Imagine living in a Vega Baja countryside surrounded by Mediterranean pine forest and citrus groves of lemons and oranges. With a climate that is considered the healthiest in Europe and blessed with over 300 days of sunshine, very little winter rainfall, mild temperatures of 20°C, and low humidity. This is La Finca, a golf development in the citrus farming village of Algorfa, a small town south of Alicante in the province of Valencia. Buying a golf home in La Finca and you"ll experience living the Mediterranean lifestyle while also enjoying year-round golf in one of the best golf courses in the Costa Blanca area.

1. Location

La Finca is set in Algorfa, a town known as a peaceful and quiet place where people go to have a relaxing holiday and to recharge. Situated in a fertile part of the Vega Baja countryside and famous for its orange and lemon orchards, the majestic Mount Escotera hovers in the background. Sitting by the banks of the Segura River, Algorfa's location offers fantastic views of the region.

The quaint town has several shops plus traditional Spanish tapas bars and restaurants. Worth visiting are Baybrooks, Bar La Cascada, and La Vista. Just outside the town is a famous 19^th century neo-gothic church. The town plaza is a 12 to 15 min. walk from La Finca. But to go around nearby places you will definitely need a vehicle as there are no bus services available.

The beautiful blue flag beaches of Guardamar del Segura is just a 15 min. drive from La Finca. To the airports, La Finca is 30.1km (18.7 miles) from Alicante El Altet airport and 34.6km (21.5 miles) from San Javier (Murcia) airport. Other large cities like Alicante, Murcia, Cartagena, and Elche can be reached using the motorway AP7.

For families with children, there are well-rated public schools to excellent private and charter schools in nearby towns like the Municipality of Rojales and Ciudad Quesada which are 7 to 10km (around 4.5 to 6.5 miles) away or a short 10 to 15 min. drive.

2. Security

La Finca and surrounding Algorfa are generally safe and peaceful with a very low crime rate. But for those seeking an extra measure of safety, the La Finca Golf is a gated golf community where the Hotel Resort and Spa along with new developments by Golf Properties La Finca is located. The gated residential area has an additional security guard during the peak season.

3. Homes

For those seeking golf communities in La Finca and desiring a long-term stay, golf properties such as apartments, duplex, semi-detached golf houses, and golf villas are available within Algorfa. But for the discriminating and those wishing to invest in quality golf homes, La Finca is introducing a new line of contemporary designed apartments and golf houses. A sound option for single professionals, entrepreneurs, young couples, families, over 55's, and active retirees looking for a new golf home in this Mediterranean countryside. Located inside the gated community with added exclusivity, the selection ranges from apartments and townhouses with communal pools to the more exclusive golf villas with private pools. The apartments range from 142,000 to 172,000 euros, the townhouses from 160,000 to 220,000, and the golf villas are from 230,000 to 485,000 euros.

Buying a golf home in La Finca offers a modern, peaceful lifestyle while enjoying comfortable weather, nature, and sports with an address at one of the best golf courses in Costa Blanca.

4. Weather

Having the best and healthiest climate in the world, La Finca has a hot semi-arid climate. It has good weather with a pleasant average temperature of 18.3°C (65°F) and very minimal rainfall all year long. In La Finca, the average annual high temperature is 26.9°C (80.4°F) and the average low is a cool 10.6°C (51.1°F). The warmest month of the year is August with a maximum temperature reading of 32.4°C (90.4.3°F). The coldest month is January with a low-temperature reading of 5.9°C (42.6°F). The rainfall in a year is around 288mm (11.3 inches). The driest month is July with 2mm (0.1 inches) of rainfall. In September, the precipitation reaches its peak with an average of 40mm (1.6 inches). On average, the sun shines 300 days a year in La Finca.

5. Golf Course

Developed in 2002, the course has been ranked no. 46 among the Top 100 Golf Courses in Spain and one of the best courses on the Costa Blanca. The course is long at nearly 6,900 yards and is suitable for tournaments. The par 72 championship course was designed by Jose Pepe Gancedo, also known as the “Picasso of Golf”. He designed the fairways to be totally different from each other. Using different shapes to draw out the character and reflect the course's natural beauty. Like hole no. 7 is square in shape with large dimensions and surrounded by bunkers, resembling English bowls green. Hole no. 14 is round and deep similar to the shape of a Chinese wok. While at the 17^th hole, the water separates the tee and the green.

The course is challenging and diverse and is sure to test the best golfers. But it is still playable for the beginner. It is being considered a future venue for the Ryder Cup and Spanish Open.

To date, the golf course has already served as the venue of several prestigious tournaments such as the Junior European Championship, the Junior Spanish Championship, Audi circuits for amateur golfers as well as hosting qualifying professional circuits.

Buying a golf home in La Finca also offers top-quality practice and training facilities. It has a driving range that accommodates 40 tees, putting greens, a chipping area, and a practice bunker. The club also offers a Golf Academy that caters to adults and children. Both academies are run by Spanish PGA golf professionals and licensed by the Royal Spanish Federation.

6. Membership

There is no membership at La Finca and visitors are welcome to play every day. However, because La Finca is one of the top courses in Costa Blanca, advance booking is essential for course availability.

Since La Finca is owned by the Golf Quara group, you also have the option of playing in their 2 other championship golf courses, Las Ramblas and Villamartin. Both are just 30 min driving distance from La Finca. Villamartin is a semi-private course while the atmosphere at La Finca and Las Ramblas caters more to holiday golf with players coming from all over Europe.

7. Clubhouse & Amenities

The La Finca Club House is a great place to rest and replenish your energy after a fun day of golf. Its bar and restaurant, the Club House Terraza offers starters and salads, fish, pasta and pizza, sandwiches and burgers (the house specialty and the best in Costa Blanca), and a selection of healthy foods. It also has a 250 sqm. outdoor terrace with a magnificent view of the 18^th hole.

Other amenities at the clubhouse are locker rooms, a pro shop that offers the latest fashion, and a rental service for clubs, trolleys, and electro-carts.

8. Home Owners Association and Fees

The golf communities established much earlier have community fees imposed on them. However, for the new developments, the fees have not yet been introduced. For existing community fees, a 70 sqm, 2 bedroom apartment with a communal pool and shared garden would have a community fee of around 350 to 850 euros per annum. A golf villa will spend about 850 to 1,000+ euros per annum.

Other fees would be the IBI (Suma or property tax) which is around 240 euros per annum for a 71 sqm home. The Resident or Non-Resident Tax or IRNR is payable each year per person. The insurance and utility charges for gas, electricity, and water and key holder fees should you avail of this service. The keyholder will look after your property, offer cleaning, laundry services, and any general maintenance in case you decide to use it as a vacation home.

9. Other Sports Facilities

Residents of the golf community will be able to enjoy a wide range of facilities and services offered by La Finca Golf and Spa Resort. The hotel offers spa and wellness treatments where homeowners of the golf community can avail of the services at a discount. The wellness center has a gym to keep your body in shape. The resort also offers sports facilities for cycling, tennis and paddle courts, and soccer fields. The new Personal Training Centre has a service that can prepare your individual training plan. This new program combines training, rehabilitation, nutrition, and personal well-being.

10. Dining Options

There are several restaurants within the resort where you can satisfy your gastronomic cravings. The Frijolito serves Italian and Mexican cuisine. The Citrus Experience serves the best Mediterranean cuisine with its signature touch. The Hub Food & Drink, Al Fresco Pool & Bar Grill, and the Club House Terraza offer starters, salads, pasta, sandwiches, burgers, etc. The Misto is a new paella and brasserie restaurant. And for a wine tasting experience, the La Bodega Dela Finca offers the best wines on the national and international scene.

There is also a mini-supermarket and a butcher shop within the resort if you would like to do your own cooking. Or you can make arrangements with a local supermarket for home deliveries. But if you want more selections with a local flavor, the town of Algorfa is walkable. It has a selection of traditional Spanish tapas bars and restaurants.

Buying a golf home in La Finca is definitely a good place to consider when venturing on a new golf home in the Mediterranean. It offers a balance of new development in a peaceful and quiet countryside but accessible to the town's facilities. Being located on a popular golf course, it certainly has a lot of potential.

Images courtesy of: Prime Location, Rightmove