La Cigüeña – Carefree Living for Generation Xperience on the Costa de la Luz

A famous US basketball coach once said, “The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off” and he couldn’t be more right. Retirement isn’t what it used to be, no longer is ‘generation Xperience’ resigned to zimmers and care homes, they’re younger and more active than ever. According to National Statistics between 1980-82 and 2003-05 life expectancy at age 65 in the United Kingdom increased by 3.7 years for males and 2.5 years for females to 81 and 84 respectively and we can expect it to keep rising. Many free spirits opt for a complete change of scenery once they’ve disposed of their briefcases and move abroad. La Cigüeña in southern Spain would be right up their street.

The Islantilla-based resort of La Cigüeña on the western Costa de la Luz, just 20km from the Spain / Portugal border, is being marketed to “mature individuals seeking a better quality of life and a permanent residence in a warmer climate”. Mild winters, warm summers and a low cost of living are all intrinsic to the region’s appeal. “Carefree living” is the buzz-phrase and residents will have all of the bustle, beauty and sporting accoutrements they can handle whilst revelling in the comfort of 24/7 medical assistance and support should the rare need arise. Set in five hectares of verdant landscape, the gated community of La Cigüeña slopes down to the fairways of Islantilla Golf and is within 300 metres of the Clubhouse.

La Cigüeña comprises apartments and villas for permanent or semi-permanent living built to exacting European standards by a Dutch developer, plus a 42-strong selection of holiday studios on hand for relatives and friends to stay in when they come to visit, and of course enjoy all the facilities that La Cigüeña has to offer. Each property has fully fitted kitchen and bathroom, central heating and air conditioning, satellite television, telephone and internet connections and allocated parking. Uniquely, homes have direct connection to the information desk at The Promenade, the main facilities building within La Cigüeña, which can handle everything from taxi services to doctor’s appointments – in English and in Spanish.

The Promenade is the focal point of the La Cigüeña community including a well-stocked sport and leisure centre with outdoor pool, heated indoor pool, fitness suite, sauna, Jacuzzi, tennis courts and a sun terrace for winding down. Also in The Promenade is an international restaurant, convenience store, launderette, beauty salon and a doctor and physiotherapist available by-appointment.

Islantilla itself is an established golf resort with 27-holes of golf plus a golf school and a four-star hotel with gymnasium and Spa – all just 800 metres from sandy beaches backed with scented pines. The beach is home to a 5,000m² beach club offering a swimming pool, bar, restaurant and array of water sports from the private sailing school. For true convenience the International Airports of Seville and Faro across the border into Portugal, are both within a comfortable hour’s drive and are served by ‘no frills’ and ‘no expense spared’ airlines according to taste.

Prices at La Cigüeña, meaning ‘The Stork’ – symbol of care and new birth – start from 214,785 euros for a two bedroom one bathroom apartment whilst villas start from 482,439 euros for a two bedroom example, inclusive of IVA (VAT). Additional charges are levied on a monthly basis for community facilities and healthcare. Completion is scheduled for January 2008.

Contact Titan Properties on telephone 00 34 959 399 982. Email info@titan-properties.com or visit www.titan-properties.com.

Tips from the Retirement Expert
Sarah Woods, Editor of ‘Retirement Property: A Complete Property Buyer’s Guide to Retirement & Beyond’ comments, “Spain remains the most popular country for British retirees due to its great climate, accessibility from the UK and lower cost of living but before you settle into the sunshine and sangria, it’s worth getting your financials in order. The good news is that as of 1 January 2007 the Spanish government has brought taxes for non-residents into line with those paid by locals, with capital gains tax reduced from 35% to 18%. Also, permanent residents over 65 who have lived in their Spanish property for more than three years will be exempt from capital gains tax entirely. Pensions can be paid from the UK into a Spanish bank account and if you're non-resident in Spain you'll pay UK tax on your UK pension (including your State Pension). Bear in mind that Spain has a double taxation agreement with the UK so you may only be liable to pay tax in the country you’re living in and not in the UK. Wealth tax in Spain is payable annually and is based on the cadastral value of the property and income – either notional or actual - derived from the property. Patrimonio (as the wealth tax is known) is on a sliding scale at between 0.2% and 2.5% of the real estate property value.”

Sarah continues, “Many people underestimate how much money they need to fund their retirement. Financial advisors are increasingly suggesting would-be retirees to work out how much money they need by multiplying their required income by 25. Even £1m would deliver (subject to income tax) only around £40,000 per annum - less than two average UK incomes. Add the costs of acquiring the property and you’ll have a clear idea of how far your money will stretch in retirement. Certainly with food and drink a good deal cheaper in Spain than in the UK, your pennies will stretch a lot further.”

Buy Sarah’s Guide online at www.buyinginguides.info or at www.amazon.co.uk

Contact Titan Properties on telephone 00 34 959 399 982. Email info@titan-properties.com or visit www.titan-properties.com.

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for further press information or photography please contact Sarah Drane on sarah@purplecakefactory.com or telephone 00 34 607 564 726