Hi everyone, we are looking to buy in Santa Maria, does anyone know this area, what it’s like, amenities, shops, bars, eateries etc please?

Hi Jane, I presume you are talking about Santa Maria De Nivea.

It's a typical little Spanish village with one little shop a doctors and 2 bars. Very friendly and with a number of ex pat residents.

It would be essential to have a car as the nearest town for shopping is Huercal Overa a 10 minute drive away.

Be aware that in the summer flies can be a problem due to its rural location.

Personally it wouldn't be for me but I have friends that have lived there for over 20 years and they love it.

Good luck in your property search 

T

Agree terrible fly problem

Thank you.

Can I ask why it wouldn’t be for you?

I imagine flies are a bit of a problem in the height of summer in most agricultural or rural areas.

I love the countryside and peace I’m not a fan of city life, would it be too quiet for you?

Thanks 

Jane 🙂

Hi, yes very quiet but the fly problem would put me off. Take a look at how many houses around the village have had fly free enclosures built around the outside areas of their homes as this should give you an indication of how bad it can be

Apart from that it's a lovely village.

Thank you hopefully I will be able to deal with the flies! Are they fruit flies or blew bottle types?

I think you are being offered some good advice here. The reason that a lot of houses in these areas have Florida style fly screens is because there are as you might imagine a lot of flies. We live much  closer to the coast and at certain times of year the flies are very irritating inland they are much much worse. If you are considering living in an inland area then strongly suggest that you rent before you buy to see if you can live with the problem. 

Check out other areas too.  Have you considered a village such as Los Lobos.  Beautiful scenery, some amenities, five minutes to next village, San Juan with beautiful beaches and all amenities, bars etc less than 10 minutes away.  Good access to everywhere. 

Small house flies, just a lot of them so it is irritating in the summer - there are more if you are close to a pig farm.  Not really a problem in the winter months.  Santa Maria is not far from Urcal  which has a friendly English-run bar/restaurant and two Spanish-run ones.

Thank you Brian.

We have a had a provisional offer accepted on a single story villa. We are flying out on the 17th April to view.

We have already visited several areas & definitely don’t want to be in an urbanised area.