Murcia has a dry and arid climate.  Hence it is not as green as its neighbours, but you’ll be impressed with the family farms – huertas – because they use Moorish irrigation methods that have produced some of the country’s best citrus fruits and vegetables.  Murcia is also noted for its fine wine.

Murcia has mild winters and receives a lot of sunshine all year round.

Murcia:  Attention Food Lovers!

For people who travel for the sake of sampling local fare, what kind of food can they expect from Murcia?  Typical dishes include meats, rice, stews, and fresh seafood.  You’ve no doubt heard of tapas.  Murcia offers the tapa-seeking traveler a good number of bars, restaurants and town squares that serve these delicious appetizers in outdoor terraces.  The types of tapas that are popular in Murcia include: la ensalada murciana, zarangollo and pisto.

As for bars, you have a choice of Los Toneles, El Palomo, and the ones you find in Plaza San Juan:  El Patio in C/ Paco and La Parranda.  There are many others; on weekends, bars that serve tapas are Plaza de las Flores, la Plaza Mayor, and Alfonso X el Sabio – favourites of both the locals and visitors. If you’re looking to dine in a historic setting, Murcia has that extra bonus for the traveler because many of its towns have retained their medieval character. Some restaurants mirror this medieval character.

Murcia and Costa Calida:  Things to Do

Beach lovers can’t complain.  Costa Calida has some of the country’s fine-sand beaches: El Mojon (in San Pedro del Pinatar), La Puntica (in Lo Pagán), Puerto de Mazarrón (in Puerto de Mazarrón) and Calabardina (in Calabardina). If you’re an active individual who thrives in water sports, head for Mar Menor and La Manga del Mar Menor – great salt water lagoons.

On land, golf resorts are sprouting up.  Developers are moving in and gobbling up land to build high-end houses and luxury golf facilities for the well-heeled. Murcia in fact already has some of the best golf facilities in the region – you can find them at La Manga Club – an exclusive private club near Mar Menor, but plans are underway for more top of the line 18-hole golf courses.  Murcia may yet take over Andalucia as Europe’s golfing paradise.  

Murcia and orange blossoms are synonymous, reason why the people of Murcia are a happy and extroverted people, not to mention the amount of sunshine they get in a year.  This cheerful disposition is reflected in the diversity of feasts and festivals:  carnivals in February, fairs (the Fair of Murcia in September), spring festivals and a fair share of cinema, theatre, art exhibits and conferences.  A good number of artistic shows are staged in “Teatro Romea” and “Centro de Congresos”.

Other places to visit include the Cathedral (Murcia’s shining glory with its 96-metre tower with 25 bells), the Church of our Father Jesus (this church also houses the museum of Salzillo, a famous Spanish sculptor), the Gardens of Malecón, and for those who are feeling lucky, the Casino.  The Casino dates back to 1847; it has a panoramic patio and a ballroom built with Neo-baroque themes, as well as a beautiful library. If you’ve got time to spare, drop by the Museum of Murcia and the Hydraulic Museum as well. 

If hiking is your cup of tea, venture out to the Natural Park of Calblanque and to the magnificent coves and coastal areas.  Take in the mountain air as you climb, hike or cycle along the Leyva in the Sierra Espuña or the Panocha en el Valle.

The Costa Calida coastline runs for 250 kilometres and is home to one of Spain’s national treasures, Mal Menor (little sea).  Mal Menor is a 22-kilometre narrow sand strip that separates Spain from the Mediterranean. This little sea attracts wildlife and people looking for a cure for a variety of ailments in its mud and minerals.  People can soak in the healing waters and mud baths for free. 

If you head further south on Costa Calida, you will stumble upon Mazzaron, a low-key resort that attracts foreign investors because of low property prices and the fact that it has not yet been affected by masses of tourists.  Costa Calida is known for its rough mountain ranges overlooking the calm sea, boasting of its share of oleanders, wild dwarf palms and pears and seagulls.

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A brief overview

Mention the word ‘La Mancha” and that man Don Quixote immediately springs to mind. Complete with full y clad armor, lance and dapper steed is enough to take one back into the mediaeval times of battles, chivalry and magnificent castles.

A time where a country boasted cultural and academic superiority, formidable agricultural practices and most important of all – a government system so aesthetically designed that made prosperity and well being within everyone’s reach. It would be hard to believe that such a place existed if one had not yet been to the heart of this beautiful Iberian Provence and absorbed all the evidence of the most prosperous era ever to befall Spain.

In its heyday, Spain was to become the most advanced country in all of Europe and lighting the way for science, mathematics, agriculture, architecture and all other spheres of education art and music. These highly civilized Muslim rulers opened the doors to all in Europe and this action proved to be of enormous benefit for everyone.

As the code of conduct of the Muslim rulers was not to force anyone to follow the Religion of Islam as well as live free from oppression and hostility, it was not long before prosperity came knocking and a new era emerged. The Golden Age of Spain (roughly 1000 years ago) was a time that was truly magical and to capture the essence of the ability of mankind to co-exist at this level of integrity and harmony, one may definitely find it in Castilla la Mancha.

Where to find Castilla La Mancha

Castilla La Mancha is an autonomous community in Spain. This is also the smallest self-governing community in the country. The area of Castilla la Mancha is situated smack bang in the centre if the Iberian Peninsula. It is divided into 5 provinces namely Albacete, Ciudad Real, Cuenca, Guadalajara and Toledo.  The provinces are also named after the Capital City of each province.

The Capital City Toledo

Toledo is the capital city of Castilla la Mancha. It is not difficult to understand why this city is called the ‘Spiritual Centre’ of Spain. El Greco, the famous Greek artist, was overwhelmed by its magnificence and it was to become the place where he attained fame and fortune and also eventually died. El Greco was also one of the people responsible for highlighting this city to the rest of the world. During his time in Toledo he produced some of his most outstanding works and some of them can be seen at the House Museum; a palace of the period. Christians, Muslims and Jews lived here in harmony for many centuries and a wealth of religious artifacts remains. Churches, mosques and synagogues as well as fortresses and palaces are found in abundance in this magnificent city.

The Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and the two synagogues Santa Maria la Blanca and El Transito, are beautifully preserved and depict the remains of a thriving society. The synagogues reflect the famous Mudejar style of Arabic architecture and its dominant influence can be seen in most of the buildings. The mosque of Christo de la Luz is over 1000 years old and can still be seen in Toledo, marking the splendor of the Muslim rule of the time. The old quarter of Toledo displays such a magnitude of mediaeval artistic styles that it has been declared a World Heritage Site. The museums and monuments of this intriguing city will certainly leave the visitor in awe and wonderment for a long time.

Another town worth visiting in the Province of Toledo is the city of Talavera de la Reina. The city is larger than the city of Toledo and is situated in the western part of the province. Known for its beautiful pottery and outstanding ceramics, the city also has a wealth of historical monuments and treasures that make it a worthwhile place to include into the itinerary.

Significant Towns in Other Provinces

Puertollano is another historical place situated in Ciudad Real Province. This industrious little town was at one stage almost completely wiped out. The “Black Death” wiped out all except 13 inhabitants in the year 1348.  Other places of interest in Ciudad Province are Valdepenas, Alcazar de San Juan and Tomelloso.

The Province of Albacete has quite a few places worthy of visiting. Hellin is town in the south of the province. Its main tourist attraction is a celebration that occurs during “Holy Week” and includes the traditional tamborada or drumming. The Church of the Asuncion is another attraction. Other towns in this province include Almansa and Caudete.

Culinary Delights

Mackerel semen is one of the latest crazes in Castilla La Mancha. The more traditional gazpachos, tapas, seafood and of course the exotic paella dishes can be found in any respectable Spanish hotel.

Valencia Beaches It is very true that Valencia is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches around. Whilst the sand is some of the finest, the waters are some of the bluest, two of the best characteristics of Valencia beaches are their never ending sunshine and their constant and comforting Mediterranean breezes.

The beaches in Valencia are just as pleasurable as any beach could possibly hope to be, surprising many tourists in a wonderful way! Valencia beaches include: Playa de Patacona Playa las Arenas and Play de Cabanya Playa de Malvarossa You will never experience one moment of boredom when you visit one of Valencia’s beaches. Not only can you enjoy the beauty and thrill of it all, but all the beaches are convenient to many other activities tourists should not miss out on whilst on their holiday.

Valencia Food Looking for a good place to eat in Valencia is never a problem. Whilst most tourists don’t realise it, there are approximately 1,500 restaurants spread throughout the city. No matter what your holiday budget, there is always a place open you will enjoy, that fits within your budget. Since Valencia is located near the sea, the food served in all their restaurants is fresh. In addition, most of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts are brought in straight from the garden of Valencia.

Some recommended restaurants in Valencia include:

• Plaza de la Reina
• Civera Centro
• El Romeral

If you are looking for a less expensive place to eat, both Los Toneles and Horchateria El Siglo are among the most highly recommended by many people.

Valencia Lodging There are beautiful hotels in Valencia that fit into any holiday budget. Most hotels in Valencia are conveniently located, with breath taking views of different parts of the beautiful city. Whether it is a nice two star hotel that will meet all your lodging needs, or if you want a luxury five star hotel, both are readily available, as well as anything in between. There are also many beach front hotels in Valencia tourist rave about.

Valencia Festivals It does not matter what time of year you chose to take your holiday, one thing is for certain. There will be some type of festival planned that you just should not miss participating in. It does not matter if you take your trip in December, or if you plan your holiday during the warmest part of the summer, there will be a festival taking place in Valencia. Some of the most popular festivals include: Christmas – Navadad Festival (in December) The Battle of Tomatoes (in August) The Crosses of May (in May) All festivals that take place in Valencia are worth all tourists attending. All Valencia festivals are certain to create memories that no one could ever forget. A holiday to Valencia is the perfect choice for anyone considering a holiday to Spain. Not only is it one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, there is never a dull moment for anyone. No matter what your interests, the activities of the city are sure to intrigue you. In addition, you will not break your wallet by spending your holiday in Valencia. The city offers wonderful food and lodging accommodations to fit into just about any holiday budget.

The dream of buying a holiday Villa in Spain has been realised by hundreds of thousands of foreigners. Many people are now looking to escape bad winters and unpredictable summers for a taste of the good life in Spain. Whether you are looking for the holiday home of your dreams, a permanent home in the sun, buying to let, or for purely for investment sake – whatever your reason for buying property in Spain, deal with trained specialist staff who will help you through the Spanish property purchasing process and offer after sales support.

Most of the British public tend to be influenced by TV programmes which are often misleading. You may not notice that some of these shows were filmed over a year ago when the price of property in Spain was at least 20% lower than it is in 2005.

Often, you will see ads either paper based or on the internet that list cheap property prices, but when you make an enquiry you are informed that the property has been sold – probably last year! You may then be offered ‘similar’ properties but of course the price has increased.

We still have clients coming to us with requests for a three bedroom villa with private pool near the beach for a budget of around £50,000 pounds – be warned – you just wont find it!

The best way to get a realistic idea of the type of apartments in Spain you can get for your money, is to do your homework in Spain, and spend some time looking around. More and more people are looking for long term rentals – 3 months or more – to get a taste of the ‘real Spain’, thereby giving themselves a true insight into property prices, maintenance costs and living expenses. If you are looking for a ‘buy to let’ property, take advice from letting agents who will know their market and advise you on the most rentable areas, furnishing, and rental income.

The cost of buying property in Spain has risen substantially in the past three years and is still rising at a rate of 17%, making a good return on investment for buyers. Spain offers a ‘feel good factor’ to many Brits who may have had their first ever holiday abroad on a Spanish ‘Costa’, and despite the fact that there are other places in Europe which can compete in price with Spain, they do not offer the same ‘familiarity’.

Estate Agents operating a business in Spain do not actually need any formal qualifications, and many agents are only in the business for the short-term gain and high commissions which can average between 10% and 25%. Be sure to pick your agent carefully, and ensure that he is not going to just make his money and leave you high and dry. In 90% of cases, you will need at least the minimum of ‘after sales care’.

Due to the fast moving property market in Spain, if you see your `dream home´ it is advisable that you act quickly – remember, you are competing against buyers from all over Europe. It is also advisable that you take time to visit different areas to see what is on offer, never buy the first thing you see.

More and more British buyers are opting to buy land and build their own property rather than buy a resale, but are not usually familiar with building regulations and permissions with the belief that this responsibility falls to the builder. In most cases this assumption is incorrect, the builders are only concerned with building homes, it is the purchasers responsibility to ensure that the property is legal and that they have the correct paperwork.

If you are interested in purchasing property in the Valencia region you will need to be aware of the law which allows developers to take your land and build on it, then demand that you pay money towards their building project, of which you will see no return. However, there is now an insurance to protect you against this.

You will often find many companies operating in the same area will have some of the same properties for sale. It is advisable to look at the prices in each agency as they will vary depending on the commissions added by each individual agent as commissions are not regulated by any governing authority.

Many people believe that they can avoid the agents commissions by going directly to the developers, however this is no longer true as prices are set. It is actually more sensible to buy a property through an agent as they will help you with all the legalities whereas the builders normally would not. Purchase Costs

Below is an approximate list of charges which will apply to the purchase of your property in Spain. These are approx 10% of the property purchase price:-

The charges below are based on a property for 100,000€ IVA (similar to VAT)@ 7%= 7000€ STAMP DUTY(new builds)@ 1%=1000€ LEGAL FEES=600€ NOTARY FEES(approx 0.5%)=500€ LAND/GESTORIA(approx 0.5%)=500€

APPROX TOTAL=9600€

It is common in Spain for the Escitura to list a price lower than the actual purchase price of the property, this is a well accepted tax dodge which reduces the tax (plus valia) that the vendors pay. The tax is based on the profits made on the property since the vendors originally purchased it. The difference between the purchase price and the Escitura price is often paid direct to the owners in cash.

Connection charges for water and electricity also apply to new build properties are approx 450€. If you require a mortgage this also carries a charge of 1% of the mortgage amount to register the mortgage with the Spanish authorities.

Where to buy – Spanish Pueblo or Expat Community?

This in an important issue which should be carefully considered before purchase – if you make the wrong decision it can be costly, bearing in mind reselling and re-purchasing costs. Any profits made on a quick sale will be handed straight over to the tax man! Many people have a vision of living in the ‘real Spain’ amongst the Spanish and away from tourist resorts. Although there are those who have done it, and wouldn’t live any other way – is it for you? There is great community spirit in small Spanish villages – but you will need to live the Spanish way, and speak the language. You are unlikely to be accepted if you insist on going into the bar and asking for ‘a large beer please mate’, but even if your Spanish is poor, you will gain brownie points with the locals for trying!

The advantage of buying on an urbanization where there are other expats, is that you will be mixing with other people in the same situation as yourself, with facilities on hand, and general maintenance of the property and gardens undertaken by the community (although you will be required to pay a yearly fee for this). However, if the community do not agree on matters, problems can arise and it is wise to check the community rules before purchase.

For Permanent Living

Many people tempted by a better quality of life, are looking to escape unpredictable situations and climates in favour of searching for ‘the good life in Spain’. People leave their home country for many reasons, be it to take advantage of the still affordable market in Spain, a new job, to study, to work, or maybe to be with other family members who are already living in Spain. Whatever your reasons for moving to Spain, the way of life is totally different and for some, it comes as a real culture shock. You have to learn new currencies and languages, and you miss your friends, family and all that is familiar. Many will go through a transition period, which may last up to two years, before they can truly decide whether they can ‘fit in’, or should give up and go home. For these reasons, buying property in Spain for permanent living is a double edged sword. Not only is it imperative to choose the right location, but you also need to be sure that making the move is right for you.

Buying to rent – If you do not intend to stay in your Spanish property long term, an excellent way to cover the annual costs associated with ownership is to consider letting for either long term, or shorter holiday periods. You can make a substantial income from rentals or just cover the annual costs associated with the ownership of a Spanish property.

Location is the most important consideration when comes to holiday letting.

Distance from the beach and nearest airport, shops and local entertainment are paramount. Successful letting depends on a variety of factors – including the style, standard of the property and facilities, and the availability of a pool, which are all key factors that will influence the success of your holiday letting business. Generally speaking, the better equipped a property, the more likely it is to be rented out. Internet holiday hunters expect to pay less than when they are booking through a high street company. Obviously, a town apartment in an inland area is unlikely to generate the same level of interest as a seaside villa with a private pool in a top holiday spot!

There are an abundance of 2 bed apartments available for holiday rentals, in fact many owners are having to reduce their rental prices to compete. Our advice for those buying to rent would be to go as high up the ladder as you can afford to ensure that the property is rented most of the year round. Three bedroom villas with private pools in a good location are the most popular with holiday makers. On average, a 3 bed villa with a pool will generate around £800 – £900 pw in July and August, £650 – £700 in June and September and between £200 – £550 at other times.

Long term rentals are a different proposition.

Location, such as ‘front line beach’ is not as important. Long term rentees are looking more for the conveniences of living, as opposed to holiday-ing. Many people like to spend a few months looking around for property to buy, but long term rentals are in short supply as most owners opt for the higher weekly holiday prices. However, renting long term can be the source of a regular ‘year round’ income, and should not be dismissed by those buying to rent as a poor source of income.

Buying for investment purposes. Most investors buying a property in Spain will opt for a new build property on which they may only have to put down 30% of the purchase price. Buying off plan can also be a cheaper way of getting onto the Spanish property ladder, with the added bonus of having an input into the fixtures and fittings – sometimes the internal layout and design as well.

Property in this bracket may not be ‘key ready’ for a further two years, by which time the investor could have doubled his investment. It is usual for these properties to be sold on before completion date, thereby making a grand profit before incurring the completion costs and taxes. The most popular investment property in Spain now are those on golf courses or ‘leisure complexs’, many of which are springing up along the coasts and further inland.

We are an Anglo Spanish company who can advise you on all aspects of the Spanish property purchase procedures including: Solicitors, Notary, Mortgages, Bank accounts, Property Management, Holiday rental management and buy to let advice. Our trained staff in Spain have helped many people through the purchasing process. We can guarantee our clients a professional service before, during and after the purchase of any of our Spanish properties.

If you require more in depth advice on buying a property in Spain, please do not hesitate to contact us

Author: Debbie Cooper

It is advisable before moving to Spain to do as much research as you can – read books, visit the area where you intend to move to, and speak to people who have already made the move. Life in Spain is not always the idyllic existence that people expect, so find out as much as you can beforehand to avoid some of the pitfalls that are easy to fall into. The way of life is totally different when you are working and living in Spain – not only from what you are used to, but also from what you expect – Spanish people, Spanish food, Spanish culture, and if you are not a patient person, living in Spain is not for you – waiting is definitely the name of the game here. That is all very well for those who have retired to Spain, but for the working community it can be extremely frustrating.

What is the ‘real Spain’? So many people use this phrase but are they aware of what it really means? Living in Spain can come in two flavours – living in the ‘real’ Spain, or living in the expat world. Before making the move you have to decide which is best for you. Many, myself included, decide they want to live amongst the Spanish – but do the Spanish want to live with you? Living in Spain on an urbanisation full of expats is nothing like living in a small Spanish village.

Spain is a land of beaurocracy and paperwork – everything takes twice as long as in the UK, and queues take a long time to go down! Your patience will be sorely tested whilst applying for the various legal paperwork you will need to become a resident of Spain. You can find facts, legalities and information on relocating to Spain almost anywhere – but nothing that can really give you a true insight on living in Spain permanently. How will your children feel when they have lost everything that is familiar? What are the local’s really like? How long does it take to get over the ‘culture shock’? How easy is it to find work in Spain? Speak to people who have done it, read books, research the area to which you are intending to relocate to prepare yourself as fully as you can on what Spain has to offer you.

Many people relocate to escape the uncertain climate in the UK. However, those who have never spent August in Spain will be totally unprepared for the heat which can, as last year, last for up to 3 months in the 40’s! Fantastic though this may seem to the British, to live and work here in constant heat can be extremely draining, and often not as brilliant as it sounds. For those who do have to work, life isn’t all about sunbathing and swimming. The other side of the coin is the Spanish winters which can be very cold and damp. Property is not built to withstand too much wet weather and damp is a huge problem. Lack of carpeting and central heating can make for a couple of pretty miserable winter months.

Another difficulty that can be encountered by expats is that often one half of a couple wants to relocate more than the other. Alternatively, one may find their new life idyllic, whereas the other is building resentment and wants to go home. It is a sad fact that here on the Costa Blanca, many couples split up after relocating. It truly has to be a joint decision to make it work.

Always make sure you arrive in Spain with enough money to see you through at least 6 months as finding employment may take time As a rental agency, we often see people taking on long term rentals for an 11 month period, only to find that they are unable to find work and support themselves. Many jobs require Spanish, English and often German languages as a mimimum requirement. If you have children of school you should research local schools in the area, both Spanish and International. Many parents want to put their children straight into Spanish school, but if the local school is small and not used to many English, they may well be picked on or bullied. With the ever increasing number of Brits moving to Spain, this is getting less likely but although not ‘the rule’, it still happens in the less cosmopolitan towns and villages.

International schools follow the UK curriculum, and although fee paying, are not nearly as expensive as private schools at home.

Generally, the fees are around 7,000 Euros per year.

As with any new project you may undertake in life, research fully your subject matter before making a final decision. It is a brilliant lifestyle here for those who are entirely prepared for anything that Spain may throw at them, but please bear in mind that living in Spain is not all ‘sun, sea and sangria’.

Moving to Spain is about a British family living in Spain, and offers a wealth of information and advice – from the problems that can be associated with buying property in Spain, health and medical issues, schools/education, tax and social security, working in Spain, running a business in Spain, shopping, driving, water, electicity, telephones, language, NIE numbers, residency, and general aspects of living in Spain permanently. In ‘Moving to Spain’ you will get a realistic feel of what it’s really like for a British family living in Spain.

Why not rent a Villa in Spain and take a long Holiday in Spain to get a better idea of what environment and lifestyle to expect!

Author: Debbie Cooper