The Property Finders – locating your property on the Costa Blanca, Costa Azahar and Costa Cálida
The Property Finders is your most important tool in finding your property in Castellón, Valencia, Alicante and Murcia, which incorporates the Costa Blanca, Costa Azahar and Costa Cálida. This is a very large region and we often find that prospective buyers start their search looking at specific properties too early in the process; we believe the first step should always be to focus on getting the location right and that’s where The Property Finders are able to make a real difference.- The Property Finders’ extensive territories allow us to compare locations across an entire region, guiding you to the one that is right for you. We really listen to what you tell us and our in-depth local knowledge often means we suggest possible locations that you have not thought about or of which you are unaware.
- We tell it like it is, warts and all. If we know a particular property has a problem, e.g. it is under a flight path or there is a vicious winter wind, then you will also know. We make it our business to alert you to new road and rail projects, possible developments or changes to planning regulations and anything else that could affect a property purchase - the negatives as well as the positives.
- The Property Finders can locate and help you buy any type of property you want in Castellón, Valencia, Alicante and Murcia whether that is something on the coast, a city apartment, a farmhouse or a village house in the country.
Infrastructure has improved greatly in the region during the last few years; the A-7 "Mediterranean Motorway" crosses the regions from north to south following the coast and provides links to many of the major coastal towns and cities. The A-3 Valencia-Madrid and A-31 Alicante-Madrid toll-free motorways link the Comunidad Valenciana and Murcia. Train lines cross the whole region and there are stations at most coastal resorts and link the region to Madrid. As yet, there are no direct high speed train links from the Comunidad Valenciana to Málaga and the Costa del Sol, but they can be reached via Madrid or by air. Commercial transport by sea link the regions to North Africa and the Balearic Islands with Ibiza just being 2 ½ hours away.
Costa del Azahar – Closest airport Valencia, Castellón airport due 2009
The Costa Del Azahar, also known as the orange blossom coast, stretches along the Mediterranean coastline, lying between Catalonia to the north and the northern end of the Costa Blanca to the south. The area, which includes towns such as Peñiscola, Vinaros and Benicarlo, has miles of uninterrupted coastline popular with the Spanish, along with pine-covered mountains and busy traditional fishing villages. This part of the Mediterranean coastline still has many areas that have not been affected by tourism. 2007 and 2008 have boosted the image of the Costa Azahar with prestigious sporting events raising the profile of the Comunidad Valenciana. In October 2008, Castellón hosted the Masters-Castelló at the Borriol Golf Club. This new sporting event is part of the PGA European Circuit and top professionals, including Valencia's very own golfing stars, Sergio García and José Manuel Lara played. As well as bringing together the golfing elite, the Masters Castelló has been promoted as a top-level international golf venue.
The city of Valencia is famous for its sweet oranges, the spectacular Easter processions known as the Fallas and is, of course, home to one of the world’s best known dishes, paella. It is the third largest city in Spain in population size and thanks to being chosen to host the America’s Cup in 2007, the city has undergone an extensive makeover. With regional and federal funding, around €2bn has been spent on the infrastructure, including a new metro line from the airport which has drawn in the low cost airlines from the UK, France and Ireland, and the development of a new 636 berth marina with landscaped park. Not only did the America’s Cup help raise Valencia’s profile as a destination, but in August 2008 the first European Grand Prix on a street circuit was held there and the city hosted the most glamorous event it has ever seen, with employment, investment and growth for the city being created. The president of F1 management said that "the Valencia Street Circuit will be one of the best circuits in the world of Formula 1".
During these periods, hotels were fully booked and property owners in and around Valencia, and further afield in towns such as Xativa, Oliva and Gandia benefitted from a surge of F1 fans needing accommodation. The company in charge of the Valencia Street Circuit has signed an agreement with F1 management to hold the Grand Prix of Europe in Valencia until at least 2015. This is great news for the economic growth and prosperity of the Valencian Community.
Costa Blanca – Closest airports Alicante or Valencia
The Costa Blanca is divided into two very different regions. The northern Costa Blanca is mountainous and green with a mix of sand and pebble beaches and coves, and in the Jalon Valley you can enjoy the wonderful views that the citrus, almond groves and vineyards provide, especially in the spring where the whole valley bursts into blossom. The Costa Blanca north is a less developed area of Spain, with towns on the coast and inland being in strict conservation zones where building heights and density are strictly controlled. One of these towns is Javea, often referred to as the jewel in the crown of the Costa Blanca. Lying just below the Montgo Mountain, the town is divided into three parts and the old town has recently undergone an impressive make over, restoring the original facades of buildings and creating additional pedestrian zones. Here you will find quaint old Spanish streets and tapas bars, the Gothic Church and a fresh fruit, fish and vegetable market. The port in Javea, where the government has recently announced plans to invest €22m to provide additional moorings, still operates as a fishing port and you can buy fresh fish directly from the fishermen or at the market and it is also where all the local festivals are held. From Javea, Moraira and Altea you can enjoy stunning views of the Mediterranean as far as Ibiza on a clear day. The busy port of Denia just over the Montgo mountain from Javea, is a working town with a far more Spanish feel. Parts of Denia are industrialised and it is not one of the typical fishing village turned tourist resorts. It is busy all year round thanks to its 20km of beaches, busy bars and restaurants and has a special charm. Denia has daily ferries to the Balearic Islands with Ibiza being just 2.5 hours away.
The southern Costa Blanca in contrast, is mostly flat, and well known for its long sand duned beaches, salt lakes full of flamingos and large expat communities. Heading south from the beautiful city of Alicante, the first town you pass is Gran Alacant, this is one of the first largely foreign populated urbanisations. Just north of the salt lakes is the town of Santa Pola where sea salt is still produced. Traditionally, Santa Pola has been where the Spanish have taken their holidays, but the local council of Elche is hoping that more international visitors will visit after exhibiting at the tourism trade fair in London and hosting the World Windsurfing Championships in 2009. The beaches of La Marina and Guardamar del Segura are some of the best you will find along the Southern Costa Blanca, 12 kilometres of rustic, sand duned beaches surrounded by pine forests and salt marshes. You won’t find heaving beach bars here and you will find plenty of space for your towel - even in the middle of summer.
The next major town you come across is Torrevieja. This town has been one of the fastest expanding towns in Spain since foreigners first started buying holiday and permanent homes over three decades ago. Inland from Torrevieja are the Salt Lagoons, further established urbanisations and golf developments. Torrevieja relies heavily on the tourism industry, but it is not a package holiday resort like Benidorm. In fact, Benidorm is probably the only hotel based holiday resort on the Costa Blanca as other towns provide accommodation via apartment and villa rental.
Costa Cálida – Closest airport Murcia/Alicante – Corvera airport opening 2009
The Costa Cálida is the stretch of Mediterranean coastline just below the Costa Blanca in the Spanish province of Murcia. Within the Costa Cálida is the coastal saltwater lagoon called the Mar Menor ("Little Sea"). The lagoon is separated from the Mediterranean by the 22km-long stretch of land called La Manga, well-known for the exclusive La Manga Club. The Costa Cálida has been one of Spain’s fastest growing holiday ‘hotspots’ becoming more popular in recent years with low cost airlines flying into Murcia. Comparatively a late starter in the building stakes, the region is making sure that as the construction progresses, there are plenty of green areas and no high rise buildings are allowed other than those already on the La Manga strip. This region is renowned as a major European producer of agricultural products such as tomatoes, lettuces, oranges and lemons but it is also a region of wines. Approximately 100,000 acres of land are dedicated to vineyards, most of which are based around the town of Jumilla which lies on a plateau between stunning mountains. However, the economy is turning more and more towards residential tourism as Murcia becomes increasingly popular with those looking for holiday or permanent homes. Whilst the coast of Murcia remains popular, property inland is increasingly in demand by those looking for a more Spanish way of life in villages with stunning views provided by the National Parks. Lorca, for example is a popular choice being situated close to the Natural Park of the Sierra Espuna.
Regardless of what is happening to the property market at the moment, improvement in infrastructure, including new hospitals, roads, airports and leisure facilities, all the reasons that have made these coasts popular with investors and individuals alike looking for a better quality of life over the last decade or two, are still very much here. Spain as a whole contains the highest number of satisfied expatriates than any other country.
For more information on locations, property market analysis and predictions for 2010 click here.
To find property in this region please contact:
Lisa Francis
lisa@thepropertyfinders.com
Tel: +34 965 770541
Mobile: +34 620 018649
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