Location Feature - Alcala La Real, Jaen, Spain

Set against the backdrop of sparse mountainsEuros to 300,000 Euros, and on average, 100,000
and the region's distinctive red earth, Alcala la RealEuros will secure you a townhouse with four
offers a unique opportunity to enjoy traditionalbedrooms, a garden and a garage.Typical
Spanish life and cultureAlcala la Real and itspropertiesThe hilltop towns have steep streets
surrounding villages are located in the province offlanked by whitewashed houses, offering a
Jaen, a sweeping landscape of green vines thatmixture of historic architecture and small
stretch as far as the eye can see. Part of theapartment blocks. Generally, you'll be looking at
Andalucia region, Jaen borders the provinces ofresale homes to renovate in this area, with very
Granada, Cordoba and Ciudad Real. It has a blendfew newly built properties cropping up. Property
of Moorish and Renaissance culture, with manytends to fall into two distinct groups, terraced
historical sights, such as the baths in Jaen city andvillage houses, which boast a patio or roof
the palaces of Baeza and Ubeda.Jaen producesterrace, or country properties, which are sold with
ten per cent of the world's olive oil, and it is saidland. 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 whitewashedvillages.The rentals marketAndalucia attracts
villages and traditional townhouses. For thoseSpain's largest number of tourists, receiving 14
seeking striking scenery, a traditional lifestyle andper cent of the country's 50 million foreign visitors
bargain prices, this is the place to be.Why buyevery year. Jaen itself isn't recognised as a
there?Alcala la Real is the province's mainpopular rentals market, especially as it borders the
property hotspot. Boasting a population of justregion of Granada, where there are a number of
over 21,000, there are plenty of amenities, suchpopular resorts.However, the area's rural tourism
as schools, restaurants, bars, doctors andmarket is up and coming, and Andalucia accounts
swimming pools. The scenery is striking, with Lafor 7 per cent of this market, with 14,080 visitors
Mote castle overlooking the cobbled streets, andevery year, an increase of 7.2 per cent on 2004.
views stretching away over the olive groves toCombine this with increased flights into Granada
the Sierra Nevada. The locals are extremelyfrom Liverpool, Stansted and Gatwick, and with
friendly and life here is as traditionally Spanish as itmore 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 townchanging. Many no longer want to be crammed
hall, is noted for its historic buildings, such as theonto a beach with thousands of other Brits,
convent, which dates back to 1639.Given theespecially since Jaen offers easy access to ski
relatively isolated location of Alcala la Real, which isresorts 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 area 90 minute drive away, and the low investment
low, there is a good education system with smalloutlay 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 andThere is also a significant increase in people
the province is dotted with cherry groves, naturalholidaying in the region of Jaen and in Alcala la
parks and mountains.Only 90 minutes from MalagaReal. Many are locals or city dwellers from Madrid
and 40 minutes from Granada airport, it isseeking a rural holiday.Living hereAgents in the
possible to travel here for a long weekend in thearea say they are mostly selling to permanent
sun. There are also a number of areas of interestrelocators, the majority being couples in their 30s
close at hand: Granada, Alhambra Palace, the skiand retirees. However, there has been a trend for
slopes in Sierra Nevada, Cordoba and Jaen, as wellfamilies seeking a home in Jaen, with parents
as the natural parks, such as Parque Natural deseeking to bring their children up in a safer and
Cazorla, with its woodlands and lakes. Distanthealthier environment.As mentioned, this is
from the lager louts and Costa del Fish and Chipstraditionally 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'swith approximatley 200 times more foreign
not just the town of Alcala la Real that offersresidents in the nearby Malaga province. However,
fantastic prices. Many agents are alsothere 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 pricemany places, there are downsides to living here.
appreciation of up to 60 per cent in recentMany properties will need some work to bring
months, and demand has recently intensified.Thethem 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 villagespeakers in the region, so it's important you get a
offers bargain prices, with a four bedroomgrip on basic Spanish and make an effort to
townhouse going for as little as 40,000 Euros.Theintegrate. It's also impossible to find English
village of Frailes, only ten minutes from Alcala laproducts in the shops, so you need to be
Real, is built around the church of Santa Lucia andprepared to adopt a Spanish diet and learn how
has been the site for a number of importantto 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 26,000market.Some of the villages can also feel remote,
Euros for a ruined two bedroomespecially during the winter months when the
townhouse.Castillo de Locubin is a prettyweather is very cold. Finally, you're 90 minutes
whitewashed village, located in the foothills of thefrom the coast, which can be a drawback for
Sierra Sur. With a Moorish castle and 16th centurythose who are keen on Spain's beach culture.Of
church, the village is famed for its locally producedcourse, there are many positives to living here.
pottery and cherry fair. With only 5,000The region offers a traditional lifestyle, coupled
inhabitants, three restaurants and a few bars, awith low property prices and low cost of living.
one bedroom apartment can be purchased fromThere's also an excellent infrastructure and daily
90,000 Euros.Other areas include Moclin inbudget 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 forbuyers are being seduced by the traditional appeal
160,000 Euros; Puerto Lopez, where you can buyof inland Spain.Valerie and George Whincup retired
a townhouse with two bedrooms and a gardento Alcaudete from Liverpool, paying 54,000 Euros
for somewhere between 100,000 Euros andfor a five bedroom family house in June of this
160,000 Euros; and Bobadillo, where a townhouseyear. They decided to buy in Alcaudete as they
can cost under 100,000 Euros.The propertyhad spent over a year looking to buy on the
marketThe Jaen region offers property prices 65coast of the Granada region, but they had
per cent below the national average, at 123,981problems finding anything within their budget,
Euros, and is the only Spanish region to offerprices having inflated rapidly over the last couple
consistently low prices. Compared with much ofof years. They're now busy getting a swimming
Spain, which has experienced price hikes of up topool 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 thehave been fantastic." Valerie and George are
coast, this area sees property retailing at a merequickly adapting to village life and both feel very
30 per cent of the average selling price on thesettled in the area.Jaen statistics
Northern coast and the Costas. Around the AlcalaUnemployment rate 19%
la Real area, some villages have experienced pricePopulation 654,458
hikes of up to 56 per cent over the last eightPopulation density 48.01/km2
months; in Alcala la Real the average has been 12Area 13,484 km2
per cent.With an increasing number of budgetGDP per capital 12,892 Euros 14.2%
flights into Granada, this trend is set to continueNumber of foreigners 602 (registered)
as the area is discovered. Agents report thatAverage house price 123,981 EurosMartin Dell is
they are selling an average of two propertiesManaging Director of Kyero Media S.L.
here a week. Property prices range from 17,000