When Spain conquered Europe at football last summer the newspaper headlines proclaimed that 46 million people were thankful. Spain’s population when I was studying was stuck resolutely at 38 million with the second lowest birthrate in Europe. The numbers have increased by roughly eight million in little more than a decade. Some are leaving now and going back to their home countries. Those that are here however do require serives and places to live. The housing pyramid base is still strong then as any price reductions bring more potential purchasers including immigrants into the equation, if the banks will actually lend which is the main criteria currently. The banks have totally lost confidence in the same lemming like way that they all jumped on the bandwagon in the first place.

An increase in signings has been reported by notaries in Valencia recently especially since the Banco de Santander opened up the floodgates just a little. Other banks follow the Santander’s steps in Spain. Prices are holding up quite well in the areas where overbuilding and development didn’t happen. Yes they will get caught up in a ripple effect but not in a maelstrom.

Sagunto, a town to the north of Valencia, is a good example. It is not the most beautiful place in the World in my opinion. It does have its charms though including the Jewish quarter and the Roman Fort and Amphitheatre that overlook the town which are beautiful. They are starting work on the largest freeport in the Mediterranean expecting to create between 40 and 70000 jobs. This will being people into the area and price drops will be minimal from now as demand will outstrip supply. The prices have already dropped here but by less than other areas and are currently holding up well.

Spain will always be a favourite for Brits as it is a home from home and you can get satellite TV, football at the right times and be back in Blighty for important things very quickly. Younger professionals with the ability to work from just about anywhere because of the internet can still come here to bring up the family with children who can speak two or more languages, in a sunnier place with less crime and fear. Fuel bills are cheaper and generally the lifestyle here is cheaper, not so much as in previous years but enough to make a difference and therefore people will continue to want to retire here.

And to finish off being a tad controversial, what is wrong with those who offer nothing to the Spanish economy being forced out because life is getting too difficult for them. Those same people spend all day back in the UK complaining about excessive immigration and those pesky foreigners taking our jobs etc… Come over to live here, get a knowledge of the language, bring your work, become a member of the community mix and talk to your hosts, they are very friendly.

Have a life plan and work on it and Spain will most likely work for you