A LIFE IN THE SUN by Chloe Setter

It is a commonplace fact that many people in Britain relocate to other countries in search of a better life in the sun. Spain perhaps is the most popular destination with its rich cultural history and hours of sunshine. Traditionally the South has been the most inviting but this need not be the case as I have found out in recent years.

There lies on the brilliant and unspoilt Costa Brava, the hidden gem that is L'Escala - a town that sits on the coast, only an hour or so from the French border and not much further from the bustling, rich and vibrant capital Barcelona, to the south. My family purchased a house in this town five years ago and we use it as a holiday home, one for family and friends to enjoy throughout the year, but this could easily be a permanent place to live because the prices and way of life there are so alluring.

It is impossible not to want to spend time in L'Escala with its golden beaches, clear blue seas, great weather and food, all set with the backdrop of the snow-capped Pyrenees. It is a great base for exploring Spain and the more undeveloped North East, with Roman heritage sites, rolling hills, rocky outcrops and even skiing within range for a weekend trip.

Traditionally the town revolved around fishing, particularly anchovies. This is still a strong theme and there is a harbour where it is possible to apply to moor a boat of your own, or if you prefer, just eat the local catch of the day in a restaurant or cafe on the sea front.

Only two kilometres away lies St Marti d'Empuries with one of the best-preserved Roman archaeological sites in Spain, right next to long stretching sandy beaches and rolling waves.

This all proves that L'Escala is a great place to holiday in but what about to live? One of the most important things to remember is that Bristol International Airport has recently opened routes directly to Girona, which is a 35 minute drive from L'Escala. Flights take under two hours and can cost very little using Ryanair or, if you want to explore Barcelona first, Easyjet offer a direct service from Bristol Airport.

Within the time it takes to commute to London you could be in Spain enjoying all of the beauty and diversity it has to offer. Or just sitting on the beach - one of which happens to be the first beach in Spain that is non-smoking and has a ban on dogs. The medical services are excellent with a 24-hour Health Centre - my family and I have never had to wait more than 20 minutes to be seen whatever time of day or night and whatever the ailment.

For those of you who care deeply about the environment, L'Escala takes its duties very seriously. There are recycling bins on many of the main streets as well as general rubbish collected on a daily basis (as opposed to fortnightly in some UK places!) in the summer months, in order to keep the town clean and smell-free.

L'Escala is not about pomp and show; it is about a good way of life, with a slower pace in a beautiful situation. Its location is ideal and what it has to offer in terms of things to do, places to see, and way of living is for us, unparalleled. Why else would we choose to pop over so often, even for weekends?

There is a great sense of community there, one that is welcoming and inclusive, where all ages partake in local events, from firework displays to dancing in the streets. This is the Spain that I was looking for when I bought my house.

If this sounds tempting to you then looking into buying is easy. From an apartment to a villa with pool, or even a home in the hills, at Setter & Lee Estate Agents we have the fortune of knowing some very good Agents in the region. We have recently combined our 30 years of buying and selling with professional Spanish Agents, Marc and Denise, who are local people living in the town. They can offer a choice selection of coastal and inland properties - something for everyone.

Alternatively you may prefer a more rural location such as the tranquillity and beauty of the town of Figueres, at the foot of the South Pyrenees, which provides quiet and spectacular views of one of the most undiscovered areas of Spain. In association with Girorustic Gestio, an established Agent based in Girona, we are pleased to offer a variety of rural properties ranging from plots of land and buildings in need of renovation, to fabulous properties that have been restored.

With this comes the knowledge that is priced above all - peace of mind. We can personally recommend the high-quality and competitive service that Girorustic Gestio and Marc and Denise offer and are happy to help in this process of buying abroad. If you are interested in any of the properties publicised on their websites, then please get in touch with either Girorustic Gestio or Marc and Denise directly. Alternatively please contact Setter & Lee Estate Agents.

To see pictures and details of the properties available in L'Escala and surrounding rural areas, please click on the logos below to link directly to the Agents' websites.