Greyfox - PROPERTY, INVESTMENT and LIFESTYLE INFORMATION for the COSTA DEL SOL, ANDALUCIA, SPAIN

<body> <h1>Property Investment and Lifestyle Information for the Costa del Sol</h1> <p class="body"><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" title="Property Investment information" href="0-general/frame-andalucia-find.html" target="_top">Andalucia</a> :: <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="9-useful/site-index.html">Property del Sol</a> That part of Andalucia in southern Spain known as the <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.costa-map.ft6.com" target="_top">Costa del Sol</a> - from Malaga to Gibraltar - has become Europe's favourite destination to holiday in and <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.grehan.ukhq.co.uk">relocate</a> to. There are good reasons why this has happened and why this phenomenon is set to continue for the foreseeable future. There are correspondingly good reasons why buying, renting or investing in 'property in the sun' is a very attractive proposition. This website aims to provide comprehensive, useful information - whether you are mildly or actively interested, whether you're involvement may be long-term or short-term, and whether you're already resident or not. And if you're thinking about 'investing in the sun' - to buy - then we hope you'll find this <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.lapina.co.uk">a good place</a> to start. </p> <p class="body">Nine reasons why . . . </p> <p class="body">1. <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="9-useful/andalucia-assistance.html">Climate</a> The Costa del Sol has an exceptionally pleasing climate; one that Northern Europeans in particular appreciate. Summer months are hot (without - normally - being unpleasantly blistering) and if one did happen to tire of the miles of golden beaches and blue Mediterranean Sea, then within a few minutes one can escape up into airy mountains and shady forests. Winter months (except that Andalucia does not really have 'winter' months) are reliably sunny and days pleasantly warm, sometimes hot. Evenings and early mornings can be chilly, but this is a relative term. This climatological fact of life - the weather's lovely here, all year round - is an ace card when comparing Andalucia's attractiveness as a property investment area with anywhere else. </p> <p class="body">2. <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="9-useful/andalucia-contact-information.htm">Infrastructure</a> and <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="3-property-finder/andalucia-developments.htm">Economic</a> Strength In the 1950s this land was one of small fishing villages and unchanging rurality - olive groves, oranges and lemons, avocados and goats. By the 1970s the Costa del Sol's virtues had been 'discovered' by large numbers of <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="0-general/frame-andalucia-directory.html">holiday</a>makers (from abroad and from within Spain) and 'development' was proceeding apace. In fact, it proceeded faster than the infrastructure could support. The resulting situation was characterised by utilities services unable to cope with demand, nightmarish legal tangles, risks and delays, and terrible road communications. Today, the fishermen are still here, and so are the farmers and market gardeners. Goat herders are nowadays somewhat thinner on the ground. But the infrastructure is now truly excellent; this is a fully - reliably - functioning part of the modern world. Water, electricity, drainage, telephones and similar underpinnings are as available here as they are in Surbiton. There are brand new motorways and upgraded trunk roads, and there are good rail connections and bus routes. The Costa del Sol general area also includes two significant commercial ports - <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="3-property-finder/andalucia-developments.htm">Malaga</a> and Gibraltar - and eight pleasure craft marinas (**eleven including Gibraltar's). There are reliable plans to develop one complete new marina (at La Cala) and double the capacity of <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="0-general/frame-andalucia-financial.html">Fuengirola</a> and Benalmadena marinas - a potential additional - strongly demanded - 2,000 berths beyond the 5,000 (**5,750) already in existence. Arrivals at Malaga port also rise year on year and in 2004 270 cruise ships docked, carrying 200,000 passengers. Europeans seeking a 'place in the sun' can be as reassuringly civilised and comfortable here as they are in Stockholm or Dublin. (Except that it's warmer). </p> <p class="body">3. Political and <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="5-legal-financial/taxation.html">Financial Stability</a> Where once was brittle order, imposed by a military dictator shunned by the rest of the continent, is now a strong yet flexible democracy; an important part of the New Europe. This is a politically 'safe' place to invest and live in. It is also a financially stable area. Whilst it may no longer be possible to ride a wave of dirt cheap property prices and gigantic property value increases, the days of the 'skeleton coast', of half-completed building frames abandoned in a property slump, are also long gone. What has replaced this speculative roller-coaster is development, on an impressively large scale, fuelled by sustainable <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.costa-tour.ft6.com">market demand</a>, fiscal prudence and legal safeguards. The latest figures show a 28% year on year increase in resale property prices in Malaga province. 40% of all dwellings built on the Spanish Costas were bought by Britons. </p> <p class="body">4. Access and Proximity If road and rail services are good, then it is the growth of air services and low-cost carriers that is amazing. Malaga airport sees 12 million passengers each year, nearly half from Britain, but a significant number from Madrid and other parts of Spain. The airport is smart and modern but needs to grow to meet ever increasing demand - it will double in size within the next five years. The Costa del Sol is easy to get to, at affordable prices, with short journey times, through frequent scheduled flights. It is entirely practicable for northern Europeans to have an Andalucian weekend home, to enjoy the sun or play golf. </p> <p class="body">5. <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="0-general/frame-andalucia-factors.html">Market</a> and Demand The Federation of Municipalities of the Costa del Sol predict that this coast will become the most extensive metropolitan area in Spain, stretching along 147kms of coast from Nerja to Sotogrande. More than 2 million people, almost double the present population will line the shores by the end of 2007. "There are no indications of slow down. Every sign indicates that our economic growth will continue. Malaga relies on tourism and real estate, which some people think can vanish overnight, this is simply not going to happen". According to a report by Advanced Management Services Group, undertaken for the organizers of "Marbella Meeting Point" the Costa del Sol received more than 20% of total investment by foreigners of secondary homes in the Spanish Territories. The report shows that in the next 5 years more than 800,000 European families (mostly German or British) will buy a home in Spain. Andalucia represents 32% of all Real Estate investment in Spain and the Costa del Sol alone assumes 90% of Andalucia's share. ". . nearly half from Britain . ." There are two points of interest: One, that lots of northern Europeans (especially Britons) like Andalucia, and Secondly that Andalucians seem to like this influx of 'extranjeros' - there's a good fit. This northern customer-base comes from mature economies with high property values and an ageing population. People who may have 'done with' full time work, or seen their children settled, or with time to enjoy themselves in. People with significant capital value that can be extracted from their local properties, to invest elsewhere, in their 'new' lives. These are experienced and intelligent customers - they have money to spend; they like this part of the world and what it can offer them. </p> <p class="body">6. Leisure Facilities "Costa del Golf", "Golf Valley" . . give some clue to one of the main sporting-leisure activities hereabouts. There are 30 golf courses within a 70km (50 miles) strip, all of first class calibre (designed by leading professionals like Seve Ballesteros) and one - Valderrama - of world championship ranking. And of course, the Costa climate means that golf is played, enjoyably, all year round. But golf is not the only sport - there is excellent riding (Andalucians prize their horsemanship and this is great riding country), excellent tennis, excellent sailing and watersports, fishing and adventurous activities like jeep safari-ing, mountain biking and other outdoor pursuits. People have the facilities and the opportunity here, to enjoy themselves. Another demand-related reason why they want to come here, and stay here. </p> <p class="body">7. Availability Torremolinos is in the Costa del Sol, but it is most emphatically not the Costa, which is so much more than that tired and misleading cliché. Where once the "Costa" might have meant densely built apartment blocks, now there is a real - sophisticated - choice of properties, of a quality high enough to exceed, not just meet, expectations. Andalucia continues to provide one of Europe's most interesting construction landscapes, the (tower) crane becoming the Andaluz national 'bird'. Architects and developers of international importance (and quality) concentrate their attentions here. Whilst in any market there is the humdrum, here there is also a wide portfolio - hundreds of developments - of yet un-built projects, brand new properties and re-sale properties, in many different types of location. To suit all pockets, tastes and desires. </p> <p class="body">8. <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="0-general/frame-andalucia-locations.html">Landscape</a> A land of beaches and multi-storey apartment blocks? Well yes, there are both of those, but there is also so much more. Even that 70km long, 1km wide, coastal strip varies tremendously, from Arroyo de la Miel in the east (lots of mature developments, close to the airport) to Sotogrande in the west (exclusive, private, secluded). Lovely sandy beaches are common to all, however. Behind the beaches are the mountains and the countryside - the 'campo' - often less than 10 minutes drive away. Twisting ascending roads and tracks, fincas (country houses), pueblos (villages), hills, bare mountainsides, lakes, forests and amazing views. Whilst - once again - the "Costa" might conjure a rather stale vision, the reality (that people appreciate and want to buy into) is much different. </p> <p class="body">9. Scope There has been a lot of <a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="5-legal-financial/andalucia-real-estate-calculations.html">development</a> in the past, especially along the northern coastal strip and around Marbella. There continues to be a lot, currently focused on more southern parts like Duquesa and Sotogrande. One might think that the place was nearly 'all used up'. Not the case. There is room for expansion. Firstly, the landscape itself allows this, being in large part composed of numerous small hills, valleys and opportunities for development that do not spoil or compromise the overall scene. Secondly, local government has become more experienced, more wise, and more about to exercise sensitive judgement. There is future in this place. A long-term that is good for investment</p> <p class="body">agent, Alhaurin Golf, alhaurin golf, Alhaurin, alhaurin, Andalucia, andalucia, apartment, Banus, beach, Benalmadena, buy, Calahonda, calculation, Cartama, casita, Coin, Costa del Sol, costa del sol, costadelsol, costaguide, costamap, costatour, countryside, development, escape, Estepona, facts, finca, find, finder, flat, Fuengirola, golden mile, golf, grey fox, greyfox, Guadalhorce, guide, holiday, house, housing, information, inmobilaria, invest, investment, let, letting, Malaga, map, Marbella, Med, med, Mediterranean, mediterranean, Mijas, Monda, newcombe, Newcombe, off plan, offplan, Ojen, place in the sun, property del sol, property, purchase, real estate, reasons, rent, rental, return, riding, San Pedro, Sotogrande, Spain, spain, Spanish, spanish, sun, sunshine, swimming, to rent, Tolox, Torremolinos, tour, townhouse, urbanisation, urbanizacion, vacation, Valderama, Valderrama, villa, Valtocado, walking, warm. </p> <p class="body">Property del Sol :: Clear complete information about investing, buying, living and holidaying on Spain's Costa del Sol - Andalucia - Spain. Including all key places such as Malaga, Torremolinos, Benalmadena, Fuengirola, Mijas, Alhaurin, Cartama, Coin, Monda, La Cala de Mijas, Calahonda, Riviera del Sol, Marbella, Puerto Banus, San Pedro, Estepona, Duquesa, Casares, Sotogrande and Alcaidesa. </p> <p class="body"><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.frog-property.com">Frog Property Investment</a></p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.western-cape.co.uk">Information about Property and Lifestyle in the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa</a></p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.andalucia.ft6.com">Information about Property and Lifestyle in the Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain</a></p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.costamap.ft6.com">Map of the Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain</a></p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.costatour.ft6.com">Property Guided Tour of the Costa del Sol, Andalucia, Spain</a></p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.grehan.ukhq.co.uk">Voyaging the French canals and rivers in a boat and sailing a yacht in the Mediterranean Spain</a></p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.lapina.co.uk">Self-catering holiday town house apartment to rent by Alhaurin Golf, in the Andalucia countryside, near beach, Costa del Sol, Spain</a></p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.alhaurin-golf-village.co.uk">Villas and apartments to rent at Alhaurin Golf Village, in the Andalucia countryside, near beach, Costa del Sol, Spain</a></p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.rainbow-property.com">Properties to purchase or rent from Malaga to Sotogrande, Andalucia, Spain</a></p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.alhaurin.ft6.com">Pueblo Andaluz community of property owners, Alhaurin Golf, Mijas, Andalucia, Spain </a></p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.nhl.ukhq.co.uk">Horse riding livery stables at New House Farm, Oxfordshire</a>. </p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.greyfox.ft6.com">Experts on marketing information creation</a>. </p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.hopfields.com">Hop garlands are a decorative fantastic thing</a>. </p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.vegfields.com">Vegetables can be grown to order</a>. </p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.herbfields.com">Specialist herbs and herbal beneficial plants</a>. </p> <p class="body"><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.farrandfca.com">Farrand Chartered Accountants</a></p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.succeed-in-spain.com">Succeed in Spain information, before you move to Spain</a></p> <p><a onMouseOver="window.status='.'; return true;" href="http://www.ardalesproperty.com">Ardales Property Services</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p class="body"></p> </body>