| Set against the backdrop of sparse mountains | | | | Euros to 300,000 Euros, and on average, 100,000 |
| and the region's distinctive red earth, Alcala la Real | | | | Euros will secure you a townhouse with four |
| offers a unique opportunity to enjoy traditional | | | | bedrooms, a garden and a garage.Typical |
| Spanish life and cultureAlcala la Real and its | | | | propertiesThe hilltop towns have steep streets |
| surrounding villages are located in the province of | | | | flanked by whitewashed houses, offering a |
| Jaen, a sweeping landscape of green vines that | | | | mixture of historic architecture and small |
| stretch as far as the eye can see. Part of the | | | | apartment blocks. Generally, you'll be looking at |
| Andalucia region, Jaen borders the provinces of | | | | resale homes to renovate in this area, with very |
| Granada, Cordoba and Ciudad Real. It has a blend | | | | few newly built properties cropping up. Property |
| of Moorish and Renaissance culture, with many | | | | tends to fall into two distinct groups, terraced |
| historical sights, such as the baths in Jaen city and | | | | village houses, which boast a patio or roof |
| the palaces of Baeza and Ubeda.Jaen produces | | | | terrace, or country properties, which are sold with |
| ten per cent of the world's olive oil, and it is said | | | | land. There are also a number of apartments |
| that there are over 150 million olive trees here, | | | | available in Alcala la Real and the nearby |
| scattered around a number of whitewashed | | | | villages.The rentals marketAndalucia attracts |
| villages and traditional townhouses. For those | | | | Spain's largest number of tourists, receiving 14 |
| seeking striking scenery, a traditional lifestyle and | | | | per cent of the country's 50 million foreign visitors |
| bargain prices, this is the place to be.Why buy | | | | every year. Jaen itself isn't recognised as a |
| there?Alcala la Real is the province's main | | | | popular rentals market, especially as it borders the |
| property hotspot. Boasting a population of just | | | | region of Granada, where there are a number of |
| over 21,000, there are plenty of amenities, such | | | | popular resorts.However, the area's rural tourism |
| as schools, restaurants, bars, doctors and | | | | market is up and coming, and Andalucia accounts |
| swimming pools. The scenery is striking, with La | | | | for 7 per cent of this market, with 14,080 visitors |
| Mote castle overlooking the cobbled streets, and | | | | every year, an increase of 7.2 per cent on 2004. |
| views stretching away over the olive groves to | | | | Combine this with increased flights into Granada |
| the Sierra Nevada. The locals are extremely | | | | from Liverpool, Stansted and Gatwick, and with |
| friendly and life here is as traditionally Spanish as it | | | | more flights planned, tourist numbers are |
| gets. There's also a significant cultural presence. | | | | guaranteed to rise.People's perceptions are also |
| The El Llanillo district, which surrounds the town | | | | changing. Many no longer want to be crammed |
| hall, is noted for its historic buildings, such as the | | | | onto a beach with thousands of other Brits, |
| convent, which dates back to 1639.Given the | | | | especially since Jaen offers easy access to ski |
| relatively isolated location of Alcala la Real, which is | | | | resorts and outdoor pursuits such as walking, |
| situated 25 minutes drive away from Granada, | | | | cycling and birdwatching.The Sierra Nevada is only |
| the cost of living is much lower. Crime rates are | | | | a 90 minute drive away, and the low investment |
| low, there is a good education system with small | | | | outlay for purchasing in the area makes setting up |
| class sizes and an excellent healthcare service. | | | | a tourist based industry here a shrewd move. |
| The lifestyle is healthy and generally al fresco and | | | | There is also a significant increase in people |
| the province is dotted with cherry groves, natural | | | | holidaying in the region of Jaen and in Alcala la |
| parks and mountains.Only 90 minutes from Malaga | | | | Real. Many are locals or city dwellers from Madrid |
| and 40 minutes from Granada airport, it is | | | | seeking a rural holiday.Living hereAgents in the |
| possible to travel here for a long weekend in the | | | | area say they are mostly selling to permanent |
| sun. There are also a number of areas of interest | | | | relocators, the majority being couples in their 30s |
| close at hand: Granada, Alhambra Palace, the ski | | | | and retirees. However, there has been a trend for |
| slopes in Sierra Nevada, Cordoba and Jaen, as well | | | | families seeking a home in Jaen, with parents |
| as the natural parks, such as Parque Natural de | | | | seeking to bring their children up in a safer and |
| Cazorla, with its woodlands and lakes. Distant | | | | healthier environment.As mentioned, this is |
| from the lager louts and Costa del Fish and Chips | | | | traditionally a Spanish destination, and Jaen has |
| phenomenon, this is a peaceful and rural region, | | | | Andalucia's lowest number of British residents, |
| untouched by foreign cultures.Where to buyIt's | | | | with approximatley 200 times more foreign |
| not just the town of Alcala la Real that offers | | | | residents in the nearby Malaga province. However, |
| fantastic prices. Many agents are also | | | | there has been an increasing number of British |
| recommending villages within a 30 kilometre radius. | | | | buyers interested in the Alcala la Real area.As with |
| Some of these have experienced price | | | | many places, there are downsides to living here. |
| appreciation of up to 60 per cent in recent | | | | Many properties will need some work to bring |
| months, and demand has recently intensified.The | | | | them up to date, which is an important |
| town of Alcaudete is built on a series of springs, | | | | consideration if you're seeking to let your |
| situated on a hill around the 13th century castle. | | | | property out. There are also very few English |
| Surrounded by two natural reservoirs, the village | | | | speakers in the region, so it's important you get a |
| offers bargain prices, with a four bedroom | | | | grip on basic Spanish and make an effort to |
| townhouse going for as little as 40,000 Euros.The | | | | integrate. It's also impossible to find English |
| village of Frailes, only ten minutes from Alcala la | | | | products in the shops, so you need to be |
| Real, is built around the church of Santa Lucia and | | | | prepared to adopt a Spanish diet and learn how |
| has been the site for a number of important | | | | to cook Spanish style! Of course, locals claim that |
| archaeological finds. Home to only 1,800 people, | | | | you can buy anything at the weekly |
| property here can cost from as little as 26,000 | | | | market.Some of the villages can also feel remote, |
| Euros for a ruined two bedroom | | | | especially during the winter months when the |
| townhouse.Castillo de Locubin is a pretty | | | | weather is very cold. Finally, you're 90 minutes |
| whitewashed village, located in the foothills of the | | | | from the coast, which can be a drawback for |
| Sierra Sur. With a Moorish castle and 16th century | | | | those who are keen on Spain's beach culture.Of |
| church, the village is famed for its locally produced | | | | course, there are many positives to living here. |
| pottery and cherry fair. With only 5,000 | | | | The region offers a traditional lifestyle, coupled |
| inhabitants, three restaurants and a few bars, a | | | | with low property prices and low cost of living. |
| one bedroom apartment can be purchased from | | | | There's also an excellent infrastructure and daily |
| 90,000 Euros.Other areas include Moclin in | | | | budget flights, making it easily accessible. It's easy |
| neighbouring Granada, famous for its castle, | | | | to see why an increasing number of British |
| where a country house can be purchased for | | | | buyers are being seduced by the traditional appeal |
| 160,000 Euros; Puerto Lopez, where you can buy | | | | of inland Spain.Valerie and George Whincup retired |
| a townhouse with two bedrooms and a garden | | | | to Alcaudete from Liverpool, paying 54,000 Euros |
| for somewhere between 100,000 Euros and | | | | for a five bedroom family house in June of this |
| 160,000 Euros; and Bobadillo, where a townhouse | | | | year. They decided to buy in Alcaudete as they |
| can cost under 100,000 Euros.The property | | | | had spent over a year looking to buy on the |
| marketThe Jaen region offers property prices 65 | | | | coast of the Granada region, but they had |
| per cent below the national average, at 123,981 | | | | problems finding anything within their budget, |
| Euros, and is the only Spanish region to offer | | | | prices having inflated rapidly over the last couple |
| consistently low prices. Compared with much of | | | | of years. They're now busy getting a swimming |
| Spain, which has experienced price hikes of up to | | | | pool fitted in their spacious garden. Valerie says: |
| 17 per cent, Jaen property prices have stayed | | | | "I'm totally happy with the house and the locals |
| remarkably stable.In relation to prices on the | | | | have been fantastic." Valerie and George are |
| coast, this area sees property retailing at a mere | | | | quickly adapting to village life and both feel very |
| 30 per cent of the average selling price on the | | | | settled in the area.Jaen statistics |
| Northern coast and the Costas. Around the Alcala | | | | Unemployment rate 19% |
| la Real area, some villages have experienced price | | | | Population 654,458 |
| hikes of up to 56 per cent over the last eight | | | | Population density 48.01/km2 |
| months; in Alcala la Real the average has been 12 | | | | Area 13,484 km2 |
| per cent.With an increasing number of budget | | | | GDP per capital 12,892 Euros 14.2% |
| flights into Granada, this trend is set to continue | | | | Number of foreigners 602 (registered) |
| as the area is discovered. Agents report that | | | | Average house price 123,981 EurosMartin Dell is |
| they are selling an average of two properties | | | | Managing Director of Kyero Media S.L. |
| here a week. Property prices range from 17,000 | | | | |