Affordable living on the Golden Mile?

For the thousands of Brits who dream of relocating to the Costas, Marbella's Golden Mile represents the pinnacle of their aspirations. The superior Las Canas Beach gated community delivers both exclusivity and affordability.

MARBELLA, COSTA DEL SOL, SPAIN (PRWEB) June 21, 2006 -- Marbella’s famous Golden Mile is located on the coastline between the western edge of the town and the millionaire’s playground of Puerto Banus. The area is renowned as the most elite – and expensive – location in Marbella, playing host to some of the most impressive private villas and exclusive gated communities anywhere in Europe. You can expect to pay in excess of 2,000,000 euros for a modest beachside apartment here, and it’s rumoured that one of the most desirable villas on this coastal stretch is currently being rented for a staggering 25,000 euros per day.

So aside from the obvious attractions of sun, sea and sand, why does the area hold such an allure for the international glitterati? As you would expect from the “best address” on the Costa del Sol, fortunate residents of the Golden Mile enjoy a Five Star lifestyle, with four of the most prestigious hotels in Marbella - Gran Melia Don Pepe, Guadalpin, Marbella Club, and Puente Romano – catering for their every hedonistic whim. Each hotel provides unlimited opportunities for self-indulgence, with recreational pursuits catering for every taste and bank balance; beach clubs, health spas, hairdressers and designer boutiques, along with a multitude of restaurants offering gourmet cuisine from around the globe and a highly exclusive night scene.

By day the area’s thriving cafe culture is distinctly chic and upmarket, with a relaxed, almost nonchalant atmosphere. The MC Café, situated within the grounds of the Marbella Club hotel has an elegant, sophisticated ambience, whilst the ever popular Da Bruno restaurant is a favoured eatery for alfresco lunches and clement evenings - they also offer a gourmet takeaway service. Da Bruno is certainly worth a visit, if only to admire the astonishing array of luxury vehicles found parked outside. And whilst on the subject of cars, if you’re lucky enough to own one, Marbella’s Ferrari Club convenes every Sunday morning at the charismatic Oasis Club, an exclusive complex incorporating the famous Toni Dalli’s – recently identified as one of Europe’s top twenty restaurants.

The Golden Mile occupies some of the most naturally stunning coastline in southern Spain, and the favourable environment is conducive for an assortment of outdoor activities, from running and cycling along the coastal path to kite surfing, water skiing and jet-biking in the warm Mediterranean waters for the more adventurous.

During the summer months “beach culture” is an integral part of life for residents and visitors alike, and for many, the business of choosing the right beach from which to “see and be seen” is taken very seriously – luckily there are several excellent venues to choose from. Victor’s Beach is one of the most established chiringuitos, and a veritable institution in Marbella. Excellent cuisine including traditional fish dishes and barbecued ribs are served up to the sound of live music creating an exuberant beach party atmosphere.

Away from the beach, the Golden Mile has emerged as a “hotbed” for interior design in recent times. A plethora of boutiques selling everything for the home including modern and fine art, designer interiors, soft furnishings, exclusive kitchen and bathroom furniture and the latest high-tech audio and visual equipment can be discovered along the charming tree-lined shopping parades, together with an El Corte Inglés (Spain’s favourite department store) specialising in high quality furnishings for the home and garden.

For the thousands of Brits who dream of relocating to the Costas, the Golden Mile represents the pinnacle of their aspirations, though few will ever experience the reality of living here. However, there are some more affordable options if you know where to look. Whilst it’s true to say that only the seriously wealthy have the option of actually purchasing a frontline villa on the Golden Mile, ‘gated communities’ offer a less expensive alternative, simultaneously providing exclusivity and affordability.        

Not surprisingly, apartment complexes on the Golden Mile are few and far between due to strict planning regulations, preventing over development in the area. Built approximately five years ago, Las Cańas Beach is one of only a handful of complexes constructed in recent times.

The Las Cańas community occupies a prime position on the Golden Mile, frontline to Carolina Beach - one of the largest, best served and most popular beaches on this stretch of coastline - and benefiting from a private access gate leading directly onto the Passeo Maritimo. Follow the promenade east and Marbella town is a fifteen minute stroll away, or head west for the Marbella Club and Puente Romano hotels, within a five and ten minute walking distance respectively.

Designed to exacting architectural standards, Las Cańas has been built in a typically Andalucian style, with white exterior walls and Moorish roof tiling. The grounds of the complex are truly sumptuous; exotic tropical gardens imbued with mature palms, pretty water features, lawned areas, and four communal swimming pools, all of which are meticulously maintained by a team of gardeners and caretakers. Individual balconies are also filled with brightly flowering plants and shrubs adding to the “well-kept” character of this impeccable development.

The complex offers two and three bedroom apartments, three and four bedroom duplex apartments (split over two levels), and four, four bedroom duplex penthouses with panoramic views of the sea. Internally, and the individual apartments vary according to size and layout, however all are finished to an exceptionally high standard using quality fixtures and fittings. Beautiful cream-toned marble flooring has been used throughout the development, and all apartments are fitted with air-conditioning and heating, with individual temperature controls in each room.

Interiors have been kept modern, bright and airy. The open-plan living / dining spaces feature enormous sliding patio windows with views over the tropical surroundings. Each unit has its own private terrace – perfect for alfresco dining or private sunbathing – and ground floor apartments have a larger outdoor living space with direct access to the communal gardens.

The feeling of space is an integral element of Las Cańas’ design, with generous room sizes and well planned floor layouts. All bedrooms are double in size with built-in wardrobes, and Master bedrooms have an ensuite complete with jacuzzi bath. Elsewhere, bathrooms are fitted with a modern suite comprising of w.c., bidet, pedestal wash hand basin, bath with overhead power shower and chrome fittings. Well presented kitchens are fully fitted, with ceramic tiling to the floors and walls, and separate utility rooms are encompassed within the larger apartments.    

As with most modern complexes, there is 24 hour security, CCTV and vehicle access via a barrier controlled private road. Secure underground garages also provide ample parking for each apartment and extra storage accommodation.

Situated on the main Istan Road running between Marbella and Puerto Banus, Las Cańas Beach is ideally located for commuting either by car or public transport; a mainline bus stop can be found directly opposite the complex, and taxis are readily available from outside the Marbella Club hotel.

Las Cańas Beach is an established community where approximately 50% of owners reside here on a full-time basis; therefore properties currently available are either re-sale or long-term rental opportunities. In the current economic climate, re-sale property – as opposed to new-build or off-plan – is the preferred investment for many buyers, with re-sale prices at Las Cańas Beach starting at 600,000 euros (approximately £410,000). When considering its convenient location and prestigious address, Las Cańas represents outstanding value for money.

Long-term rental prices are similarly competitive, beginning at 1,500 euros per month (approximately £1,000) for a superior two bedroom, ground floor apartment. Compare these prices to those of London or Manchester, and perhaps ‘living the dream’ is more affordable than you had first thought . . . .

For more information regarding re-sale properties, long term rental availability and prices, contact Liz Southall by email or telephone 666 394 276.

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