Set against the backdrop of sparse mountains and the region's distinctive red earth, Alcala la Real offers a unique opportunity to enjoy traditional Spanish life and culture
Alcala la Real and its surrounding villages are located in the province of Jaen, a sweeping landscape of green vines that stretch as far as the eye can see. Part of the Andalucia region, Jaen borders the provinces of Granada, Cordoba and Ciudad Real. It has a blend of Moorish and Renaissance culture, with many historical sights, such as the baths in Jaen city and the palaces of Baeza and Ubeda.
Jaen produces ten per cent of the world's olive oil, and it is said that there are over 150 million olive trees here, scattered around a number of whitewashed villages and traditional townhouses. For those seeking striking scenery, a traditional lifestyle and bargain prices, this is the place to be.
Why buy there?
Alcala la Real is the province's main property hotspot. Boasting a population of just over 21,000, there are plenty of amenities, such as schools, restaurants, bars, doctors and swimming pools. The scenery is striking, with La Mote castle overlooking the cobbled streets, and views stretching away over the olive groves to the Sierra Nevada. The locals are extremely friendly and life here is as traditionally Spanish as it gets. There's also a significant cultural presence. The El Llanillo district, which surrounds the town hall, is noted for its historic buildings, such as the convent, which dates back to 1639.
Given the relatively isolated location of Alcala la Real, which is situated 25 minutes drive away from Granada, the cost of living is much lower. Crime rates are low, there is a good education system with small class sizes and an excellent healthcare service. The lifestyle is healthy and generally al fresco and the province is dotted with cherry groves, natural parks and mountains.
Only 90 minutes from Malaga and 40 minutes from Granada airport, it is possible to travel here for a long weekend in the sun. There are also a number of areas of interest close at hand: Granada, Alhambra Palace, the ski slopes in Sierra Nevada, Cordoba and Jaen, as well as the natural parks, such as Parque Natural de Cazorla, with its woodlands and lakes. Distant from the lager louts and Costa del Fish and Chips phenomenon, this is a peaceful and rural region, untouched by foreign cultures.
Where to buy
It's not just the town of Alcala la Real that offers fantastic prices. Many agents are also recommending villages within a 30 kilometre radius. Some of these have experienced price appreciation of up to 60 per cent in recent months, and demand has recently intensified.
The town of Alcaudete is built on a series of springs, situated on a hill around the 13th century castle. Surrounded by two natural reservoirs, the village offers bargain prices, with a four bedroom townhouse going for as little as 40,000 Euros.
The village of Frailes, only ten minutes from Alcala la Real, is built around the church of Santa Lucia and has been the site for a number of important archaeological finds. Home to only 1,800 people, property here can cost from as little as 26,000 Euros for a ruined two bedroom townhouse.
Castillo de Locubin is a pretty whitewashed village, located in the foothills of the Sierra Sur. With a Moorish castle and 16th century church, the village is famed for its locally produced pottery and cherry fair. With only 5,000 inhabitants, three restaurants and a few bars, a one bedroom apartment can be purchased from 90,000 Euros.
Other areas include Moclin in neighbouring Granada, famous for its castle, where a country house can be purchased for 160,000 Euros; Puerto Lopez, where you can buy a townhouse with two bedrooms and a garden for somewhere between 100,000 Euros and 160,000 Euros; and Bobadillo, where a townhouse can cost under 100,000 Euros.
The property market
The Jaen region offers property prices 65 per cent below the national average, at 123,981 Euros, and is the only Spanish region to offer consistently low prices. Compared with much of Spain, which has experienced price hikes of up to 17 per cent, Jaen property prices have stayed remarkably stable.
In relation to prices on the coast, this area sees property retailing at a mere 30 per cent of the average selling price on the Northern coast and the Costas. Around the Alcala la Real area, some villages have experienced price hikes of up to 56 per cent over the last eight months; in Alcala la Real the average has been 12 per cent.
With an increasing number of budget flights into Granada, this trend is set to continue as the area is discovered. Agents report that they are selling an average of two properties here a week. Property prices range from 17,000 Euros to 300,000 Euros, and on average, 100,000 Euros will secure you a townhouse with four bedrooms, a garden and a garage.
Typical properties
The hilltop towns have steep streets flanked by whitewashed houses, offering a mixture of historic architecture and small apartment blocks. Generally, you'll be looking at resale homes to renovate in this area, with very few newly built properties cropping up. Property tends to fall into two distinct groups, terraced village houses, which boast a patio or roof terrace, or country properties, which are sold with land. There are also a number of apartments available in Alcala la Real and the nearby villages.
The rentals market
Andalucia attracts Spain's largest number of tourists, receiving 14 per cent of the country's 50 million foreign visitors every year. Jaen itself isn't recognised as a popular rentals market, especially as it borders the region of Granada, where there are a number of popular resorts.
However, the area's rural tourism market is up and coming, and Andalucia accounts for 7 per cent of this market, with 14,080 visitors every year, an increase of 7.2 per cent on 2004. Combine this with increased flights into Granada from Liverpool, Stansted and Gatwick, and with more flights planned, tourist numbers are guaranteed to rise.
People's perceptions are also changing. Many no longer want to be crammed onto a beach with thousands of other Brits, especially since Jaen offers easy access to ski resorts and outdoor pursuits such as walking, cycling and birdwatching.
The Sierra Nevada is only a 90 minute drive away, and the low investment outlay for purchasing in the area makes setting up a tourist based industry here a shrewd move. There is also a significant increase in people holidaying in the region of Jaen and in Alcala la Real. Many are locals or city dwellers from Madrid seeking a rural holiday.
Living here
Agents in the area say they are mostly selling to permanent relocators, the majority being couples in their 30s and retirees. However, there has been a trend for families seeking a home in Jaen, with parents seeking to bring their children up in a safer and healthier environment.
As mentioned, this is traditionally a Spanish destination, and Jaen has Andalucia's lowest number of British residents, with approximatley 200 times more foreign residents in the nearby Malaga province. However, there has been an increasing number of British buyers interested in the Alcala la Real area.
As with many places, there are downsides to living here. Many properties will need some work to bring them up to date, which is an important consideration if you're seeking to let your property out. There are also very few English speakers in the region, so it's important you get a grip on basic Spanish and make an effort to integrate. It's also impossible to find English products in the shops, so you need to be prepared to adopt a Spanish diet and learn how to cook Spanish style! Of course, locals claim that you can buy anything at the weekly market.
Some of the villages can also feel remote, especially during the winter months when the weather is very cold. Finally, you're 90 minutes from the coast, which can be a drawback for those who are keen on Spain's beach culture.
Of course, there are many positives to living here. The region offers a traditional lifestyle, coupled with low property prices and low cost of living. There's also an excellent infrastructure and daily budget flights, making it easily accessible. It's easy to see why an increasing number of British buyers are being seduced by the traditional appeal of inland Spain.
Valerie and George Whincup retired to Alcaudete from Liverpool, paying 54,000 Euros for a five bedroom family house in June of this year. They decided to buy in Alcaudete as they had spent over a year looking to buy on the coast of the Granada region, but they had problems finding anything within their budget, prices having inflated rapidly over the last couple of years. They're now busy getting a swimming pool fitted in their spacious garden. Valerie says: "I'm totally happy with the house and the locals have been fantastic." Valerie and George are quickly adapting to village life and both feel very settled in the area.
Jaen statistics
Unemployment rate 19%
Population 654,458
Population density 48.01/km2
Area 13,484 km2
GDP per capital 12,892 Euros 14.2%
Number of foreigners 602 (registered)
Average house price 123,981 Euros
Martin Dell is Managing Director of Kyero Media S.L. - publisher of the largest English-language property portal in Spain, http://www.kyero.com