Could a spacious apartment be a better choice than a villa? This article explores why many buyers whose families have grown are rethinking their next move. Using a four-bedroom, three-bathroom duplex penthouse in Mijas Golf as an example, we look at how a larger apartment can provide plenty of space for children and grandchildren while avoiding much of the maintenance that comes with owning a villa.
What is the ideal property to suit your lifestyle?
Many of the conversations we have with buyers on the Costa del Sol have very little to do with the properties themselves. Very often, the conversation is all about family and lifestyle, and how requirements change over time.
Many people choose to buy a two-bedroom apartment because it suits their lifestyle perfectly. They are easy to maintain, simple to lock up and leave, and ideal for holidays or for permanent living as a couple or with a small family.
After a while, life moves on. The children grow up and start families of their own, and suddenly the apartment that had been just right no longer seems large enough. The grandchildren have arrived, and the annual family holiday becomes something everyone wants to enjoy together, but perhaps not in a two-bedroom apartment.
Many homeowners start to think that the natural move, or the only move that is possible, will be to a villa in order to get four bedrooms. Sometimes this is absolutely the right decision. A villa offers privacy, outdoor space, and plenty of room for larger families to spread out and enjoy themselves. Having said that, a villa also brings with it greater responsibility: gardens that need maintaining, swimming pools to clean, and generally more to manage. Whether you live in Spain all year or spend part of the year elsewhere, this is an added responsibility and cost.
A penthouse apartment we were looking at today reminded us that there are other options. A really spacious apartment can provide many of the advantages that buyers are looking for without taking on the extra maintenance that comes with a larger house. There are not many four-bedroom apartments available, but when we see one, we immediately think of the families who would find it the ideal base in which to enjoy their lifestyle and welcome their children and grandchildren comfortably.
The apartment also includes a further advantage that is sometimes underestimated. Many buyers assume that a private swimming pool would be better for the grandchildren, but in reality, community pools can sometimes create a more sociable environment. During holiday periods, there are usually other children around, making it easy for grandchildren to make friends and enjoy their time with children of their own age. Parents often appreciate that atmosphere just as much as the children do, as it gives them a little peace and quiet.
Of course, every family will look at the decision in a different way, and as with so many property decisions, there is no single right answer. Some buyers will always prefer the space and privacy provided by a villa, and for them that will be entirely the right choice. Others may feel that a larger apartment provides everything they need while avoiding much of the maintenance, expense, and responsibility that comes with owning a house.
The best property is not necessarily the biggest one. It is the one that fits the way you want to live today, whilst also working for the people you hope will spend time with you in the years ahead.
The idea for this blog item was inspired by a spacious four-bedroom, three-bathroom duplex penthouse, currently for sale in the Single Homes community at Mijas Golf. It offers generous accommodation, large terraces, community swimming pools, garage parking, and a storage room, making it a good example of how a larger duplex penthouse can meet changing family needs without the responsibilities of owning a villa.
If you would like help finding the ideal property on the Costa del Sol to suit your family circumstances, we would love to help you. Call us on (0034) 952 90 52 00, WhatsApp us, or email info@michael-moon.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
