Beachfront isn't the only way to enjoy Marbella. Sometimes the best lifestyle is just a short walk from the sea.
Beachfront or Walking Distance? Which Makes More Sense?
While beachfront villas have an obvious appeal, they are an expensive luxury. Sometimes we have to look at the compromises that allow buyers to find a property they can afford while still enjoying the lifestyle they want.
For many buyers, however, there is simply no substitute for being on the beach and being able to step straight out onto the sand, and they will always end up choosing the beachfront option.
But for many people, the reality is that they spend far more time enjoying the lifestyle around the beach than actually sitting in their garden looking at the sea, or even going to the beach itself. It therefore raises an interesting question: do you really need a beachfront villa, or would you be just as happy living a comfortable walk away from the beach if it meant having a larger home, more privacy and often considerably better value?
This family villa in El Rosario, East Marbella, is a really good example. It's situated within walking distance of the beach, local cafés, restaurants, shops and sports facilities. At the same time, it offers the space, mature garden and swimming pool that many families are looking for without paying the premium that often comes with a true beachfront location. You have four bedrooms and three bathrooms, plus spacious living rooms and well-appointed interiors. There is a pool, private garden and plenty of parking space.
When it comes to choosing where to have your permanent or holiday home, it is worth considering that a home like this makes life much more flexible. If you are in a location where you are dependent on the car to go everywhere, the whole family ends up working to the same timetable. Everybody leaves together, everybody comes home together, and somebody is usually driving. A walkable location changes that entirely.
One member of the family can decide to go for a coffee while everyone else is still getting ready. If the children want to spend the afternoon on the beach, they can go down independently and everyone can meet up later. Teenagers can meet friends without constantly asking for lifts, and everyone can meet up again for lunch or dinner when it suits them. On paper, it seems like a small difference, but in reality it is one that many families appreciate far more than they ever anticipated.
As children become teenagers and teenagers become adults, everyone naturally wants a little bit more independence. Being able to walk to the places you use every day means the family can still enjoy their own plans without turning every outing into an expedition.
Of course, there will always be buyers who want and need a beachfront home, and if that is your dream, it may well be a compromise that you are not prepared to make.
We think, however, it is fair to say that the best property is not always the one closest to the sea. Quite often, it is the one that gives you the lifestyle you were hoping to find when you were dreaming about your Marbella home in the first place.
After many years of showing properties within walking distance to the beach on the Costa del Sol, we've found that buyers often start by concentrating on the location of the property. By the time they make their decision, they're usually thinking much more about the lifestyle it will give them.
