What will £250,000 buy you in France, Italy, Portugal and Spain?

So, you’ve decided you want to flee the UK property market and buy somewhere overseas, but the burning question is ‘Where?’ To help you decide and show you what’s currently available, I’ve gathered a few homes from top expat destinations France, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

In my time working at Your Overseas Home and Property Guides, I’ve found that there are two distinct settings sought after by overseas buyers. Those are ‘a home in the country’ and a ‘town home’ or ‘somewhere in the city.’

The first is favoured by retirees or those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life for somewhere a little more remote – but not isolated.

The latter is a perfect option for individuals and families who intent to live and work abroad. There are infinitely more opportunities in cities across the world and they usually have better travel connections than rural locations.

Here, we take a look at two homes in each of your favourite countries under €250,000 to help show you what’s on offer.

France

France is a lovely place to live if you’re seeking somewhere with better weather than the UK, but close to home. There are lots of traditional homes available in attractive French villages across the country, but favourites include Normandy, Burgundy and Poitou-Charentes. Places to find country homes are much more diverse. The Charente, Dordogne and Loire Valley are mostly green, so homes often come with lots of land and room to expand, should you need it.

Example home: If it’s a country home in France you’re after, I’ve found a delightful home for €152,600 in Curzon, the Vendée. While the listing says it needs a little update, you’re getting a lot for your money with this home. It has three-bedrooms and is split over two levels. There’s also a large outbuilding that could easily be converted into a workspace, studio or workshop. Outside, you have over 4500m to enjoy and a small, wooded area. It’s close to nearby villages and amenities too. This price is better than key-ready country homes in France, so if you’re interested, act quickly.

 

Example home: Here I’ve chosen a stone townhouse just outside the popular village of Saint-Sever-Calvados in Normandy. Coming in at €129,000, this is the cheapest property on my list and is typical of village homes in France. It needs little done to it, but appears key-ready – a great sign for buyers. The beautiful site of Mont-Saint-Michel is just 36km away and forests surround the small village.View more images of this village home in France

Browse homes in France 

Italy

Italy is a beautiful place to live. The gastronomy is to die for, the Mediterranean climate is better than most and those who live there enjoy a fun, upbeat life surrounded by family, long-standing traditions and beautiful surroundings.

For guidance on buying property in Italy, download our comprehensive guide for free today

Country homes in Italy really differ depending on location. It’s just like a home in Cornwall isn’t the same as a Lake District home – both offer a different pace of life and surroundings. Today I’ve selected a lush duplex apartment on ground-floor level just outside Citta della Pieve in Umbria.

This gorgeous home comes with three double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a garage. You’ll also be able to enjoy the verdant private garden with its own well and woodshed. It’s on the market for €250,000 and is pretty typical for country homes in Italy. Find out more about this property today. 

Our Italian “city” home is a beautifully renovated flat in the centre of Tuscany, with views of the Val d’Orcia. Split across two levels, this spacious two-bathroom home is on the market for €250,000 also. It’s accentuated by wooden ceiling beams throughout which really accentuate its traditional design. It looks like the loft space has been adapted to accommodate a second bed, but it could also be used as an office or guest bedroom. Discover this Tuscan home today or browse more homes in Italy on our property portal    

Browse homes in Italy on Your Overseas Home

Portugal

From Italy, we’re heading to Portugal – more specifically to Gouveia in eastern Portugal, where our country home lies. Gouveia is a city in the district of Guarda with a very small population, although it’s surrounded by national parks and lush greenery.

This home is on the market for €230,000 and set on a 1000m2 plot. It has six bedrooms with four bedrooms and gardens to the front and back – perfect for any budding gardener. This home would suit a family with older family members who would enjoy its inland location and the gardens it has to offer. Enquire about the Gouveia home today (and see more photos) 

Intrigued about living in Portugal? Find out everything you need to know in our brand-new Living in Portugal guide

From Guarda, we fly northwest to the wonderful Portuguese city of Porto, famed for its coastal location, stately bridges and eponymous wine. Fun fact: Porto is a World Heritage city! The home I’ve found is super affordable and close to the coast.  This Vila do Conde home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a lovely balcony and windows that face south, west and east, so you’re guaranteed sun from one side at all times. This home is in a quiet, residential area and close to all amenities. The closest metro station is just 1.5km away and is well connected to Porto town centre.

Example home: This property is on the market for a generous €230,000 which is quite typical of city properties in Portugal. Properties on the Algarve are typically more expensive and smaller in size due to a higher population and proximity to the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea.

Browse homes in Portugal

Spain

If you’ve got this far, then you either have your heart set on Spain or haven’t yet been convinced by our homes in France, Italy and Portugal. But no matter! Perhaps Spain holds the key to your heart…

Spain is really popular with expats from all over the world. English is just as popular as Spanish and you can easily get by if you don’t speak the native tongue. It’s worth noting smaller towns and villages are more likely to speak Spanish and not English – something to keep in mind. Spain is a welcoming country, and the property market is booming with foreign buyers. There are also some generous visa schemes available to non-EU buyers.

I’ve chosen two homes quite typical of Spain. The first is not really a ‘country’ home as that’s not as popular in Spain, instead I’ve opted for a property close to popular golf resorts. Resort-style properties are super popular among retirees who escape to Spain to enjoy the warm climate and celebrate their golden years somewhere more exciting.

This home lies on the edge of the Peraleja Golf course in Murcia, Spain. It’s a gated community close to nearby towns Avelesis and Sucina. It’s set in a gorgeous area surrounded by bright green courses that are very well looked after. This villa-style home has three-bedrooms and two bathrooms, terraces off each of the bedrooms and an open-plan living area. It’s on the market for €250,000. The villa is well connected, just 30 minutes from new Murcia international airport and just over an hour from Alicante airport. This villa would suit an active couple looking for a place to move to or even to use as a family holiday home. View more photos of this property today  

Browse more homes in Spain today 

Our Spanish city home, ‘Los Patios’, lies in Mojacar Playa in Almeria. This white-washed property is part of an Andalusian village on the hillside facing the sea in a popular residential area. This southeast facing apartment has three bedrooms and two bathrooms and is on the market for €250,000 which reflects its close proximity to the sea, beach and beach club. Take a look at this property in detail on Your Overseas Home. 

For more advice and tips on buying property in Spain, download our free Spain Buying Guide today