The good news, if you’re looking to buy a Spanish property, is that prices are still incredibly low compared to when they rose dramatically in 2007. There are hundreds of thousands of empty homes for sale in all areas of the country.
In Spain, you would typically find three types of housing – modern-style bungalows, rural fincas, traditional villas, apartments, or townhouses.
When thinking of a Spanish villa, you should assume it will be a detached property on a private plot. The size of the plot will vary considerably, although most towns require lots to be at least 400 m² before planning permission is given. In many cases, the property will also include a swimming pool.
Apartment blocks are extremely common in all towns in Spain. However, the types of blocks you find will vary considerably from town to town. For example, in Benidorm, on the Costa Blanca, high-rise apartment blocks are the norm, whereas many other resor towns put a cap on the number of floors, with six floors being the common construction norm.
Townhouses are usually part of a terrace without a private plot, although the house may include a small courtyard.
Popular Resorts
If you are considering moving to Spain and will need to work once you arrive in the country, you do not want to be in a small village away from employment opportunities. To find work as an expat in Spain, you should consider living in. or nearby a tourist resort that attracts your countrymen. This will give you more job possibilities as employers always look for expats who can communicate with patrons in their own language.
Popular resorts among tourists include Javea and Denia on the Costa Blanca. It is not surprising that UK holidaymakers flock to these towns as they enjoy a great climate almost all year round, are within easy access to Valencia and Alicante airports and have some of the best golf courses and other sports facilities in the world. To see examples of properties and prices, take a look at the website of Javea estate agency Valuvillas.
Another popular destination with excellent work prospects in Barcelona. Barcelona is not only a thriving cosmopolitan city, with plenty of restaurants and an interesting nightlife, but it is also located on the coast with miles of beautiful sandy beaches and a popular destination among vacationers worldwide.
Working in Spain
Similar to Barcelona is Valencia, a bustling seaside city. Valencia is one of Spain’s most noteworthy cities, with a long and interesting history. Its characteristics are taken from a mixture of origins, including the Moors, Christians and the Romans. This is reflected in the local architecture and atmosphere. Unlike Barcelona and Madrid, in Valencia, property costs and rentals are reasonably low.
Most expats are employed in education and hospitality in Valencia, but there are also job opportunities available in manufacturing, providing a candidate has the necessary skills. Often, applicants will be expected to have some knowledge of Spanish, as this is the language of business in the city.