A guide to Almeria
For those who like sunny rural Spain, fewer expats than in the hot spots and great value, Almeria province has become a popular option.
The arid corner of southeast Spain is Andalusia’s less developed province, home to Europe’s own desert, Tabernas, which may be familiar from endless spaghetti westerns and classic films such as Lawrence of Arabia. But it’s also got beaches, in fact some of the best in Spain along its pristine coastline between just north of Villaricos down to Abra, east of Malaga province and an area called the Costa Tropical.
Your money also goes a lot further than on the Costa del Sol. The average property price in Almeria province is around €150,000, according to Kyero, about a third of that in Malaga province. Part of that is explained by the fact you won’t get beach clubs or big shopping malls; this area is less developed and has always attracted an alternative crowd since hippies gravitated towards the wild volcanic landscapes of Cabo de Gata-Níjar natural park.
Artists and bohemians settled in the pueblo blanco (white village) of Mojacar in the 1960s. Mojacar is perhaps still Almeria’s most fashionable (and expensive) spot. It’s also arguably the most cosmopolitan spot on the coast with British, French and Norwegians.
Another reason why Almeria can’t always compete with Malaga often cited by buyers who have considered it is the flight access is not as good. Flights into Almeria Airport are very seasonal; but others fly into Alicante, 2¼ hrs away. Owners might find a few more options at Murcia International airport at Corvera, handy for the western parts of Almeria, and another option is Granada, better for the east (it’s under two hours from there to Roquetas de Mar).
Mild winters attract professional cyclists to train in the hills; and keen golfers like former cricketer Sir Ian Botham to buy homes on resorts such as Desert Springs.
Where and what to buy
Much of the focus for buyers is the Costa Almeria, the area of coastline which extends from San Juan de los Terreros in the north to Adra in the south.
Popular resorts are Mojacar, Vera Playa, Garrucha, Villaricos and Roquetas de Mar. For €100,000 in Mojacar you can find a one or two-bedroom apartment for sale, but for €130,000 you could get one with three bedrooms. There are lovely townhouses from around €160,000.
You need to decide which part of the town suits you best: there’s the ancient pueblo (village) of white-washed houses and alleyways; or there’s the lower part of town, Mojacar Playa, which is the more modern holiday-resort area. You’ll find the same two-part town with Vera and Vera Playa about 15 minutes away, but lower prices than Mojacar – though it is expensive compared to inland locations.
Apartments start at around €85,000; two-bedroom townhouses within five minutes from the beach can be bought for around €150,000, with a three-bedroom villa with a private swimming pool for less than €300,000. The fishing village of Garrucha is popular for its red prawns; but it has lots of residential properties close to the beach; Villaricos is similar.
Los Gallardos has become very popular in recent years. It’s inland from Mojacar, a town that has useful amenities, that is easy to reach from the beach, airport and golf courses and offers great value. Turre is another option halfway between the two towns. Expect to pay €80,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Inland in the Almanzora valley of olive groves and orchards, Albox, Arboleas and Zurgena are all popular villages with fair-sized expat communities. You might be half an hour or so from the coast, but you’ll find a small villa for €125,000 in many locations, maybe less. On the fringes of Albox, a traditional market town, you might expect to pay around €260,000 for a three-bedroom villa with a pool in a spacious garden.
Carboneras, a busy tourist town with some great beaches is also worth checking out but prices are higher than inland. You might find a three-bedroom apartment for €120,000, or an older house for a similar price – it depends how close to the beach you want to be.
SEARCH FOR PROPERTY IN ALMERIA
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