Why buy property in Mallorca?
Mallorca is an island of contrasts. Whether you are looking for an idyllic, rural escape or a city pad with lots of life & atmosphere on the doorstep, you will find both within a relatively small area of 3,625 square kilometres (1,400 square miles). It’s a very neat package and you will never be more than 25 minutes from the coast.
The largest of the spanish Balearic islands, Mallorca is a mixture of diverse landscapes – the spectacular Tramontana mountain range, dramatic sea cliffs, over 70 beaches and isolated coves, hidden valleys with ancient olive terraces, citrus groves, almond orchards, picturesque villages and rolling agricultural plains.
At the same time, Palma is a supremely liveable, safe city with a medieval heart. There are buzzing shopping streets, markets and designer emporiums. It encompasses every type of dining experience, from lively pavement bistros to sophisticated restaurants with international & oriental cuisine.
If you are thinking of buying property in Mallorca, you would be joining the island’s permanent foreign community which accounts for 21.7%% of its population of 873,414, the largest percentage of foreigners in any province of Spain. The majority come from South America and the EU states, predominantly Germany, UK, Italy and Scandinavia
If you are buying a holiday home, Mallorca can be reached in just over 2 hours from most European airports so it’s an ideal destination for short breaks throughout the year to make the most of your investment.
Mallorca weather
Mallorca’s weather & outdoor lifestyle are its main attraction compared to areas of mainland Spain. The island has a temperate, sub tropical climate of short, mild winters and hot summers with an annual average of 7.9 hours sunshine every day.
Mallorca infrastructure
Mallorca has a well developed infrastructure with excellent communications, road & transport systems. Palma airport is the 3rd largest airport in Spain serving almost 23 million passengers per year and is a major European hub.
Mallorca’s main income is derived from tourism. In the last 10 years its reputation for quality has resulted in double the number of 5 star hotels.
Mallorca sports & culture
Crystal clear waters & first class marinas and shipyards have turned the island into the yachting hub of the Western Mediterranean. Unlike mainland Spain, there are an abundance of safe anchorages which makes for interesting cruising. The island now provides 16,000 berths in 32 harbours.
There are 23 golf courses and over 300 kilometres (186 miles) of dedicated cycling routes. The island is also popular with adventure sports enthusiasts, divers, climbers and olympic athletes who come to the island for winter training.
In Palma there are cinemas showing films in English, theatres and art galleries of every description, exhibitions, festivals and year round events. In the winter months there is a season of concerts and operas.
Mallorca education
There are 38 local public schools, 24 private schools and 10 international schools on the island. The English speaking parent community have an active support group & dedicated website.
Mallorca health care
Health care in Mallorca is of the highest standard with excellent hospitals & specialist clinics dotted throughout the island. Son Espases, the public health service hospital just north of Palma city, has state of the art facilities, 1,020 single rooms for in patients, 20 operating theatres and 107 intensive care stations.
Most hospitals have English speaking doctors and a PR department with multilingual staff, some on 24 hour call.
Are there any downsides to living in Mallorca?
You can’t ski! However, we’re just a short flight across to the Pyrenees in winter.
The local dialect is the Mallorquin version of Catalan. However, almost all locals speak Castillian Spanish. You will be able to converse freely in English in many areas, particularly on the coast. If you speak no Spanish at all, you should consider enrolling your children into an international school with lessons in both Spanish and English, so that you can communicate with the teachers.
If you are moving from overseas, there will be very little you miss from home. We have satellite TV & fibre optic communications.
