Ten Reasons to Move to the Costa Brava

After France, Spain is Europe's most popular holiday destination, and the apparent dominance of France is to a large extent due to visitors in transit elsewhere. In 1996 between 1.2 and 1.3 million European tourists visited Spain. It is therefore not surprising that many of them become interested in buying a home there. Spain's property market generally has enjoyed strong growth, with the Costa Brava enjoying a particularly large rise in values. About 20% of foreign owners are more or less permanent residents of Spain, while the remaining 80% bought their property for either holidays or investment purposes.

The Costa Brava is particularly attractive because · Summer heat is less intense than further south, · Scenery is spectacular, · There are beautiful well-preserved mediaeval towns like Pals and Peratallada everywhere, · Catalonia is well run with good roads and railways · The A7 motorway is never more than a few minutes drive and connects to the French network · Barcelona is easily accessible · Golf courses are numerous and of the highest standard all year round · In winter, there is good skiing in the nearby Pyrenees · There are cheap flights to Girona/Costa Brave airport and to Barcelona and Perpignan. · Eating out is inexpensive and a real pleasure · The cost of living generally is reasonable. That is an impressive catalogue of benefits. Add that attractive property is still fairly freely available and competitively priced and you will quickly understand the popularity of the region. Many different nationalities settle here, but unlike further south they are all intermingled, with no "English" estates or "German" estates. The whole atmosphere is much more cosmopolitan. That does not suit everybody. Before buying anything, do visit the area in and out of season. Resorts that are a buzz in summer often die completely in the winter. To most Catalonians, the Costa Brava is where they go for their summer holidays; they don't live there, and they don't even visit at week-ends out of season. If you are buying just for summer rentals and/or your own summer holidays, that does not matter, but if you are thinking of permanent residence, it is a critical factor. Never assume that you may be able to rent your property in winter. It is most unlikely.

If you are thinking of semi-permanent or even permanent residence, you may be concerned that you will find it hard to make friends here, and therefore be somewhat isolated. This is generally not so. Most residents are retired or semi-retired and it is fairly easy to meet new people, particularly of course if you play golf. Incomers tend to be of a similar age and background, even if from different countries. They too want to make new friends.

This may be an advantage or a disadvantage! You will also suddenly find that you have many friends in England wanting to visit you. Some of them may be friends that you thought of only as acquaintances. It can also be difficult for visitors to understand that you are not there just to entertain them, but have your own life to lead as well.

All in all though, the Costa Brava is a terrific place to holiday or live as long as you have thought through your purchase correctly. Our experience comes as part of the package, and our job is to make sure that you make the right decision for you. This is not the Costa del Sol either in terms of weather or life style, but it is culturally rich, welcoming, and offers a great life to those that respond to what it offers.

This article and more can be found at: Costa Brava Homes

© Costa Brava Homes 2004

Christopher B. Longmore - Costa Brava Homes Sales Director

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


How to Plan a Cheap Vacation in the Bahamas

A trip to the Bahamas does not have to also... Read More

Scottish Roadtrips -- Encountering Porridge with Salt and Other Dangers

Edinburgh and beyondRoadtrips around BritainIt's hard to overstate the poetry... Read More

Zambia... What an Amazing Country!

When you travel abroad, especially far away from home you... Read More

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina ? Is It A Family Or Golfers Vacation Destination?

Before finding the answer to this dilemma, let's take an... Read More

Cottage Holidays

Holiday time is around the corner and its time to... Read More

Smokey Mountain Cabins - There Is Only One!

Did you know there are no Smokey Mountain cabins for... Read More

Gloucestershire - History, Holidays, and Fine Food

Gloucestershire, pronounced Glostershire, is a pretty English county located south... Read More

Gatlinburgs Real Estate Market

Real estate in Gatlinburg is thriving. While the 2000 census... Read More

A Look at Punta Cana Real Estate

Real Estate in an area like Punta Cana is hot... Read More

Vacationing with Children

Traveling with children will be a memorable event ? the... Read More

Pigeon Forge Cabins

Pigeon Forge is rapidly becoming one of the major tourist... Read More

Learn From My Personal Experience About Bahamas Vacation Rentals

Bahamas house rental or a hotel? Vacation rentals are becoming... Read More

Hotels In India

With India being a major world tourist in the world,... Read More

Lodging and Entertainment Deals in Orlando Florida

Disney Area Lodging DealsThe Orlando area communities of Lake Buena... Read More

What You Need to Know about Vacation Rentals before You Go

That time of the year is finally here. You know... Read More

Costa Rica - A Paradise in Central America

Family Vacation in Costa RicaYou will not have any problem... Read More

Why Visit Magical Cape Town?

People often ask me why we keep returning year after... Read More

Rent a Town Home in Orlando, Florida for LESS than Hotel

When you venture to Orlando, Davenport, or Kissimmee, Florida, why... Read More

Benefits of Lake Tahoe Cabin Rentals

Lake Tahoe cabin complexes rangein size from small, six-unit, luxury... Read More

Choosing a Maui Condo Rental Agent

Choosing a condo in Maui is definitely a great investment.... Read More

How to Have 25+ Romantic Honeymoon Trips a Year, for a Lower Cost Than the Price of One

As our wedding anniversary looms near... and this one will... Read More

Villa Holiday or Package Holiday

Everybody knows someone who has been on one and an... Read More

A Guide to Cozumel Vacations

What kind of traveler are you? Do you want everything... Read More

A Closer Look at Pigeon Forge Real Estate

Those looking to invest in real estate should not overlook... Read More

Customized Services is What makes a Vacation Rental the Best

The home away from home but a little bit more... Read More

Owners Dont be Scammed!

Scam artists pose as potential renters everyday on many different... Read More

Pigeon Forge Cabin Rentals

Cabin rental in Pigeon Forge are one of the city's... Read More

Review of Car Rental Abroad

Are you thinking of travelling Abroad?You will surely want to... Read More

Palmetto Dunes Plantation ? Hilton Head Island

An Award Winning Vacation, Golf, Tennis and Beach ResortIf you... Read More

Peru-Lima, Miraflores Vacation Rentals Deals

Miraflores is the turistic district of Lima. The main hotels... Read More

A Fabulous Guide to Floridas Best Rentals: Condos for Rent, Rental Houses, and Rental Condos

A Fabulous Guide to Florida's Best Rentals: Condos for rent,... Read More

Is An All Inclusive Resort Right For You?

Destinations such as Aruba, Cancun, St. Thomas, and Bahamas have... Read More

Timesharing Without Owning A Timeshare

If you're dreaming of a unique vacation experience, but don't... Read More