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andy woolfe · 11-23-2007, 06:06 PM

Hi All
Which of the Costas in Spain are the best and why,
Is one better then the other for re-sale or Holidays are Better or the scenery.
Which is the best and why?

Susie Kay · 11-26-2007, 04:40 PM

Hi there Andy.
Great question.
We all have a different point of view I am sure, but to my way of thinking the Costa del Sol was always the best weather wise. However during the boom years (property wise) over the 90â€™s and right up until last year â€“ it became so crowded with people buying up new build, renting it out, selling it on and generally moving out there on a permanent basis that it turned into a seething mass of all nationalities and their cars !!!!!! The traffic is now appalling.

The Costa Blanca, I have always thought of as a sort of Blackpool with sun â€“ great for ex-pats who like to live with other Brits, same lifestyle as in the U.K. but better weather. Also very crowded though!

Now the Costa de la Luz (where I am living) was where I started out many years ago.
This is an area which is still very open and very Spanish â€“ yes the British and other northern Europeans are moving out here slowly but surely, but here the authorities are not making the same mistakes as they did on the Blanca and the Sol.

Here the property is still built in the attractive Andaluz style, buildings are not â€˜high-riseâ€™, the beaches are still â€˜virginâ€™ and not covered with rented beds and umbrellas, the weather is good and the price of food and drinks is still reasonable.

Having said all that â€“ the property is not cheap, but you canâ€™t have everything so they say.

Well, there you have it â€“ for me itâ€™s the Costa de la Luz.
Would anyone like to argue the point?

Dream Spain · 12-04-2007, 02:56 PM

I haven't yet been to the Costa de Luz - so I can't make yet comparison yet, but from your comments it sounds very appealing. I like the Costa del Sol for its beautiful mountain backdrop and pretty properties, but I too found during a visit to Marbella last year that the traffic & general activity level reminded me too much the UK!

I do like parts of the Costa Blanca - there are many areas which are not built up, and I've visited some lovely villages in the South Costa Blanca surrounded by citrus groves - very tranquil.

However for me the Costa Calida still ticks all the boxes. Despite the increased development here the pace of life is still much slower than elsewhere and there is a feeling that there is plenty of space for everyone. The climate on the 'warm coast' is of course very appealing - mild in the winter and still bearable in the hottest months of July & August. Most of the villages along the coastline are very Spanish in both culture and language but even those who speak very little Spanish are welcomed and often given a friendly impromptu Spanish lesson.
Although property prices have of course risen here, it is still possible to buy a good sized resale property within walking distance of the beach for a reasonable price. If you go 5 minutes in land you can find very affordable apartments with pools & spa areas in traditional villages with all the facilities needed - ideal for holidays. For golf lovers the choice of property is very good - the Polaris World resorts offer villas, townhouses and apartments with the opportunity to play on 9 different courses - the 'Nicklaus Golf Trail'.

I do like mountains and I'm appreciative that here we have mountains and sea together - while the mountain size is not as dramatic as those further south they do look fantastic The beautiful & unique Mar Menor is a huge plus point - wonderful to look at, swim in and walk alongside. For people who enjoy sailing, fishing, wind surfing or kite surfing this is the ideal place to be any time of the year. One of my favourite places is the protected regional park of Calbanque with its kilometres of golden unspoilt beach and glorious Mediterranean waves.

For culture lovers there is Cartagena, one of the oldest ports in Spain. I have really enjoyed visiting the Roman remains, learning about the city's place in the Spanish civil war and admiring many of the carefully restored buildings in the streets by the port. I believe there is something for everyone in this area, I love it.

Martine Cherry

Susie Kay · 12-04-2007, 05:22 PM

Well it sounds lovely. I've not tried your part of the coast either - but I've looked at your web-site and it looks very interesting.
One thing we don't have here in Rota is mountains - there are plenty in other parts of Cadiz, but here it is quite flat. This though, makes it wonderful for horse riding and as you probably know Jerez is famous for it's horses as well as it's sherry.

Richie · 12-04-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dream Spain

For culture lovers there is Cartagena, one of the oldest ports in Spain. I have really enjoyed visiting the Roman remains, learning about the city's place in the Spanish civil war and admiring many of the carefully restored buildings in the streets by the port. I believe there is something for everyone in this area, I love it.

Martine Cherry

I read an article that probably may of you on the Costa Blanca south may have seen as well in the round town news about the vast amounts of illegal properties built in the Cartagena area in a natural reserve which ANSE (Asociacion de Naturalistas del Sureste) have been protesting about and wanting pulled down. Home owners are mainly Brits - they face having their homes pulled down (another one), after being built without the licenses necessary for construction.

I know this seems to be an ongoing tend but I didn't know it was also affecting Cartagena!

I agree, Cartagena is a lovely place to spend the day, personally I wouldn't live there (more like Morocco than Spain!) but there is lots to do, we have been back 4 or 5 times. There is a stunning Spanish restaurant (can't remember the name), does the best steak in Murcia!

Dream Spain · 12-04-2007, 06:45 PM

We met a couple recently who have built a property in the protected area near Cartagena, knowing full well it was illegal and they are happy to pay the fines -but whether in future they will have to take it down I don't know. I certainly wouldn't take that risk but people have and probably will continue to do so....

Coast-Almeria · 01-07-2008, 03:27 AM

Hi,

Everybody has their own opinion, but the bottom line is that we all love Spain.

My personal favourite though is Mojacar and the surrounding villages. Great beaches and plenty to round, it is 18 km's after all, next to Cabo de Gata National Park and Marine Reserve so great for scuba diving, and the sea is warm all year round and is the driest are in the whole of Spain and of course the sunshine, which we have more than 330 days off, 24 today, not bad for the beginning of Jan.

My second fav place by contrast has to be jointly held by Valencia and Barcelona, great shopping! I am a woman after all, and galleries, hotels, nightlife and the food

Almeria Property Place · 01-24-2008, 12:22 PM

after living in the Canaries, Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca, I have finally settled in Almeria and love it, there are not too many Brits and we have miles of natural unspoilt beaches it is the best area of Spain that i have lived in so the Costa Almeria gets my vote.

Paulcole · 04-17-2008, 08:11 PM

After getting around the country quite a bit I will go for the Costa Brava. Now don´t all jump down my neck - I exclude Lloret & similar resorts (towns) - (Blackpool all over again). The Costa Brava offers great beaches, breath taking scenery, cristal clear water for diving, proteced island "Medas" for wildlife, small inlets with semi private beaches, great nightlife, grub and is still unspoilt, compared to other costas, by us building concrete blocks.

mevilla · 06-03-2008, 12:14 PM

From a biased point of view, the Costa Blanca has to be the best costa! Blue flag sandy beaches that are forever busy through the on season periods!

I know there are always going to be down sides to some places but there are so many little coves that are very private and undiscovered by holiday makers, mainly known by locals.

Also the Murcia region has some nice beaches that have not been completely over run by tourists yet.