banks credit crunch economy employment media money property retail sales spanish 
We are all obsessed about the economy. Not a day goes by without discussing the credit crunch, employment prospects, banks in crisis…and now, even the price of a loaf of bread.
We are all going to starve…penniless and redundant!
I spend a lot of my time on the internet. Most of my work dictates that I am connected to the worldwide web practically all day, and so in between all the important things that I (pretend to!) do, I like to take a look at news sites to keep abreast of Spanish property news and global developments in general.
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I´ve just spent a few days at the famous La Manga Club Resort. Perhaps the most famous golf and leisure resort in Europe, La Manga has a track record of 30 years and was previously owned by P&O prior to Med Group´s current ownership. It is without doubt the Spanish golf resort that Polaris World and all the others try to emulate.
With 3 eighteen hole golf courses and a large tennis academy on site, La Manga is also home to a variety of bars and restaurants, as well as a fabulous spa, gymnasium and even its very own beach.
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costa blanca land living murcia pinoso plot properties rural spain spanish villa If you are thinking of moving to rural Spain, seeking a quiet life in a scenic landscape, then you may wish to consider buying a villa in the idyllic setting of La Zarza in the province of Murcia.
Close to the village of Pinoso and approximately 40 minutes drive from the sandy beaches of the Costa Blanca, buyers simply choose their plot of land amidst this stunning landscape of pines and olives and, using a range of design templates and working in conjunction with the on-site architect, draw up the plans for their ideal villa in Spain.
airport costa del sol expats holiday hotels malaga marbella money property spanish The Costa del Sol is changing. Although these changes are due to mainly negative factors, I personally think that the area will ultimately benefit.
First of all, let me point out that there is still demand for property in Marbella, and for property in the Costa del Sol generally. The area is still hugely popular as a holiday destination, with passenger numbers through Malaga airport continuing to rise. But the place ´feels´ different.
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alcohol costa blanca costa del sol holiday marbella property spain spanish Ever wondered why those Spanish holiday hangovers are worse than the usual ones that you get at home? It´s probably due to the measures that are poured by the bartender.
Everywhere in Spain, from the popular coastal areas such as the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca to the more remote inland villages, if you ask for a gin and tonic, the likelihood is that the bartender will start to fill your glass until YOU tell them to stop!
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costa del sol employment marbella property schools spain spanish I have lived in my property in Marbella for 8 years. When I first arrived, the area was just enjoying its latest surge in popularity, and within 2-3 years, the Spanish property boom was in full swing.
During that time, and driven by the huge demand for property in Spain, the expatriate population of Marbella, and many more seaside resorts in Southern Spain, has increased dramatically. Entire families have relocated, and so the local schools have been full and the shops, the bars and the restaurants have all benefited hugely.
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What is it about British people when they travel to Spain? As soon as they step foot in a foreign country, you can spot them a mile away…and for all the wrong reasons.
First of all, I am British, but I live in a very cosmopolitan place, in a property on the Costa del Sol, surrounded by people of all ages and from all walks of life. The local international college teaches a broad international expatriate base of 22 different nationalities. Secondly, I like my football, I enjoy a beer….but I feel like I have nothing in common with these people.
costa del sol cover emergency healthcare holiday medical national insurance nie spain spanish treatment Medical treatment in Spain is generally excellent. However the ability to obtain it varies. It very much depends on how stretched the medical services are in your area of Spain.
Generally speaking, if you are part of the Spanish National Insurance system, you are automatically eligible for medical treatment.
If you are not paying into the social security system you can still obtain treatment if you have an EHIC card (E 111) and a passport or NIE number. The medical practice will register you for six months. However, if need be you can renew this. Continue reading »
alhambra palace costa blanca costa del sol granada hire car road siera nevada ski spain spanish As soon as I settle myself into my hire car when I return to the UK, I feel like I am being watched. There is simply no escaping the cameras. Everywhere you look – on motorways, dual carriageways, even country lanes – there is no escape from Big Brother, waiting to clobber you with 3 points and a hefty fine.
In Spain, things are very different. I think it must come down to the attitude of the people here. It is rare to see a speed camera on Spanish roads. Even when you do, you´ve normally received plenty of notice, even in the local English press the week before, announcing a temporary road safety campaign in a particular area, such as the Costa Blanca or the Costa del Sol. Continue reading »
100% banks development discounted finance mortgage off-plan price properties property spain spanish valuation Anybody who has recently tried to obtain a mortgage, either a mortgage in Spain, or a mortgage in their home country, will tell you that it´s not the easiest of processes anymore.
During the peak of the Spanish property market, lenders were falling over themselves with offers of easy and cheap credit to overseas buyers. The banks were so hungry for business in a rising property market, that they were prepared to base their levels of lending on the property valuation, rather than the property price. Any market is based on greed and fear, and if we are now in the midst of fearful economic times, then it´s certainly true that at the market´s peak, greed was the overriding factor. Continue reading »
