Christmas in Spain

We are just starting our research into investing in a 3 bed off plan apartment on a complex in Costa Calida or Costa del Sol (feel we won't be able to afford Costa del sol as budget about £120,000). 

We are hoping to use the apartment over Christmas/New Year as well as Easter and Summer holidays.  Can anyone tell us what the weather will be like over Christmas (seen conflicting temperature statistics on the internet) and what there is to do for a family with 3 boys aged 6-12).  We presume it's to cold to swim in a pool/the sea?  Are things open like zoos, restaurants etc etc.  Any thoughts gratefully received at this early stage.

Katie

Hi bouzy

Have been over to the Mar Menor for the last 2 Xmas / New year & the weather has been fab. Cold on a night but warm during the day & positively hot in a sheltered spot (had to get the suntan lotion out last new years day on our balcony). Wouldn't recommend jumping in the pool though unless you're into hypothermia (I don't personally venture in until the summer but there again a bit of a wuss lol). My kids paddle quite happily in the sea however at any time of the year.

Restaurants are open around us - can sit outside during the day & inside on an evening. Not sure about zoos etc - know the water parks have limited months for opening. We spend most of our time on the beach on good days - spent the week last Feb in tshirts & cut offs bumming on the beach & visiting the beach bar for light relief lol. Life's tough sometimes!

Easter was pants this year - threw it down for the whole 2 weeks we were there - am told this was really unusual though. Not good when it was lovely in the UK though!!

We couldn't afford what we wanted on the CDS either - found we could get more for our euros on Costa Calida.

Bouzy - whay are you only looking at off plans? In this current market they are highly priced as the developer HAS to cover his costs of building.

Reslaes are out there where you can get better value for money and for your budget you could afford the costa del sol if you wanted to - its the best weather for the winter

Also the property will be ready to move into as opposed to an off plan which wont be.

Good luck in whatever you do

Off plan do have some long term advantages over older re sales

They are built to the modern building regulations which means better general insulation including sound
You start with modern white goods and air con provision if not fully fitted

And now your hot water will be by solar but also with a back up boiler as before 

In general parking is provided

Nothing wrong with re sales but as in UK you should get a survey done to make sure that the property is up to the standard you want and that you know before you buy the improvements you have to carry out and perhaps get an estimate.....just like UK really

Hi

If it's warm and sunny weather your after then have you considered Costa de Almeria?  It is the driest area of Spain and also one of the hottest areas we actually have the only designated Desert in Europe.  If you look on the map of Spain it's the south-eastern corner .  We have beautiful national parks and mountains and of course the Sea.

In terms of your budget you can find either 3 bed off plans or resales within 15 mins of the beach.  It is an area on the up and in terms of investment we have a new airport opening not far away, the motorway has just opened to murcia  airport and takes just 1Hr from Mojacar and 50 mins from Almeria Airport.

We have a great mix of small Spanish towns and Spanish fishing villages but if you need an injection of the UK we do have a great ex-pat community. 

Hope you find what you are looking for!

S.J