf courses, supermarkets and schools. However, the region still manages to retain a Spanish feel, especially in the smaller coastal villages and inland towns and villages. For those looking to buy a property off-plan, the majority of new developments are inland and offer the benefit of golf facilities close by and an easy drive to the beach. Residents talk of how conducive the climate is to easy living, with 37 days of rainfall annually and average daily temperatures of 19°C – ranging from average January temperatures of 11.5°C to July temperatures of 24.9°C. The World Health Organization has also declared the Costa Blanca region one of the healthiest places in the world to live. “For a majority of Brits, the Costa Blanca ticks all the boxes. And it is that that makes it a more secure investment when compared to many other locations,” says Peter Wills of estate agent Masa International. 
In 2006, Alicante was the second most enquired about province in Spain after Granada. Despite this, prices dropped in the region for the first half of 2006 and then rose steadily, finishing on a high just before Christmas. “Though it is true that prices have slowed in the last 12 months, there are signs that prices for off-plan properties are continuing to rise steadily,” says Sue McMullen of estate agent Headlands UK. Prices in the region are slightly below the national average, at €233,400, with one bedroom properties good value at 21 per cent below the national average (source: Kyero).  “In the last 12 months, property prices have become more stable and there are a lot of properties currently on the market at very realistic prices,” says Chris Derrett of ACD Spanish Properties. “The market is still very buoyant, and we anticipate continued steady growth and excellent rental potential,” says Sue McMullen. North of Alicante, the Costa Blanca is divided into the Marina Baja and Marina Alta. The Marina Baja coastline is home to Villajosa, an essentially Spanish resort with a large fishing fleet; Benidorm with a towering skyline and excellent amenities; Alfaz del Pi inland and its coastal resort of Albir; and the pretty upmarket town of Altea, which has several luxury developments. Estate agent Viva Estates has for sale a four-bedroom property in Altea for E403,000 (£264,000). Marina Alta is the most picturesque part of the Costa Blanca with several impressive mountain ranges, sandy bays and cliffs. Resorts include Calpe, the busiest in the area with well established resident British and German communities; Moraira, an up-market resort with an attractive marina; Javea, the ‘Pearl of the Costa Blanca’ with its well preserved old quarter, fishing port and marina, and Denia, the services centre of the area, with good amenities and facilities. In Moraira, the estate agent Falcon is offering a one-bedroom apartment that is only two minutes walk from the centre and three minutes from the fishing port and beach for E105,000. The property consists of one bedroom, a bathroom, living/dining area, covered terrace and use of communal swimming pool. At the other extreme, and also in Moraira, Viva Estates has for sale a four-bedroom villa with a large terrace on a large plot of 1,774 sqm for E899,000. In Calpe, Falcon has a three-bedroom villa with views of the famous rock of Calpe. On a good-sized plot, and with its own private pool, there is the possibility to extend the property to create a separate apartment. The villa is well situated within walking distance of the sea and town centre and is for sale for E306,000. Inland is the beautiful Jalon valley, with almond and orange groves surrounded by mountains. This area is worth looking at, with properties keenly priced. ‘Inland areas are experiencing a boom, as new developments and golf courses are built,’ says Jan Tidow of Viva Estates.  “For those looking to buy a property off-plan, the majority of new developments are inland and offer the benefit of golf facilities close by and an easy drive to the beach” Viva Estates has a four-bedroom villa in Pego on a plot of 750 sqm for E403,000. Two miles inland from Moraira, in the village of Benitachell, Falcon Estates is offering a two-bedroom detached villa with private pool for E263,680. The main residential areas in the south are Pilar de la Horadada, currently expanding and increasingly popular with foreign residents; Orihuel Costa, home to the Costa Blanca’s main golf courses and with a large foreign population; Torrevieja, a busy and fast expanding town with good amenities and services; Guardamar del Segura, which has one of Spains best beaches and La Marina and Cuidad Queseda, large inland urbanizations. “Many new homes in the south are being built further inland where golf is on tap and you are still just a short drive away form the nearest beach,” says Peter Wills of Masa International . In Guardamar del Segura, estate agent Headlands has a three-bedroom detached villa with private pool in a private development, set in a beautiful location next to the national park of Laguna del la Mata close to the picturesque beaches featuring dunes and pine trees, from £215, 364.  Inland, in Hondon las Nieves, Headlands has traditional-style three-bedroom detached villas nestled in a valley with vineyards for around £174, 655. Estate agent Masa has for sale the two-bedroom ‘Conchita’ detached villa, set in a picturesque valley between Sierra de la Cava and Sierra de la Crevillente and with mountain views, for £122,000. On the Gracia Dream Hills development, between La Finca and Villamoura golf courses and an easy journey to Torreviejas southern beaches, Masa International is offering two-bedroom maisonettes for £103,000. |
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