AT A GLANCE GUIDE

The Pro's and Con's of living in 3 different types of Spanish property "from our own personal experiences"

VILLA'S

Advantages

1. Privacy – Your own space.
2. Often available with a private garden and pool.
3. May be situated at ground floor level.
4. Peace and quiet – usually located away from tourists and busy costal areas.
5. Size – often larger than most other forms of Spanish property.
6. Pleasant views – many villas are located inland with sea or mountain views.
7. Higher rental income prospects than alternative properties.

Disadvantages

1. Price – Villas are usually much more expensive than most apartments and town houses.
2. Extra regular expenditure. Unless you are a keen gardener or handyman you may need to pay for a gardener and pool cleaning service which can be expensive.
3. Sewage – Many inland villas are not connected to sewerage systems and require a septic tank.
4. Travel – Transport is vital with most villas for shopping or socialising. The Spanish drink driving laws have tightened considerably and the Guardia are very vigilant these days.
5. Maintenance – The cost of maintaining a villa (structurally) is normally greater than apartments and townhouses.
6. Security – Some villas are somewhat isolated, so a good security system is always recommended.
7. Visitors – A villa may be considered more appealing to family and friends, although this is often seen as an advantage ………… at first!

Notes

The 3 bedroom 2 bathroom villa we lived in for 6 months in Moraira during 1999 had serious problems with the pool. The water level gradually reduced during the winter due to leakage and it needed to be drained, re-sealed and tiled.
We found it necessary to buy a second vehicle as Glenda was marooned whilst I was away on business.
Check the gas supply. Is there a tank that can be filled or do you have to drive and collect gas bottles from the depot which could be miles away?
Check if the water is drinkable. Is there a well?
Check for drainage or locate the septic tank.
Has the pool and garden been maintained to a good standard, what are the regular costs for these services?
What are the neighbours like, many Germans, Swiss and particularly Dutch speak English. It can pay enormous dividends if you are first able to talk to local residents as a prospective neighbour.
Is there a prospect of any future building work that could affect your views or privacy.
Make sure all the roads are in place or check plans to ensure your land is not affected.
Is the property legal in relation to the square meter build and the plot of land.
Arrange for a professional independent survey/structural report.

VILLAGE HOUSES

Advantages

1. Spanish village people are notoriously hospitable and friendly to foreigners.
2. Crime is virtually non existent in Spanish villages. Any suspicious persons or activities are seen through the shutters and local police are ever watchful.
3. Children are safe and can be seen playing in the streets late at night. Doors are left open, just like terraced houses in the good old days back in the UK
4. Spanish town houses can be very spacious often 150-300 square meters, designed to accommodate large families.
5. Many Spanish town houses have large terraces, some even have lovely private court yards for sitting and working in during the summer months.
6. Many villages are built on high ground so the views from the top terrace can be stunning.
7. Prices are usually competitive when compared to the cost of smaller apartments closer to the coast. Village houses further inland can be ridiculously cheap to buy.
8. If you mix with the Spanish villagers you will enjoy their incredible lifestyle , including many fiestas with meals in the streets.
9. Spanish village houses are designed close together to keep cool in the shade and high above sea level catching the breeze through open front and rear windows.
10. Shops and amenities are usually within walking distance for every day living.
11. Gas bottles are usually delivered to your door.
12. Villages often have wells (with taps) for fresh drinking water, but only for the village occupants.
13. Walking past groups of youths late at night that actually smile and say ‘buenas noches’

Disadvantages

1. Some village houses need modernising; ours was quite cold in the winter months.
2. During fiestas the village could be quite noisy; this will be a shock at first with fireworks outside your door, not to mention the occasional bull! So pets from the UK may be affected.
3. Because the streets are very narrow, you may be unable to park your car outside the house. Parking is usually available in a free public car park unless you have contacts in the village.
4. Some of village streets can be very steep although good for keeping fit.
5. Mopeds (with silencers removed) are very noisy in the narrow streets.
6. Be prepared to be patient when the car driver in front decides to stop and chat to a friend in the village, collect bread from the shop, pop in the post office or blocks your street whilst off loading shopping/furniture/passengers at their own house etc.
7 . There is usually no garden area or even a patch of grass.

Notes

Our neighbours (Vicenta and Jose) were very nice people, they welcomed us with a bowl of grapes and tomatoes grown from their field when we first moved in and brought fresh produce many times after.
The 3 storey house we occupied was huge, with space for our business on the ground floor.
We made friends in the local village bar and rented a garage from the bar owner Antonio, who kept bottles of wine and brandy hidden (with plastic cups) in a wicker basket in his garage. Yes, if we wanted a tipple we could help ourselves, but we were not to tell his Wife, Maria. (We were obliged to toast the deal at 9am!)
Make sure the electrics can handle a few appliances at the same time. Also check if the shower changes temperature or stops when the toilet is flushed.
Ensure the drainage on your roof terrace cannot be blocked. Our plant pot was blown over in a storm and the soil blocked the drain. We were out at the time and the house was flooded.
Older villagers do not usually speak a word of English.

APARTMENTS

Advantages

1. Usually on one level unless it is a penthouse.
2. Many have private secure parking.
3. Some apartments have a communal pool.
4. Apartments on the higher floors can have beautiful mountain and sea views.
5. Ideal to let during summer months.
6. Can be located close to the beach and amenities.
7. Extra storage space may be available (trestero).
8. Buildings (exterior), gardens and pool are often maintained under a community agreement at relatively low cost.
9. Less isolated and normally more secure than a villa.
10. Prices are even more competitive if located inland or in busy non tourist areas.
11. Many apartments have very large terraced areas; we have seen some that include purpose built-in barbeques.
12. Depending on location, there is no need to drive very far for social and domestic reasons.

Disadvantages

1. During summer months apartments can be quite noisy due to increased occupancy, especially when a pool is nearby.
2. If there is no lift, be aware that weekly shopping, heavy suitcases and gas bottles can be a constant burden, especially if you live on the 3 rd floor or even higher. But you can save on gym fees!
3. Any leakage problems from upper apartments can cause problems for lower apartments especially if not occupied all the time.
4. Some apartments are very small, although suitable for holiday lets.
5. The community agreement may restrict the type of exterior paintwork or alterations to your apartment.

Notes

Our friend has an older apartment on the ground floor, but the apartment above had a water leak which was not detected until she had relatives visit. They walked in to a flooded bathroom with water still coming through the ceiling but because it had been leaking for some weeks the floor tiles had lifted.
We purchased a 20 year old front line end town house and discovered a water leak in the underbuild 3 months later. The water bill amounted to over 1200 Euros!
Watch out for streams/riverbeds that run alongside your property. They attract mosquitoes in the summer.
Modern apartments and town houses have a far superior build quality than in the past together with high quality fittings and sound utility connections.