| It was around the end of May of this year that I had | | | | tourists than Spanish locals in this area, but I was |
| decided to resign from my job in London as a | | | | surprised to see that there were many Spanish |
| counsellor and take a nice weeklong holiday to | | | | people living locally in this area speaking their native |
| Majorca, Spain. This was a starting point in me | | | | Catalan tongue. |
| hunting for a new place to live, check out Majorca | | | | Property searching |
| property prices and drink loads of Sangria on the | | | | I caught a bus up to Palma, a very cosmopolitan, |
| beach! It would be my first trip to Spain and I have | | | | vibrant and modern city. One of Palma's major |
| long since had my heart set on owning a property in | | | | landmarks is the large Gothic Cathedral that |
| Spain one day. Now was my chance to begin my | | | | overlooks the sea. As soon as I arrived at the bus |
| research. | | | | depot, it was not hard to spot the magnificent |
| I made sure that I was packed up to the brim of my | | | | building intricately designed by Antoni Gaudi in the late |
| suitcase with plenty of mini-skirts, vests, flip-flops and | | | | 1800's. I was becoming even surer of my decision to |
| a whole range of bikinis. Of course, I could not leave | | | | purchase a property on this island. |
| without the odd high heels and very important | | | | The main city centre was busy, but it was not like |
| cocktail dresses. I had also cleverly packed a guide on | | | | the hustle and bustle of London Oxford Circus. |
| Majorca and kept in mind to visit the property | | | | People looked relaxed, no one looked like they were |
| agencies in Palma De Mallorca, for my search for a | | | | in a hurry and best of all people were smiling. I |
| Majorca property. | | | | decided to visit a very swish looking property estate |
| On Arrival | | | | agent; they were very polite to me, sat me down |
| As soon as I arrived at the airport, I could not wait a | | | | and offered me a cool beverage while I waited for |
| single moment to get to Santa Ponsa (a resort in | | | | an agent to come out. |
| South-West Majorca). My reaction was as expected | | | | The agent was a rather friendly middle-aged man, |
| when I got to the beach! I was mesmerised by the | | | | very well tanned, dressed in a short-sleeved shirt |
| deep blue sea and the warm white sand that tickled | | | | with the top button of his collar undone, approaching |
| in between my toes. This was my first beach holiday, | | | | me in a friendly relaxed manner and a big smile. We |
| every bit of Majorca was so fascinating that I was | | | | chatted for a short while, he explained that |
| like a child walking into a sweet shop. The first thing I | | | | properties in Majorca have risen by 18% since 2004 |
| wanted to do was swim in the salty sea and | | | | with the average price being 750000 Euros; |
| experience the waves pulling me back and forth. | | | | depending on the area one chooses to live in, you |
| Of course, I had not forgotten about my main | | | | could buy a flat for 150000 Euros. |
| purpose, of researching Majorca property prices. I | | | | While the agent was explaining the finer details of |
| had noticed that the properties appeared spacious, | | | | buying a property in Spain, I could not help but notice |
| bright and airy. Some houses were large, all of them | | | | that his approach was unlike any other agent I had |
| with balconies (overlooking a beautiful view of the | | | | come across. He was not trying to sell the company's |
| beach) and often with exotic trees standing over the | | | | services; I guess he felt that there was no need to |
| roof. Children were free to roam the streets, and | | | | place emphasis on making a sale on my dream |
| were so impressively polite to passers-by. I was | | | | Majorca property, I was sold on the idea even |
| beginning to fall in love with this place after only 24 | | | | before I stepped into the office! |
| hours. | | | | With all of the information he had given me, I |
| Santa Ponsa, comprised of many tourist bars and | | | | decided to plan my days exploring the island, talking |
| Irish pubs, but it also contained many of the original | | | | to locals and comparing prices with different agencies. |
| traditions of Spain. This particular part of Majorca | | | | The only thing I was disappointed with was that the |
| catered mainly for the Irish tourists, hence the | | | | properties did not come with a hunky male Spanish |
| numerous Irish themed pubs. I was expecting more | | | | helper! |