The magical attraction of the Costa Blanca is not limited to the summer holiday season. While on many other beaches in Spain, with the approach of autumn, sunbeds are being removed and umbrellas are being rolled up, this coast presents tourists with another trump card: the hot days have been replaced by another "velvet season" that will last... just until next summer. Welcome, lovers of a light sea breeze, leisurely walks along the boardwalk, relaxed yacht trips, golf parties. In short, the travel offer remains valid regardless of the time of year!
Weather, nature and entertainment
One of the secrets of the Costa Blanca's appeal lies in its diversity. For example, Benidorm is commonly called a city that "never sleeps." It is famous for its abundance of shops, shopping malls, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and discos and, of course, for its skyscrapers. The tallest building in Benidorm, the Bali Hotel, has 50 floors, but this is not the limit. In 2013, it is planned to put into operation a 53-storey residence In Tempo. To this traditional set, you should add the opportunity to spend the day in the Terra Natura Zoological Park or among the attractions of the Terra Mitica entertainment complex.
The atmosphere in the town of Javea is completely different. This is a real paradise for lovers of sea sports. Those who are just going to learn the lessons of yachting will be attracted by the local port. And those who do not dare to sail on their own will enjoy a boat trip along the coast on a rented vessel. But Javea is most famous for its clear waters. Diving enthusiasts from all over the world come to Javea to enjoy the underwater scenery near the coast. Javea is also proud of its golf clubs.
Even those who have never played golf, and watched the windsurfers only from the shore, have every chance to comprehend the secrets of mastery in these sports on the Costa Blanca. In the elegant town of Denia, the basics of golf or windsurfing can be mastered in a few days. What is noteworthy is that it is not difficult to find a school with Russian–speaking instructors.
And in the town of Althea, the mood is completely different! Surprisingly, the fact is that despite the fact that more than 30% of the inhabitants of this place are foreigners, the ancient streets of Altea preserve the true spirit of the Mediterranean. After lunch, the town, like centuries ago, plunges into a siesta, and on weekends the local church calls the parishioners to the service with a bell.
The spirit of old Spain is juxtaposed here with the modern, but fully adapted to the landscape architecture of the Altea Hills urbanization. This residential complex is famous for its luxurious, but at the same time comfortable and functional villas, whose owners enjoy a unique view of the Mediterranean Sea. Living in Altea Hills in many ways means belonging to a community of people who have good taste and the ability to enjoy life.
From landscape to landscape Choose and bargain Out of competition
Those who come to the Costa Blanca to relax or decide to settle here permanently are attracted primarily by the local climate – mild, with rare precipitation and an abundance of sunny days. But the landscapes on the Costa Blanca are very different. From Denia to Alicante stretches the northern part of the Costa Blanca, where mountains and valleys, orange orchards and small pine groves, beaches with soft white sand are picturesquely combined. This part of the coast is usually called one-storey, the villas seem to be scattered along the coast and the slopes of the mountains.
From Alicante to Cartagena, the landscape is different – modern multi-storey coastal residences, residential complexes with villas and swimming pools. But even in the most densely populated areas, the unique nature is always under reliable protection. So, the huge salt lakes near Torrevieja – La Mata and Torrevieja - are a natural park protected by the state.
The supply of housing on the Costa Blanca is equally diverse. It can be an apartment in one of the residential high–rise areas not far from Alicante, a city whose international airport connects the coast with the whole world. Someone will prefer the elegant residential areas of Denia, someone will prefer lively Benidorm, someone will prefer the luxurious mansions of Altea Hills.
Today, buyers of real estate on the Costa Blanca are waiting for favorable prices and the opportunity to choose. Around 2004, even before the current crisis, construction began to slow down along the coast. The construction boom that this area has been experiencing since the early 1990s should have slowed down sometime in order to avoid saturation of the market.
According to some reports, construction companies, for example in the vicinity of Alicante, have reduced their activity over the past few years by about 10 times. Nevertheless, the market supply remains extensive. We are talking about both new buildings, including those already completed, and secondary housing. The main offer today comes from two categories of sellers. Firstly, these are Spaniards who bought a beach house with a mortgage a few years ago, but today they are unable to pay off the loan. Secondly, these are yesterday's investors who bought real estate in the expectation of its subsequent resale, which today turned out to be not so fast.
While developers are trying to figure out when they will be able to resume active activities, buyers have received, as they say, all the cards in their hands. The first and undeniable advantage is the prices, the level of which compares favorably with the offers of 2-3 years ago. In general, the drop was about 30%, and competent and confident bidding will help the buyer to further reduce the initially stated cost.
"Maybe we should wait a little longer?" is perhaps the most common question that potential buyers ask themselves and specialists in the hope that prices for Spanish resort real estate, and in particular for real estate on the Costa Blanca, will decrease even more. "The downgrade has already happened," says Thomas Doncel, a member of the Alicante Association of Realtors. – Theoretically, the current price level may decrease by another 10%. But in reality, practice is ahead of theory. Owners are willing to accept this 10% discount if they see that they are dealing with a serious customer. There is an opinion that, in terms of price, countries such as Morocco, Bulgaria or Turkey can compete with the Costa Blanca today. However, the Costa Blanca is, among other things, a combination of other extremely advantageous factors – such as product quality, social service, infrastructure, climate. Therefore, we are not afraid of competition."
There is also no rush or panic in the luxury beach housing market on the Costa Blanca. The buyer understands that he should not rush, and is ready to take advantage of the situation – to think over the purchase to the smallest detail. The seller, in turn, is much more accommodating. And although luxury housing, unlike apartments in high-rise buildings, has not fallen in price significantly, sellers are making concessions. The danger that lies in wait for an overly picky client in the exclusive sector is not such an extensive offer, which tomorrow may be even more limited, because developers on the coast are not in a hurry to resume their former activity. Therefore, realtors on the Costa Blanca recommend not to delay the purchase.