Enjoy our quick guide to Almeria City, the capital of Spain’s Almeria province. Boasting a pleasant climate all-year round, Almeria is also known for its mild winters and warm summers, making it the perfect hideaway destination no matter what the season it is in.
Below we feature an expat interview with Britt Nicolaisen of Almeria Spanish Properties who covers the Almeria City area.
Specifically, we wanted to learn from Britt the many reasons why people should consider moving to this area and the value for money they can get once they decide to stay permanently.
This relatively undiscovered region is a hidden gem, there are so many unique things you can see and do in Costa Almeria.
Britt, thanks for helping our readers. I guess we should start off by asking what would you say would be the advantages to living in Almeria City compared to other Costa Almeria towns?
Almería is a very old city, with a lot of history. Even if it is not as common as other big famous cities, you find a lot of historic and interesting places in Almería. It is not far from the airport, but far enough to not having the planes fly above you the whole day. There are tourists, just not as many as in other famous cities, which gives you the feeling of being in Spain. You also have a big train station, bus station and a port, so you can go everywhere in Spain and other countries, in a quick and easy way.
Would the area not suit certain types of people, i.e. are there any possible downsides?
Almería suits all type of people, it welcomes expats, has a great micro-climate which is beneficial for certain bone and body diseases and it is a city where you can easily get around.
What proportion of the local population are Spanish?
Almería is mainly Spanish, so I would say aprox. 85% of the population is Spanish. Of course in the tourist season this changes dramatically which means that there are good services for English-speaking people.
What are your favourite things to do in the area?
My favorite things in Almeria City is the old city, to explore the side streets, where you find a lot of history, to sit in the little coffee places and enjoy the laid back atmosphere. Also the beach in Almería city is very nice as well as the castle. What I personally never get tired of, is a visit to the big old market place in Almería, where you really find everything and have all the different smells of fruits and spices and fish and meats.
Can you give us some insider tips to the best bars or restaurants?
I think there are too many very good bars and restaurants in Almería city to name them all. Where you really should go, is in the Taberna Bar Casa Puga, one of the oldest Bodegas in Almería (opened in 1870).
Are there many facilities such as doctors and dentists, shops etc?
Almería city is the capital of Almería Province, so you find everything you need there. As well as government offices and as mentioned before the train and bus station that brings you to all major cities in Spain.
Are there smaller villages nearby that you might also recommend?
Near Almería you can find Roquetas de Mar in the west, a very nice town with more than one tourist resort or in the east you find San José, a typical fishing village on the coast with very nice beaches around.
What are the nearest international schools and how good are they?
Almeria City itself has no international schools, but the surrounding does have a few, like Roquetas de Mar.
Is crime an issue for expats?
The crime level in Almería is not higher as in any other city in Europe, but there is very little serious crime in Almería. If you are aware of where you walk and your awareness is careful and with common sense you are pretty safe.
Coming onto buying property, what is the market like now in terms of prices going up, or down or staying the same?
Almeria city has all range of property prices, depending where you want to buy and what you want to buy. You can find cheap but very good properties, you can buy apartments, commercial properties as well as villas with your own garden and pool. Prices are at the moment generally stable.
Is this a good time to buy and are there any repossessions or very cheap properties still available to buy?
Of course you still can find repossessed properties on the market, but especially in a bit city like Almería you should first investigate in what area they really are. Because the areas where the common population does not really want to live in, is normally the cheapest area. So if you think you found your dream property for a small price, ask the question, how the surrounding area really is. It is still a buyers market, so you can still find what you want for low prices.
What urbanisations are there and can you describe each one and how they might differ from each other?
Almería city has lots of different quarters, to name them all would take too much room. Just to mention a few and the most famous ones, there is the city centre, which includes the port, the Rambla and the Avenida de Garcia Lorca. You find lots of shops, bars, restaurants and hotels there as well as old historic buildings. Then you have the Urbanization las Pedrizas, a very old part of the city where you find the castle, La Alcazaba, built by the Moors. In the heart of the old quarter you find Aire de Almería, a former Arabic quarter, where they recently found old Moorish buildings.
To make it short, there are many parts in Almería which are worth a visit or to make your home.
How much are the typical property prices in Almeria City for apartments, villas etc?
To be honest, it is very difficult to call typical prices for Almería. It all depends on where you want to buy and what you want to buy. It will be more expensive in the city center, where you have a rough price (in Sept. 2016 for apartments) of 1.500Euros/sqm, while on the outside of the center you pay around 1.200Euors/sqm. It also depends on the state and the area. Of course you will always find “cheap” properties as well, so there are properties for all tastes and budgets.
Any tips and advice to people looking to buy in Almeria City or surrounding area?
See our extensive buying and selling guide and our blog page on our web site:
Britt, thank you so much for taking the time to help our readers with your experiences in Spain. If you want to contact Almeria Spanish Properties, you can find their details below.
Calle Lago Como 8
04740 Roquetas de Mar, Almería
Tel. +34 950 333 411
Email: info@almeria-spanish-properties.com
Website: www.almeria-spanish-properties.com
Below is an interesting tourist video on Almeria City.
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Ned says
Can anybody tell me the details of the Palm Sunday parade in Almeria