Oliva Feature
• Oliva, La Safor The California of Europe
By Nick Snelling

OLIVA, in the La Safor area of Valencia is green and lush with fragrant citrus groves around the town. The dramatic and impressive La Safor mountain range rises up behind Oliva, the tallest peak reaching an impressive 2,500ft providing a truly beautiful backdrop. Impressive Blue Flag beaches with their golden sand gently incline into the sea. They stretch along the shoreline for some thirteen kilometres and have an impressive range of medical stations, lifeguards and, in the summer, beach cafés.

Climate:
Valencia province benefits from 300 days of sunshine each year with average daytime temperatures ranging from 15-32 degrees Celsius. This area has a gentle climate that is truly temperate. Hard winters and the searing heat of other parts of Spain are virtually unknown. This allows those living in La Safor to enjoy an al fresco lifestyle during a large part of the year.
Culture:
The province of Valencia has a long tradition of fiestas within a culture that remains astonishingly vibrant - and undiluted by the devastating effects of mass tourism elsewhere. A strong community spirit is constantly and obviously apparent within a tolerant, good humoured and kindly local population whose favourite expression seems to be ‘tranquilo’. The traditional siesta remains with shops and offices religiously closing between 2pm to 4pm irrespective of the time of the year. A Sunday, needless to say, remains a traditional rest day with family get-togethers and few bars or shops open.
Valencia city is, of course, internationally renowned for its sporting, cultural and commercial prowess.
Cost of Living:
There is a significant difference between the general cost of living in La Safor with that of the UK. Petrol is substantially less expensive, diesel very competitive and eating out is cheap. Seven Euros for a three course Menu del Dia is quite normal – with each course offered with several alternatives. Spanish local authority rates are a mere fraction of their counterparts in the UK. A property costing some £2,000 per annum in rates in the UK may be as little as E250 (£180) here in Spain. With so many days of sunshine, heating is used only rarely during the winter months.
Healthcare:
An extremely efficient state healthcare service is widely available here in Spain with private healthcare an affordable (but not a necessary) option.
Schooling:
Excellent schools range from pure state schools, semi-private schools and finally private schools at a fraction of the cost of an English private school. Children adjust extremely quickly and are hugely popular with their new classmates, as English is taught as an obligatory second language!
Communications:
Oliva is extremely well placed between two major airports Alicante and Valencia with cheap flights available to both airports.
Excellent roads connect Oliva to the north and south of Spain via the A7 motorway and a very efficient and cheap train service is available from Gandia to Valencia.
Broadband is available together with a range of cheap international telephone packages. Postal services are quick and reliable.

Hola Oliva tip
Oliva House provides excellent value accommodation for your stay in Oliva from €250 per week for the whole house, sleeps five.