Integrated Relocation Spain (IRS) found Chris and Claire Umney and their three children a wonderful rental property. The Umneys were determined to move, despite the economic conditions, and in fact Claire said, “If I have to go through a recession, I would rather do it in Spain than the UK.”

The Umneys were initially intending to buy their property in Spain, but didn’t want to take a big hit on the sales price on their property in the UK, so they have let out their home in Surrey, and asked us to find them a property to rent, taking into consideration major factors including budget, and education for the three children. We found them a lovely three bedroom town house in La Herradura on the Costa Tropical, between Malaga and Almeria. The house is in a development on a hillside overlooking the horseshoe shaped bay.

The Costa Tropical has been developed in recent years, but the density is a great deal lower than the Costa del Sol, and prices are much lower. The house we found for the Umneys is E650 per month which includes *Community fee – a similar property on the Costa del Sol would be in the region of E1,000 per month.

The Umneys have settled in really well. They have two daughters, one 14, one 4. The elder is at the International School, while the younger is at the local school. Their two year old son is at the local nursery. All are becoming proficient at the language, making friends easily, and enjoying the lifestyle.

The Umneys are enjoying being in a development with swimming pool, lovely garden, balcony, short drive to the local school, and a relatively high proportion of other UK residents on the development. In a year’s time they may feel they no longer need the security of such an expat development and look to broaden their horizons. If so, we will be on hand to find them their new home.

*Community fee (standing charge paid by all owners for maintenance of common areas, streets, gardens, swimming pool, lighting, security, building insurance, etc.).