NOW YOU CAN GET A GREAT BARGAIN - “There are five key reasons for saying that there will be more home sales in 2010 than there were in 2008,” writes Bernardos in his report. “Interest rates are lower; house prices have fallen back to their 2003 levels; banks are lending more; investors are coming back; and many people who were thinking of renting have decided to buy.” The South Costa Blanca is an area south of Alicante, famous for its long hot summers and mild dry winters. The perfect climate to live in to help the symptoms for those who suffer with arthritis, heart conditions or for those who just want to live with blue skies and sun. The natural salt lakes, unique in the world, ensure a healthy and free of pollution atmosphere. The scenery is beautiful with the lakes, mountain backdrop, orange and lemon groves and the palm trees providing a true Mediterranean atmosphere.

The area is well served by Alicante and Murcia airports with many daily services from airports throughout the UK via both the low cost and the traditional airlines. With advance booking you can probably fly here cheaper than say going via train from London to Milton Keynes!

All of the facilities for full or part time living are available including new hospitals and schools. Many new roads have been built which are less crowded than the UK and a modern rail system which is both clean and cheap (remember that?) connects the major cities. There is a lot to explore, as Spain is rich with culture, historic sites and being a large country much diversity.

Shopping options are endless with hypermarkets, shopping centres, warehouses, small shops and the traditional street markets with fresh fruit and vegetables. Generally the prices for most things are much less than the UK.

This region has long golden sandy beaches, which are clean and safe to swim or sun bathe. There are many marinas for those who want to moor a yacht or motor cruiser and enjoy the warm calm blue Mediterranean Sea.

There are many golf courses (playable TODAY - beware projects who promise to build a course but....) with all the facilities that golfers would expect and of course plenty of sunny dry days to enjoy their game. Also there are green bowls clubs and many other sporting opportunities to work up a thirst! The tranquil salt lakes provide a haven for birds and walkers alike.

Many different types of property are available in terms of location, budget, plot size etc. So there is something for everyone. Most towns and villages have fiestas throughout the year with parades, fireworks, lots of food and drink and of course plenty of Spanish hospitality so everyone is made welcome.

The lifestyle is relaxed and many people are relocating to Spain to enjoy a more stress free life and escape the UK 'rat race'. Even those who are not at full retirement age are buying property (mortgages are available with low interest rates) and setting up home and working. The cost of living is much lower here and with more leisure time everyone soon realises the benefits of living in Spain. We have taken the risk OUT of buying so come and live the dream.

MOTORWAYS - NEWS: IMPROVED COAST ROAD N332 NOW DUAL CARRIAGEWAY
The motorway infrastructure is well developed and the area has very adequate roads, which are well sign posted and there is little congestion.

AIRPORTS - NEWS: 2ND MURCIA AIRPORT APPROVED
Alicante and Murcia (San Javier) both have modern airports which have many daily low cost carrier services from the UK and Europe.

TRAINS AND BUSES - NEWS: HIGH SPEED RAIL LINK APPROVED
Alicante has a main station for trains and bus services for travel throughout Spain and Europe and run on time! Also train services are available in Orihuela. On the more southern costas there is much less access to these services.

PROPERTY TYPES - 2010 IS A BUYERS MARKET!
There are many different ranges available in terms of type, location (coast, urbanisation, town/village, country) and price range. We have NEW properties READY NOW - you DO NOT have to buy off plan or take any risks.

RENTAL BUSINESS - GOOD NEWS RENTAL LEVELS ARE RISING! ALSO NEW TAX REDUCTIONS
This area is very popular because there are 2 airports with lots of low cost services to all UK airports. Well developed infrastructure including the golf courses offers the owners wishing to rent good rental business opportunities all year round. For the non-permanent resident there are plenty of rental and maintenance companies offering a complete management service to property owners.

SHOPPING/COMMERCIAL - NEW COMMERCIAL CENTRE OPEN IN LA MARINA
This area offers a huge choice of both traditional and more ´shopping mall/centre´ commercial facilities including hypermarkets. The cities of Alicante and Murcia have excellent shopping and parking facilities. Many bars and restaurants cater purely for the British including the entertainment, large screen TVs with UK sport etc.

WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Many ex-pats have opened businesses especially for the British i.e. Supermarkets, Retail, Car Dealerships, The Mail Room, Coach excursions, Insurance brokers, Building services, Pool cleaning, Gardening, Bars, Restaurants, Entertainers, Franchises, etc. Also the high ex-pat community offers other persons wishing to relocate and set-up a business more opportunities to work without having to learn the language.

BANKS, SOLICITORS, INSURANCE BROKERS
The professional services are geared for the British in terms of English speaking staff, brochures etc.

LANGUAGE - FREE SPANISH COURSES AVAILABLE
This area has a large ex-pat community meaning that English is widely spoken and understood.

HEALTH – HOSPITALS NEWS: NEW NATIONAL HEALTH HOSPITAL IN TORREVIEJA.
This area has modern private and National Health hospitals also health centre facilities, which are used to dealing with the non-Spanish. Also there are plenty of dentists and other medical type facilities.

SPORTS FACILITIES NEWS: 3rd TORREVIEJA MARINA OPENED
There are 5 established golf courses actually in operation plus a further selection nearer Murcia and Alicante. Many other areas promote golf courses not actually built! For other sports, there is a wide choice of bowls clubs, which play in a league, walking clubs, horse riding, fishing, petanque, darts, football, tennis, etc. Torrevieja has a new sports centre with an Olympic size swimming pool and a sports hall. Another marina has just been opened in Torrevieja.

SOCIAL CLUBS & SOCIETIES
There are clubs for virtually every interest and hobby the details of which are published in the vast choice of free papers printed in English.

SCHOOLS - NEWS: MORE SCHOOLS BEING BUILT
For people relocating permanently this area has a great choice of either state or private schooling facilities, which are accustomed to taking British children.

WEATHER
The weather in this area is consistent with mild winters and little rain and wind. Further north of Alicante the average temperatures are lower and have more rainfall and wind. This area features in the World Health Organisations top 10 of healthiest places to live. The warm dry climate is especially beneficial to arthritis sufferers and this climate induces thinner blood, which is very good for heart problems.

BEACHES HOT NEWS AWARDED BLUE FLAG EU STATUS
The beaches on the southern Costa Blanca are all golden sand, clean and with shallow ground into the sea. In the high season they all have facilities set-up including WCs, bars, sun beds, water sports, beach games etc.

TELEVISION & RADIO & CINEMA
Spain does not have a licensed British TV system. However, in this area UK TV is available due to the demand. Spanish TVE2 is now showing live UK football. The latest films shown with English language are screened in local cinemas.

Having stated all of the above, we understand that some persons do want to come to Spain and have a more Spanish experience, and feel that they have left England behind them. We support and encourage people to adopt the language and the culture.

However we do advise against total isolation from access to hospitals, legal advice etc by purchasing property in very remote areas without first having considered the advantages and disadvantages.