The "Dream Coast," as it has come to be known, is drawing not just American retirees but also a number of young professionals—attracted by both the breathtaking natural beauty of the place and its proximity to the United States—who are now investing in vacation homes and main residences.
In terms of actual dollars, the Costa del Sol has also been experiencing an influx of top-flight finance that has resulted in a number of luxury hotels, gated communities, and investment-grade residential buildings being erected along its coastline.
The Mediterranean allure for Americans lies in the Costa del Sol's resemblance to a "Mediterranean California." Although the sun-drenched beachfront homes in this Andalusian paradise are very much California-cool in style, they can be had at prices that are, by California standards, laughable. The nightlife of the Costa del Sol is a serious diversion—all in good fun, of course. Costa del Sol offers something for everyone after dark, from the finest dining you could imagine (in a pinch, I could imagine the appearance of a Michelin inspector) to cultural experiences of various strains and constitutions that will keep the American taxpayer entertained until dawn's early light. According to David Los, a Spanish real estate executive with offices in California, the Costa del Sol is, well, "something you have to experience yourself to believe."
The Costa del Sol is a modest coastal region in southern Spain that has become the coveted locale for many affluent Americans. The once humble 'coast of the sun' has become an aspirational home for many very wealthy individuals who are migrating to Spain in large numbers. Packed with luxury brands, the area now boasts residences that are not only palatial in architecture, and that look as if they belong in the penthouses of New York, but that also serve up enough fine dining and nightlife to rival Miami Beach.
What is more, the Costa del Sol and nearby cities offer stunning properties at a relative bargain—at least compared to American coastal cities like Los Angeles or Miami. And, as a bonus, you can do all of this with a level of privacy that is hard to attain in American high-rises.
Buyers on the East Coast now have unfettered access to the tantalizing opportunities of the Costa del Sol. It was a flight to Madrid for me, and a good flight it was. Iberia and American Airlines are the two main carriers. They offer a direct service that is not unlike the old Pan Am flight across 1960s Spain. The experience is genteel. First, there is a 30-minute journey across the length of molasses-slow Northwest Ohio (from takeoff in 6,000 feet to the preferred altitude of 32,000) and an ascent that takes us well above the stratus clouds that so often drape the Midwest in a Elysian lack of sunshine. Once into clear air, I sit entranced for almost two hours as the airplane's right wing cuts through the sunbeams that are spilling down over Pennsylvania and Ohio. Below, the I-80 corridor, that subtle revolution in daily commutes and in postal codes, looks like it has been painted by a divine hand. And the best of all is that there are direct flights between New York and Malaga.
The Costa del Sol and the Mediterranean way of life. Inherited from centuries of flourishing coastal cultures, the Mediterranean way of life means spending sun-drenched mornings ensconced with a cappuccino in a beachside café; afternoons aboard a sleek private yacht or stretched out on a golf course with scant thought of par; and evenings in al fresco dining that spills into twilight. One evening, on a private rooftop terrace in the heart of Marbella, I experienced the full catalogue of the Costa del Sol al fresco dining scene. From there, I could listen to the faint sounds of the marina that is Puerto Banús a stone’s throw away from the terrace—the one necessary stop on any sort of Costa del Sol tour that bids to approximate the larger city’s nightlife scene.
The partnership with Hometailor and their experienced directors in Marbella allows for a seamless experience when buying property in Spain. American real estate buyers can engage Hometailor, under the direction of real estate expert David Los, to serve as their advocates in navigating the unique challenges found in the Costa del Sol property marketplace.
According to Los, "We’re working with a whole new level of detail. We guarantee that every detail aligns with our clients’ expectations." Whether you're in the market for a rustic retreat in the nearby mountains or a high-tech oceanfront property, Hometailor can help you find it—and, more importantly, make the deal without any headaches.