There are some people who decided to leave our little island and head for warmer climates such as Spain.
Property developers Taylor Wimpey have now revealed what people from the UK can get for their money if they decide to buy in Spain. According to new research by the Association of Property and Commercial Registrars in Spain, one in 10 foreigners going ahead with a property purchase is spending more than €500,000.
That's double that in 2013, when just one in 20 were coughing up big money for a new home. So, what can you pick up with half a million to spend in Spain these days? Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España said that not only can buyers get more property for their money but that the cost of living locally is also far lower than it is in the UK.
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Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director, Taylor Wimpey Spain, said: "A budget of that size provides you with plenty of choice in Spain. Whether you want sea views, a resort home with a golf course on site or a mountainside property tucked away from everyday life, you can find what you need here.
"The Costa del Sol is certainly easily affordable with half a million to spend, meaning that everything from the bright lights of Marbella and Puerto Banús to family-friendly locations such as Mijas are within budget."
There are two very different properties that would suit buyers with a budget of £500,000, the estate agents report. The first is Belaria, located at La Cala Golf Resort in Mijas.
The development features 21 frontline golf townhouses with panoramic views of the resort, the sea and Mijas valley. Each spacious three-storey home includes a large solarium and garden. Rated ‘A’ for their energy efficiency, the properties cost from €585,000 plus VAT (€585,000 equates to £501,959 at the time of writing, according to XE).
With a communal swimming pool at Belaria, plus three 18-hole golf courses, tennis and padel courts and a spa with a selection of wellness activities at La Cala Golf, the homes are ideal for families looking to enjoy a fitness-focused lifestyle. Mijas is also home to the beautiful Sierra de Mijas Natural Park, providing easy access to nature.
Marbella, Fuengirola and Puerto Banús are all just a few minutes away by car, providing plenty of options for shopping, dining and nightlife. An alternative to Belaria is Almazara Views, a collection of townhouses nestled on a mountainside with spectacular views of the Concepción reservoir and the coast of Marbella.
The stunning setting on the slopes of La Concha is ideal for exacting homebuyers looking for a property surrounded by nature, with the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park and surrounding area providing opportunities for fishing, canoeing, climbing and canyoning, as well as a dozen hiking routes and six mountain bike trails.
The properties at Almazara Views are priced from €540,000 plus VAT (XE advises that €540,000 equates to £463,379 at the time of writing). The three-bedroom townhouses are light and airy, with private terraces providing unrestricted views towards Marbella Bay and Gibraltar, as well as underground parking and storerooms, communal gardens and a communal pool.
Newly compiled data from Numbeo shows that the cost of living locally is also far lower than it is in the UK. The July 2023 figures show that the cost of living in Spain is, on average, 22.1% lower than it is in the UK, with everything from groceries to meals out costing less in Spain.
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