The Romans believed that the town was blessed with fertility and favourable weather by gods during Roman times. It also had access to valuable mineral resources. The Moors named the city Alhaurin which literally means the Garden of Allah.
It has been through many trials, such as an earthquake in 1680 and several plagues. There have also been numerous invasions and occupations of French, Romans, Moors, Moors and other foreigners. It is a prosperous city with 27,000 inhabitants, of whom approximately 2,000 are from abroad.
Why should you buy there?
Alhaurin el Grande lies just a short distance from Malaga’s famed beaches. It is also close to Sierra Nevada’s ski resorts. This makes it a great choice for people who want a rural area unspoiled but still close to all the tourist attractions of Costa del Sol. You can find it close to Malaga’s main cities. It is located just south of Coin, north of Mijas and only 15 km from Malaga Airport. The area is renowned for its natural beauty. There are many lakes and waterfalls at Barranco Blanco. To the southwest, there are vast forests that have been pockmarked with Neolithic remnants.
Alhaurin el Grande boasts an average annual temperature 17 degrees Celsius and beautiful whitewashed buildings with colourful shutters. You will find many attractions here, such as the Moorish Archway from the 12th Century, an old Arabic fort, and Plaza del Ayuntamiento with its Roman columns, town church, and Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Also worth visiting are El Convento y las Agonias and La Ermita de San Sebastian Churches.
It is known for many traditions, such as the Feria de Mayo, El Dia de la Cruz and Dia de Jesus, which are held in May and June respectively, and the Dia de la Virgin, August. Tourists from all over Europe also flock to the Easter Week celebrations. Infrastructure improvements are being made in the area. Two golf courses are located nearby. The surrounding area also offers numerous hiking, cycling, and climbing possibilities.
Shopping for the right product
Alhaurin el Grande has a variety of property options. One estate agent even owns over 400 properties. A four-bedroom townhouse can be purchased for 165,000 euros. Out of town, however, it is possible to purchase a semi-detached finca at a cost as low as 184,000 euro. For 435,000 euros, you could purchase an exclusive villa with a swimming-pool and 25,000 sqm of land. You can also purchase a villa with two bedrooms in one of the towns’ urbanisations for 250,000 euros.
You can also find bargains in the nearby areas. Coin lies northwest of Alhaurin, with a population of more than 1,700 foreigners. The town is known for its bustling commercial center and the Nuestra Senora de Fuensanta Shrine.
Many traditional properties are popular with English buyers. However, more modern developments are also being built around the city. A plot of land starts at 58,000 euros, and a 3-bedroom apartment is available for $89,000. Renovated townhouses cost around 230,000 euros.
There has been a significant increase in development in Alhaurin de la Torre recently. This is just east of Alhaurin el Grande, its original name. Here, you will find around 170 foreigners living in beautiful areas with avocado orchards and citrus groves as a backdrop. A townhouse that needs renovation can be purchased for about 148,000 Euros.
Alora, located 40 kilometers north of Malaga is a small pueblo Blanco village. The tiny, hilltop village of Alora has over 1500 international residents and offers stunning views. It also preserves traditional values.
You can find a variety of lots for sale with breathtaking valley views. A plot measuring 3000m2 is available at as low as 50,000 euro. You can buy a country home for as low as 70,000 euros, and a village house with three bedrooms for around 300,000.
The market for property
In Spain, property demand has risen steeply over the past few years due to foreign buyers. As foreign buyers seek rural living, appreciation has reached 35% in some regions. The area makes a good investment due to its affordable property and high appreciation rates.
This demand has been fueled by a rise in budget travel to the region, and recent infrastructure investment. There have been many improvements, including the introduction of the bullet train that runs from Madrid to Bobadilla as well as the opening of Antequera’s international airport. Alhaurin (and the Guadalhorce lakes) have been gaining popularity. It’s not surprising, then, that Andalucia has more than 2.6 million residents from abroad.
Alhaurin is home to many foreign nationalities, and there are many opportunities for them to purchase property, in particular within Alhaurin Golf and Country Club. Renovations can be done by fincas, but traditional whitewashed houses are still very common. Property in the area is much cheaper than those on the coast.
Although prices are rising between 17-20% annually in the coast resorts, they are a shocking 30 percent lower for properties inland.
On average, you will pay about €26,000 for a Marbella 2 bedroom apartment.
A similar property can be purchased in Alhaurin at 153,000 Euros.
These are some typical properties
Alhaurin is a mixture of both the traditional and modern. There are many villas in Alhaurin’s suburbs, as well as new apartments built in the city centre. You can find a lot of fincas and cortijos in the countryside beyond Alhaurin.
A majority of buyers want to buy a country house with at least two acres and some trees. The stunning view of Alhaurin’s surrounding valleys and mountains is almost guaranteed no matter where you purchase property.
Letting
The popular tourist destination for Spain’s inland is Malaga. The inland market is not the same as the coastal. The longer winter season makes it more difficult to find long-term rentals and less common for short-term lets. There has been a notable increase in eco-tourists, 7.2% in Andalucia alone. The inland areas, which offer many activities and have enjoyed the rewards.
There are many ways to make income. A three-bedroom country home can bring in between 1,200 and 1,500 euros per month. While a townhouse may earn up to 800 euros per month, it can only generate 1,200 to 1,500 euros.
Guadalhorce is a beautiful valley that’s only 25 minutes away from the coastline. It’s a very popular area for tourists. It can make it very lucrative in terms of rental income. There is a strong short-term market and a robust long term rentals market. Many potential buyers come to Alhaurin in the hopes of renting their property for six months or more before purchasing. To avoid overtaxing the summer, owners won’t allow any long-term rental agreements during the winter.
There is life there
The Alhaurin region is an area with outstanding natural beauty. Life here follows a Spanish tradition, and there are many centuries of cultural heritage and tradition. Values reflect values that were prevalent in Britain 30 years ago. Although Alhaurin is now very international and has many foreign residents, the Spanish-style life continues to prevail. Local cuisines, like gachas Cachorrenas (porridge made with spices and breadcrumbs), enrich this experience.
Alhaurin, which is also known locally as Alhaurin, has been called “inland Marbella” due to the beauty and flourishing economy. A project by the local government to improve the town’s infrastructure and facilities is underway. The area is a popular destination for families and rental properties, with a wide range of restaurants, bars, clubs, and bars.
Outdoor enthusiasts will be pleased to know that the area offers many recreational activities, and only 15 km from the nearest beach. You can find both local and international schools, as well as private and public healthcare.
It is important that you learn the language, and try to be a part of the community. You will enjoy the best of both traditional and warm environments.
Lynda and John Laver moved from Bedfordshire to enjoy warmer climates, a simpler lifestyle and more freedom. While both had been working in stressful positions at the UK, neither felt prepared to retire early. They just wanted to spend less time apart and more time with their families. Their decision to settle in Spain was not easy. Lynda had young children and John wanted to make sure that the location they selected was easily accessible. John and Lynda have visited Costa del Sol numerous times. However, they don’t desire to reside in the bustling coastal areas. Instead, they want a lifestyle that is more Spanish.
“A friend recommended that we look inland from Malaga Airport, and suggested towns such as Alhaurin el Grande, Coin and Monda. What we found was the Guadalhorce Valley, an area largely untouched by tourism, with stunning villages and countryside,”Lynda agrees. The couple knew exactly what they wanted and soon bought a four-bedroom house in Alhaurin el Grande.
The property included an acre of land and fruit trees, as well as a working well. John enthuses: “We’ve spent many hours working on the landscaping and have now created a beautiful home where many of our family friends have spent happy holidays with us.”
John and Lynda both found jobs after moving to the region. John serves as maintenance man and maintains pools, and Lynda manages their rental property at the Alhaurin Golf and Country Club. “The daily cost of living in Spain is a fraction of that in the UK,”John “so we can now afford to spend more time doing the things we want to do, like spending our lunch times enjoying a three course meal in the local taverna!”