The old, character-filled towns surrounding many of Spain’s larger cities are often the best places to find a bargain property, according to Zoe Dare Hall of the Telegraph.

Following the crash of the housing market in Spain – and most other European countries – house prices plummeted, causing many British buyers to shelve their plans to move.

But now, spurred on by the many discounts to be had, the Brits are starting to return, Ms Dare Hall commented.

If a life in Spain is what you have been working towards, then taking a look at historic areas such as the Born, which is just outside Barcelona, could be a good idea.

"Areas such as the Born will always be in demand, which is why property there will be last into – and first out of – the recession," said Mark Stucklin from Barcelona-based Spanish Property Insight.

Andrew Snape, an estate agent from Bramhall in Cheshire, bought a modernised, two-bedroom duplex in the Born for around £340,000 when it previously it was on the market for £450,000, according to the publication.

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