IF you’ve ever watched in envy as people buy their dream beachside home abroad, then there’s good news.
Channel 4 series Place in the Sun is celebrating 25 years with brand-new episodes, and Sun Travel chatted with three of the show’s presenters to suss out where exactly Brits should be investing their money right now.
Craig revealed where he believes to be best place to buy in Europe now[/caption]
When we asked Laura Hamilton, Craig Rowe and Jean Johansson where exactly Brits looking for a holiday home should buy right now, they all had the same answer.
Laura Hamilton, who has been working on the show since 2012, explained: “There are still places in Spain which are great places to invest, especially around Costa Tropical.
“The area has increased in value and is still going up. It’s the opposite side of Málaga to Marbella and Puerto Banús, and it’s much cheaper.
“If you go out to a bar or a restaurant, the prices will be significantly cheaper but still great quality.”
Laura revealed that the Costa Tropical has accessibility to both the mountains and the beach.
She added that it’s marketed so that “you can be on the slopes in the morning and beach in the afternoon”.
To get from the beaches to the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains takes just an hour and a half in the car.
Laura continued: “I love that part of Spain and the scenery around Granada is spectacular. If you love the beach, skiing and hiking then it’s a stunning part of Spain – but prices are on the rise.”
Also in southern Spain is the region that presenter Craig Rowe recommended and like Costa Tropical, the region sits between the coast and Sierra Nevada mountains.
Craig told us: “Costa Almería in Spain is really good, especially for anyone on a lower budget.”
Craig ventures to the town of Mojácar in Almería during the new series[/caption]
Mojácar and many towns in southern Spain offer mountains and beach[/caption]
Craig continued: “It’s not overly developed yet, so the airport links aren’t as strong as what you would get from somewhere on the Costa del Sol.
“But it’s great for someone who would want to buy somewhere and get good bargains that’s authentically Spanish.
“We go there this season to a town called Mojácar with Diane and Kieran, who again have a lower budget.
“But there are things you have to compromise on – in terms of flying, you have to bear in mind there aren’t that many flights. But in years to come there could be, as it’s expanding and very up and coming.”
Jean said more people are looking for access to the beach and cities[/caption]
When Sun Travel asked Jean Johansson, who has been working on the show for seven years, the same question, she agreed with her colleagues.
Jean said: “It’s got to be Murcia and the south of Spain because you can still get bargains there.”
“When I started on the show seven years ago the area wasn’t as popular at all, but now people are really understanding the value for money.
“Murcia Airport has opened since I started the show, which has made it much more connectable, and it’s getting a bit cooler.
“I’d never heard of anyone walking about Murcia city, it’s as if it didn’t exist, and now people are talking about it which has encouraged more tourists and restaurants to open.
“There are also places around it like Cartagena which, when I started on the show, wasn’t a desirable place, but now it comes up more and more.
“In the Murcia region and Almería, you could get a two-bedroom apartment with a pool in a complex for £100-£120k, and that’s good in this day and age.
“We still have people that can make £80k stretch in the south of Spain, so Murcia is a place to buy in before it gets too expensive.”
Other destinations like Cartagena are also becoming popular[/caption]
Flights to Murcia from the UK in October start at £15 one-way taking around two hours 40 minutes.
easyJet offers flights to the city from London Luton, while Ryanair offers routes from London Stansted.
There are also cheap flights between the UK and Almería from both London Southend and London Gatwick with easyJet.
A Place in The Sun returns on Monday October 13 with a brand new episode at 6PM on Channel 4.
The episodes will continue to air daily and will be available to watch on demand too.
Here’s more about Murcia – also known as the ‘Garden of Europe’
Murcia is known at the ‘Garden of Europe’ thanks to its green plains, mountains and valleys near the River Segura and towns surrounded by fruit and citrus orchards.
The centre of the capital city, also called Murcia, is just 20 minutes’ drive from the airport.
Murcia has a pleasant average temperature of 23C throughout the year, and even during the winter, temperatures remain mild, ranging from 15-20C.
As for where to explore, check out the Plaza Cardenal Belluga in the old part of the city, and the Royal Casino — another 19th-century architectural gem that was saved from decay and is now a thriving private members’ club.
The city is close to great beaches, so head to the coast to explore Cabo de Palos, a gorgeous peninsula jutting out into the sea, dotted with nooks and crannies.
Or rent a boat on the Mar Menor lagoon to see the national park and sail across the crystal-clear blue water.
For more on Spain, check out these 12 stunning and cheap destinations that Spaniards love and Brits won’t have heard of.
Plus, Spain’s cheapest city break revealed – where a bottle of wine costs under £4 & it’s warm in November.
Laura Hamilton stars in new series of A Place in the Sun[/caption]
