Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2024 8:45pm
Worth bearing in mind, if it is what may be perceived as quintessential Spanish charm you are looking for and would prefer, you will NOT find this at Villamartin. Or surrounds.
It is unashamedly built for foreigners (Brits, predominantly, unsurprisingly) and has little to no 'charm' per se.
The considerably overated Villamartin Plaza is a good example. Or not. It must have looked great back in the day. It has been neglected ever since, pretty much, especially given the taxes residents and non residents pay 365 days a year, despite the latter more typically being back in their own territory for at least half that time, coutesy of Schengen.(That said, the Plaza is a private enterprise but I make the broader point, including in reference to refuse collection and road repairs. Both of these are the worst examples I have seen anywhere in Spain. Appalling!)
I bought 8 years ago. It meets my purpose ie decent weather and relative peace and privacy on my roof terrace but, on the downside, you really have to know where the decent restaurants are because there is a surprising amount of base-level dross establishments and a relentless plethora of utterly charmless bars, sad to say.
I never want to see a cheap-as-chips, sun-faded plastic Heineken chair again.
Only I know I will! Oh well, when in Rome..
You never see outside chairs as 'Butlinesque' as that in UK. Why? Because the UK based Brits in the food n drink industry know that that level of 'base' just wouldn't cut it.
Also, us Brits are just so grateful for a bit of sun, we often don't see the wood for the trees. Our standards slip in the warmth, it seems.
It's hardly Marbella.. but it's one hell of a lot better than Campasol, another place absolutely done to death some years ago by 'A Place in the Sun' and others before all then going mysteriously quiet about the wretched place. Camposol has a history all its own. People lost everything and some poor souls committed suicide over their total losses while chasing their dreams.
They saw it on the telly.
The detail is for another day. It's out there.
My point is 'shrewd and cynical and ponderous' is the wisest approach.
All things relative. It's the old story; one man's meat is another's poison.
For me, in a nutsell ..'Villamartin and surrounds.. serves its purpose: functional but forever charmless.
Do I regret buying? NO
Would I buy here again? NO.
You do the maths but, respectfully put, let your head rigidly rule your heart. There are better areas. At higher cost.
No surprise there, then.
In conclusion and to the original poster, I wish you all the very best in your property search... I respectfully suggest you first consider renting for 6/12 months in your chosen area. This would necessarily greatly reduce the risk of making any big mistakes.
Am here via private message if you need a no-bulls*** heads-up at any time. Or anyone else. I am next over in three weeks.
Mine's a Guinness.
Gather many views before you start to form your own. 'Place in the Sun' and variations on the theme suits the rose-tinted. It's a guide. But it's forever a production.
Be mindful of that. And the date of filming and prevailing exchange rate (both show at the end credits.)
Just watch the flack/abuse this message will receive from the Armchair-Ridden-Outraged brigade. Their view will also be worth taking on board. Absorb all you hear.
Stay objective yourself, however.
Good luck.
🐝