During Roman times, the settlement was thought to have been blessed by the gods due to its fertility, favorable climate, and proximity to precious mineral deposits. This led the Moors to later name the city Alhaurín, which literally means the Garden of Allah.
The city has suffered many tribulations, including an earthquake in 1680, various plagues, and numerous invasions and occupations by the French, Romans, Moors, and others. Today, it is a prosperous city with a population of 27,000 inhabitants, of which approximately 2,000 are foreigners.
Why buy there?
A short drive from the famous beaches of Malaga and close to the Sierra Nevada ski resorts, Alhaurin el Grande is perfectly situated for those seeking a traditional area untouched by tourism, but close to all the attractions and services of the the Costa del Sol. It is close to the main cities of Malaga, to the south of Coín and to the north of Mijas, and is only 15 kilometers from Malaga airport. It is located in an area of great natural beauty, with a series of lakes and waterfalls in Barranco Blanco, while to the southeast there are extensive forests, marked with Neolithic remains.
Alhaurín el Grande enjoys an average annual temperature of 17 degrees Celsius, and is a pretty town with whitewashed houses and colored shutters. There are a number of attractions, including the 12th-century Moorish Arch, the old Moorish fort, and the Plaza del Ayuntamiento, with its Roman columns and town church. The Churches of La Ermita de San Sebastián and El Convento y las Agonías are also worth a visit.
The city is famous for its many traditional celebrations, such as the May Fair and the Day of the Cross in May, the Day of Jesus in June, and the Day of the Virgin in August. In addition, the Easter celebrations attract tourists from all over Europe. Improvements are currently being made to the area’s infrastructure. However, there are already two golf courses nearby, while the surrounding countryside offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling and climbing.
Where to buy
Within Alhaurin el Grande, there are a number of properties to choose from, in fact a single estate agent has over 400 properties on their books. For €165,000, you can find a four-bedroom townhouse, while outside the city, a semi-detached finca can be yours for as little as €184,000. At the other end of the scale, if your budget allows it, you can choose to buy an exclusive villa, with a pool and 25,000 square meters of land, for 435,000 euros. Alternatively, €250,000 will get you a two-bedroom villa located in one of the city’s urbanizations.
There are also a number of bargains in the surrounding area. To the northwest of Alhaurín is Coín, which has a foreign population of over 1,700. This is a busy market town with a number of attractions, including the famous Nuestra Señora de Fuensanta sanctuary.
Popular with English buyers, there are many traditional properties for sale, with more modern developments also springing up around the city. Prices start at €58,000 for a piece of land, while a three-bedroom apartment can be found for €89,000. A renovated terraced house costs around 230,000 euros.
Recently, there has been a development boom in Alhaurín de la Torre, which is situated to the east of its namesake, Alhaurín el Grande. With citrus groves and avocado orchards providing a stunning backdrop to the residential areas, around 1,700 foreigners live here, and you can buy a semi-detached house that requires renovation for around €148,000.
The small town of Álora, 40 kilometers north of Málaga, is a typical pueblo blanco (pueblo encalado). With 1,500 foreign residents, this small town is located on top of a hill, with spectacular views and traditional values.
There are several plots for sale, all with impressive views of the valley, and a plot of 3,000 square meters costs only 50,000 euros. A country house can be yours for as little as €70,000, while a three-bedroom townhouse sells for an average of €300,000.
the real estate market
In recent years, the interior of Spain has experienced a strong increase in real estate demand, driven by foreign buyers. Some areas have seen appreciation reaching 35 percent a year as investors try to find a more authentic rural lifestyle. These high appreciation rates, coupled with affordable property, make the area an excellent investment.
The increased number of cheap flights to the area has also helped fuel this demand, as has recent investment in infrastructure. Improvements include the arrival of the bullet train, which now travels from Madrid to the city of Bobadilla, and the opening of an international airport in Antequera. Consequently, areas within easy reach of Malaga, such as Alhaurin and the Guadalhorce lakes, have seen a huge increase in popularity. Of course, with over 2.6 million foreign residents in Andalucia, it’s also no wonder that many buyers have been forced into the country.
There are many nationalities buying property in Alhaurín, and demand from foreign buyers is high, especially within urbanizations such as the Alhaurín Golf and Country Club development. With strict building regulations, fincas to be renovated and extremely popular whitewashed traditional terraced houses, this has caused prices to rise significantly in recent years. However, property in this area is still significantly cheaper than on the coast.
Prices have been rising 17 to 20 percent a year, yet compared to coastal resorts, the cost of a property is a staggering 30 percent lower inland.
For example, a two-bedroom apartment in Marbella will cost you an average
378,936 euros, while in Alhaurín you can buy a similar property for 153,000 euros.
typical properties
There is a healthy mix of old and new in Alhaurín. Property in the area includes newly built apartments in the center of town, while a number of villas are available in the urbanisations on the outskirts of Alhaurín. Look outside the limits of Alhaurín and you will find a plethora of cortijos and fincas in the surrounding area.
Most buyers are looking to purchase a traditional country house, complete with two acres of land and a few fruit trees. Wherever you buy, given Alhaurín’s geographical location, the property is virtually guaranteed stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valley.
Rentals
The interior of Spain is a popular holiday destination, especially the interior of Malaga. However, it is important to recognize that the rental market in the interior is different from that on the coast. Long term rentals are less frequent and the short term rental market is limited by the longer winter season. However, with a significant increase in the number of ecotourists, 7.2 percent in the Andalusia area alone, the inland regions, with their many activities, have reaped the benefits.
The income you can generate varies drastically, but a three-bedroom country house can bring you between €1,200 and €1,500 per month, while a semi-detached house can bring you up to €800 per month.
If you live in the Guadalhorce valley, you will find that you are never more than 25 minutes from the coast, which makes this area very popular with tourists. Consequently, it can be very profitable in terms of rental income. As well as offering a healthy short-term market, there is also a strong long-term rental market, with many potential buyers arriving in Alhaurín with the intention of renting for between six months and a year. before they buy. However, most landlords will only allow long-term rentals during the winter period to avoid consuming the more lucrative summer months.
To live here
An area of outstanding natural beauty, life is lived in a traditional Spanish vein in the Alhaurín area, with centuries of culture and tradition evident. In fact, the values reflect those seen 30 years ago in the UK. Although the town of Alhaurín has become very cosmopolitan and there are a large number of foreign residents living there, life maintains a Spanish feel. This is enriched with local gastronomy, such as migas (fried breadcrumbs with garlic) and gachas cachorrenas (porridge with spices).
Local people refer to Alhaurín as ‘inner Marbella’ due to its thriving economy and beauty, and the local government is currently carrying out a project to develop the town, with plans for many new facilities. It already boasts a large selection of bars, clubs and restaurants, making the area ideal as a rental or family holiday destination.
Fans of outdoor activities will find that there are plenty of leisure activities to do, while the beach is just 15 kilometers away. There are local and international schools in the region and private and state health care is available.
Although there is a cosmopolitan mix of nationalities, it is still important to learn the language and make a real effort to integrate into the local community. That way, you can make the most of life in a traditional and cozy environment.
John and Lynda Laver decided to leave their home in Bedfordshire for a warmer climate and a more relaxed way of life. They both had stressful jobs in the UK, but neither of them felt ready for early retirement, they just wanted to work fewer hours and spend more time with each other and their families. They settled in Spain, but from there it was important to make sure that the area they chose was accessible, as they had a daughter with young children who needed to be able to reach them easily. John and Lynda had visited the Costa del Sol many times but did not want to live in the busy coastal area, instead looking for a place that offered a more Spanish lifestyle.
“A friend recommended that we look inland from Malaga airport and suggested towns like Alhaurin el Grande, Coin and Monda. What we found was the Guadalhorce Valley, an area largely untouched by tourism, with stunning villages and landscapes Lynda says. They knew it was exactly what they were looking for and soon bought a new four-bedroom house in the countryside surrounding Alhaurín el Grande.
It was complete with an acre of land, fruit trees and a working well. John enthuses, “We have spent many hours working on the landscaping and have now created a beautiful home where many of our family friends have spent happy holidays with us.”
Since moving to the area they have both found work, with John repairing pools and offering his services as a maintenance man, while Lynda arranges the rental of their second property at Alhaurin Golf and Country Club. “The daily cost of living in Spain is a fraction of that in the UK,” says John, “so now we can afford to spend more time doing the things we want to do, like spending lunchtime enjoying a three-course meal. at the local tavern!”