Carefree living for generation Xperience on the Costa De La Luz

A famous US basketball coach once said, “The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off” and he couldn’t be more right.

Retirement isn’t what it used to be, no longer is ‘generation Xperience’ resigned to zimmers and care homes, they’re younger and more active than ever.

According to National Statistics between 1980-82 and 2003-05 life expectancy at age 65 in the United Kingdom increased by 3.7 years for males and 2.5 years for females to 81 and 84 respectively and we can expect it to keep rising. Many free spirits opt for a complete change of scenery once they’ve disposed of their briefcases and move abroad. La Cigüeña in southern Spain would be right up their street.

The Islantilla-based resort of La Cigüeña on the western Costa de la Luz, just 20km from the Spain / Portugal border, is being marketed to “mature individuals seeking a better quality of life and a permanent residence in a warmer climate”. Mild winters, warm summers and a low cost of living are all intrinsic to the region’s appeal. “Carefree living” is the buzz-phrase and residents will have all of the bustle, beauty and sporting accoutrements they can handle whilst revelling in the comfort of 24/7 medical assistance and support should the rare need arise. Set in five hectares of verdant landscape, the gated community of La Cigüeña slopes down to the fairways of Islantilla Golf and is within 300 metres of the Clubhouse.

La Cigüeña comprises apartments and villas for permanent or semi-permanent living built to exacting European standards by a Dutch developer, plus a 42-strong selection of holiday studios on hand for relatives and friends to stay in when they come to visit, and of course enjoy all the facilities that La Cigüeña has to offer. Each property has fully fitted kitchen and bathroom, central heating and air conditioning, satellite television, telephone and internet connections and allocated parking. Uniquely, homes have direct connection to the information desk at The Promenade, the main facilities building within La Cigüeña, which can handle everything from taxi services to doctor’s appointments – in English and in Spanish.

The Promenade is the focal point of the La Cigüeña community including a well-stocked sport and leisure centre with outdoor pool, heated indoor pool, fitness suite, sauna, Jacuzzi, tennis courts and a sun terrace for winding down. Also in The Promenade is an international restaurant, convenience store, launderette, beauty salon and a doctor and physiotherapist available by-appointment.

Islantilla itself is an established golf resort with 27-holes of golf plus a golf school and a four-star hotel with gymnasium and Spa – all just 800 metres from sandy beaches backed with scented pines. The beach is home to a 5,000m² beach club offering a swimming pool, bar, restaurant and array of water sports from the private sailing school. For true convenience the International Airports of Seville and Faro across the border into Portugal, are both within a comfortable hour’s drive and are served by ‘no frills’ and ‘no expense spared’ airlines according to taste.

Prices at La Cigüeña, meaning ‘The Stork’ – symbol of care and new birth – start from 214,785 euros for a two bedroom one bathroom apartment whilst villas start from 482,439 euros for a two bedroom example, inclusive of IVA (VAT). Additional charges are levied on a monthly basis for community facilities and healthcare. Completion is scheduled for January 2008.

For more information, visit titan-properties.com.