Enjoy our quick guide to San José, once known as a small fishing village back in the 18th century which has become a significant tourist destination because of its unique location between volcanic mountains as well as the beaches and the bays that continue to attract both local and foreign visitors.
San José is located in the province of Costa Almeria, this undiscovered region usually prompts many people to ask, where is Costa Almeria?
Below we feature an expat interview with Britt Nicolaisen of Almeria Spanish Properties who covers theSanJosé area.
In particular, we asked Britt on the advantages of choosing San José as a place to live and the value for money that one can get if you decide to stay permanently in the area.
Britt, thanks for helping our readers. I guess we should start off by asking what would you say would be the advantages to living in San José compared to other Costa Almeria towns?
San José still has the character of a nice Spanish fishing village on the coast. It sits in the Parque Natural de Nijar, so they can not build all around you and it will stay the way it is. So if you like typical Spanish coastal villages, San José is a very nice place to enjoy and relax directly on the coast.
Would the area not suit certain types of people, i.e. are there any possible downsides?
To get to some areas in San José you have to climb the hills around you, but as long as you stay at the coastal area, it suits all types of people.
What proportion of the local population are Spanish?
San José is one of the small villages that is in winter mainly Spanish, only in summer it is full of other tourists from all over the world due to the famous beaches around there.
What are your favourite things to do in the area?
There are some lovely beaches directly in the natural park which are definitely worth a visit. For example the Playa de Mónsul or Los Genoveses. Also the port is a place where you can enjoy a nice meal and relax. But my personal favorite thing to do is diving or snorkeling.
Can you give us some insider tips to the best bars or restaurants?
San José is full of nice little bars and restaurants. If you like fish, you should try the restaurants in the little port, but I never had a bad meal in any of the bars or restaurants yet.
Are there many facilities such as doctors and dentists, shops etc?
San José does not have its own town hall or a school for kids. The town hall is in Nijar and the next school is in Pozo de los Frailes, about 5 minutes away by car. But beside that, it has everything you need, like a police station, a medico, shops and supermarkets, bars and restaurants.
Are there smaller villages nearby that you might also recommend?
The whole area of the Park Natural of Nijar is a very nice area. The coastal villages there are characteristical of south Spanish villages on the coast. They seem to be “untouched” by the construction boom.
What are the nearest international schools and how good are they?
The nearest international schools are in Mojacar, Roquetas de Mar or Almerimar. There is no international school near San José, but there are good Spanish schools around there.
Is crime an issue for expats?
Crime is not really a subject in San José. As in the whole province of Almería, the crime rate is very low to moderate.
Coming onto buying property, what is the market like now in terms of prices going up, or down or staying the same?
San José is the same as any other coastal village in Spain. It all depends on where and what you want to buy. You can find everything from a small apartment up to a big villa with your own pool. It is difficult to find properties because, as mentioned before, there are not a lot of properties available and they can not build more.
So due to that prices are more expensive than in Roquetas de Mar or any other cities which went through the construction boom.
Is this a good time to buy and are there any repossessions or very cheap properties still available to buy?
Prices in San José are stable at the moment. It is always a good time to buy in winter because in summer nearly all properties are rented out. Of course you always find offers on the property market from banks or private sellers. You just need more time to find the right one.
What urbanisations are there and can you describe each one and how they might differ from each other?
San José has one main urbanization. There are lots of hotels, shops, bars and restaurants, B&B, water sport like diving, Kayak tours, the Puerto deportivo, the tourist information, etc. The outskirts are mainly houses and apartment blocks.
How much are the typical property prices in San José for apartments, villas etc?
Prices depend on the size and area in San José. You can find small apartments on average from 50,000 – 80,000 euros; bigger apartments from 70,000-130,000 euros and houses from 130,000 euros, depending on where and the type of property.
Any tips and advice to people looking to buy in San José or surrounding area?
I can not give any other advice than before committing to anything, make sure the property is legal.
See our buying guide and blog on the web for more details on this subject.
Blog: https://www.almeria-spanish-properties.com/
Britt, thank you so much for taking the time to help our readers with your experiences in Spain. If you want to contact Almeria Spanish Properties, you can find their details below.
Calle Lago Como 8
04740 Roquetas de Mar, Almería
Tel. +34 950 333 411
Email: info@almeria-spanish-properties.com
Website: www.almeria-spanish-properties.com
Here is an interesting video on San José.
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About the Author
Mark Eastwood
Main author and owner of SpainMadeSimple.com which was started in 2004 when I first moved to Spain.
Spain Made Simple features expert advice on all aspects of moving to and living in Spain as well as useful tourist information and travel tips.
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