Enjoy our quick guide to La Rabita, a small fishing village found in Spain’s far eastern coast of Costa Tropical.
Below we feature an expat interview with Rune Meyer of House In Southern Spain who covers the La Rabita area.
In particular, we want to learn from Rune the various reasons why people might consider moving to this area of Southern Spain and the value for money they could get once they decide to stay permanently in the area.
Rune, thanks for helping our readers. I guess we should start off by asking what would you say would be the advantages to living in La Rabita compared to other Costa Tropical towns?
The coastal motorway, the A7, is only 2 km away, so it is easy getting to larger cities and airports. The old main road, the N340 goes through La Rabita and along the coast via other towns and villages and is a very nice drive, with hardly any traffic. Along this road you also find plenty of small beaches. In addition, there are several roads leading into the mountains, which makes beautiful trips.
There are plenty of shops and bars in La Rabita. However, if you want supermarkets and a larger variety, Adra is only 15 km and has 25,000 inhabitants. Motril is only 40 km away and has 50,000 inhabitants and a large golf course by the beach. Costa Tropical has the best climate on mainland Europe, with the most sunny days and higher winter temperatures and lower summer temperatures than the other southern coastal areas. La Rabita is small enough for you to recognize people and large enough not to have everybody on your doorstep. Due to the mainly low income in the area, prices in the shops are lower than in the larger cities.
Would the area not suit certain types of people, i.e. are there any possible downsides?
It would suit everybody that is looking for a good climate, friendly people and low prices.
What proportion of the local population are Spanish?
85 percent.
What are your favourite things to do in the area?
All kinds of water sports, sunbathing, visiting bodegas, sightseeing along the coast and into the famous Alpujarra mountains with the whitewashed villages, skiing in Sierra Nevada in the winters, being able to sit outside almost every day of the year, eating real, Spanish food.
Can you give us some insider tips to the best bars or restaurants?
Both bars and restaurants are locally run, so everything is Spanish. They have international dishes too but why eat that when you can make it at home. When you make Spanish food at home, it does not really taste the same as the way the locals make it. Try the different ones that are located in different areas and frequented by different people – and find the one you like the best.
Are there many facilities such as doctors and dentists, shops etc?
Several grocery shops and other shops, doctors office, dentist, post office, banks, bars, restaurants, hotel, hostal, bus stop for both the local buses and the ones going to Malaga and to Almeria, haidressers, Chrurch from the 15th century, pharmacy.
Are there smaller villages nearby that you might also recommend?
In the area, there are several smaller villages, all within a short drive from La Rabita. However, they are too many to mention.
What are the nearest international schools and how good are they?
The International school in Almuñecar is famous in the area and cater for students up until university level.
Is crime an issue for expats?
No issue at all.
Coming onto buying property, what is the market like now in terms of prices going up, or down or staying the same?
The prices on property have been pretty much the same the last couple of years. This means that more and more are purchasing their property here since we have the best climate and the lowest coastal prices. People are looking for value for money properties which they get here.
Is this a good time to buy and are there any repossessions or very cheap properties still available to buy?
It is a very good time to buy since the market has been slower to react to the increase of buyers than in other coastal areas. It is estimated that the property market in this area will start increasing prices after 2018.
What urbanisations are there and can you describe each one and how they might differ from each other?
In the area, within 20 km, we have so many different kind of villages and towns that it is too much to mention. You get everything from mountain villages and towns, many of which have fantastic views over the ocean to coastal fishing villages and towns. The nearest city is Adra, with 25,0000 inhabitants, its long city beach and fantastic marina. Golfing is also not far away, together with resort towns and more touristy areas.
How much are the typical property prices in La Rabita for apartments, villas etc?
In La Rabita and the closest surrounding areas, you get properties from 70,000. In addition, we have always some bargains. The more services and amenities, larger size, larger terraces, better views – then the prices get higher.
Any tips and advice to people looking to buy in La Rabita or surrounding area?
Come and stay a few days, have a rental car and drive around to get the feeling of the area. Get also some tips on where to go, so you have that as a base, so you see as much as possible, not only a house. When you purchase a property, you also purchase the surrounding area. I would say +/- 20 km is your close area, since it can be reached within a short time and you have all kinds of areas within this short reach.
Rune, 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.
18760 La Rabita
Granada, Spain
Tel. +34 619 472 106
Email: info@houseinsouthernspain.com
Website: www.houseinsouthernspain.com
Below is an interesting tourist video on La Rabita.
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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