Oliva Feature
• Ever thought of living in California for great climate and beaches? If affordability held you back try Oliva, Spain
By Hola Oliva

We previously featured a report by Nick Snelling, "Oliva California of Europe." In his report Nick compares climate, beaches, and perhaps more importantly these days, the affordability of living in Oliva, (La Safor) Spain. "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 ($2'800) per annum in rates in the UK may be as little as E250 (£180), ($250) here in Spain. With so many days of sunshine, heating is used only rarely during the winter months..."

Lush Santa Rosa Mountains and the La Safor Range Oliva, Spain

Sunset over Santa Rosa and Sunset from Oliva Rental House Terrace

Santa Rosa Spring Lake and Olivas, Beautiful Mediterranean beaches

Interesting stuff for those of us looking for a healthy, outdoor lifestyle, on a smaller budget. Which is why we got excited to discover Oliva is on almost exactly the same line of Latitude 38.° 55' 11" N as Santa Rosa, California 38° 26' 26" N; Excited enough to share the thoughts of gorgeous climate and outdoor life-style loving Santa Rosa, California resident, Teresa. "The best thing about Santa Rosa (California, USA): Climate. Spring just takes my breath away with just how beautiful the weather is. Green foothills and wine grapes growing on farms. Summer is dry, but a very comfortable 80 degrees with a mild breeze. Little to no humidity. No mosquitos. Winters are tolerable. Dubbed out here as the "rainy season" - it truly is that. Temperatures are roughly in the 60's. Cool enough to need to wear a coat, but certainly not freezing cold. Locals out here have never heard of the term "wind chill factor".

Sounds like Oliva until she continues, "Now the bad: The housing prices (In Santa Rosa, CA) are out of this world ($300'000 - $700'000+) for a medium sized house on a postage sized lot. Cost of living: Fuel, heating/cooling costs, groceries: Outrageous. We easily pay double for what we did for groceries back east. The average per month (for natural gas/electricity): $300 per month. No joke - and this is on par with our neighbors."

Source: Teresa, Santa Rosa, CA living

Hola Oliva tip
Oliva House provides excellent value self-catering accommodation for your stay in Oliva from €250 per week for the whole house, sleeps five. Oliva House is a perfect place to stay for property buying trips, interesting holidays for families, singles, couples. We also rent long term during the winter months at reduced rates.
Feel free to email any questions or comments to mail@holaoliva.com