Pontevedra – for and against

Here is a list of points to consider if you are contemplating buying a house in Pontevedra province for vacations, as an investment, for holiday rental or as a permanent residence.

You may also be interested to know that, after la Coruna province, Pontevedra is the next most popular Galician provincial choice for Brits choosing to escape the UK. In 2007 a survey showed that almost one third of British ex-pats in Galicia had chosen to make their home in Pontevedra province.

For (why you might want to buy in Pontevedra)

• Like the rest of Galicia, the province of Pontevedra has spectacular scenery. It has a beautiful western coastline with numerous bays (rias) and coves and Galicia’s most exclusive beach resort of Sanxenxo. The equally exclusive districts of la Toja and Cambados are also in this province. The province as a whole sees mountains, valleys, rivers and meadows.
• Pontevedra province has the major cities of Vigo and Pontevdra, plus the beautiful city of Tui. It has the world famous Albarino wine district – a reflection of the warmer climate and longer summers of this province and it is just a short drive from Portugal.
• With boundaries bordering on all three of the other Galician provinces and Portugal, Pontevedra is an ideal location when it comes to travelling in the region or beyond. It also places the Portuguese airport of Porto within close proximity, opening up more UK and Eire airports as departure options.
• Like la Coruna, Pontevedra has every kind of property style and location available and in northern Pontevedra prices are very attractive. As you move further south (towards the border with Portugal) prices increase. This part of Pontevedra is rapidly becoming a popular summer holiday destination and prices have escalated steeply over the last 10 years – as have the number of new developments.
• Investment - Pontevedra is without doubt the Galician location in which to buy if you want a property investment. A 2006 property survey showed the beach resort of Sanxenxo as having the highest real estate values in Spain and prices continue to increase. You can however still buy affordable houses in many of the “up and coming” districts of Pontevedra where values are sure to increase over the next decade.
• Vacation rental - The areas just north of Portugal offer good holiday rental prospects and there are many new developments (some off-plan) into which investors and renters can buy. Expect prices on a par with Portugal.
• Rural houses - For some reason the mention of Pontevedra is often neglected when it comes to rural houses in Galicia. Why, we do not know. It has masses of rural houses and they are situated in some of the region's most appealing country villages. Prices can often be as low as Lugo and la Coruna and you are never too far from civilization.
• Apartment living is as popular in Pontevedra as it is in the rest of Galicia and there are plenty of apartments (new and resale) on the market.

Pontevedra is unquestionably the top holiday province with Spaniards from southern and central Spain and those with money are buying into this area at an ever increasing rate. Even so, Pontevedra remains typically Galician and offers a wonderful relaxed lifestyle assisted greatly by the region's best and mildest climate.

Against (really just some considerations to be aware of)

• Prices for rural properties are fairly comparable across all four provinces, but houses in southern Pontevedra, particularly in areas like Sanxenxo and the towns bordering Portugal, have seen steep rises in property values over recent years. However, if you can still afford them they make excellent investments.

• The southern districts of Pontevedra bordering on Portugal may offer less of traditional “Galicia” and more of the blandness associated with other less culturally defined parts of Spain. These districts have been “tainted” by money from other parts of Spain.

• Pontevedra has Galicia’s largest city of Vigo (in its south) and some of the districts around Vigo tend to be commercial and not typically Galician. These may be areas to avoid.
• Although southern Pontevedra brings the Portuguese airport of Porto into commuting range, it is a good two hours from Santiago de Compostela airport and a further 20 minutes to half an hour from la Coruna airport.

Pontevedra has beautiful beach areas ranging from the untouched former fishing villages to cosmopolitan and tastefully developed holiday resorts. The north of the province has a massive number of rural houses, some in “tip top” condition and others in need of serious work. It offers Galicia’s best “buy for profit” investments in the rapidly developing zones above Portugal. The road and transport network is excellent and the climate is good.

Quick reference summaries of the other 3 provinces

Buying a house in Lugo Reasons for and against.

Buying a house in la Coruna Reasons for and against.

Buying a house in Ourense Reasons for and against.