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| SPANISH PROPERTY SALES IN THE VALENCIA REGION | ||||
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The Area
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The Area - Costa Blanca North |
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Valencia and Surrounding Areas |
Costa Blanca
Costa Blanca means white coast, but the area north of Alicante is also much greener, more fertile and less congested than the southern Costas.
It was allegedly described by the Moors as “paradise, a fragment from the next world” and has been described by the World Health Organisation as one of the healthiest places in the world to live, with a near perfect year round climate and very pure air quality.
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Man in Moraira looking out to sea!
Denia Main Street
Town of Parcent, nestling in the Jalon valley |
Altea, Calpe, Moraira, Javea and Denia are the most well known resorts and each is high quality and is very different from the other. These areas also benefit from excellent, well established road, rail and air transport with access from two major airports – Alicante and Valencia. The inland valleys of Jalon and Orba are popular places for permanent living and boast scores of superb restaurants. The Costa Blanca North and the Costa Azahar south of Valencia are similar in character and are defined by blue/green Mediterranean sea, white soft sand, towering cliffs and majestic mountain backdrops, green fertile valley bottoms with lemon and orange groves, almonds, olives and many square miles of vineyards. Picturesque Spanish pueblos nestle under the mountains with a multicultural population breathing clean air living in low rise, low density housing. The Marina Alta area which forms part of the Costa Blanca North contains several world class resorts and each has its own Marina. |
There is the opportunity to partake in almost every type of sporting activity in this beautiful part of Spain which includes golf, fishing, sailing, scuba-diving, horse riding, walking, cycling, water ski-ing, snow ski-ing (only 3-4 hours drive away), shooting, parasailing, go-carting, tennis - the list is endless!
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Some of the attractions within the Costa Blanca area:
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Valencia City Valencia is Spain´s 3rd largest city – it has a marina, a sandy beach and is a major sea port. Valencia is due to host the Americas Cup (the richest sporting event in the world) in 2007 and is fast becoming one of the most popular and exciting areas to live. With an all year round average daytime temperature of close to 20 degrees centigrade, the Valencian region enjoys mild winters and long, warm summers, with wonderful blue flag sunny beaches of white sand along the eastern coastline and miles and miles of orange and lemon groves. Within the city of Valencia you can see traces of the many different civilizations which have left their cultural and architectural legacy. Founded by the Romans in the second century BC, it was overrun by Visigoths and later be the Arabs who turned the city into an essential economic and cultural centre. This Arab heritage still remains on the outskirts of the city in traditional craftsmanship – particularly in the irrigation systems and the growing or rice, oranges and lemons. Valencia city is large, yet compact, with a friendly atmosphere and has many historical buildings – one of the famous ones being the Central Market (picture - left) which is one of the largest markets in Europe. Covering an area of eight thousand square metres, this market has been held in the same place since the 13th century, and the beautiful stained glass and tile building now standing on the site is an excellent example of the Modernista style of architecture. Here you can find all the local delicacies – especially high quality jamon Ibérico (ham) from pigs which have supposedly dined on nothing other than fallen acorns, manchega cheese, olive oil and almonds. In contrast to the ancient architecture in the city centre, on the outskirts there are the glass and steel buildings of the futuristic City or Arts and Science, where the Imax dome and Oceanographic Centre are located, set amongst impressive fountains and gardens. For those who love shopping, there are lots of choices – the most well known in Spain being the large department stores El Corte Ingles (of which there are 5 in the city), plus many other high street stores such as Zara and Mango. Interesting boutiques, pavement cafes and modern wine bars and chic restaurants abound, and the theatre, multiscreen cinema and nightclubs attract a lively audience enjoying the varied and vibrant Valencian nightlife. |
A typical pavement cafe in Valencia city centre.
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On the outskirts of Valencia, there are many beautiful residential areas offering peace and tranquility - typically each town and village has its own healthcare and school facilities and communal swimming pool, and of course, Town Hall, Town Square (Plaza) and Church. During the winter months, there are 2 little known Spanish ski resorts, less than 90 minutes drive inland from the western edge of Valencia, and not far from the large historical town of Teruel - well worth a visit in its own right. Ski hire is relatively cheap compared with many other European and American resorts and some of the breathtaking scenery can be compared to the Canadian Rocky mountains - it just goes on for miles. You may also be lucky enough to spot a golden eagle or two. Property prices in this area are currently excellent value for money, but are rising rapidly on the back of huge inward investment and enlargement of Valencia airport, improvement of the motorways and rail network, including the new high speed rail line to Madrid. The huge amount of publicity Valencia is currently enjoying in the run up to the Americas Cup 2007, which is currently expected to receive more than 2,500 hours of worldwide television coverage, is forecast to have a huge uplifting effect on property prices in this already popular region of Spain. Alberic - a modern commuter town rapidly improving with the upgrading of local roads and having the advantage of being on junction 861 of the new inland motorway. The town has a large sports hall, a cinema and a multitude of bars and restaurants, plus a new indoor swimming pool. Nearby schools are excellent and there is a very good international school in Barracas de Aguas Vivas close to Alzira which is approximately 25 minutes by car (see our schools page for further information). |
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The town of Xativa was the ancient capital of the Valencian community (before Valencia) and is only 15 minutes south of Alberic down the new motorway link. It has a wonderful, almost medieval castle high up on the hill dominating the city, where below, 3 distinct areas can be seen. There is the interesting old quarter, crammed with old Spanish style town houses in narrow streets. On one side of this, there are the new industrial estates and on ther other are detached villas with private pools, where many different nationalities create a cosmopolitan residential mix in the midst of this historic, very Spanish city. Modern hotels and restaurants are mixed amongst the historic buildings and Valencia city and its beaches are only 30 minutes drive away. Facilities are modern, and Alberic has 2 local hospitals within 15 minutes drive away. One local hospital is close to the International Schoolat Barracas de Agua Vives and the other is close to the town of Alzira which is famous in the region and with people travelling as far as Alicante for specialist treatment. Golf - there are six high quality golf courses in and around Valencia with plans for more to be created in the very near future. At the moment, probably the most famous is the Club de Golf El Bosque, which is near to Chiva just to the west of the city. The other courses being the Campo de Escorpian at Betera, north west of the city, Club de Golf Manises which is just a few minutes north of Valencia International airport. There are 3 excellent coastal golf courses, namely Grupo de Golf El Saler just south of the city and 2 other coastal courses - The Club de Golf Gandia and the Campo de Golf Oliva which is 30-40 minutes south of Valencia. Superbikes - international superbike events take place at the world famous track near Cheste, just west of Valencia city. |
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