As the weather gets warmer, that little seed of a dream to settle on an island has started to sprout again. After a trip to the Canary Islands, I couldn’t forget La Palma, the one they call ‘Isla Bonita.’ So recently, I’ve started seriously looking into the possibility of buying a house there. I’ve viewed quite a few properties and decided to start this post to share my findings and hopefully get some advice from those with experience.
Choosing an Area: The East-West Divide
After some research, I’ve found that the main residential areas on the island are concentrated in two cities: the capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma, in the east, and Los Llanos de Aridane in the west.
- East: As the capital and a hub for La Palma real estate, it’s more bustling with government offices, large supermarkets, and the port located here. Life is very convenient, with more of a city feel. The downside is that the east tends to be cloudier and slightly more humid than the west.
- West: This is the sunny coast! It gets significantly more sunshine and has a drier, warmer climate, which is why many Northern Europeans looking for sun and sand love to buy homes here. Los Llanos itself is a lively town with all the necessary amenities. The volcanic eruption did affect parts of the west, but life has long since returned to normal, and reconstruction is ongoing.
Personally, I’m leaning towards the west—after all, sunshine is the main reason for moving to an island!
Property Prices and Availability
Compared to Tenerife or Gran Canaria, property prices on La Palma are very reasonable. Of course, it depends on the specific location and property type. I’ve mainly been looking at resale properties, as new developments are few and far between. Here’s a rough overview of the areas I’ve been focusing on:
| Area | Property Type | Price Range | Features |
|---|
| Los Llanos de Aridane | Apartment | €100k - €200k | Town center, convenient |
| El Paso | Detached house/Country cottage | €150k - €350k | Open views, large plots |
| Santa Cruz de La Palma | Apartment/Old town house | €120k - €250k | Historic feel, transport hub |
| Tazacorte | Sea view apartment | €180k - €300k | Close to the beach, sunny |
You can find a decent apartment for around €150,000, and with a budget of €250,000-€300,000, your options expand significantly, even including a ‘Casa de Campo’ (country house) with a small plot of land. Of course, for luxury villas with stunning views, the sky’s the limit. I saw a sea view apartment in Tazacorte with a huge terrace that was practically my dream house, but it was just a little over budget, so I’m still debating.
A Few House-Hunting Tips
Finally, here are a few tips from my own experience that I hope you’ll find useful:
- Visit in Person: Photos can be deceiving! You have to experience the property’s orientation, natural light, and actual surroundings for yourself.
- Check Utilities: Especially in more remote rural areas, be sure to ask whether water and electricity are supplied by the public grid or are self-contained systems (e.g., water tank, solar panels), as this affects future living costs.
- Inquire About Community Fees for La Palma island properties: If you’re buying an apartment, there will be a monthly community fee (‘comunidad’), ranging from tens to over a hundred euros. This covers the maintenance of common areas, elevators, etc., and is a fixed expense to factor in.
- Find a Reliable Agent or Lawyer: Although it involves extra costs, they can help you avoid many pitfalls, such as property debts, legality issues, and more. It’s best to leave professional matters to the professionals for peace of mind.
That’s all I can think of for now. Are there any forum members already living on the island? Or any fellow house-hunters? I’d love to discuss and exchange ideas and advice!
