A Spanish Fusion or Hot English Abode...It's Make-Up Your Mind Time!

Spain has been, for many years, the most popular country for Britons to buy a property. In January 2006 it was reported that, an increasing 270,000 British reside in Spain. This is why (unlike many other destinations) when choosing a property we are granted with a luxury choice; to reside in a mainly English speaking district, or to drop yourself into Spanish land. The decision is yours…

The Spanish option may be harder than the English, at first glance, yet as the years pass which one will be more successful? As a foreigner living in another country you have to make an assessment on whether you want a home away from home or to intermingle yourself as a foreigner with the locals. A decision like this can be very complex for many singletons, couples and families. It is important to get a least a gist of the pros and cons before you chose your path. It is crucial to primarily establish the purpose of the property, whether it is a weekend getaway, a summer house, half the year or full throttle move to Spain. This article will therefore be split between discussing motives for holiday home buyers and also for people who want to relocate on a permanent basis.

The British are the leading foreign group looking to buy vacation homes in Spain, after the Spaniards themselves. The majority of short-term buyers opt for the “little England” near the costal hot spots. It was reported in the 2005 national statistics that around 53% of the owners of the 3.8 million second homes on the Spanish coast are foreign, primarily from the U.K., Germany, and France.

For the holiday-home buyer, it is far from a necessity to be fluent in Spanish; however it is still Spain and a bit of an effort, here and there, would always be appreciated no matter where you are located. Therefore if learning a language is something you do not want to take on, then buying in an English zone or touristy area would probably suit you more. In these areas it is rare to find people that do not speak English and most bars, restaurants and clubs will have menus in English, as well as the clientele, most of whom will speak English. On the other hand if language is something you want to consider, having a holiday home in a non-touristy area is advised. The best way to learn a language is when you have no other choice. Leaning the language is considered central to understanding the culture. For those with children, it can be a great way for them to broaden their horizons, plus improve their language skills, as kids generally absorb more and will most likely learn at a much faster rate than adults.

There is also the factor of money and location. Generally by the tourist coasts it is more expensive, i.e. the Costa del Sol in Andalucía. However many tourists do not venture to the north of Spain, where there are some fantastic beaches and the property is cheaper. It can also be a question of what you want out of your holiday home. If you want a countryside escape, in rural Spain, then it will be found in predominantly Spanish areas. If you want to rent your home then it would be wise to purchase in the south, where it is touristier and therefore higher demand, year round.

For Long-term buyers, the issues above can apply but when you are changing country permanently you have to try and think about the long-term consequences of your choice.

In 2005 it was estimated that there was between 75,000 and 100,000 British people residing in Spain, mainly in the regions of Andalusia and Valencia. Although increasing, you have to remember that this number at the most is under half the amount of Britons that own a home. Therefore in these areas you may find yourself mixing with people who are only temporarily there. This can be unsettling.

Limiting yourself to these English areas means (assuming you want to learn Spanish) your Spanish learning will be much slower. On the contrary, Living in a majority Spanish area, at first will be demanding but in the long run you will have a lot more choice, be it jobs, friends and recreational activities. For families, integrating in to Spanish society can mean your children will be bilingual and can therefore be at ease with both nationalities. If they are only with English speakers, in English schools, this can prove to be isolating. In the case of every situation, living with natives gives you more options and fewer limitations.

If you want the best of both worlds then normally opting for life in the bigger cities, such as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, will always provide you with an English community but not one that dominates the area.

There is no right or wrong decision, but understand your decision!

About the Author:
Belinda Milestone works as a content writer for oppSpain, a company that is specialised in selling off plan properties in Spain.