Moving to Baza
Matthew’s article this week concentrates on moving to Baza.
Lake Negratin, BazaMoving to Baza: Granada’s Lake District
Ups
The water features. From the restored Arab Baths and historic fountains in Baza town to the “lakes” in the wider municipality, including the Negratin reservoir which is the ideal destination for a day out.
Downs
The weather in Baza goes from one extreme to the other. Unlike the Canary Islands with their low twenties average, summer is an intense experience not unlike sweating in a giant, outdoor sauna. Winter, however, sees the thermometer dip into single figures on the centigrade front.
Ins and outs
It’ll take you just over a hour to reach the municipal capital Baza from Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén airport, using a combination of the A-92 and N-342.
Education
The further inland you go in Granada province, the further you are away from the international schools which are located closer to the Andalucian coast. There’s a well-regarded secondary school in Baza, IES José de Mora. This is linked with Chippenham’s Abbeyfield School over in the UK.
Shop until you drop…
The stylish Amichi outlet in Plaza San Francisco will help you dress without the stress of a hefty price tag. There’s a Lidl on Carretera de Murcia where you can save on your weekly shop. Plus Carretera de Ronda’s MyMobel for all your furnishing needs.
Property in Baza
Go rustic in Baza by investing in an old rural property which will no doubt require some work to make it suitable for 21st century living. If you’re looking for somewhere which is good to go and reside in straightaway, a renovated cortijo might be preferable. Or even a spanking brand-new villa.
Market watch
Cave houses begin just above the €20,000 mark in Baza but a newer villa will fetch more than €100,000.
In Praise Of
“Baza is unspoilt, welcoming, and accommodating. People come looking for a house here and they find a home. High technology and working mules, we have it all.” – Yolanda Martinez (Tierra de Andalucia).
- Are you an expat living in Baza? What do you like/dislike about it? Let us know below.
Matthew Hirtes, our resident broadsheet journalist, moved to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria back in 2004. He’s travelled extensively through Spain, covering it for such publications as Telegraph Travel, Metro, and The Independent. The author of Going Local in Gran Canaria: How To Turn a Holiday Destination into a Home, Matthew truly is a resident expert.
Matthew writes for two sections of Spain Buddy: Moving to Spain and Spanish Football as well as providing Reviews
October 20, 2016 @ 11:16 pm
I live in a cave house on the very outskirts of Baza.
Whilst it is hot in the summer months there is little humidity and the winter cold spell tends to be relatively short.
Many of us choose to live in cave houses in this region of Spain as the interior temperature is relatively constant year round, meaning no need for the expense of air conditioning in the summer and easy to heat with a wood burning stove in the winter.
I write about cave life and the area in general at http://www.onefootinthecave.net.
March 11, 2019 @ 8:09 pm
Are there any British expat builders in the Baza region?
We have a property in Caniles which we have owned since December 2018 but as yet cant move in due to the spanish builders/architect dragging their heals.
Thanks.
March 13, 2019 @ 10:12 am
Definitely plenty of Brits in that area – although I’m unsure about builders. Hopefully someone else will spot this and be able to help xx
May 10, 2019 @ 12:37 pm
I lived in el margen near baza from 2003 to 2018.
Im a carpenter/ builder, working in spain is very hard (some small ups but plenty of downs), we loved living in the baza area but didnt enjoy working there, to many brits dont pay, and many brit builders dont have any clue on what they are doing (most are DIYs),
July 3, 2021 @ 8:20 pm
Hi all I’m writing this from the UK (July 2021).
We are looking in buying a B&B or lets in Caniles?
Can anyone give as any information or advise about the area and if we can make a living out there.
I hope someone can help out.
Thank you all
George