A British widower who feels that London is no longer the city it once was since Brexit is hoping to purchase in Andalusia
A British widower who feels that London is no longer the city it once was since Brexit says he is making the move to Spain to start a new life in a stunning, little-known village where properties cost as little as €35,000 (£30,300).
Adam Hunter, 73, from London, has just finished touring the property market around the village of Montefrío, famous for its spectacular castle, in Andalusia in the country’s south.
Mr Hunter is now deciding between two properties that caught his eye. One is a three-bedroom, 90-square metre apartment in the old village on the market for just €35,000, while the other is a four-bedroom rural cottage surrounded by lush countryside and its own orchard, going for €75,000 (£64,930).
“I’ve heard from word of mouth and friends who visited the area that Montefrío is a hidden gem of Spain, one of those non-touristy, off-the-radar places where British expats are still a limited group. That’s what I want,” Mr Hunter, a former financial adviser, told The i Paper.
View of a street in Montefrío, Granada, Spain (Photo: Oscar Porras Gonzalez)
Having recently viewed properties for sale in the area with local agencies, he said he could not believe the incredible deals on offer.
The rural villa has the advantage of being surrounded by picturesque hills and silence, something Mr Hunter craves after life in London. But he says he is leaning towards the village apartment, which has the convenience of local shops and grocery stores nearby – not to mention the exceptionally low price point.
“My wife died four years ago, and after retiring, I decided I wanted to turn the page. London is no longer the London of my early years. I don’t like living there anymore, particularly after Brexit. I crave sunshine and silence,” he said.
Montefrío, which has only 5,000 residents, appealed to Mr Hunter for its location and authenticity, far from the crowds that fill some parts of Spain.
This villa comes with two guesthouses that can be rented out (Photo: SnoopSpain.com)
Located close to Granada, the village is a typical pueblo blanco (“white village”) with whitewashed houses stacked on a cliffside where the Moorish castle stands. Hiking and cycling are popular activities in the area.
According to Kate Austin, who runs the property website SnoopSpain.com, Montefrío has an appealing and varied property market.
It includes traditional farmhouses, rustic townhouses, and villas at prices far below those along the more expensive Spanish coast. She has seen spacious apartments available for under €40,000 (£34,629), all the way up to a newly renovated home with two guest apartments ready to be rented out to tourists on the market for €295,000 (£255,394).
This townhouse is on the market for €75,000 (Photo: SnoopSpain.com)
“Montefrío is hands down one of the best places to buy affordable property in Spain right now. The views alone are worth the move, whitewashed houses cascading down hillsides with olive groves as far as the eye can see. It’s beautiful, welcoming, and full of opportunity,” said Mrs Austin.
Although expats from the UK and elsewhere in Europe have begun arriving in Montefrío over the past few years, it remains quiet compared with other Spanish villages that are far more popular with foreign residents.
“There’s a growing expat community, yet it still feels deeply Andalusian with friendly locals, proper tapas and even an award-winning local cheese”, said Mrs Austin.
Mrs Austin said she had seen a growing number of Britons signing up to her website in search of homes in less touristy areas of the country.
“In many rural areas, local communities are actively encouraging new residents to help repopulate their villages, which is why buying in a place like Montefrío doesn’t just offer great value, but also a warm welcome.”
Life in Montefrío is peaceful and authentically Andalusian, said Mrs Austin, with a strong local community, lively weekly markets, and tapas bars that spill onto sunny plazas.
“It’s ideal for those seeking a slower pace, outdoor living, and a touch of rural romance, all within reach of Granada city and the Sierra Nevada.”