It offers residents the benefit of a warm and dry climate, 'miraculously' healing salt flats and a relaxed way of life.

In addition, Spanish property agents identify the Costa Blanca as a good place to invest in property. "Whether a main residence or holiday home, property will increase in value," says Joanna Pickering of Blancaproperty.com.

However, there is still plenty of property choice on the Costa Blanca for those buying on a budget. 

"Although the price of property along the Costa Blanca has risen dramatically over recent years, it now appears to have stabilised somewhat," says a representative of Costa Blanca Property. "Certainly in the resale section of the market there are some wonderful offers to be found."

He continues: "Costa Blanca's prices are cheaper than those on the Costa del Sol. In Costa Blanca's south there is a lot of property available for under 150,000 euros. With capital gains tax having dropped at the beginning of this year for non-residents from 35 to 18 per cent, there should be extra profits to be made."

Jim and Val Pinnington are Brits who recently invested in a home on the Costa Blanca. Having sold their £140,000 house in the UK, they were able to buy a £70,000 apartment in Blanca and still have money left over in the bank. They now estimate that their lifestyle costs in Spain are as little as £100 per week, including a car.

"Our family told us that we were taking a risk, but we decided to bite the bullet and make the move," says Jim. "We're so pleased we did – we love it out here and are planning to stay on the Costa Blanca once we've retired."

If you're keen to follow in Jim and Val's footsteps then the Costa Blanca boasts a variety of property. Golf properties are always popular with overseas buyers, and Blancaproperty.com is currently marketing Roda Golf and Beach resort, located five minutes from Javier Airport. Prices start at 229,600 euros (£164,000) for a two-bedroom property with access to a communal swimming pool and underground parking.   

For something a little bit different, you may want to consider a rural finca.  For 220,000 euros (£158,000), Spanish Life Properties SL is offering a three-bedroom finca in Hondon de las Nieves. It is situated around 30 minutes from the coast on a 10,000-metre-square patch of land.

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Article first published 11 December 2007