Investment
One of the few remaining traditionally “Spanish”
areas along the east coast, La Safor has managed
to avoid the ‘concrete jungle’ development
of elsewhere. Almost unknown to north Europeans,
this stunning area has surprisingly retained
property prices some 25% to 30% below those
for properties around the more traditional holiday
regions of Murcia, Alicante, Javea and Denia.
There are no objective reasons for this disparity
- thus providing a window of opportunity for
investors.
Valencia’s
international airport (only 45 minutes from
Gandia) has recently opened up to cheap flights
thus, at last, making La Safor an inexpensive
and easy region to access. Unspoilt and more
beautiful than any other Spanish coastal region,
La Safor will be affected by the pressure for
fine affordable property that is building up
from the over developed areas of further south.
This and the extensive media coverage sponsored
by the Americas Cup (hosted by Valencia) will
secure and raise future property prices.
La Safor presently represents a politically
safe, sophisticated and potentially very profitable
place in which to buy property time.
Geography:
The La Safor area is green and lush with valleys
filled with extensive evergreen citrus groves
which give the landscape a scented and fertile
appearance. The dramatic and impressive La Safor
mountain range rises behind Gandia, the tallest
peak reaching an impressive 2,500ft thus providing
Gandia with a truly beautiful backdrop. Tiny
pueblos nestle in amongst the orange groves
and have remained largely unchanged for generations.
The impressive Blue Flag beaches with their
golden sand gently incline into the sea. They
stretch along the shoreline for some thirteen
kilometres and have an impressive range of medical
stations, lifeguards and, in the summer, beach
cafés.
Climate:
Valencia province benefits from 320 days of
sunshine each year with average daytime temperatures
ranging from 15-32 degrees Celsius. This area
has a gentle climate that is truly (and technically!)
temperate. Hard winters and the searing heat
of other parts of Spain are virtually unknown.
This allows those living in La Safor to enjoy
a kind (and utterly seductive) al fresco lifestyle
during a large part of the year.
Culture:
The province of Valencia has a long tradition
of fiestas within a culture that remains astonishingly
vibrant - and undiluted by the devastating effects
of mass tourism elsewhere. A strong community
spirit is constantly and obviously apparent
within a tolerant, good humoured and kindly
local population whose favourite expression
seems to be ‘tranquilo’. Children
still play freely and safely in the roads and
squares with crime and aggression low. Families
largely remain nuclear with many generations
of one family still living closely together
in the local villages and towns. The traditional
siesta remains with shops and offices religiously
closing between 2pm to 4pm irrespective of the
time of the year. A Sunday, needless to say,
remains a traditional rest day with huge family
get-togethers and few bars or shops open.
Valencia
city is, of course, internationally renowned
for its sporting, cultural and commercial prowess.
A wonderful, historic city with fabulous shopping
and breathtaking architecture it has sufficient
cultural attractions to satisfy the most ardent
museum or theatre goer. Only 45 minutes drive
from Gandia it is accessed with great ease.
Cost
of Living:
There is a significant difference between the
general cost of living in La Safor with that
of the UK. Petrol is substantially less expensive,
diesel very competitive and eating out is cheap.
Seven Euros for a three course Menu del Dia
is quite normal – with each course offered
with several alternatives. Spanish local authority
rates are a mere fraction of their counterparts
in the UK. A property costing some £2,000
per annum in rates in the UK may be as little
as E250 (£180) here in Spain. With so
many days of sunshine, heating is used only
rarely during the winter months.
Healthcare:
An extremely efficient state healthcare service
is widely available here in Spain with private
healthcare an affordable (but not a necessary)
option.
Schooling:
Excellent schools range from pure state schools,
semi-private schools and finally private schools
at a fraction of the cost of an English private
school. Children adjust extremely quickly and
are hugely popular with their new classmates,
as English is taught as an obligatory second
language!
Communications:
Gandia is extremely well placed between two
major airports (Alicante – 65 miles to
the south and Valencia – 40 miles to the
north). Valencia airport is expanding and cheap
flights are now available to England from both
airports.
Excellent
roads connect Gandia to the north and south
of Spain via the A7 motorway and a very efficient
and cheap train service is available from Gandia
to Valencia, making train connections to Valencia
airport a viable option.
Broadband
is available in Gandia and some of the surrounding
areas together with a range of cheap international
telephone packages. Postal services are quick
and reliable.
