Buying property in Asturias requires looking beyond price and photos. Climate, humidity, orientation, access and distance to services can greatly change the experience of living in a house or flat.
In cities and towns, check the neighbourhood, noise, parking, lift, building community, energy efficiency, heating, condition of the building and proximity to supermarkets, health centres and transport.
In rural houses or detached homes, pay special attention to orientation, sunlight, damp, roof condition, drainage, water supply, vehicle access, heating, insulation, mobile coverage and fibre internet.
Distance in kilometres can be misleading. Before buying, measure real travel time to work, school, health centre, hospital, supermarket and motorway. Do this at normal times, not only on a sunny Sunday.
It is also worth checking the cost of maintaining the property: heating, insurance, building fees, repairs, clearing vegetation, winter access, possible renovations and utilities.
If you buy in a tourist area or a high-demand coastal location, analyse price pressure, summer parking, year-round services and the difference between living there in high and low season.
A good home in Asturias is not only the one you fall in love with during a viewing. It is the one that still works well in November, with rain, work, shopping, schools, doctors and everyday life.
To keep comparing areas before buying, see also:
- Municipalities in Asturias for choosing where to live
- Coast or inland in Asturias: how to choose where to live
- Living in Asturias: quick guide to choosing an area
As a starting point, you can compare very different markets such as Oviedo, Gijón, Avilés, Siero, Villaviciosa, Llanes, Ribadesella, Lena or Valdés.