Costa Tropical Blog

We receive many enquiries regarding long term renting here on the Costa Tropical. They fall into two main categories:

1. those looking for a new life here on the coast and who wish to rent before purchasing and,

2. those looking for 1 - 6 month rental periods to avoid the winter climates in their home countries.

The climate here on the Costa Tropical in the winter months is usually very pleasant - although evenings can be chilly at times.

We recently had an enquiry asking for a long term rental at a monthly rent of no more than Euros 300. If you already live on the Costa Tropical there is perhaps a chance that, for this type of money, you may e-v-e-n-t-u-a-l-l-y find yourself a rental property at this price. However, they are few and far between and what you end up living in will probably be either a room without a view, rundown or badly equipped.

If we move up a notch to the Euros 450 - 600 bracket you will find yourself a very pleasant 2/3 bedroom town or village house with terrace, perhaps free to air satellite TV channels, decent bedding and linens and generally maintenance free and well managed.

When looking for a ´villa´ or similar with garden and swimming pool then pricing becomes dependent on length of stay (often better rates for a longer winter period but pricing will go upwards if wanting to rent over the popular June - September periods).

Many people will find that if they are trying to rent for the full temporary rental period (11 months) that owners are just not interested to rent long term between June - September as this is when they can rent weekly at much higher prices.

Monthly long term rental prices do not include charges for electricity, water or gas supplies you use so remember that you will be paying these amounts on top of the rental price.

Renting properties long term also often means that pets are included in the package.  Sadly, not many property owners are happy to have pets in their homes - those ´two quiet and well trained´dogs (usually turn out to be something resembling rotweillers) might be howling into the night keeping the neighbours awake while you are out having a few drinks! However, at rentcostatropical.com we do have several houses that are available for long term rentals and that welcome pets - but not at Euros 300 per month ok!

From the Costa Tropical de Granada, a 3 hour drive takes you to Algerciras where there are plenty of boats over to Tanger. Deciding it was high time I got to see something of North Africa, even if only briefly, an overnight trip was arranged with a group of friends.

So … 3 hours in the car, left the car at the port, missed the fast ferry (1 hour journey) and ended up on the 11.30 am slow ferry (3 hours - plus the extra hour waiting for the boat to leave the dock). I should add here that the price of a one way ticket was Euros 36 - not cheap when I can get a plane from Granada to Gatwick/London for Euros 25 or so these days! The food on the boat was horrendous - take sandwiches.

A very choppy crossing as we had to pick the one day when it was chucking it down with rain. Arrived in Tanger and got to a 3 star hotel in the centre of town. I can understand the 3 star rating from the pool/garden (not that I would be swimming in the rain in November) and the reception, bar and dining areas. However …. the hotel rooms themselves terribly in need of updating and bathrooms very grotty - to the point it was nicer to visit the loos next to the bar! Price of a twin room for 2 people including breakfast and lunch - Euros 72.

Due to the lashing rain, lunch was in the hotel - not bad. A late afternoon was then spent pounding the streets. We explored all the narrow streets in the centre of town without hassle or problems and on losing our way got a taxi back to the hotel with 7 of us squeezed in - this is obviously a natural occurence - taxi already has passengers but seeing the possibility of a new fare then stops and you just pile in! Back to the bar in our soggy clothes and shoes for some well-earned g&ts! Isham the barman offered to escort us out on the town when he clocked off from the bar. Out again into the rain and a pleasant evening spent in two local bars.

Up early (sunny and warm) to explore the souk and try our hand at bartering. We came away with a bundle of goodies and tired from the haggling. Back to the ferry. Euros 41 for the fast ferry back to Algerciras - a 2 hour wait for it this time (we had been misinformed at the Algeciras end on the departure time - the timetable didn´t take into account the one hour time difference) which left us with no time for our intended quick stopoff in Gibralter for fish and chips (well, N wanted them!).

If you are thinking of an overnight trip to Tanger or for a couple of days - I wouldn´t rate it. The fun part of my trip was the company I was in - thanks girls! Tanger itself is filthy, buildings desperately in need of a lick of paint and in the final analysis it is far too expensive for what is on offer. Car park fee was an additional Euros 34.

I´ll be exploring more of northern Spain in the future.