Lugo – for and against

Here is a simple list of factors to consider if you are looking at buying a house in Lugo for holidays, an investment or as a permanent residence.

For (why you might want to buy in Lugo)

• Spectacular scenery with a small but attractive coastal region plus mountains, valleys and green meadows. Lots of tiny towns and villages and a near total absence of modern civilization.
• A massive supply of rural houses in the inland areas – many of which make perfect renovation projects. (You can of course find "ready to move in" houses along with apartments and new builds if that is your preference – but these are in the larger towns).
• House prices in Lugo can be very cheap, especially if you move inland and look at the purchase and restoration of an old farmhouse or casa rustica. Generally property prices in Lugo are cheaper than any other part of Galicia (bar south eastern Ourense).
• Houses in Lugo generally come with the largest plots – so you may have the chance to own a few hundred square metres, or even a few acres, of land with your house purchase.
• Lugo will be perfect for you if you want to escape from the pressures and stresses of urban living and if you place a high value on peace and tranquility.

Before we move to the "against" section we should point out that we love to sell rural houses in Lugo and that this province remains very popular with non Spanish buyers. However, there are some factors that you should seriously consider before buying a property and Lugo has some particular characteristics that are worth reflecting upon.

Against (really just some considerations to be aware of)

Lugo's big downside is that natural beauty, open space and the absence of civilization come with a price – and that price can mean a high degree of isolation.

If these are "life style" choices that you want to make, then Lugo will represent something close to Utopia. You will find freedom, few people to bother you and all the fresh air and abundant scenery that you are ever likely to need – but do think about the following practical considerations first.

• Having a holiday "escape from civilization" is perfect for 3 or 4 weeks in the year, but having a round trip of 2 hours each way to reach the nearest supermarket, hospital or town may have its drawbacks if you are planning to live (or retire) there full time. Civilization does have its drawbacks, but there are advantages too.
• "As the crow flies" distances in Lugo mean very little and a 35km to 40km journey can easily exceed one hour. If you want a secluded location, make sure that it is not placing you in the middle of nowhere – what if you find yourself in a medical emergency situation?
• An investment - Lugo offers Galicia's best opportunity to buy an old house and refurbish it to a modern standard whilst retaining all of its "old world" rustic features. In fact it is quite possible to spend less than 100K euros on a property, 50K euros on building work and end up with a home that, on paper at least, should be worth double those amounts.
  Not really - In reality this is never the case. Lugo's rural property market has no appeal outside of the British, Irish and occasional European and North American buyer's markets. This means that you can buy and refurbish a house very cheaply, but do not expect to sell it at a profit – and do not believe anyone who tells you that you can. Anyone wishing to buy into the rural Lugo house market will do exactly as you, i.e. buy and refurbish.

• Obtaining utilities and certain services may not always be possible, e.g. sewerage and phone lines. But there are options and alternatives available. Most rural houses use a cesspool and mobile phone coverage is improving all the time. You can even get a basic internet connection from a radio phone, so do not be put off by factors that you would consider remiss in e.g. the UK.
• Social and language integration, the making of new friends, and mixing with the locals is a challenge in any relocation move. This challenge will become all the greater if you choose to live in a house with few or no neighbours. (This however may not concern you.)

Lugo is a beautiful and tranquil part of the world, but in the same way that many north Europeans once saw life in the hot sunny Spanish Costas as paradise, some are now perceiving life in Lugo in a similar, albeit different, but still potentially unrealistic way.

Spending a holiday in Lugo is one thing, but living there 12 months a year is something completely different. Lugo may well be your perfect holiday or long term residence location, but think about it first.

Quick reference summaries of the other 3 provinces

Buying a house in la Coruna Reasons for and against.

Buying a house in Pontevdra Reasons for and against.

Buying a house in Ourense Reasons for and against.