A City, Suburb, or Countryside in Spain: Where Do Buyers Focus and Why?

Everyone understands that purchasing a modern apartment in the center of Madrid and buying a small house in the village of Aínsa are two completely different things. Recently, Spain has begun to take the lead in the ranking of European countries with the highest demand for real estate. The most popular properties are in large cities and coastal areas, while the countryside does not receive enough attention from buyers. In this article, we will analyse the reasons for this outcome and whether it is worth buying housing in Spanish villages.

Content:

• The Allure of Coastal Areas
• The Charm of Big Cities
• Which is Better: a City or a Village?
• The Pros of Living in the City
• The Pros of Living in the Countryside
• Why Do the Spanish Prefer to Live in Apartments?
• A Record Number of Homeowners
• Conservative Society

The Allure of Coastal Areas

The Costa del Sol is not only one of the most important tourist areas in the country, but it is also the most popular location for property investments. Most of the Spanish residential property that is in demand among foreign buyers is found in the coastal region of the province of Malaga. Some believe that this almost 300-kilometer plot of land, including important cities such as Marbella, Torremolinos, and Fuengirola, will help the country recover from the crisis. Housing in the Balearic and Canary Islands is also in high demand among both foreigners and locals.

The Charm of Big Cities

Madrid ranks first as the most desired Spanish city among property buyers. It is followed by Móstoles, Fuenlabrada, Torrejón de Ardoz, Getafe, and Alcalá de Henares. The demand for properties in the central capital areas and in Salamanca is also beginning to grow. This trend is reflected in the price per square meter. Barcelona, Terrace, Castelldefels, Vic, Sitges and Sabadell hold the remaining positions in the top 13 most attractive cities for buyers.

Which is Better: a City or a Village?

Life can be rich, vibrant, and interesting both in the Spanish countryside and in the metropolis. Each settlement has unique features that will please a certain group of people. Let's compare the main advantages of living in the city and in the countryside.

The Pros of Living in the City

1. Developed infrastructure. Nearby facilities for basic needs (grocery stores, emergency medical centers, schools, etc.) and entertainment facilities (theaters, museums, restaurants, etc.) are a great advantage. The city is definitely the place for a person who appreciates comfort and wants to remain ahead.
2. Safety. Apartment buildings in urban communities provide a sense of security, as living there implies a certain degree of mutual care between neighbours. In case of any unforeseen circumstances, local residents can rely on each other's help and protection.
3. Savings on utilities. In some homes, especially in older apartment complexes, it is common to equally share bills for electricity, water, heating, cleaning and maintenance among neighbours.
4. Transport network. Another advantage of living in the city is the developed public transport system. City residents can easily get to the places they need without the use of personal transport.
5. Active social life. Living in a large settlement eases the process of communication and finding new acquaintances.

The Pros of Living in the Countryside

1. Contact with nature. One of the main advantages of living in the countryside is the opportunity to breathe fresh air and be in a clean ecological environment.
2. Calm rhythm of life. Although the countryside does not relieve the locals of responsibilities, it allows them to enjoy a quieter atmosphere and a slower pace. Village people know how to take time for themselves and simplify things.
3. Low prices. The price level in a particular area is one of the main factors that buyers pay attention to when choosing a place of residence. Oftentimes, taxes, duties, housing and food costs are much lower in the villages than in the cities.
4. Entrepreneurial opportunities. Connection with nature, health and proper nutrition are becoming increasingly important in the modern world. The growing interest in organic produce makes life in the countryside attractive from a business point of view. You can earn money by both farming fruits and vegetables, and by renting out vegetable gardens.

Why Do the Spanish Prefer to Live in Apartments?

According to the latest information from the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), Spain leads the ranking of European Union (EU) countries in terms of the percentage of people living in apartments, with 66.5% .

This figure catches the eye when comparing Spain with its neighbouring countries. For example, in France, the statistics are completely opposite: 7 out of 10 French people live in private homes. The difference is even greater in the UK. Only 14.4% of the population live in apartments.

In this ranking, Spain is followed by Latvia with 65.1% of the population living in apartments, Lithuania with 58.4%, and Greece with 56.9%. The average result for the EU showed that 6 out of 10 Europeans live in private houses, and 4 out of 10 in apartments.

A Record Number of Homeowners

Also, information from the Eurostat study indicates that 8 out of 10 Spaniards own the property they live in. This is 8.7% higher than the average European rate. In terms of rentals, Spain is slightly behind, with 21.2% versus 29.9% in Europe.

But how has a flat become the quintessence of Spanish housing, and why do Spaniards prefer home ownership? This trend can be explained by three factors: historical, economic, and sociological.

Conservative Society

Spanish society is conservative. The local population has always perceived high-rise construction as a reliable investment, unlike other types of real estate. The country also shows a low level of geographic mobility, as people who purchase a house do not plan to relocate for work reasons.

These trends could change in a short period of time. The crisis and lengthy work commutes may soon make Spaniards lean towards renting. However, in Spain, rental rates are still far from European. According to a Eurostat study, Germany (52.5%), Austria (57.2%) and Denmark (63.3%) lead the rating of countries where population prefers renting a house over owning one.

It does not matter what a person chooses, a country house or an apartment in a metropolis, they will find an infinite number of unique opportunities, depending on their aspirations and lifestyle.

Do you prefer to live in a village or a city?