Below we feature an interview with Ann Depovere of Almeria Property Investments who covers the Desert Springs Golf Resort area.
Specifically, we asked Ann many questions about choosing to move to Desert Springs as a place to live and the value for money that you can get if you decide to stay permanently in the area.
What would you say would be the advantages to living in Desert Springs compared to other Costa Almeria towns?
The Desert Springs Golf Resort is Europe’s only international award-winning luxury family resort and championship desert golf course. It is located in Cuevas del Almanzora and Vera, the Almeria region of Andalucía, south-east Spain.
Why choose to move to Costa Almeria compared to other popular expat areas such as Costa del Sol or Costa Blanca?
The Costa Almeria has a true desert climate… Sunny, warm and dry in winter, in summer hot inland, but cooler on the coast and on the plateau of Desert Springs Resort. It is a fact that we enjoy the warmest, sunniest and driest winter of the whole of the coast of Spain and Europe.
Would the area not suit certain types of people, i.e. are there any possible downsides?
In fact there is something for everyone… large sandy beaches, water sports (sailing, canoeing, jet ski, paddle surf, kite surf,…), world-class golf, fitness facilities, quality of life and a genuine Spanish lifestyle. Our area is a wonderful place for family holidays with young or slightly older children, couples looking for peace and quiet and young retirees who like to stay active.
We are less than 2 hours away from 3 international airports (Almeria, Murcia and Alicante).
What proportion of the local population are Spanish?
As the resort is located between several typical Spanish villages you feel the “Spanish spirit” everywhere. It is very close to Vera, a Spanish town and municipality located in the eastern part of the Levante Almeriense region on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea with around 18,000 inhabitants. The beaches of the municipality are Playa de Puerto Rey, Playazo and Playa de las Marinas-Bolaga with a total length of 5km. These are easily accessible beaches, with good services and equipment.
What are your favourite things to do in the area?
On the golf resort there is a Sports and Fitness Club that provides a wide range of quality indoor and open-air sports and fitness facilities. There is a gym with treadmills, steppers, rowers and weights,… Two spectacular Jogging Track Loops of 1.6 and 2.2 km and a Tennis Academy with two tennis courts, two paddle courts and a beach volley court.
Further I would recommend to rent mountain bikes and go on a self-guided bike tour. We love to go out on our mountain bike during the weekend. Even though we live here for 20 years, we are still discovering new trails and every season provides a different view of nature.
One of the biggest advantages of this region is the quietness of the roads for a large part of the year. As a cyclist you don’t have to struggle through traffic. You can cycle along the beautiful coastal villages: Mojacar, Vera, Villaricos, Carboneras, …. or explore the hilly inland country roads.
Can you give us some insider tips to the best bars or restaurants?
El Torrente, situated in the Golf Clubhouse, with a stunning setting, overlooking the golf course and the pond with carp and ducks.
The Crocodile Club Restaurant, located in an enormous African style thatched house. This is the ideal meeting place for evening drinks on the resort with a delicious selection of cocktails.
If you like to go to the beach I can recommend in Vera playa the Maraú Beach Club or the Lua Restaurant. Both stunning locations with great food.
Actually there are too many to mention… and you will find something for every occasion and budget : Juan Moreno in Vera or Cabo Norte in Mojacar playa for a special occasion, tapas in the port of Garrucha (Rincon del Puerto) a 3 course menu in Bellavista (Mojacar playa) ,….
Are there many facilities such as doctors and dentists etc?
Because you will find a mix of nationalities here all year round, you find without any problem everything, and also in English : doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, …
Are there smaller villages nearby that you might also recommend?
Villaricos is a lovely fishing village. Each Sunday there is a market with local products.
Mojácar Pueblo is a small town where the Arab heritage is still clearly visible. It is made up of white houses in narrow and picturesque streets that stretch out on top of a hill in the Sierra Cabrera Mountains.
What are the nearest international schools and how good are they?
Val de Serra International School is a bilingual private school located in Vera (Almería). It is a mixed and secular school with all the educational stages available, starting from 1 till 18 years old. They follow the official Spanish curriculum with English as a first and German as a second foreign language.
Coming onto buying property, what is the market like now in terms of prices going up, or down or staying the same?
For both nationals and foreigners the coastal areas are very attractive. The tourist factor has increased since the pandemic has stopped. There is greater foreign demand of second homes. The pandemic also has increased the demand for properties outside the bigger cities, where it is possible to lead a new lifestyle, where it is possible to work and live with more outdoor space.
Because of the inflation (the rise in interest rates and the cost of living), prices should actually fall, but this moment has not come yet. People continue to see investing in a (second) home as a good, safe investment.
How much are the typical property prices in Desert Springs for apartments, villas etc?
You will find something for every taste at the Desert Springs golf resort. There are apartments for sale with 2 bedrooms starting from € 195,000, beautiful new-build duplex homes starting from € 265,000 and villas with 3 bedrooms starting from € 350,000. Off plan villas are also available for the more demanding customer.
These modern & stylish three-bedroom villas occupy the most envious position on the resort, providing stunning views.
Any tips and advice to people looking to buy in Desert Springs or surrounding area?
Take the time to explore the region. Stay in the area that interests you and rent a car to explore on your own. Contact a few estate agents in advance and make an appointment with the one you feel comfortable with. Indicate clearly what your wishes are so that they can look for the ideal properties adapted to your wishes and budget.
Ann, thank you so much for taking the time to help our readers with your experiences in Spain. If you want to contact her, you can find her details below.
Ann Depovere
Almeria Property Investments (API)
Almeria Property Investments (API)Office/oficina: + 34 950 460 874
Email: ann@almeriapropertyinvestments.com
Head office/Oficina principal: Ronda de las Buganvillas nº 42, 04621 Vera Playa, Almeria
Website: https://www.almeriapropertyinvestments.com/
“PROPERTY INVESTING WITH CONFIDENCE IN ALMERIA”
API offers a vast selection of properties for sale on the Costa Almeria from Mojacar to San Juan de los Terreros.
What is the Nearest Airport to Desert Springs Spain?
Almeria airport is the closest airport to Desert Springs golf course. Located to the south by car it takes 1 hour and 3 minutes with a distance of 84.2 km, most of the drive is by the A-7 autoroute (motorway). North of Desert Springs is Murcia airport which is 130.8 km away which would take approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes drive by car. The best choice of international flights will be a little further north still, at Alicante airport which is 206.3 km away and this should take 2 hours and 8 minutes by car.
Here’s an interesting tourist video on Desert Springs.
Contact us to be featured – we want more expat interviews for our newsletter and website. You don’t need to be an estate agent, we want to hear from anyone who lives in Spain whether you are working or retired.