Despite being bordered by only one other country (Spain), Portugal has an intercontinental feel. The culture, architecture, language and cuisine have all been influenced by centuries of global travel. Living standards are high due to the advanced economy, peaceful governance, and emphasis on moral freedom for its citizens. The weather is uniformly warm in the summer months, while temperatures in winter vary depending on location. For example, you’ll find snowfall in the mountains, mild microclimates by the coast and subtropical islands. But it’s the stunning variety of terrains that draws so many tourists and expats to the country. You can hike in the national parks, walk the cobbled streets of the historic villages, search the Atlantic horizon for glimpses of North America from dramatic cliffs or lounge on one of the many glittering beaches. The Portuguese have a hospitable nature and you can expect to eat freshly sourced ingredients cooked simply and served with a flourish. Fish, squid, smoked meats, olives, cheese, bread and local wines are plentiful and you’ll find produce markets and restaurants at every turn. Feasts are central features of many of the festivities but you’ll also find music, dancing and night-time revelries at the frequent celebrations throughout the year. The north of Portugal is rocky and rugged and famous for the port wine-growing region, the Douro Valley. Rising up from the rural interior are wild mountains dotted with hunks of granite and flowing from them, the wide, fertile Tagus, Guadiana and Douro rivers. Lisbon is the most densely populated city, closely followed by Porto, and the southern Algarve region is a tourist hotspot. The Madeira archipelago is made up of 8 volcanic peaks, only two of which are inhabited and there are 9 islands in the Azores offering pale beaches, thermal lakes, geysers and black lava fields. This land has been fought over by Celts, Goths, Greeks, Romans and Moors, each of whom have left their architectural marks. Modern property development tends towards spacious, open-plan homes with echoes of these historical styles. The people of Portugal revere a rural life and as a result, there are a lot of villas or plots of land for development available in the countryside. In contrast, the cities and coastal regions are filled with affordable apartments. The road networks are good, air travel is quick and easy from northern Europe and America and there are high-speed international trains from connecting cities in France and Spain. Children are legally required to be in education from six to eighteen years old and there is a range of schooling options for international students, from public state schools, private faith schools or international schools. There is a state healthcare system in Portugal too. EU citizens can access it for free once they’ve registered and received a healthcare number (cartão de utente).

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Beautiful weather, excellent food and wine, world-famous art and culture and low living costs are just some of the reasons you should pack up and move to Spain. Spain is one of the largest countries in Europe and also one of the most geographically varied. With some of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in the world, breath-taking mountainous regions, fertile plains, and sun-drenched isles, there is something to suit every preference. Visit Spain and you’ll enjoy a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers, mild winters, with snow in northern and mountainous regions. If you love art and culture you’ll have much to discover in Spain, which is home to some of the finest architecture in the world. There are ancient marketplaces, Moorish palaces, and the fantastical structures of Antoni Gaudi, not to mention the Dali museum, Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim, Fundacio Joan Miro, and the numerous festivals which regularly take place throughout the country. Spanish food is as varied as its landscape; the Spanish are absolutely passionate about their local cuisine. Tapas is popular worldwide, and you’ve probably sampled at least one of these delicious little dishes. The variety of tapas offered in Spain is huge, and varies from region to region and also according to season. Spanish markets are abundant with huge fruits and vegetables, thanks to the long months of sunshine. The great news as a prospective buyer, is that food, like the cost of living generally in Spain, is very affordable and of excellent quality. Moving onto more practical matters, the healthcare system in Spain is ranked among the best in the world, spending 10% of its GDP on healthcare. There are also excellent transport links throughout the country, with modern metros, high speed trains connecting most cities, long distance coach services between major cities, and bus services in all major cities and towns. It’s no wonder that Spanish public transport is known to be some of the best in Europe. For those wishing to venture further afield, it’s easy to travel from Spain to other parts of Europe by plane, train or bus. And of course, with 36 international airports, it will be easy for friends and family from back home to come and visit!

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Are you looking for a change of scenery? &nbsp;If this is the case, France should be at the top of your list! This magnificent country is a treasure trove of stunning landscapes with a wide range of settings to suit everyone's tastes and a rich history that will captivate you. Starting with the southern part of the country, the warmth of the people will greet you at every turn. This region is well-known for its sunny weather, sun-kissed beaches, outdoor celebrations, vibrant markets, and music festivals. Over a glass of wine, people gather to celebrate life, exchange cultural traditions, and foster an environment that is warm and welcoming to visitors from all over the world. As a matter of fact, the <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/france/places-to-live/occitanie-0l58192">Occitanie</a> region in the southwestern part of France is truly a one-of-a-kind destination with its diverse offerings of landscapes and activities. With direct access to the Mediterranean coastline and the majestic mountains and ski resorts of the Pyrenees. &nbsp;Coastal cities such as Montpellier also offer a rich historical and cultural heritage, this region is an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy the nature, history and culture of France. A little further north, nature enthusiasts will find a peaceful haven in the renowned French Alps, known for their breathtaking alpine scenery and outdoor activities like downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and sleigh rides. With the largest skiing area in the world, the <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/advice/france/places-to-live/auvergne-rhone-alpes-0l60750">French Alps</a> offer unforgettable experiences for all kinds of nature lovers, all year long. Finally, with their world-famous cuisine and vibrant arts scenes, French cities such as Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux offer an unforgettable experience that combines the best of urban living and cultural heritage. Regarding the cost of living, France is a great place to call home. Although prices have increased in recent years, it remains more affordable compared to other European nations like the UK. With a strong economy and an excellent quality of life, &nbsp;You can experience a comfortable lifestyle without overspending. Also, the French culture offers a more relaxed and laid-back way of life that will have you feeling right at home in no time. Why not seize the moment and fall deeply in love with a property in France? Start living your dream today by preparing for your move and reading our location guides on different regions and provinces in France. &nbsp;

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Buyer Stories

 Important factors when buying a place in Spain

 How Olle researched properties in Spain

 OIle’s experience of finding a home with Oliva Casas

 Description of the property

 What’s the Oliva area like?

 How he splits his time between home in Oliva and Stockholm

 How the Spanish culture helps creativity

 Olle’s experience of renovating houses

 Olle’s advice on buying in Spain

 His experience of the legal process in Spain

Episode 20: Olle who purchased in Oliva, Valencia

&nbsp;<h2>Intro</h2>Welcome to the Kyero.com Spanish Property podcast where we interview people who recently purchased a home in Spain.They tell us what worked, what didn’t and what they’d do differently next time.I’m Beth Davison and today I’m speaking with Olle, from Sweden, who purchased a house in<a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/oliva-property-for-sale-0l53477"> Oliva, Valencia</a>Olle not only wanted his perfect village location but was also looking to do some renovation on the house himself, as a&nbsp;break from work, and to add space for family and friends to visit.He worked with estate agent <a href="https://www.kyero.com/en/spain-property-for-sale-0l55529?agent_id=4717">Oliva Casas</a> to find his dream home in Spain. &nbsp;Check out the show notes at <a href="http://kyero.com/podcast">kyero.com/podcast</a> to find links and resources mentioned in this episode<h2>Body of Transcript</h2>Olle: &nbsp;My name is Olle and I’m from Stockholm, Sweden and I’m a writer. My wife and I bought a house in Oliva, in the south of Valencia, north of Alicante (between). It’s a village house.Beth: &nbsp;So, how did it all start for you? When did you first start having these conversations?Olle: &nbsp;My wife is an editor and translator, so we have talked about having a holiday/work place in the sun for a long time. We have been freelancers for many years. We started with France, and looked in France, because she’s translating from French and English, but it was too cold in France.We went more south, and more south, and this last year we started to think that maybe we should take up Spain again. We had been here five or six years ago when we were traveling this coastline and we talked about it. Then I started write down what we wanted, like what we couldn’t afford with our budget and so on, and how far it is to the airport it was, and things like that. Then I started to look at the different villages down here on this coastline. Then, all of sudden, I found this little place called Oliva.It’s amazing because it’s everything that I had written down. Everything was so great.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, perfect. So, what did you have written down? What were the most important factors?Olle: &nbsp;One thing that is very important is that an airport be rather close – one hour from an airport. We are from Stockholm, Sweden and it’s a four hour flight, and you need to have different companies fly to that airport. Alicante is a marvelous airport. It’s brilliant. They really know how to take care of you.That was one thing, and another thing was that, in many of these countries there are highways rather close to the sea, to the beach, and to be on the right side of the highway (if you can understand), so that you can bicycle down to the sea.Beth: &nbsp;Oh, nice idea. OK, were you flying with your bike?Olle: &nbsp;No, I wasn’t flying with my bike. It was just that feeling of going on a bike and rolling down to the sea and not have to cross big roads and things like that.Beth: &nbsp;Yes, fair enough. Did you know your budget and how many bedrooms you wanted and things like that?Olle: &nbsp;Yes, yes, we knew our budget and we had a quite strict budget. So, I am very interested in renovation and renovating, myself. It’s a good thing when you are a writer to rise up from your chair, sometimes, and do some real work.Beth: &nbsp;Yes, definitely.Olle: &nbsp;So, therefore, I wanted to find something that we could make for ourselves.Beth: &nbsp;So, were you doing most of your research on the internet in Stockholm, or did you travel a lot to Spain? How did it work?Olle: &nbsp;We did, really, everything on the internet. You can walk in every village with the Google Maps.Have I been traveling? I’ve been to Majorca many times. I’ve been here on this coastline many times before, so I’m quite familiar with many things. So when I walk in, with this Google Maps, you can feel how this reminds me of that. So, there are many things that you can discover on the internet.Beth: &nbsp;How useful was your agent? At what point did your agent start getting involved in the process?Olle: &nbsp;My agent, in one way they are a main part. When I came here, to Oliva, I had seen this particular house, actually, on the internet. Then I contacted Oliva Casas, this agent, and they were brilliant. They immediately understood what I wanted and they understood my budget and so on.When I came here, in November of last year, for my first time in Oliva, they really took care of me and they showed me a lot of houses. You could see that they understood everything that I wanted. They were not pushy but they made everything happen. So, they were absolutely brilliant.Beth: &nbsp;Fantastic. The location that you’re in, tell me a little bit more about the surrounding area and the house itself.Olle: &nbsp;The house itself, it’s a village house. It’s quite interesting. It’s three meters wide and it’s nineteen meters long, so it’s small. Village houses here in Spain, many times there are windows on the street, on the wall to the street and there’s a patio in the middle with an oaken roof. So, it can be quite dark. This house has a little garden on the other side, on the outside so I can walk nineteen meters and I can come out to a garden. From that garden I have a fantastic, beautiful view over Oliva, over the little Pueblo, and then the Mediterranean.Beth: &nbsp;Beautiful. Outside of your grounds, what is the area like?Olle: &nbsp;We are a little bit in the outside of town, up on the hill, but we are still inside on one of the last streets. It’s a very Spanish village. We wanted a very Spanish village, so on the street I think there are one or two English people and maybe some French, but then there are Romanians and there are Spanish and more people from all different countries, so it’s a wonderful atmosphere – very friendly.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, it sounds very different to Stockholm. So, how do you split your time? Is it a holiday home for you?Olle: &nbsp;Holiday of course, but also we go down here and work. We’ll go down here and work for two weeks, or write. I take my work with me, and my wife, also is able to take her work and we go down here and make the house a place to work in, also, so, not only a holiday home.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, it sounds lovely. What kind of writing do you do?Olle: &nbsp;I wrote a novel last year and I’m working on another one, now. I also have written some non-fiction books.Beth: &nbsp;Do you find that the Spanish atmosphere helps with that, helps with your creativity?Olle: &nbsp;Yeah, absolutely. I always adored Spain. They are extremely friendly. They still say hello to each other on the street when you meet someone, even if you don’t know them. There is always this, where you say goodbye, when you leave someone at the grocery store, and when you see others in the line. It’s very friendly.Beth: &nbsp;Is it friendlier than Stockholm?Olle: &nbsp;Absolutely, absolutelyBeth: &nbsp;Interesting, interesting.I wanted to just talk about the process a little bit more. When you bought your house, how much renovating needed to happen?Olle: &nbsp;There is new electricity, and I had to look at all the water and pipes and so on. I’m building two small bathrooms. I have one bathroom, but we have two children. They are in the process of getting married and having children themselves and so on. Hopefully they will come down here and so I wanted them to have a room and a bathroom.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, fantastic. How did you get help for things like this renovation stuff? Where did you go to buy all of your stuff? Who gave you the advice on that?Olle: &nbsp;The advice I got from Oliva Casa, from Jane, who I bought the house with. Then, I have renovated two or three houses in Stockholm or Sweden, so I’m quite used to the process of how to start and so on. There are companies close by in Gandia, our closest city. It’s quite a big city and they have all the companies and whatever you need.Beth: &nbsp;Fantastic. How is your Spanish? Did you find that there was a language barrier when you were doing things like that, or are you quite good?Olle: &nbsp;No, not at all. I read Spanish in school, but it was thirty-five years ago, but I want to learn and I want to know. You have some words and you just try to use them.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, exactly. So, which part have you found the most challenging of the whole process?Olle: &nbsp;Not really anything.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, it sounds like you had a very easy time of it.Olle: &nbsp;I came here in November and I looked at six houses and this house was one of them. Jane (the broker) and I understood that this was the house for us. Then a couple of weeks later I brought Patricia, my wife, down here. We looked at two houses and she also found out that this house the place for us. Then we just made an offer. It was quite simple.Beth: &nbsp;Yeah, and the rest is history.If you were going to give advice to people doing the same thing as you, or just starting the buying process, what advice would you give them?Olle: &nbsp;write down everything. If you’re a golf player, write down how long it should be to the golf course. Do you want to live at the golf course, like other people do? I play golf myself, but I don’t want to live by a golf course because it’s not the Spanish village. Consider things like that. Write out everything that you want because there are so many villages and there are so many beautiful places in Spain. So, you can nearly really find everything you’re looking for.Beth: &nbsp;Fantastic. You were doing it uniquely from other people that I have spoken to and who are British. You’re not closer, because the flight times are similar. Did you find that there are any similarities to buying property in Sweden?Olle: &nbsp;We had a very good lawyer, here. That’s good advice – to get the service of a good lawyer that you can speak to in your language – in a language so that you can understand things. So, I think the legal process is much more genuine, in one way, here. I felt more secure here. There was a lawyer and I could rely on him.When we bought the house they saw that, on the town drawings that the house was too small. So, that was the lawyer that discovered that. So, they had to just make the new drawings of the townhouse before we could sign the papers. It took two or three weeks to do that, but that was for our sake.It was things like that, where no one had seen something like that before. So, a good lawyer is very good. He has done everything, the lawyer. He even gave us our NIE numbers, that are not difficult to get, but he did everything. He had the process and he’s a famous guy, probably, in this little village. Oliva is about twenty-five thousand people living here. I don’t know how many are here year round, but this guy, the lawyer, is probably a well known guy here. That’s also creates trust in people.Beth: &nbsp;My last question is about your kind of lifestyle, when you visit Spain, and what your favourite part of Spanish life is?Olle: &nbsp;If you compare it to coming from a cold country, like at home, because it’s so cold throughout. The feeling here is that they need each other in many ways. So there are a lot of tapas bars. There is a very friendly atmosphere between all people, even older people.You can see men in their sixties really talking to each other with an atmosphere of connection that you don’t see in other countries. I think that is probably a climate thing. They have these tapas bars. They really want to meet each other. That’s a very nice feeling, I think.Beth: &nbsp;Fantastic, that’s perfect. Thank you, Olle. We are done, that’s everything. I’m glad that you are loving it. Thank you so much and I hope that you keep enjoying it and that it keeps being as easy as it has been. Congratulations!Olle: &nbsp;Thank you.Beth: &nbsp;Cheers, thanks Olle, bye.Olle: &nbsp;Bye bye.<h2>Outtro</h2>Thank you for listening and thanks to Olle for sharing their experiences along with &nbsp;Oliva Casas for their help to make this episode possible I was particularly like the way Olle used technology in his research with Google Maps and Google Earth helping so much in his house huntDon’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.This podcast is produced by Kyero.com and our mission is to connect you with estate agents and properties throughout Spain.Whether your dream home is a rustic farmhouse surrounded by olive groves or a lock-up-and-leave apartment on the seafront, you’ll find everything you need at Kyero.com.If you’ve enjoyed this episode, we’d really appreciate your 5 star rating on iTunes.&nbsp; It helps us reach and connect more people with their dream home in Spain.And, whenever you’re ready, here are four ways we can help you:<ul><li>Ask a question by emailing <a href="mailto:Beth@kyero.com">Beth@kyero.com</a>.&nbsp;We’ll try and answer them all in an upcoming Q&amp;A episode &nbsp;</li><li>Get a location guide by emailing <a href="mailto:Beth@kyero.com">Beth@kyero.com</a>.&nbsp; We’ll reply with the latest data and information on the areas you are interested in. &nbsp;</li><li>Calculate your budget. Simply visit <a href="https://www.kyero.com/budget">kyero.com/budget</a>, enter two numbers and you’re done!</li><li>Be our guest. If you’ve already purchased your home in Spain, we would love for you to share your story on the podcast.&nbsp; Just email <a href="mailto:Beth@kyero.com">Beth@kyero.com</a> and we’ll take it from there.</li></ul>Next week I speak with Simon, from Farnborough, who purchased a house in Pruna, Seville.Inspired, initially, by a motorbike holiday through Spain he ended up spoiled for choice with two properties he loved equally, so caught on the fence, he told me that he got splinters. Tune in next time to find out which one he chose.I’m Beth Davison and you’ve been listening to the Kyero.com Spanish property podcast. I’ll see you next week!&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Episode 20: Olle who purchased in Oliva, Valencia

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