LIVING BY THE SEA OR IN THE COUNTRY

By the sea

This is a pleasant experience with cool afternoon breezes taking the sting out of the searing summer heat. But nearly all Mediterranean towns are tourist areas. In July and August with temperatures always in excess of 30 degrees, people pour in on package holidays. Spaniards too have their summer holiday then, as they rush to the coast in their thousands from the torrid heat of the big cities. For two frustrating months the beaches are packed, the roads jammed, car parks full and tempers frayed.

Mention should be made of Spain’s ‘Law of the Coasts’, which empowers local authorities to restrict the number, height and density of buildings within 100 metres of the high water mark and to establish a zone of influence as far inward as one kilometre. Properties continue to be built near beaches as they comply with the regulations. They do, however, command a hefty premium for their position, the price only being reduced with a high density building design.

In the country

Living in the country has many attractions. Living in the country is living in the real Spain. It is peaceful with privacy assured. Neighbours, although far apart, are normally friendly. Large plots of land enable the growing of oranges, lemons, olives or almonds. Some of these properties have no electricity, no water, no sewage disposal, no gas and no telephone. All these facilities can be compensated for by other means. Electricity can be supplied by a generator and batteries, or by solar panels. Water can be delivered by tanker. A septic tank takes care of sewage. Bottles supply the gas. Communication can be by mobile or radio telephone.

WHICH DIRECTION?

There is a bay at Calpe with a hilly headland jutting out eastwards to sea. Houses have been built on this hill. They face north. They are cold houses as they get little direct sun.

Individual houses, a terraced row, or apartments facing north or north east all suffer from the same fate – little sun in the winter months and consequently quite cold interiors. These properties are sold, not by referring to any direction, but by saying ‘Cool in summer’. For year round living it is better to choose a property facing south. For a summer holiday home it is not so important.

A compass is a handy tool to take when viewing property for direction is rarely stated in agents’ literature. When new, north facing properties are the last to sell, often attracting discounts or special offers in order to complete the transaction.