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Only 20 minutes from the coastal resort of
Salobrena, this is Moorish Spain at its best. With the ancient
Muslim terracing and irrigation system still used to this
day, Los Guajares is sandwiched between the mountain ranges
of Sierra del Chaparral and Sierra de Los Guajares.
This area boasts spectacular scenery, an abundance
of wildlife, and is one of the most unspoilt environments
in Granada. Running away to the south is the Sierra Nevada,
stretching to the Costa Tropical, a 100 kilometres stretch
of relatively undiscovered coastline that's full of hidden
coves and resorts such as Salobrena, Motril and Almunecar.
For those seeking low prices and a rural retreat, Los Guajares
is ideal.
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Why buy there?
This stunning valley offers a temperate climate that's warm
during the winter months but slightly cooler than inland areas
due to its proximity to the coast. There are many species
of deer, birds and mountain goats, along with a number of
hiking and walking trails.
The valleys abound with orange, chirimoya
(custard apples), almond and olive groves, while the narrow
streets and houses are covered in geraniums. The area is also
easily accessible, only 20 minutes from the coast and Motril,
and only an hour from Granada, which now receives direct flights
from the UK.
This is an old part of Andalucia where the
villages are whitewashed and the streets are narrow and winding.
There's culture and history at every turn, with the Alhambra
Palace in Granada, the Alpujarras, the swathe of coastal towns,
and the ruined Arab castle in Los Guajares itself. Add authentic
tapas and fresh seafood, and you've got an unspoilt slice
of traditional Andalucian life.
Where to buy
In Los Guajares itself, you have the three villages of Guajar
Faraguit, Guajar Fondon and Guajar Alto. This old rural community
offers a handful of bars and restaurants, and spectacular
scenery. A two bedroom house can be picked up for a mere 67,000
euros, while 72,000 euros can secure you a fully renovated,
traditional townhouse.
Further to the southeast is the whitewashed
hilltop town of Salobrena. Surrounded by sugar cane fields,
Salobrena is a picturesque seaside town, with many shops and
resturants. Its maze of cobbled streets are overlooked by
the ruins of a Moorish castle. Spend 145,000 euros and you
can pick up a four bedroom apartment in the centre of Salobrena,
while 155,000 euros will buy you a traditional house in the
old town.
Molvizar is another traditional village. Situated
on the edge of the Sierra del Chaparral, it lies in the stunning
Lecrin valley, which is covered with almond and olive groves,
and enjoys stunning views.
Molvizar is becoming popular with people looking
for a quite village location but with access to the lively
coastal town of Salobrena. There are many pretty, typically
Spanish town houses for sale. A two bedroom cortijo here costs
284,000 euros, while a three bedroom townhouse is 106,000
euros.
Located near Motril, the village of Velez
de Benaudalla nestles at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada
and is a typical mountain village, with sugar cube houses,
mountain views and a traditional church. A new feature to
Velez is the newly constructed dam, which promises water sports,
picnic areas and more. In the not-too-distant future it will
also be a haven for bird watchers and walkers, providing many
aspects of rural tourism.
Property here starts at 116,000 euros for
a one bedroom townhouse, while a two bedroom townhouse requiring
some work can be purchased for 99,000 euros.
The property market
Granada is relatively unknown compared to much of Andalucia.
Currently, over 48 per cent of property here sells for between
50,000 euros and 150,000 euros, and a quarter of all homes
sold are village houses. On average, property sells for 85,000
euros less than the national average price of 245,000 euros.
The market in Los Guajares is very different
from that of a few years ago, when people were buying everything
from renovation projects to off plan investments and luxury
villas. Over the last five years, prices have increased dramatically,
at a rate of 15 to 20 per cent per annum. A property such
as a cortijo, or village home, has risen in price from 30,000
euros to over 100,000 euros. Nevertheless, there are still
bargains to be had, especially in villages such as Jete and
Otivar.
There has also been an increase in the number
of people buying and investing in the area. The market is
very international, although recent months have seen more
properties being sold to Spanish clients than in previous
years, more city based Spaniards are looking to the Costa
Tropical and inland areas of Los Guajares for second homes,
especially those from Madrid and Barcelona.
This has helped to keep the market for 2005
successful in what appears to otherwise be a sluggish year,
particularly in terms of the number of British buyers. 2005
is seeing a mix of buyers seeking both property to let and
also property for permanent relocation. Although there are
still bargains to be had, this could all change when the motorways
are finished and Los Guajares becomes more easily accessible.
The lettings market
Due to the longer winter season than in the coastal areas,
the short term lettings season in Los Guajares is shorter
than it is in much of Andalucia. The region is more suited
to those looking for a walking holiday, rather than a beach
vacation. However, some owners do let their property during
the summer, and most do this privately via the internet. This
shows the quieter nature of the lettings market.
The income generated is less than you'd expect
along the Costa del Sol, although prices are rising in conjunction
with increased interest. There has also been a significant
turnaround in the number of clients looking to secure a long
term rental in the Los Guajares area prior to buying. This
trend started in 2004 and has grown significantly over the
last eight months.
In terms of rental returns, a one bedroom
traditional property in Guajar Alto can generate 210 euros
per week in low season and 320 euros in peak season. A two
bedroom townhouse in Velez de Benaudalla can secure between
205 euros to 365 euros. In the more popular coastal area of
Salobrena, a three bedroom villa can generate between 500
euros and 850 euros per week, depending on the season.
Living in Los Guajares
There is much to recommend this area, not least the tradition,
culture and awesome scenery. However, there are negatives
too. The region has a limited infrastructure and the remote
location of many villages means limited resources, such as
schools and hospitals.
The streets are often steep and narrow, which
can hamper access by car, and the weather can also be harsher
during the winter months than on the coast. If you're looking
to buy here, you must be prepared to learn Spanish, and to
respect the locals and their traditional way of life.
There is a strong local presence here, with
a growth of Spanish second home buyers investing in the area.
Foreign buyers tend to be semi retired couples and middle
aged families who are looking to escape the busy coastal resorts.
There are still relatively few British people here, and the
foreigners who have bought property are a cosmopolitan mix
of Canadians, Scandinavians and Americans. There's also a
thriving artistic community keen to take advantage of the
area's natural beauty.
Salobrena and the surrounding resorts are
more touristy and built up than the inland villages, but the
level of development remains acceptable. There's more of an
expat community here, and certainly more attractions, but
again, it hardly reaches the levels seen further west in the
Costa del Sol.
Granada in figures
Unemployment: 19%
Total EU population: 8,032 (35% of which
are British)
Language: Castilian Spanish
Average property price: 160,000 Euros
Total area of Granada: 12,635km2
Population of Granada Province: 818,959
Population density: 64.82km2
Tallest peak, Mulhacen: 3,481m
Length of coastline: 100km
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