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FEBRUARY 2008
Hi All,
Welcome to the February Newsletter. The weather is still fantastic and we are reaching temperatures of around 80 degrees.
I have found some great flight deals for clients over the last week, log on to the website www.lowfareflights.co.uk. There are bargains to be found……. Come on over for a few nights and see the real Spain with Grupo Inland Andalucia.
During my day, speaking to so many of you back in the UK, I am asked the same question over and over, “what is the cost of living in Spain”. After watching the UK news last week and hearing that UK council tax bills will rise by an above-inflation average of 4% this year, pushing the average household's tax for 2008-2009 to 1,145 pounds!!, I thought in this issue I would run through my average yearly bills with you (figures in euros).
This year my rates were 141.00 (Judy in our sales team lives in Cuevas de San Marcos and paid 17.00 for the year!), refuse collection 35.00, water bills come in every two months and are no more than 6.00, electricity is also bi-monthly and averages 80.00. Gas cylinders are bought as and when required and cost around 12 euros. To MOT your car here costs 37.00 and lasts for two years! For those of you about to embark on the move to Spain, this must be music to your ears. For those of you only thinking about the move.
what are you waiting for?
Take advantage of our “Valentine Special” and see you all soon.
Maria
Antequera Conference Centre
The Junta de Andalucía Commerce, sports and Tourism vice Councillor, Ana Gómez has laid the foundation stone of the new conference centre, which it is anticipated will be completed in about 17 months. The new building is predicted to become one of the most profitable facilities in Andalucia and will be hosting at least 15 major events annually, plus a large variety of smaller activities.
Designed by the Seville-based architects, Arkingenia S.L., the building will include a large restaurant, covered parking for 250 vehicles and a tree lined approach including acacia and Cyprus trees.
Antequera Health Centre
Work has begun on Antequera's second health centre which will provide services for around 20,000 people and, according to the Junta de Andalucia, will be the most modern in the region when it's completed in 2010. The six storey building will have 34 standard consulting rooms as well as several more for the specialist services. The existing health centre is also being upgraded in a phased, 2.5 million-euro project.
Reporting road damage by text
Residents of Antequera will soon be able to report damage to the municipality’s roads by text message. A computer system is being installed at the town hall to process all reports received via SMS, email or on www.antequera.es.
The new system was approved by the town hall recently and will cost 103.229 euros, 85% of which is being financed by the Junta de Andalucia (county council) and the remaining 15% by the town hall (or local council).
Distribution centre for Mollina
An 80 million-euro logistics centre is planned for Mollina with the creation of approximately 3,000 jobs. The project has been given unanimous support by all the poltical parties at the town hall. Mollina was chosen for this new development because of its central location in Andalucia and the excellent network of road connections in the area.
Shrove Tuesday
Don’t forget that Tuesday 5th February is “pancake” day. This heralds the beginning of fasting in Lent and traditionally supplies of fat, butter and eggs – foods that were forbidden during Lent – were used up on this day by making (and enjoying!) pancakes.
…..and a happy Valentines Day to you all on 14th February. Why not take advantage of our special offer below:
“Valentine Special”
We’re offering you two nights for 2 people in our luxury accommodation with pool, to be taken any time throughout the year (subject to availability). Just book your flights and we’ll collect you from the airport, present you with a bottle of the award winning Mollina wine and give you a guided tour of the area.
To take advantage of this fantastic offer you must contact us with dates before the end of February, quoting “Valentine Special”.
Info on the new toll road
The new toll road from Malaga to Puerto de Las Pedrizas (where the A45 splits for Granada and Seville/Cordoba) is scheduled to be opened on 31st December 2009. However, the construction of this new motorway cannot begin until all the expropriations have been made and this is expected to be some time in April. The estimated cost is 322 million euros and will include 15 viaducts and 3 tunnels on its 24.5 kilometre length. Tolls have been set at 1.80 euros for ordinary cars.
In comparison to the present motorway which has some steep hills and dangerous bends, the new AP-46 will provide a huge improvement in road safety and will ease congestion on the A-45.
Out and about the Spanish towns and villages…………………
Bracana, Granada Province
Bracana is a typically Spanish white village with a population of just under 500. It is easily reached by taking the exit from the A-92 autovia at Moreleda de Zafayona and continuing for approximately 10 minutes until you reach the village. From here there are fantastic views towards the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The people in Bracana are very friendly and are known as Bracaneros.
The village has some interesting places of historical interest, including the church which has an unusual altar worth seeing, plus the pretty village square. The large town of Ilora is just 15 minutes drive away and a further 5 minutes will see you in Montefrio.
We have a super property for all you DIYers this month. It’s a 140m² build corner townhouse in Bracana requiring some TLC and at only 69.600 euros, about £51,578. Click for more details on TH1962.
Lets introduce you to Stuart Weeks….
Stuart joined our company recently and is already proving a great asset with his knowledge in finance and mortgages:
“I worked for 12 years as a financial advisor in England until the bureaucracy and the weather just sickened me too much. I decided to have a complete change. A friend was living in Spain and invited me out to come and work with him for a while. I thought I would come out for the summer as a working holiday and go home and start in something new.”
“So in January 1998 I got on a plane and landed in Malaga. I was supposed to only be here for six months but I loved the country the lifestyle and the people so much I just stayed. You couldn’t drag me back now.”
“I worked on the coast and met my Spanish girlfriend and she taught me to speak the language, and although my grammar is atrocious, conversationally I am fluent. She also taught me about the Spanish lifestyle and customs and I got to realise what a lovely people the Spanish are.”
“Eventually, being financially qualified with FPC’s 1, 2 and 3 and CEMAP, I was offered work with a mortgage company who were just setting up in business and finally I agreed. It was a fun job and I worked there for 6 years giving financial advice to clients, arranging Spanish mortgages and UK equity release, enabling people to purchase the properties they wanted. We worked with all of the Spanish banks and arranged on average, lending of 100.000.000 euros a year.”
“Although I enjoyed my job after six years I felt I really wanted to do something different. Through my time at the mortgage brokers I had worked with Graham and the guys from Inland many times and knew them well. I thought it would be a complete change of job and a complete change from working in the Benalmadena/ Marbella coastal area. I have been with Inland 2 months now and completely love my new job. I tour clients and show properties across the huge area that Inland cover. I go to some beautiful little villages and towns and drive through some of the most stunning scenery there is in Spain.”
“I haven’t completely left the financial side behind. I still give advice to Inland’s clients on what they can and cannot do financially in Spain and process mortgage applications for any clients that need it.”
If you'd like to have a guided tour of our properties, receive expert financial/mortgage advice and be welcomed by our friendly, helpful staff, please get in touch. We're still the Number 1 Real Estate Company in inland Andalucia.
Contact details below:
For full property listings go to:
www.inlandandalucia.com
Freephone 0800 198 0006
maria.giles@inlandandalucia.com | 
