![[]](/sites/all/modules/ubercart/uc_cart/images/bullet-arrow-up.gif "Expand cart block."){kind=icon}
There are no products in your shopping cart.
I remember being told by an experienced bar owner, how to build up a successful bar business.
He said most bars are owned by middle-aged men (a bit sexist - but he was quoting from experience remember....).
And that the first thing they do is hire young attractive bar-maids. Soon, the bar is filled with mainly men - hey! what guy would not like being served beer by an attractive and pleasant young lady...
Then the business peaks - it's the same old sad guys coming back for a drink...but it gets worse...
See, imagine a few ladies passing by - perhaps looking for a quick drink They look inside the bar and what do they see...??? A line of old fat behinds staring at them...
They get "eyed up" by the guys, and quite rightly feel a little uncomfortable. They quickly finish their drink and move on....
My experienced friend said, when you really know the bar business you have to do something COUNTER-INTUITIVE.
Yep. You hire attractive friendly young bar-men. This brings the ladies in and they feel very comfortable, staying for a few drinks....and this of course brings in much more men. Bingo! One successful bar!
What has this got to do with Spain? Well, again, - it's couner-intuitive. When you first come over looking for a location of a plot to build your villa - you are mainly influenced by three things:
- I want the location South-facing (because that's how it is in the UK)
- I want the location facing the sea.
- I want the location to have a great View
Well, Monte Pego can give you all these choices, and many of my new friends have done just that - and they are very happy with their choice.
But I didn't do that. Why?
Spain gets lovely and hot in the summer - and their winters are mild. The sun is still hot and you'll get a tan in January - but the air temperature has dropped to around 15 - 20 degrees - peaking around 26 degress in the direct sun.
If you have a south-facing villa you'll normally get great morning sun - and wonderful sunrises. But after around 2o'clock in the afternoon you'll be in the shade. Okay so move round to the other side of your villa if you have one.
But on the side of a mountain there is no "other side"!
But a North facing villa (that is, one where most of your outside patio is north facing), you get the exact opposite. Shade in the mornings, sun after lunch for the rest of the day - and beautiful sunsets in the evenings.
This is exactly what my villa (north/west facing) and view gives me.
So I get the sun on my patio late morning during winter, and from around 8:30 in the morning during summer (most of the year).
Now Monte Pego is famed for it's mountain-side setting.
So if you have a south-facing villa and are part-way up the SIDE of a mountain - you will get great morning sun - but remain in the shade for the rest of the day - not even seeing the sunset - because the mountain is shielding you from the sun.
In my case, the sun sets on my left (directly over the pool) during winter, and sets straight ahead during summer. Either way, I have fantastic warm sunsets and evenings.
Let's talk about facing the sea...
The days of buying reasonable-priced and available villas perched over the beach are long-gone. And anyway, I like the peace and tranquility of being in sight of the beach - but away from the crowds.
Monte Pego has some great views toward the coastline - but it's a good 10 minutes drive away - you also have views over a fairly flat nature reserve and rice-fields. Whereas I can still see the sea by looking to my right but straight ahead and to my left, is a hugely impressive valley view with mountain ranges in the middle distance and beyond.
So What About Great Views?
The Coasta Blanca coastline is considered one of the best parts of Spain - and rightly so. North Coast Blanca (where Monte Pego is), is considered the best of the best. With the superb mountain ranges that run parallel to the coast - you are spoilt for choice.
Don't take my word for it - The World Health Organisation (WHO), voted this part of the coastline, the 2nd best healthiest place in the World to live!
For me, the Torrevieja part of Spain has been over-built and over-sold with mainly cheap-build villas. Anyway, back to where I am...
So naturally, when chosing a plot on Monte Pego - your intuition tells you to buy a plot as high up as possible - after all the views will be stunning (and they are!).
So that's why the top of the mountain is so packed with villas - all fighting to get the best view. But in the end you will have neighbours all around you - very difficult to skinny-dip!
Also, because of the height, the suns rays are very strong - so more care needs to be taken when in the sun. AND, it is more windy up there. So much so, that often the swimming pools will have their surface water blown over the edge (nothing serious - but a pointer to the breeze strength).
I know owners that have sold up at the top and come further down the mountain. Another reason why I chose a "halfway-up" plot. Oh yes, and I have a lot more privacy with no villas overlooking me.
Summary.
Come and spend some time looking for your dream villa in Monte Pego.
But do ask to see various locations on the mountain, - check out the plots in the afternoon - and ask about shade and sunrise and sunset during both winter and summer months. Check out current plots around you and future plots - will they change your view/privacy considerably if built upon?
The views and location here are first-class - and everyone has their own personal preference...so relax, have fun and enjoy choosing your new life in the sun.
Hasta Luego!
.thumbnail.JPG "The view from below - 12 December 2005")