Marbella’s Golden Mile is one of the most expensive districts where to buy property. Aiming at the seriously wealthy buyer, property along this fully developed coastal area that stretches from the western border of Marbella to Puerto Banus marina has a high-end finish and a price tag to match.
Stylish to a fault, with every conceivable modern luxury and finish, the apartments, penthouses and townhouses along the Golden Mile nevertheless may not appeal to everyone, even if buyers do have the money to invest in such prime Costa del Sol real estate.
Sierra Blanca, an urbanisation perched 300 metres above the Golden Mile, offers a different choice of property. Here, in the shadow of the La Concha Mountain, homeowners will find amazing panoramic views that include both sea and mountains. Although the majority of properties are relatively new built, the urbanisation was designed more sensitively to its surroundings, blending a rustic feel with modern design ideas.
Owning a property here will particularly appeal to people who love an outdoor life that includes water-based as well as trekking and climbing activities. An abundance of wildlife and interesting limestone rocks for climbers make La Concha the premier attraction on one’s own door step.
Rising 1,200 meters above sea level, La Concha lies outside the borders of the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park, but its status as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve has allowed flora and fauna to flourish here - this is a part of Spain that developers have not been able to spoil.
Climbers moving to the Costa del Sol will find La Concha at first glance a little “tame” but on second glance there are plenty of rough, exposed ridges and vertical walls to make it worthwhile spending some time here. Mountain walkers will find the trails also challenging and rewarding.
Moving to the Costa del Sol and Marbella can bring a whole new lease of life - there is just so much to do and see. With a more relaxed lifestyle and a warmer climate comes a lower cost of living, too. Feeding a family in Marbella costs far less per week than going shopping for groceries in an average UK supermarket - but house prices in Marbella can be a little on the steep side, unless one “shops around”.
The Sierra Blanca urbanisation offers a huge range in property styles for different budgets. There are the state-of-the-art villas with vast swimming pools, a living area of 2,139 sqm and 9 bedrooms that will cost anything up to EUR 20 million, right down to properties with just 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms that will cost EUR 290,000 or less.
While this is an affluent district of Marbella, there are plenty of discounted properties around to suit family budgets, as long as one is prepared to do some research. Naturally, not everyone will have a million euros lying around spare for a luxurious penthouse in Mansion Club, Sierra Blanca. However, with a lot of patience and an open mind, there are plenty of bargains out there that can offer a far better life than rain-soaked Northern Europe.
Some homeowners will sell their properties directly without the assistance of an estate agent. This cuts down in costs for both vendor and buyer and as long as both parties are versed in the art of buying and selling in Spain, there should be no problems. For less experienced buyers using a quality estate agent and qualified legal representative is an absolute essential.
It is fair to say that the average 2 to 3 bedroom property in the Sierra Blanca area will most likely come with a price tag of at least EUR 300,000 plus, but this is the time for haggling - it is a buyers’ market in the current financial climate and finding a luxury 4 bedroom house with 160 sqm floor space, garden and swimming pool for EUR 318,000 is not unheard of at the moment.
A life of trekking in the mountains in the morning, going to the beach in the afternoon and dining al fresco by the pool in the evening is a dream for many - why not live it?