Second residence is always a place designated for holidays and joy. An important part of it is an environment where your second house is located. In this article we collected some tips which can help you to choose between a beach or mountains as your second home.
In the full recovery of the real estate sector, more and more families are considering buying a second home in Spain, either as a leisure alternative for weekends and holidays or as an investment. But once the decision is made, we find ourselves before the eternal question: beach or mountain? Today we give you a series of tips so that the choice of your second residence is a success.
Choose an attractive area with good services
Fortunately, Spain is a varied country full of alternatives. Whether you are passionate about skiing, a lover of the festive atmosphere of the beaches or a stalwart of rural tranquility, here you have plenty of places to choose from. Whatever your case, the first thing you have to do is find out about the area.
There are places that are sold as idyllic due to their isolation from the madding crowd. This can be very seductive at first, but it can lose its magic if the access road is not comfortable, there is no coverage or the nearest town is 30 kilometers away... Also, it is not a good idea to depend on the car for any daily management , so it is advisable to check what services the chosen location has (shops, supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies, etc.).
As a general rule, in the less crowded mountain areas, the pace of life is slower. The proximity of nature and the smaller size of population centers favor the elimination of stress. Likewise, the price of housing is usually lower than in coastal areas, so we can access single-family homes, country houses or larger apartments for the same cost.
Extra health benefits
There is no doubt that, in general, the quality of air and water is better in the mountains than on the beach. However, if you prefer the hustle and bustle of a town on the Mediterranean coast or on the islands, you do not have to sacrifice your health.
The beneficial effect of the sea on our body is proven. Apart from the injection of mood that the sun represents, we must not forget the therapeutic properties of sea water or walks on the beach. In addition, the coastal towns have a milder climate throughout the year, something essential for cold people.
If, on the other hand, you are one of those who tolerate thermal contrasts well, in the mountains you will find less pollution, as it is not so crowded. However, that same tranquility can make certain services suffer, such as health care or leisure alternatives (cinemas, shows).
Keep your hobbies in mind
In Spain there are about thirty ski resorts, so if this is your sport you can buy your mountain apartment even at the foot of the slopes. With it you will also have immediate access to other activities in the middle of nature such as rafting, hiking or canyoning.
At the other extreme, having a house on the coast will allow you to enjoy the beach throughout the year. When the cold and snow appear in other areas, you can continue resting on the sand or practicing sports (diving, surfing, sailing).
The best of both worlds
If, despite these recommendations, you are still undecided, why not opt for a middle ground? If you buy a second home in regions such as Asturias, Cantabria or Granada, you can combine sea and mountains throughout the year. Tempting, right?
