Where to Find Your Personal Paradisefrom Dubai to Dubrovnik, France to Florida . . . The Choice has Never Been Wider. If You're Planning to Buy Property Abroad First of All You Have to Decide Which Country You Fancy

The Herald › March 30, 2005

Linked as:

Summary

SPAIN While property prices have risen over the past few years, along with the cost of living, Spain remains more affordable than the UK and think what you'll save on sweaters, self-tanning and seasonal affective disorder remedies. The country's enduring popularity partly stems from the 1960s Costa del Sol package holiday boom and, with its microclimate of long summers and mild winters and improved infrastructure, the area is now an established second home destination. Towns such as Malaga, Torremolinos and Marbella are good choices for those with a preference for a lively community with lots of Brits, but it's worth considering the more laid-back up-and- coming resorts such as Fuengirola - with its sweeping coastlines and mix of local and other nationalities - the Andalucian village of Mijas Costa, and Casares Bay.

Spain is far and away the most popular holiday home location of choice both as a retirement haven and lifestyle choice. A recent poll of more than 4600 adults found that Spain was the preferred option for 18 to 29-year-olds who have already bought overseas, or are looking to do so.

See the full content of this document

Extract

Where to Find Your Personal Paradisefrom Dubai to Dubrovnik, France to Florida . . . The Choice has Never Been Wider. If You're Planning to Buy Property Abroad First of All You Have to Decide Which Country You Fancy

FRANCE The original, and classy, option. More than 500,000 Brits have homes there, an investment totalling pounds-3m. The average purchase price is pounds-96,995. It's not all vineyards and pretty girls saying "Papa", though. Parts of France, mainly the areas easily reached from the Channel Tunnel, have turned into an extension of the Home Counties. Some villages have 50-per cent English speakers.

There is growing resentment among the French at this, and we can't b...

See the full content of this document