Not for the first time, Spain has been identified as the healthiest place to live in Europe, thanks largely to its celebrated lifestyle and climate. Read on to find out more…
Recent research by the World Health Organisation shows that the Spanish nation enjoys the best health and life expectancy of any country in Europe. It’s little wonder really – the Spanish lifestyle includes lots of sunshine and fresh air, a fresh, healthy Mediterranean diet, a relaxed pace of life – at least on the Costas – and fabulous local wine. All of these things are likely to contribute to the country’s healthy lifestyle.
“Climate can make a difference for people with certain ailments too,” said Sally Veall, an expat in the Costa Brava and writer for SpainBuyingGuide.com. “Some areas of the country have especially healthy climates, with excellent air quality and optimum humidity levels, which can be especially beneficial to allergy and asthma sufferers. And I hear that the year-round warmth of southern Spain is a more comfortable place to live for arthritis sufferers compared to the damp UK, especially in the UK’s colder months.”
One of a number of ideal climate ‘hotspots’ in Spain is Jávea in the northern Costa Blanca, which is famous for its year-round mild climate. Its geography is largely to thank for this. Positioned between hills and mountains, the Jávea area is well protected from harsh weather, while the salt lakes on the coast there mean the humidity there is typically low compared to the rest of Spain and Europe.
Even on a steaming hot summer’s day in Spain, the heat in Jávea will usually be dry – and therefore much more bearable. Combine all this with the pretty scenery and sandy beaches and it’s easy to see why property in Jávea is so sought after.
Meanwhile, throw into the mix Spain’s glorious beaches, rich culture and history, and colourful cities, and it’s easy to see why the country is enduringly popular with foreign holidaymakers and homeowners, not least Britons. In fact, tourist numbers increased by six percent over summer 2015 and are expected to hit 68 million in total for the year, according to José Manuel Soria, Minister of Industry, Energy and Tourism.
The Minister has also highlighted tourism’s importance to the Spanish economic recovery. In the last 12 months, the sector has contributed 11 percent to GDP and 12 percent to employment. It has also offset Spain’s trade deficit by an impressive 256 percent.
Spain’s property market is also faring well. According to Q2 2015 figures from the official registrars, the number of house sales in Spain is up 13.91 percent on the previous year, with 104,530 transactions recorded during the quarter. Ministry of Development figures show that foreign buyers accounted for 18.41 percent of transactions, while Spanish land registry figures show that buyers from the UK made up 19.8 percent of those foreign buyers – more than any other nationality.
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