Town house

What a find, what a wonderful family home in the historical zone of Sax a lovely town just 35 minutes from Alicante City and Aiport and with public transport by train or bus. The property is perfect for a family home or as an Airbnb investment with an estimated nightly income of 130€ or a super "lockup and leave" holiday home located in a town that gives you access to so many possibilities.  Entering the property from the street, there is a small hallway, then a very spacious lounge/diner with an Air Con unit for cooling or heating - currently, Spain is the third cheapest electricity supply in Europe. There is a double bedroom on the ground floor along with a family bathroom so excellent for guests or for elderly relatives or anyone with difficulty climbing stairs. Then through to another spacious area, this time a kitchen/diner. The kitchen is fully fitted and there is a traditional walk-in pantry, whilst the dining area is bright and airy. From the kitchen/diner, you can access a charming patio and an even more charming small cave room, which I would have given my right arm for to have had as a child. What a dream den for kids. Taking the stairs up to the landing area of the first floor where there are two double bedrooms, both with "juliet" balconies and another family bathroom this time with a feature corner bath. There is a surprise on this floor as a door leads through to the garage, as the street behind is on a higher level and you can drive right out and be on your way to Alicante, Valencia or Madrid all by motorway. Next, another flight of stairs up to yet another spacious area, this one has two double bedrooms; however, one can only be accessed through the other, so there is an opportunity to make this a very special floor with perhaps an en-suite bathroom and dressing room. A door leads out to a big terrace with stunning views across the town and to the mountain ranges in the distance. This is the most lovely property, the owner has renovated it from top to bottom, professionally and using high-quality materials, just check out the new windows. Why Sax? There are no traffic lights, it has a 13th-century castle, one of seven on the castle route but ours is the best and there are no traffic lights, parking meters or fee-paying car parks. What? That isn´t enough? Sax is so popular because it is far enough inland to be “inland” yet it is only 30 minutes to Alicante Airport and 35 minutes to the beach.  Access is by the A31 Dual Carriageway Alicante to Madrid Autovia (Motorway to you) which runs just outside of the town, by rail and coach from Alicante so you can go to the beach and not have to take your car, and now we are only eight minutes drive away from the AVE station at Villena. The AVE is the high-speed train from Alicante to Madrid which has only four stops. From boarding the train will have you in Madrid in 2hrs 9mins for as little as 9€ if you are lucky enough, but around 25€ if not. Let us stick with the town of Sax for now rather than escaping to the beach or Madrid. Sax is dominated by its 13th-century castle known as the Headlight And Guardian Of The Border a landscape of history and rock. When driving back home to Sax after daylight the sight of the castle, fully lit, and seemingly floating in the air is one of the most welcoming sights I have ever experienced. It´s a sign we are almost home. Commercially, is the home of three major international businesses selling “persianas y toldos”, window blinds and sun canopies and a shoe industry that means if you recently bought a pair of shoes in a UK Department Store, for example, the chances are they could have been made in Sax or nearby Elda and we now supply 60% of the footwear used in all Spain´s hospitals. It is an incredible feat. No pun intended. Both Sax and the smaller town of Salinas just eight minutes drive away have close to full employment and lots of opportunity which means our crime statistics are very low and both towns are safe in a way that is hard to imagine if you have arrived from the UK or Holland. Walking around whatever time of day or night is a pleasure rather than something to fear. Sax is small enough for everyone to know each other and a family who has a son or daughter who is a criminal brings shame on the family. I suppose it´s like when I was growing up in the North West during the 60´s. Recently we have seen the opening of a Consum supermarket, the equivalent of a Waitrose or Marks & Spencer Food Hall whilst there has been a Hiperber and Dia, both excellent supermarkets for as long as I can remember, and if that isn´t enough there is a Carrefour (Think Tesco) eight minutes’ drive away within a shopping mall complex that has a cinemas which shows films in English with Spanish subtitles. There are also six gyms in Sax and a superb one in the shopping mall along with Ten Pin Bowling etc Sushi Restaurant and many others. Sax is served wonderfully well with schools, our son was eight when we moved here and reluctantly, we put him into a state school, he always went to a private school in Manchester, and within six months he was fluent in two languages and following five years in a secondary school went on to study Pharmacy at Complutense in Madrid one of Spain´s most famous and prestigious universities.   However, he didn´t like the idea of going into pharmacy as a career so he is studying law and working as my business partner. He already has a diploma in Spanish Property Law. For health, Sax and Spain, in general, is far superior to the UK. In the town, we have a new Health Centre with eight doctors, two nurses, a diabetes clinics and a 24/7 Emergency Walk/In Centre. We have three pharmacies, two of which have at least one person who speaks English and their advice is always excellent. Ten minutes away in Elda is the remarkable award-winning University Hospital El Virgen De Salud where the surgeons are second to none and the food is atrocious, well it can’t all be good!! Newly opened is the Fibromyalgia centre offering support and therapies for those suffering from acute pain. There are now three Language Schools in the town and the town hall ran a scheme for language swapping that may be run again. Learning Spanish is a lot less difficult than it may seem and there are new ways of learning that concentrate on conversational Spanish. There are restaurants and bars aplenty with prices that are at first beyond belief and a three or four-course lunch of good quality can easily be found for 13€ or less. For a special occasion, there is Casa Mami and El Fuente restaurant at the hotel Fuente del Cura which are a little more expensive but great food experiences can be had. Nearby Villena, ten minutes or so up the A31, has some excellent restaurants including the very fashionable Tita´s Gastrobar and the stunning, in my opinion, Condumio. In Elda, ten minutes in the other direction there is Xambel, Xhagar, Fabrica, La Sirena and Tenaz, all very good restaurants and surprisingly inexpensive. In most bars and cafes a coffee and toast for breakfast will cost no more than 2,50€ and the coffee is possibly the best in Europe. Our biggest challenge these days is finding properties as opposed to selling them as Sax and Salinas as both have become incredibly popular as there are very few building permits left in either of the towns and yet they are growing. So, come look around and enjoy. 

Detached Villa

We are fortunate to have a rare property, that is, a plot of land with two properties so perfect for two families or for a rental income or just to spoil your guests with a self-contained 2 Bed 2 Bath bungalow. The location is just five minutes drive from the fabulous town of Sax up towards the mountains on tarmac roads other than the last 300 or so metres, however, plans are underway for resurfacing but without a guarantee of when. A low-maintenance 2,000m2 plot which is fully fenced and the land is separated from the property. The area around the two properties is as low-maintenance as it gets and the beautiful private swimming pool, at the side of the main house, is gated for safety for small children and pets and there is even a small playground to the back of the pool. The Main House has a large covered terrace which is big enough to make a great al fresco dining area and has stunning views. There is a an open plan modern kitchen/lounge/diner. There is a powerful pellet fire as well as Air Conditioning and there are three bedrooms all well-sized, a family bathroom and a small office space. The property has free wifi. The Guest House has 2 Bedrooms and each has its own bathroom so perfect for renting out as previously mentioned and a long-term (12 month) rental would see around 650€ per month return. Why Sax? There are no traffic lights, it has a 13th-century castle, one of seven on the castle route but ours is the best and there are no traffic lights, parking meters or fee-paying car parks. What? That isn´t enough? Sax is so popular because it is far enough inland to be “inland” yet it is only 30 minutes to Alicante Airport and 35 minutes to the beach.  Access is by the A31 Dual Carriageway Alicante to Madrid Autovia (Motorway to you) which runs just outside of the town, by rail and coach from Alicante so you can go to the beach and not have to take your car, and now we are only eight minutes drive away from the AVE station at Villena. The AVE is the high-speed train from Alicante to Madrid which has only four stops. From boarding the train will have you in Madrid in 2hrs 9mins for as little as 9€ if you are lucky enough, but around 25€ if not. Let us stick with the town of Sax for now rather than escaping to the beach or Madrid. Sax is dominated by its 13th-century castle known as the Headlight And Guardian Of The Border a landscape of history and rock. When driving back home to Sax after daylight the sight of the castle, fully lit, and seemingly floating in the air is one of the most welcoming sights I have ever experienced. It´s a sign we are almost home. Commercially, is the home of three major international businesses selling “persianas y toldos”, window blinds and sun canopies and a shoe industry that means if you recently bought a pair of shoes in a UK Department Store, for example, the chances are they could have been made in Sax or nearby Elda and we now supply 60% of the footwear used in all Spain´s hospitals. It is an incredible feat. No pun intended. Both Sax and the smaller town of Salinas just eight minutes drive away have close to full employment and lots of opportunity which means our crime statistics are very low and both towns are safe in a way that is hard to imagine if you have arrived from the UK or Holland. Walking around whatever time of day or night is a pleasure rather than something to fear. Sax is small enough for everyone to know each other and a family who has a son or daughter who is a criminal brings shame on the family. I suppose it´s like when I was growing up in the North West during the 60´s. Recently we have seen the opening of a Consum supermarket, the equivalent of a Waitrose or Marks & Spencer Food Hall whilst there has been a Hiperber and Dia, both excellent supermarkets for as long as I can remember, and if that isn´t enough there is a Carrefour (Think Tesco) eight minutes’ drive away within a shopping mall complex that has a cinemas which shows films in English with Spanish subtitles. There are also six gyms in Sax and a superb one in the shopping mall along with Ten Pin Bowling etc Sushi Restaurant and many others. Sax is served wonderfully well with schools, our son was eight when we moved here and reluctantly, we put him into a state school, he always went to a private school in Manchester, and within six months he was fluent in two languages and following five years in a secondary school went on to study Pharmacy at Complutense in Madrid one of Spain´s most famous and prestigious universities.  However, he didn´t like the idea of going into pharmacy as a career so he is studying law and working as my business partner. He already has a diploma in Spanish Property Law. For health, Sax and Spain, in general, is far superior to the UK. In the town, we have a new Health Centre with eight doctors, two nurses, a diabetes clinics and a 24/7 Emergency Walk/In Centre. We have three pharmacies, two of which have at least one person who speaks English and their advice is always excellent. Ten minutes away in Elda is the remarkable award-winning University Hospital El Virgen De Salud where the surgeons are second to none and the food is atrocious, well it can’t all be good!! Newly opened is the Fibromyalgia centre offering support and therapies for those suffering from acute pain. There are now three Language Schools in the town and the town hall ran a scheme for language swapping that may be run again. Learning Spanish is a lot less difficult than it may seem and there are new ways of learning that concentrate on conversational Spanish. There are restaurants and bars aplenty with prices that are at first beyond belief and a three or four-course lunch of good quality can easily be found for 13€ or less. For a special occasion, there is Casa Mami and El Fuente restaurant at the hotel Fuente del Cura which are a little more expensive but great food experiences can be had. Nearby Villena, ten minutes or so up the A31, has some excellent restaurants including the very fashionable Tita´s Gastrobar and the stunning, in my opinion, Condumio. In Elda, ten minutes in the other direction there is Xambel, Xhagar, Fabrica, La Sirena and Tenaz, all very good restaurants and surprisingly inexpensive. In most bars and cafes a coffee and toast for breakfast will cost no more than 2,50€ and the coffee is possibly the best in Europe. Our biggest challenge these days is finding properties as opposed to selling them as Sax and Salinas as both have become incredibly popular as there are very few building permits left in either of the towns and yet they are growing. So, come look around and enjoy. 

Town house

A house with soul in the heart of Sax Imagine living in a house where every corner is designed for your enjoyment...Located in the heart of Sax, this home welcomes you with a discreet facade that hides much more than meets the eye. Upon entering, you access directly from the garage, comfortable and practical, especially on rainy days or when you're arriving with groceries. From there, you can access the first level: a bedroom with a built-in wardrobe, perfect for creating a quiet office or a cozy guest room. The full bathroom on this floor is ideal for everyday use or when entertaining. The separate kitchen, with its oak cabinets and a functional pantry, invites you to prepare home-cooked meals, while the spacious living-dining room opens onto the patio, creating a perfect connection with the outdoors. But the true jewel of this floor lies beyond the patio: a second living room with a fireplace and kitchen, where you can already imagine dinners with friends, winter Sundays with the family, or special celebrations. It also has its own bathroom, making this space completely independent and versatile. Ascending a beautiful staircase bathed in natural light, we reach the upper floor. Four bedrooms await to accommodate your family, your dreams, or your personal projects. A full bathroom serves this floor, and from the terrace, an access leads to an extra room... a game room? An office? Perhaps a family gym? It's up to you. And all this in a house built just 12 years ago, which means tranquility, structural security, and a design designed for modern living. You're in the centre of Sax, with all amenities within reach, but with the privacy of a home designed to unwind as soon as you close the door.A house you don't just visit, you live in.

Detached Villa

7 Bedroom country house with 9 x 4 pool and outbuildings. We are very proud to offer for sale, this lovely 7 bedroom, 3 living room house between Villena and Caudete with a large courtyard, swimming pool and outbuildings.The house sits in around 7000m2 of land, with around 4000m2 fenced in around the house, and the area around the house being concreted, giving a lovely private garden area, plus low maintenance area for parking, with the large car port, as well as a garage to the side of the house, large enough for at least two cars, plus further workshop area.  This area also has a large garden area with apples and pears plus other fruit trees.The house is an older property, but fully updated by the current owners, including triple glazed windows to most areas (with those areas not triple glazed being double glazed units), with good electric system, and the ability to split into two halves (upstairs and downstairs are connected, but the upstairs area has it's own external doorway as well, ideal for guests staying).As you enter the ground floor, you are greeted with the traditional Spanish bedrooms each side of the corridor.  These are both very spacious.  This in turn leads to the first of the two living rooms on the ground floor.  A kitchen leads off from this, with the third bedroom being to the side (3 bedrooms in total on this floor), and a ground floor bathroom, before leading to the second very large living area, and access to the long garage, with sufficient space for at least two cars.The top floor is accessed via the first living room, or via a door accessible from outside (from the courtyard, with the pool and outbuildings).  This has a further bathroom, a huge living room with a bedroom off it, and a corridor to the further 3 bedrooms (4 in total).To the outside, there is a fenced area, which is suitable for football or tennis, and to the rear is a courtyard area, which houses the large 9 x 4.5m pool, with a covered terrace area (this is in sandwich panel, so well insulated from the heat of the summer or cold of the winter).  This terrace area is very large, and leads to the BBQ room, another good space, with both open BBQ and enclosed bread/pizza oven.  To the side again is a good sized storage room, which was previously used as a gymnasium.  This area has two doorways, one to the garage side, and the other leading to the opposite side of the house.Please watch the video to get a better understanding of the layout of this large house.  Villena is a fascinating town located in the province of Alicante, in southeastern Spain. Here are some interesting things about it: 1. Villena Castle (Castillo de la Atalaya) This impressive fortress, also known as the Atalaya Castle, is the town's main landmark. It dates back to the 12th century and was originally built by the Moors. It has 12 towers and offers stunning views over the surrounding countryside. The castle played a strategic role in battles between Muslims and Christians during the Reconquista. ???? 2. The Treasure of Villena In 1963, one of the most significant prehistoric gold hoards in Europe was found near Villena. It dates back to around 1000 BCE and includes 59 objects—mostly gold (almost 10 kg!), as well as silver and amber. You can see it at the Villena Archaeological Museum. It's one of Spain's most valuable archaeological finds. ???? 3. Rich Festivals Villena is famous for its Moors and Christians Festival in early September. It's one of the most colorful and dramatic in the region, with parades, costumes, music, and mock battles reenacting the historical conflicts between Moors and Christians in Spain. ???? 4. Wine and Agriculture The area around Villena is known for producing excellent wines, especially red wines and fondillón, a traditional Alicante dessert wine. The town is also surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, and almond trees. ???? 5. Historic Old Town Villena's old town features charming streets, historic buildings, and traditional Spanish architecture. Key sites include: Church of Santiago – Gothic-Renaissance style with a beautiful ribbed vault. Palace of the Marquis of Villena – Now the municipal archaeological museum. ???? 6. Natural Beauty and Hiking Villena is surrounded by mountains and natural parks, making it a great place for hiking and exploring. The Sierra de Salinas and Sierra de la Villa offer scenic trails and panoramic views.

Town house

This is a superb project, a very large townhouse that could either be for a big family or separated into two spacious apartments. The property has its front door on one street and its back door on another and there is loads of parking space available which can be difficult in Salinas. The ground floor has a kitchen, a large lounge/diner and two bedrooms and opens out to a courtyard that has three more rooms available. The floor above has three bedrooms possibly a fourth can be made as well as a lounge/kitchen/diner and bathroom. There is mains electricity and water still connected but no water pòint on the upper floor. As can be seen from the photos and video the roof is is good order with the exception of a small part.

Detached Villa

Spacious Country Villa with Guest Casita & Stunning Views Set in a peaceful countryside location just outside Macisvenda, this charming villa offers spacious living, breathtaking mountain views, and excellent potential as a family home or rental investment. The property is designed with flexibility in mind, featuring two self-contained apartments within the main villa and a separate guest casita, all set within beautifully maintained gardens. Main Villa – Two Independent Apartments The villa is divided into two near-identical apartments, one on each level, each with its own private entrance. Both apartments offer: Three bedrooms, including a master suite with an en-suite bathroom.A second bathroom shared between the other two bedrooms.A bright and spacious lounge, fitted with air conditioning for year-round comfort and a wood-burning stove in the upper apartment for cosy winter nights.A well-equipped kitchen with ample storage and workspace.A sunlit conservatory, perfect for enjoying the countryside views in any season.A utility room for added practicality. Outside, a large terrace extends alongside the villa, partially covered to provide shade, with direct access to the private swimming pool. Next to the lower apartment, there is a spacious enclosed storage room (14 m²), complete with a worktop and shelving, ideal for DIY projects or additional storage. In front of this area, a shaded space is currently used for activities such as table tennis and darts. The property is fully enclosed, ensuring security and privacy, with private parking and a natural carport providing shaded vehicle storage. Panoramic Roof Terrace with Office Space At the top of the villa, a 30 m² roof terrace provides an incredible vantage point over the surrounding mountains and countryside. Whether enjoying a morning coffee or watching the sunset, this space is ideal for relaxation and quiet moments. The terrace also leads to a dedicated office and library, offering a peaceful setting for work, reading, or creative projects. Self-Contained Guest Casita Positioned slightly lower on the plot, the 80 m² casita is surrounded by mature gardens, offering privacy and a separate living space. Inside, it features: A spacious open-plan living area with a modern kitchen and central island.A bathroom with a walk-in shower.A wood-burning stove for warmth in cooler months.Air conditioning in the living space for comfort throughout the year.Adjacent to the casita, an outdoor kitchen includes a built-in barbecue and a traditional pizza oven, providing a practical and functional cooking area. Nearby, a separate storage room (7 m²) offers additional space for tools or equipment. Gardens & Outdoor Spaces The villa is surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens, featuring a variety of fruit trees, almond, and olive trees. A designated vegetable-growing area includes two large greenhouses (30 m² each), ensuring fresh produce all year round. An automated irrigation system makes maintenance effortless. Location & Accessibility This villa enjoys a peaceful yet well-connected location: Macisvenda is within a 15-minute walk, offering bars, restaurants, and shops.The villages of Hondón de los Frailes and Barinas are 15 minutes by car, providing further amenities.The town of Pinoso is around 20 minutes away.The cities of Alicante, Murcia, and Elche, as well as the coastline, are all reachable within 45 minutes. Additional Features The villa benefits from double glazing throughout, fitted wardrobes in all but one bedroom, and mosquito nets on the windows. Mains water and electricity are connected, ensuring modern convenience in a rural setting. The big garden offers plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors, and the quiet location provides a true escape into nature. With rental potential, this home presents a fantastic opportunity for those looking to invest or enjoy a spacious countryside retreat.

Detached Villa

Located just five minutes from Monóvar, this charming country house offers a peaceful setting with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the distant towns of Monóvar and Elda. The property sits on a large plot of 25,003 m², with a fully fenced area surrounding the house for privacy and security. The house has a total built area of 354 m² and is spread over two floors. A covered front porch leads into a spacious entryway. To the right, there is an entertainment room with a built-in bar and seating area, which connects to a private interior patio. To the left, the open-plan living and dining area features a large fireplace, creating a warm and inviting space. Adjacent to the dining area is a double bedroom with built-in wardrobes. On the opposite side of the living room, a small hallway leads to a bathroom, another exit to the patio, and a fully fitted kitchen. Beyond the kitchen, there is a large family room designed for gatherings, featuring a small secondary kitchen, a washing machine, a bathroom, and a built-in barbecue area, perfect for preparing traditional Spanish dishes such as paellas and gachamiga. This space also has access to the patio, which is primarily used for wood storage and features a water softener. A garage door leads to an outdoor gym area at the rear of the property. Upstairs, there are four spacious double bedrooms, each with built-in wardrobes, including the primary bedroom, which also benefits from an en-suite bathroom. A family bathroom serves the remaining bedrooms, ensuring comfort and convenience. Outside, the property features a large tarmac parking area at the front, providing ample space for multiple vehicles. There is also a garage with a dedicated section housing a water deposit of 20,000L that is connected to the mains supply, ensuring a backup water source if needed. The house is connected to mains water and electricity, and a solar panel system has been pre-installed, though it is not yet connected to the house. This is an excellent opportunity to own a spacious countryside home with stunning views, generous living space, and a well-designed layout that balances comfort and traditional Spanish charm. Living in Monóvar (Monòver), a small town in the province of Alicante, Spain, offers a number of attractive benefits. Here are some compelling reasons to consider making it your home: ???? 1. Mild Mediterranean Climate Enjoy over 300 days of sunshine a year. Mild winters and warm summers make it ideal for outdoor living and activities. ???? 2. Affordable Cost of Living Property prices and rent are much lower than in coastal cities or urban centers like Alicante or Valencia. Everyday expenses like groceries and dining out are relatively inexpensive. ???? 3. Wine and Gastronomy Surrounded by vineyards and wineries, Monóvar is part of the Alicante wine route (notably known for Fondillón, a unique dessert wine). Rich local cuisine featuring traditional Spanish and Valencian dishes. ???? 4. Scenic Countryside and Outdoor Life The area offers beautiful rural landscapes, ideal for hiking, cycling, and nature walks. Nearby natural parks and mountain ranges (like Sierra del Coto) provide peaceful escapes. ???? 5. Tranquility and Safety A quiet, small-town atmosphere with a strong sense of community. Low crime rates compared to larger urban areas. ???? 6. Cultural Heritage Home to several historic buildings, churches, and museums. Birthplace of Azorín, one of Spain's most famous writers – with a museum dedicated to him. ???? 7. Local Markets and Traditional Festivals Weekly markets and annual festivals (like Fiestas Patronales or Semana Santa) offer a taste of authentic Spanish culture. Active local traditions and community gatherings year-round. ???? 8. Strategic Location Just 30-40 minutes from Alicante city and the Mediterranean coast. Easy access to the airport (Alicante-Elche) and major highways. ????‍????‍????‍???? 9. Family-Friendly A great environment for raising children or enjoying a peaceful retirement. Local schools, medical services, and family-oriented amenities are available. ???? 10. Growing International Community Increasing interest from expats, especially those seeking a quiet life in authentic Spain. You’ll find friendly locals and an openness to newcomers.

Detached Villa

Alicante Sunshine Villas is pleased to present this property, nestled in a fantastic location providing superb views across the wide valley.The plot of 2300m2 approx is completely fenced, and has two accesses, one on each level of the property, both have automatic gates leading from asphalted roads.The main entrance on the upper level leads to a paved area around the house, with parking for 2-4 cars. From this we enter a tiled courtyard garden, with a summer kitchen and built-in barbecue and a shaded seating area.The fully tiled galley-style kitchen has plenty of workspace and storage and leads on to the hallway.Off the hallway to the left is the master bedroom with views out to the valley, and an ensuite. To the right is a modern family bathroom with a shower, and a second double bedroom, with a view out to the courtyardThere is a spacious living area with a fireplace, and two more double bedrooms lead off here. Double patio doors lead to the large covered terraceThe dining area takes advantage of the views from a large window, and also leads out onto the terrace, with a glazed room, which is a fabulous space, especially for winter and the cooler evenings as it heats up naturally from the sunshine.The terrace leads onto the large rear garden, where there is a bar, and terraced area for entertaining, and the huge 12 x 7.5 pool, perfect for swimming lengths. The whole area is landscaped, tiled, and has palm trees and gravel for low maintenance so, excellent if you are using the property as a holiday home but also for full-time living.From the rear garden, steps lead down to the lower level, where there is a double carport, and parking for multiple vehicles. There are many varieties of fruit trees, all surrounded by gravel.If you want a very private property, lovely and quiet with amazing views, this needs to be seen to be appreciated. Do not hesitate to request a visit The advantages of living in Aspe 1. Quality of life and tranquillity Aspe offers a quieter pace of life compared to big cities, yet it has sufficient amenities (shops, services) to handle everyday needs.  It’s close enough to larger urban centres: for example, it’s about half an hour from Alicante and ~20 minutes from Elche — so you get access to city services when needed. Nature and countryside surroundings are available: good for walking, biking, and enjoying fresh air. 2. Affordability The cost of living / housing in Aspe is more affordable than coastal or major city locations. For example, the average price per square metre for housing is lower in Aspe compared to many parts of the Alicante province. For people seeking to get more house-for-money, Aspe offers options (including more space, possibly gardens, etc) compared to denser urban areas. 3. Services and connectivity There are proper services: supermarkets, a health centre with round-the-clock emergency coverage, schools, and local transport It enjoys good road connections and is well-positioned for access to plane travel (via Alicante) and coastal resorts if you want to head to the beach.  4. Culture, traditions, gastronomy It has a rich local culture: historic buildings, charming old town areas, festivals and traditions which give character to the place.  Gastronomically, Aspe has been recognised as one of the municipalities in the province of Alicante with the highest gastronomic tradition.  If you're interested in a place with local flavour rather than purely tourist-oriented, this can be a plus.

Town house

This is a fabulous, spacious 5 Bed 2 Bath townhouse of excellent construction and distributed superbly well with 1 Double Bedroom and 1 Family Bathroom downstairs and Three Double Bedrooms and a small single along with another Family Bathroom upstairs. Everything inside and outside is in excellent condition and everything has seen improvement over the years with fittings of the highest quality and with Dual Pump A/C for hot and cold (heating and cooling) with adjustable thermostats. Casas Nuevas is a sought-after location because on-street parking is so easily available, although this property does come with a good sized garage. All the amenities are within short walking distance. The outside spaces are wonderful, there is a small patio downstairs and a large terrace upstairs with loads of space for relaxing and sun worshipping that has great views. The lounge/diner is spacious and has a feature log-burning fireplace, the kitchen is unlike Spanish kitchens as it is much bigger and easily accommodates a table and chairs although the family eat most of the time on the patio or the terrace. The downstairs large Double Bedroom with a beautifully tiled family bathroom is perfect for guests and/or elderly relatives. Upstairs there is a lovely landing area and four bedrooms, the master has a walk-in wardrobe, are to both sides. The fifth bedroom, the small single would make a great office space. Why Sax? There are no traffic lights, it has a 13th-century castle and there are no traffic wardens but there are streets full of restaurants, bars and cafes. What? That isn´t enough? Sax is so popular because it is far enough inland to be “inland” yet it is only 30 minutes to Alicante Airport and 35 minutes to the beach.  Access is by the A31 Dual Carriageway Alicante to Madrid road which runs just outside of the town, by rail and coach from Alicante so you can go to the beach and not have to take your car, and now we are only five minutes away from the AVE station at Villena. The AVE is the high-speed train from Alicante to Madrid which has only four stops and we are five minutes away from a station that on boarding will have you in Madrid in 2hrs 9mins for as little as 25€. Let us stick with the town of Sax for now rather than escaping to the beach or the capital city of Spain. Sax is dominated by its 13th-century castle known as the Headlight and Guardian of The Border a landscape of history and rock. When driving back home to Sax after daylight the sight of the castle, fully lit, and seemingly floating in the air is one of the most welcoming sights I have ever experienced. Commercially, Sax was only affected in a minor way by the economic crash as it is the home of three major international businesses selling “persianas y toldos”, window blinds and sun canopies and a shoe industry that means if you recently bought a pair of shoes in a department store in the UK, for example, the chances are they could have been made in Sax or nearby Elda. Recently we have seen the opening of a Consum supermarket, the equivalent of a Waitrose or Marks & Spencer Food Hall whilst there has been a Hiperber and Mas y Mas, both excellent supermarkets for as long as I can remember, and if that isn´t enough there is a Carrefour (Think Tesco) eight minutes’ drive away within a shopping mall complex that has two cinemas one of which is showing films in English with Spanish subtitles. Sax is served wonderfully well with schools, our son was eight when we moved here and reluctantly, we put him into a state school, he always went to a private school in Manchester, and within six months he was fluent in two languages and following five years in a secondary school went on to study Pharmacy at Complutense in Madrid one of Spain´s most famous and prestigious universities. Crime rate; Sax has full employment and subsequently a very low crime rate. It is a small town where everyone knows each other and a Spanish family would normally feel shamed if a member was in trouble with the police. Their modern values are the ones we experienced growing up in the UK 50-60 years ago. I parked rather stupidly recently on the Hight Street (Gran Via) even by Spanish standards I was naughty as I popped into the bank. I received a phone call within 90 seconds from the Local Police who called me a “dickhead”, well the Spanish equivalent, no ticket no fine just a little humiliation. For health, Sax and Spain, in general, is far superior to the UK. In the town, we have a brand-new Health Centre with eight doctors, two nurses, diabetes clinics and a 24/7 Emergency Walk/In Centre. Ten minutes away in Elda is the remarkable award-winning University Hospital El Virgen De Salud where the surgeons are second to none and the food is atrocious, well it can’t all be good!! Newly opened is the Fibromyalgia centre offering support and therapies for those suffering from acute pain. There are now four Language Schools in the town and the town hall ran a scheme for language swapping that well may be run again. Learning Spanish is a lot less difficult than it may seem and there are new ways of learning that concentrate on Spanish conversation. There are restaurants and bars aplenty with prices that are at first beyond belief and a three or four-course lunch of good quality can easily be found for 12€ or less. For a special occasion, there is La Torreta but also there are great option such as La Braseria, Camila and La Senda. Coffee and toast for breakfast will cost no more than 2€ and the coffee is possibly the best in Europe. We have a Walking Group, two Golfing Societies, Ladies Who Lunch and probably lots more Social Activities to enjoy. Sax, it´s a great place to live.

Finca

First of all the location and the layout, this was originally a very small hamlet of six properties all owned by the same family and the family currently still own five of the six. The “hamlet” has very good access and has magnificent views across the salt lakes of Salinas and to the four mountain ranges. Whilst the location feels remote it is a five minute drive into the town of Salinas and approximately eight minutes’ drive to the bigger town of Sax where there are all the usual amenities, however, in Salinas, you will find a Medical Centre, two mini-markets, a bakery, bars and restaurants, a pharmacy and two banks.  The property is in the middle of three large stone-built houses, please don´t let that be a concern as they have privacy and it would be nigh on impossible to hear your neighbours due to the extreme thickness of the walls.  On entering you are in a large lounge with a stunning feature log-burning fireplace at one end and this leads through at one end to an equally impressive dining room. Straight ahead is an archway to a very large kitchen/diner, the kitchen area is an L-Shape and there is a walk-in pantry at one end. There is also a Double Bedroom and a Bathroom on the ground floor in case there is someone who needs everything on one level.  From the kitchen/diner you can exit into the rear which is an enormous walled patio/courtyard with outbuildings for storage or for a workshop this is where I would put a swimming pool although there is an upright swimming pool included with the property in the land outside of the patio/courtyard.  Upstairs is a simply beautiful landing with plenty of space for a sofa and a couple of bookcases, it´s an area I could imagine spending a lot of time in summer as the interior of the property stays so cool that the family have never even considered air conditioning necessary.  There are four Double Bedrooms upstairs and a family bathroom. Additionally, three of the bedrooms have an alcove that is being used as a dressing area but they could easily be shower rooms to make en-suite bathrooms.  Considering this is a typical Spanish property there is a remarkable amount of natural light especially upstairs.  There is almost 20,000m2 of arable land where olive and almond trees are the norm, the land around the plots is protected and subsequently, there can be no building to spoil any of the views.  To be a neighbour in Spain, especially in the countryside is like being family and the vendors will be living in Murcia after the sale but will spend time in one of the other houses and someone will always be on hand to assist in any way they can without being intrusive.  

Town house

A unique and spectacular 4 Bed 2 Bath Villa in the town of Sax  Yes, unique because behind each brick, behind each detail, there is a beautiful story of why it was built that way and why the colour of those tiles.  When something is done with such enthusiasm, with so much love, only something impressive can come out.  This property from 1997, was built with materials of the very highest quality.  We start at the main entrance, which has 7 steps to access the interior of the house directly into a stunning hallway that is best described as somewhere out of a movie with a beautiful staircase leading to the bedrooms.  On this ground level, there is direct access to a 2 car garage, also a full bathroom and a lounge/diner and a prestige-fitted kitchen with a walk-in pantry.  This is where a “normal” house would end but I did say “unique”. From the kitchen, there is access to a covered terrace that is being used as a children´s area and a gym. Continuing through the terrace there are steps down to an industrial kitchen, the property was previously a restaurant. Now we find the breathtaking part, a massive relaxation area with a beautiful heated private swimming pool complete with massage jets and a terrace with artificial grass and plants giving the feel of a country property but indoors. It really is amazing, it’s like being in a luxury spa. There is also a pool house with a toilet.  Are you ready for more? A storage room with all the heating machinery and a 100m2 traditional Spanish dining room with a wood-burning oven, another kitchen with a bar and another toilet. Imagine holding a party here, in fact, imagine holding a wedding reception here.  We return to the main entrance of the house and access the upper floor, where we find 4 double rooms, one single which is used as a laundry and ironing room and a bathroom. In addition, there are 2 accesses through 2 of the rooms, and another independent access in the corridor, which leads to a large terrace.  The house has oil heating by radiators, air conditioning and a heated pool and you will be surprised by how low the bills are. It faces 3 streets occupying 100% of an “island” so there are no neighbours attached to the house.  Do not miss this unique opportunity.

Town house

This is a stunning property in the lovely town of Salinas (Alicante) just 8 minutes drive from Sax and around 40 minutes to Alicante Airport. Not only is this a beautiful family home but it would make a wonderful holiday home and a great base from which to explore the area of inland Spain and to easily reach the Costa Blanca. A deceptive frontage with a small terrace opens up to a whole load of surprises, at least one is jaw-dropping.  The main entrance has a lovely hallway where there are stairs facing to take you to the upper level but, in the meantime, let´s just concentrate on the ground floor. The first place we come to is a bedroom and a bathroom with a shower for anyone who perhaps has difficulty with stairs or it can easily be turned into a den etc.  Next there is a lounge/diner and a kitchen that has access to a second living space with a feature fireplace and air conditioning for heating or cooling, here there is also a guest WC. From the second living space, there are patio doors taking you to, yes, of course, the patio where there is a private swimming pool. Ok, this is not a typical townhouse splash about pool this is the real thing and the terrace area is amazing and, with the addition of a BBQ, one would imagine spending whole summers there. At the far end of the property is a pool room that houses the pump and filters and pool cleaning equipment. Then there is a garage which is accessed by car from a private street designated for you and your neighbours only. So, onto the upstairs, where there are three bedrooms and two bathrooms, the one in the corridor has a bathtub and the one in the double room that is en-suite has a shower, in addition, the main room has a dressing room and access to a large balcony. This property has heating by radiators, which work with the aerothermal machine.  Whilst the property is undoubtedly modern it has kept a very nice rustic style. This is a townhouse that really doesn´t feel limited to just being a townhouse as it is so much more. Salinas is a lovely small town near Sax in inland Alicante and just 35 minutes’ drive to Alicante Airport and five minutes more to the beaches. Like Sax, Salinas has almost no unemployment and this means that both towns have very low crime rates, a far cry from when I lived in the UK and we had to lock everything a million times, here life is tranquil and very safe, neighbours are like family members in these towns and they are always on hand to help newcomers.  There are two banks, Sabadell and La Caixa which are two of the biggest banks in Spain. A Doctor´s surgery, a Butcher, a Baker but, sadly, no candlestick maker, however, there is a minimarket, a Public Swimming and Sports Arena, and a Pharmacy along with a host of bars, cafes, and restaurants and a lovely Public Park and magnificent views of the four mountain ranges in which the town settles.  Consum supermarket in Sax, an equivalent to Waitrose in the UK, will deliver to Salinas along with Mercadona Supermarket in Elda as will one of the Kebab shops and also a Pizza delivery service is available. The superb Hospital in Elda is 15 minutes away.  Parque La Rana (Park La Rana) is a small but very beautiful park where a Medieval Market is held once a year and also it is the home of the restaurant La Rana Salinas which currently has a massive 4.7 rating and where people come from miles around for their rice dishes and superb quality meats.  My favourite Café is Trivial and there is now a lovely Conservatory built next to the small park where you can sit in the warmth of the winter sunshine or, in summer, all the glass is drawn back to allow the mountain breeze to flow through.  My second favourite has to be the Petrol Station that has a tiny café in the rear, it used to be famous as the “unofficial smoking” bar but those days have gone and it is now a place where many of the factory workers go for a coffee and a tot of brandy or rum. There is something about it that tells you this couldn´t happen in the UK.  Whilst Sax has seen massive increases in property values due to the number of itinerant workers looking to rent Monday to Friday – the Spanish don´t do commuting, even 20 minutes in the car is seen as commuting – Salinas I snow catching up and is proving a great town for investment as there are still affordable townhouses and apartments.  My son has recently taken advantage of the lower prices to make his first investment in Salinas and we are excited to see what he makes of it. Meanwhile, we have some excellent options starting at 25,000€ needing reform and some around the 35-40k needing less work and all are capable of long-term rentals bringing in around 350€ per month, a great ROI.