As is typical with the mischievous British weather god, the Queen’s 60th Jubilee celebrations are being held in the drizzling rain instead of glorious sunshine. The capriciousness of the British weather is one of the many reasons why Brits take up residence in Spain.
The lucky ones already living either part of the year or all year round in second or permanent homes in Malaga, Nerja, Torremolinos or Marbella know that alfresco dining at the Costa del Sol is rarely marred by clouds let alone drizzling rain.
Marbella for example has some excellent fine dining to offer. There is a huge selection of restaurants to choose from, where particularly seafood dishes can be sampled: fried fish dishes, grilled prawns or fish stew, lobster or paella are among the many delicious choices on the menu.
When buying a property in Marbella as a second or permanent home, it is important to think of all the life-changing purposes the property is to fulfil. For buyers who enjoy dining by the poolside or on a sun terrace in their own private garden, having adequate outdoor space that is not overlooked is an important factor in the buying decision. While eating out at tapas bars at the Plaza de Altamarino or along the Calle San Lazaro is part and parcel of living in Marbella, cooking the occasional meal at home is equally important for a happy family life.
Outdoor space that is offered with apartments is often of the shared or communal variety. Gardens and the pool area may look lovely and tranquil at the time of viewing the apartment with the estate agent, but when one returns in the evening, when all the residents are in and the pool is full of screaming kids and teenagers, the tranquillity is gone and the noisy neighbour nightmare begins. Before making a buying decision in Spain - or indeed at any other dream location in the sun - it is important to view not just the property, but to ascertain what the neighbourhood is going to be like at different times of the day and night.
Every expat gets homesick occasionally - having an English-style steakhouse or a restaurant serving curry or a Chinese meal in Marbella helps to get over such days quickly. Fast food enthusiasts will find inexpensive pizza places and other fast food outlets in the Portu Banus district of Marbella. In the Avenida Ricardo Soriano shopping is one of the main occupations, but here diners can also find some great restaurants and many cafes with outdoor dining in style.
Being able to eat and drink outside, while a busy world rushes by, is one of the great joys of living in Marbella. At home or out in the town centre, alfresco dining is a much livelier affair than in Britain. Trying out new dishes, be they meaty paella or stuffed olives or pickled anchovies and sardines, and sipping a delicious glass of Cava or Sangria under the hot Mediterranean sun refreshes not just our taste buds but also our sense of well being generally.
The outdoor life at the Costa del Sol with its fine sandy beaches and excellent water sports and golfing facilities opens up a new way of approaching the day. Buying a second or permanent home in Spain therefore has to fulfil many purposes, far more than a home would in Britain. The location of the property becomes even more important, as trips to the beach, the shops, the kids’ school and excursions need to be taken into consideration as well as the outdoor lifestyle one wants to have at home by the pool.
Marbella living doesn’t come cheap and cutting down on costs often includes not having a car after a lifetime of driving everywhere. The town is very well connected by public transport. There are regular buses as well as long-distance coaches and taxis are also very popular. Malaga Airport can easily be reached by public transport, too.
For a complete change of life Spain is still the best option within Europe, even if the economy is a little under the weather at the present time. The outdoor lifestyle beckons!