La Safor

- The California of Europe -

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.

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.