CASE STUDY “We left our pub for a life in Torrox”
Gary and Sara Jones made the decision to relocate to Torrox in December 2005. Having run their Bristol pub for many years, they felt the time was right to move to the sun – and have a complete career change
We were fed up with working all the time in the UK, with no free time to spend with our children, and we wanted a less stressful life – and where better to come than Torrox? Having triplets, it was a big decision to make as it would have a big impact on them too, but once we had spoken to them we knew this was the right move to make. We were concerned about how they would cope with Spanish schools but they are now fl uent in Spanish.
Here we run Blue Badge Mobility (
www.bluebadgemobility.com), selling and hiring mobility equipment aids, including mobility scooters – we got this idea as my parents had been on holiday to Tenerife and hired mobility scooters, which they thought was a great idea. This prompted us to look at this as a business and that is where we started. We soon discovered that there wasn’t a business like this on the eastern Costa del Sol and we went for it. The locals were very welcoming to us and we had no trouble settling in and we can’t see ourselves ever moving back to the UK.
inland, is worth visiting on the fi rst Saturday of September when the residents celebrate the Día del Ajoblanco and hand out bowls of the soup, with a bunch of grapes. A new fountain surrounding an enormous silver bunch of grapes marks the entrance to the village. Myth has it that a horde of jewels and gold lies hidden in a cave underneath one of the fountains near the river here – villagers believe they were left behind in 1497 by retreating Moors and a spirit has guarded them since...
TOTALÁN Our third white village, Totalán’s
heritage is one of food and entertainment. Named after the Arab pastry torta, its annual festival celebrates an ancient stew called Chanfaina. Meanwhile, the fl amenco singer Enrique Castillo was born in the village – 13 kms inland of Rincon de la Victoria – as were the parents of singer and actor Antonio Molina.
WHAT TO DO Cuevas de Nerja: These are the third most visited attraction in Spain and are so vast they even have classical concerts there each summer.
Horse-drawn carriage ride in Nerja: These half-hour trips are a fun way to discover the town’s old town. Festivals: Take in one of the many religious and other festivals throughout the year which generally include spectacular processions through the streets. Food: From cosy tapas bars in inland villages to open-air fi sh restaurants on the beach, food in La Axarquía is fresh and authentic and you could sample somewhere new every day. One recommended paella is that served at Ayo on Nerja’s Burriana beach. Sierras of Tejeda and Almijara: Whether by car or, even better, on foot, these two mountain ranges, with 2,000m-plus peaks, offer a taste of wild Spain and are a refreshing escape from the busier coastal areas.
GETTING THERE Málaga airport, with its recently
opened third terminal, is served by most low cost airlines throughout the year. Not only does this mean access could hardly be easier or cheaper but that the long term security and stability of the property market is assured because you should always be able to get there.
ESSENTIALS The property market
Prices will vary depending on how rural you are, with prime spot coastal villas demanding the higher asking prices. Character village/town homes for refurbishing, or already restored, are a popular option here, while villas on the edge of a village often come with land, ideal for anyone wishing to take advantage of the balmy climate and create their little “good life”. Christopher Morris, director at UK based Simply Overseas, said: “This part of Spain like everywhere else has been affected by the global recession but perhaps nothing like as badly as some places. Because it has not suffered from the often insensitive and tasteless over development of some locations, the market is much more established and stable. Prices are now very attractive and most sources have noted a distinct increase in enquiries and sales over the past few months. Basic one-bedroom apartments can be had from €80,000 (£71K), with townhouses starting from about €180,000 (£159K) and the choice of villas being endless.”
ON THE MARKET IN AXARQUIA
Where: Benamargosa Price: €265,000 (£235K)
Spacious three-bedroom villa of 156-sq-ms, built on a plot of 7,750-sq-ms and overlooking the village. Shaded BBQ area, sun terracing and heated 10x4-m swimming pool.
www.fl
eming-properties.com.
Where: Cútar Price: €145,000 (£128K)
Reformed two-bed house with: lounge with wood burner, two double bedrooms, bathroom, roof terrace with views and stairs from the lounge to dining room/ bed three and kitchen.
www.axarquiaproperties.com.
Where: Nerja Price: from €125,000 (£111K)
Apartments in the centre of town, close to Torrecilla beach, so making the best of all this resort has to offer. One- and two-bed properties available, all furnished and with air conditioning.
www.simplyoverseas.com.
Where: Nerja Price: €159,000 (£141K)
Fully refurbished one-bedroom top-fl oor apartment situated on Urb. Naricha. With access to a large communal swimming pool and gardens, the property has strong rental potential.
www.nerjasolproperty.com.
SPECIAL
ONE BEDROOM APARTMENTS IN NERJA IDEAL FIRST STEP INTO PROPERTY IN SPAIN GREAT RENTAL POTENTIAL. MORTGAGES AVAILABLE FROM UNDER ¤100,000!
Please visit our website at www.fl
eming-properties.com
Or e-mail and let us help you fi nd your place in the sun anne@fl
eming-properties.com
JUNE 2011 A PLACE IN THE SUN 33
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