IF you have ever been attracted to the idea of moving to Spain you have probably been influenced by a number of factors, things that you feel would help you to improve your overall lifestyle.

Spain can offer better weather, for instance (especially in winter with temperatures sometimes climbing as high as 30°C in the sunshine), a more easygoing way of life, healthier food, more time spent outside... the list can go on and on.

On the economic side of things some of you may be influenced by a lower cost of living and a less expensive park home compared to the UK. However, that all that seems to be changing now with the current economic crisis affecting your available capital.

With the plummeting value of the pound,  the tendency is for people to say “We can no longer afford to fulfill our dreams and move to warmer climes”.

However, rather that put your dreams on hold – and, let’s face it, none of us are getting any younger – why not investigate something which you can still afford.

Andalucian Park Homes can offer you very affordable prices and ground rents, stunning private plots and views, all topped off with great weather. Its prices range from £30,000 to £60,000, including transport and siting, and as the homes come fully furnished you can move in straight away.

The top-of-the-line model is the 36ft x 13.5ft Aconcagua, which has a basic price of £60,000 and is built to the highest standards. It can be designed to suit your needs with two or three bedrooms and one or two bathrooms, including an en suite if you prefer. Decoration can also be chosen to suit your taste – and, in fact, with the help of an Andalucian Park Homes representative, you can design your own home from scratch. The exterior is finished with a selection of decorative stonework.

Economic

Athe lower end of the price range, what exactly do you get for £30,000? Obviously, you have to be aware that this is the starting price and as the size of the home generally dictates the price, this will be a smaller model.

The Adour, though – part of Andalucian’s Campero line of homes – still offers different layouts to choose from, including more than one bedroom or, if you prefer, just one bedroom and a bigger lounge. In fact, you can still design a layout suitable for your specific needs, and Andalucian Park Homes will help you to decide on the plan, decoration and colour schemes.

The size of these houses can be almost doubled with the installation of decking and a shed and part of the decking can be covered with a gazebo or a canopy for shade. This area would form an important part of your living space, as in Spain people tend to spend a lot more time outdoors.

All facilities

At Olive Grove Park near Orgiva the size of the plot depends on the size of your home and, as you pay for ground rent by the square metre, a very nice plot for one of the more economic homes will work out at around £1,500 per year, with the use of all site facilities, including bar, restaurant, swimming pool – and a child’s swimming pool and play area for when the grandchildren come to visit.

Olive Grove Park is ideally situated, near the town of Orgiva, set between the panoramic mountains of the Alpujarras and the luxurious beaches of the ‘Costa Tropical’ in a valley of 100-year-old, protected olive trees.

The site is well connected, with a regular bus service that stops outside the site and will take you to the local capital, Granada, and the airport, or down to the seaside resort of Salobreña. A new motorway now provides easy access to both Granada and Malaga airports. Almeria airport is also within driving distance.

The nearest town of Orgiva, only just down the road from the site, is a bustling small market town with an abundance of tapas bars, a few restaurants, a pizzeria and wonderfully friendly people. There are many pavement cafés that give the town a cosmopolitan feeling.

There is also a lively Thursday market where people gather from miles around to buy and sell local produce, everyday essentials and art and crafts, and an unusual covered Mercado (market) is open every day except Sunday offering locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables, freshly caught fish brought up from the fishing town of Motril (pictured left) and meat products from surrounding villages and farms. The town’s small supermarkets, bakeries, chemists, banks and health food shops will cater for most of your needs.

Andalucian Park Homes has homes on site available – and don’t forget that as all houses come fully furnished and installed, you only have to think about moving in. Andalucian Park Homes takes care of the rest.

THE OTHER PARCS…

Balcon de Pitres – In the heart of la Alpujarra region of Granada, at 1,300m, on the southern slopes of Sierra Nevada, beneath the snow-capped peak of Mulhacén (the highest in the Iberian Peninsula) – an area often called a tropical Switzerland. It is 75km from Granada airport, 80km from Malaga and Almeria airports. The village of Pires is a few hundred metres away. Facilities include on-site supermarket, laundry, café, restaurant, bar and pool. Buses stop at the entrance to the parc.

Malaga Monte Parc – Set in the Guadalhorce Valley, between the market towns of Alhaurin de la Torre and the traditional white walled dwellings of Alhaurin El Grande, the parc is approached via a meandering country lane. It’s ten minutes from the beaches, 15 minutes from the centre of Malaga, 20 minutes from Malaga airport and 25 minutes from Torremolinos. There is an internet café and a shop selling local produce on site, and an outdoor pool and poolside bar are in the pipeline.

Almuñecar – Overlooking the Mediterranean, the parc is on the edge of the old coastal town of Almuñecar set in one of the prettiest and most picturesque spots of the Costa Tropical  – a mountain landscape rolling down to the sea where avocados, mangos, papayas, medlars, bananas and guava grow. There are many unspoilt beaches nearby. Recently developed for park homes, the parc has a pool, barbecue area, bar and restaurant and function rooms, all currently being updated.

Torre Del Mar – A new site on the Costa Del Sol, just 15 minutes drive from the coast, 10 minutes drive from the commercial centre of Velez Malaga, 25 minutes from the resort of Nerja, 30 minutes from the city of Malaga and only 45 minutes from Malaga Airport. The parc has stunning views of the mountains and countryside, and on site facilities include a supermarket, pool, restaurant with bar and terraces, internet connections and satellite TV and 24-hour security. There are two golf courses within and ten minute drive.

CONTACT

To arrange a visit or for further information, contact Christine at Andalucian Park Homes. Tel: (00 34) 619 047 492. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.andalucianparkhomes.com


• Andalucian Park Homes is offering an inspection visit for just £50 per person (minimum two people sharing a hotel room). This includes transport to and from the airport, two nights in a hotel in Nerja or Almuñecar, a guided tour of the sites plus lunch on the day of the tour. You must book your own flight, but a number of low cost airlines fly to Malaga or Granada airports. Contact the company for details.


This review was published in the February 2009 issue of Park & Holiday Homes magazine. To order our latest issue please click here.


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