Let our quick guide on Antequera help you get started in your journey on this part of the province of Malaga that has become a popular destination for a number of expats and their families.
On this page, we feature a fantastic expat interview with Anthony Fernandez of Country Properties Andalucia who shared with us his wonderful experiences in Antequera.
In particular, we wanted to know from Anthony why people should consider going to Antequera for a holiday or for the purpose of staying permanently in the area.
Anthony, thanks for helping our readers. I guess we should start off by asking what would you say would be the advantages to living in Antequera compared to other Costa del Sol towns?
Antequera is in the geographical heart of Andalusia, which means the ski resort in Granada, the Malaga beaches and the splendour of Seville and Cordoba are all in easy reach either by motorway, high-speed train or bus; choose your weekend destination according to the season! The town has a grand old castle set atop a hill, buildings with enchanting Moorish architecture and the old centre, with its narrow cobble stone streets, exudes history. I should also mention that Antequera has just been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site! (https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1501/)
Would the area not suit certain types of people, i.e. are there any possible downsides?
Antequera has pretty much everything at hand so I would say it’s suitable for all.
What proportion of the local population are Spanish?
The majority of the town are local Spanish but there is now a considerable group of foreign residents. Unlike the coast, foreigners that come here are looking for a more authentic Spain, so much so that you may not even recognise them in a cafeteria or bar given they are doing their best to speak Spanish and integrate into local life.
What are your favourite things to do in the area?
Have a walk in the El Torcal nature reserve (also World Heritage).
Can you give us some insider tips to the best bars or restaurants?
Sorry I can’t do that, I wouldn’t want to spoil the enjoyment of discovering this for oneself! Exploring and discovering are half the fun!
Are there many facilities such as doctors and dentists, shops etc?
We have the most modern hospital in the province of Malaga with an excellent reputation on a national level, and of course, all other amenities you would expect.
Are there smaller villages nearby that you might also recommend?
La Joya and La Higuera.
Is crime an issue for expats?
No, not at all.
Coming onto buying property, what is the market like now in terms of prices going up, or down or staying the same?
Given the global slowdown they’ve been flat for quite a while, neither moving up or down, however, we are starting to see some timid signs of growth given the town’s recent UNESCO declaration plus the national economy is starting to show signs of solid, stable growth.
Image above: Picnic en el Torcal de Antequera – Photo by ˆozoˇ, Wikimedia Commons
Is this a good time to buy and are there any repossessions or very cheap properties still available to buy?
Yes, based on my previous answer, now is an ideal time take a position and invest. There are still a few bargains to be had!
What urbanisations are there and can you describe each one and how they might differ from each other?
The Antequera Golf Course incorporates a nice urbanisation with its own amenities and stunning mountain views. The five star ***** La Magdalena Hotel forms part of this.
How much are the typical property prices in Antequera for apartments, villas etc?
Take a peek at my website, all prices are clearly listed.
Any tips and advice to people looking to buy in Antequera or surrounding area?
Get yourself a good local solicitor. If you get one that is not local they will simply liaise with a local one anyway, and charge you more for this reason. A local solicitor gets things done far quicker at the town hall and property registry office.
Although the purchase process is very straightforward given the notary office takes care of practically everything, it’s still a good idea to ask lots of questions, this way you’ll have peace of mind.
Anthony, thank you so much for taking the time to help our readers with your experiences in Spain. If you want to contact him, you can find his details below.
c/ Infante Don Fernando
Antequera 29200
Tel. +34 952 846 254
Mobile: +34 644 422 371 (with WhatsApp)
Email: info@cpandalucia.com
Website: cpandalucia.com
This video will take you to the various popular places in Antequera.
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.
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