A view on Barcelona’s property and culture

Barcelona is one of the world’s most dynamic cities, with a rich blend of cultural delights and 24 hour hedonism. It’s situated between the Costa Brava and the Costa Daurada, which is a rugged and beautiful region, located on Spain’s north eastern tip. The Catalan capital, Barcelona resides on a coastal plain that stretches away into the hills beyond, and blesses the city with breathtaking views.

Journey up the coast and you’ll discover long, sandy beaches and rugged clifftops, while inland there are mountains, plains, marshlands and forests. As well as offering boisterous beach resorts that cater to the bucket and spade brigade, the coastal area is also sought after for its secluded coves and villages. Most notably, of course, the region is home to the cosmopolitan city of Barcelona, famed for its cultural heritage, as well as its party atmosphere.

The city displays a mix of traditional and contemporary architecture, the modernistic Sagrada Familia, resting happily alongside Barcelona’s gothic cathedral. Down by Port Olympic, you’ll find an amazing city beach, La Barceloneta, while on the Rambla you can partake of some tasty tapas while sipping Cava and watching the rest of the world pass you by.

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Why Barcelona?

The Costa Brava may not offer the year round sunshine of the southern Costas, but life here is quieter, and the Catalonians would say it’s more refined. Should you choose, you can avoid the overcrowding and enjoy the space and solitude of the quieter coastal villages around Barcelona. There’s also plenty of property to be had in the city centre too. There are many reasons why Barcelona would make an exciting home, it’s packed with fabulous architecture and offers a great nightlife, while the cost of living is considerably lower than the UK. The people are friendly, the food and wine mouthwatering, and the mountains are only 30 minutes away. In fact, the Catalans are very proud of the region’s mar i muntanya (sea and mountains).

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The city is also regarded as a shopping capital, and there are numerous chic boutiques and shopping centres. Barcelona is also one of the few European cities that can rival the Italians in the culture stakes. It’s home to some of the finest galleries and museums in the world, with works from artists such as Gaudi, Miro, Dali and Tapies, to name but a few.

Other noteworthy attractions are Parc Guell, Gaudi’s surreal gardens; the Joan Miro Foundation; Montserrat monastery; the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter); Montjuic hill, which can be reached via cable car; the Museu Picasso and Gaudi’s Casa Mila, with its undulating facade and sculptured chimneys.

Ease of accessibility is another plus point, and Barcelona offers excellent access and infrastructure routes. A new high speed train link, which runs from the south of France through to Girona and Barcelona, is currently being built, and the city is accessible via three airports (Barcelona, Girona and Reus), which are serviced by numerous budget airlines.

The food and wine are also fabulous; eating out is a serious business. Choose from Michelin starred restaurants or indulge amongst the delightful tapas bars tucked away in one of the many cobbled side streets - either is sure to delight your taste buds. Freshly caught fish and seafood are central to the diet, and fresh vegetables, fruit, garlic and olive oils feature extensively. In terms of wines, Catalonia produces some superb tipples, most notably Cava, produced in Penedes, while the regions of Priorato and Alella export some rich reds.

Where to buy

Prices and properties vary dramatically throughout Barcelona, depending on where and what you buy. The most expensive areas are to the north and west of the city, where villas and townhouses can be found. In the city centre, you’ll generally only find apartments for sale, with loft conversions becoming increasingly popular.

Areas experiencing the most demand from foreign buyers are the Ciutat Vella (Old Town) and L’Eixample. Ciutat Vella dates back to medieval times, and takes in the areas of Barri Gotico, El Bourne and El Raval. Most apartments here are unique and the area enjoys a fabulous ambience, with bars and restaurants on every corner and easy access to the beach and Port Vell. It’s still possible to find a good renovation project in the Old Town that offers good rates of appreciation, but the starting price is considerably higher than it was a few years ago.

L’Eixample is one of Barcelona’s newest districts. Literally meaning ‘extension’ in Catalan, the city expanded into this district during the 19th century. A network of smart streets and squares, this lively area is an interesting mix of modernist and traditional. Consisting mostly of apartment blocks, the start of the district is marked by the Placa de Catalunya, making this a central and highly popular area. With an amazing choice of shops and restaurants, this is a great place to live, think Kensington or Knightsbridge.

Outside of Barcelona, the Maresme coast stretches north of Barcelona and consists mostly of villas. The Costa de Maresme is lined with long beaches and enjoys a mild, temperate climate. Extremely expensive, the average property starts at €123,000 and there are many properties on sale for upwards of €1,000,000.

The Property Market

Property prices in Barcelona are among the highest in Spain, and since the Olympics in 1992, they’ve increased by between 50 and 75 per cent. The last two years have seen price hikes of 25 to 30 per cent and, since 2005, resale properties have appreciated by 15 per cent. The fifth most popular city in the world with foreign buyers, there’s a huge variation in prices. However, you can buy a loft conversion for around €150,000, which is one of the most popular types of property here. Barcelona represents an excellent investment, the lack of space for development combined with the high demand means that properties will always sell, and at a good price.

The Lettings Market

The lettings market in Barcelona is excellent, and it’s the only location in the Costa Brava where you can make a year round return on your investment, especially if you can afford to buy close to the Rambla. The yield for short term lets is high, currently five per cent per annum and there’s no shortage of people seeking a holiday rental.

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In terms of location, your buy-to-let property search should be focused around the Old Town, L’Eixample or the new developments at Diagonal Mar, where you can buy a newly built apartment with pool access for €500,000. A quality two bedroom apartment will generate €1,000 a week, but whatever you decide to buy, you need to ensure that you can compete with the local hotels.

As well as a healthy short term market, long term tenants are also easy to secure. With plenty of business executives and students looking for a six month let (although the yields aren’t as high as with short term lets), they still generate a good income and are more secure. You can expect to earn an average of €1,500 a month for a two bedroom apartment.

Living There

A large number of northern Europeans relocate to Barcelona every year, and being an international city, it offers excellent amenities for expats. The local residents speak good English, there are a number of English speaking doctors and dentists, and a wide choice of expat societies and English cinemas. Foreign produce is available from the bigger stores, as are English books and newspapers, and there’s no shortage of language and international schools. There are many hospitals and standards of care in the region are among the best in Spain.

The expat society here is healthy, with nine per cent of all visitors coming from Britain to the Costa Brava. However, there’s a very cosmopolitan mix: 36 per cent of visitors come from France, 18 per cent from Germany, and two million Catalans choose to stay in the region each summer. The city is also flooded with Irish, Dutch, Swedish and South Americans, with many choosing to buy here.

Regionally, the average buyer in the Costa Brava tends to be aged between 30 and 55, many have children, and they’re more likely to be looking for second homes than to relocate or retire. Few people are buying to invest unless they’re looking at Barcelona, or possibly Girona. The local language of Catalan is harder to pick up than the more widely-spoken Castellano, but many languages are spoken here. It’s not strictly necessary to be able to speak Catalan although it will be essential if you want to stand any chance of working or integrating with the locals.

The 1992 Olympic Games means sporting and leisure facilities are first rate, with enough to satisfy even the most fervent sports fanatic. Water sports are particularly popular in Barcelona, as is football. The city is home to Barca and the Neu Camp and there are two golf courses on the outskirts of the city.
Despite all the pros of the city, you should be aware that traffic congestion and noise pollution are a problem, and the cost of property and parking can be high. Petty crime is also rife, although crime rates are dropping. Barcelona is a terrific place to live. With many different quarters, there’s something to whet and satisfy every appetite.

Ideal for families and singletons alike

Louise Davies was tired of the London rat race. Having lived there for eight years, she felt she needed a change. For the last four years she had been regularly visiting her friend who had already moved to Barcelona, and she was becoming increasingly attached to the city. ‘Barcelona is really vibrant and has lots of culture and history and then, of course, there are the restaurants, nightlife, shopping and the weather!’ Louise says. ‘I remember the exact moment when I decided to make the move. I was sat in the sunshine on my friend’s terrace having breakfast, and I just thought If I don’t do it now, I never will.’

Having made her decision, Louise found the next steps easy. She sold her flat in London, handed in her notice at work and booked her flights.

In February this year, Louise found a one bedroom apartment in a new development on the Diagonal Mar, located on the beach and only ten minutes from the city centre. Louise likes the modern feel of the apartment, and although it isn’t huge, it’s excellently located, only two minutes from the beach and within walking distance of a shopping centre, transport links and the city centre. Louise adds: ‘I also like the fact the development comes with a big communal zone and swimming pool, it’s perfect for the summer!’

Although Louise misses her family and close friends, and has found learning the language hard, she has no regrets about relocating. ‘Living in Barcelona has transformed my life,’ she says. ‘It’s the little things I notice and appreciate, like being able to cycle to work, and waking up in the morning to see the sun shining. I just love living here!’

Special thanks to Alexander Vaughan of Lucas Fox for his help with this article.

Population: 2,500,000
Foreign population: 246,000
Unemployment rate: 10%
Sunshine: 300 days a year
Language: Catalan
Visitors per year: 3,500,000+ per year
Average property price: €600,00 (140%, above the national average)
National Average property price: €250,000

Getting there by Air

There are a number of flights to Barcelona from the UK, all operate services to Barcelona Airport.

Getting there by Train

For information on traveling by train in Spain visit renfe.es

Schools

Visit Schools-in-Spain for more information about schools in Barcelona.

Useful websites

BCN.es
Barcelona tourist guide
About Barcelona
Practical Spain
Barcelona Business Directory

Tourist Office
Address: Pl. de Catalunya 17
Tel: +34 93 285 3834
Open: 09:00 to 21:00
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