Do you have dreams of living in Spain full time? How about a cash incentive to encourage you to make that dream a reality?
Ponga, a municipality and town in northwestern Spain, is offering £2,600 per person to those that move there. Moreover, couples that move there will get an additional £2,600 per child that they have in Ponga.
Beautiful Ponga.
This is all in a drive to boost the local economy. It is similar to an initiative launched by Italy that offered a financial incentive for people to purchase property in Presicce-Acquarica, Puglia.
This initiative is not aimed at home buyers. Instead, to receive the £2,600, you have to live in Ponga for at least five years.
This might sound like a terrifying commitment. Or it might sound like the start of a thrilling chapter in your life.
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Why move to Spain full time?
When you think of living in Spain full time, there are likely benefits that immediately come to mind: more sunshine, a lower cost of living, a relaxed lifestyle – but let’s put some facts behind that. And see how Ponga stands up to your vision of life in Spain.
The weather in Ponga
Santa Maria de Viego Church, Ponga.
While Ponga is certainly sunnier than the UK, if you have found yourself uncomfortably sweltering on a beach on the Costa del Sol, you may prefer Ponga, as it is on the mild side. Ponga gets around 2,000 hours of sunshine a year – significantly more than the UK’s 1,403. So, if you are looking for a bigger dose of vitamin D, a move to Ponga will grant you that.
In August, the temperature is typically in the low to mid-twenties. Meanwhile, February is the coldest month with highs of 8°C and a 45% chance of rain.
The cost of living in Spain
Just last year, Your Overseas Home researched and compared the cost of living in seven European countries. Spain came out as the third most expensive country to live in, after the UK and Germany. Spain scored particularly well in the hobbies and leisure section. Half a litre of beer in Spain costs the equivalent of £1.70 while it costs £3 in the UK. Plus, the study found that you could dine out for as little as £13.
The study also noted that Spain had affordable healthcare – a definite tick if you are thinking of starting a family in Ponga.
With a move to Spain, you are going to have to exchange money overseas. This means turning pounds into euros and vice versa. Currency markets fluctuates all the time, and sometimes, they can move against you. To safeguard against this, we recommend speaking to a currency specialists Smart Currency Exchange, to help you with the financial side of things when you move to Ponga.
What kind of life awaits you in Ponga?
Ponga – this way!
Ponga is in the autonomous community of Asturias. Its capital is San Juan de Beleño.
Nature lovers – Ponga will fit you like a glove. Ponga Natural Park is set in the heart of the Cantabrian Mountains. Its forests cover almost 40% of the surface area. It was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2018 of 20.51 hectares. You can find beech forests, Pyrenean oaks, chestnuts. As well as Asturian daffodils and violets. Additionally, there are twelve protected species to observe, including the brown bear, the wild otter, the golden eagle, and wolves. There are beautiful traditional villages and old buildings to see. Including the Cazo Tower, dating back to the 12th century, and one of the oldest Medieval buildings in Asturias. Ponga Natural Park is not just pretty to look at – there is plenty of hiking and cycling to do.
You could even see a brown bear!
Ponga is not the first choice for many British buyers. Brits tend to head to the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca – but that might be want makes a move to Ponga attractive. A move to Ponga will give you a taste for authentic Spain. Ponga offers a fantastic outdoors life, peace and quiet, and a space away from the potential stresses of modern life. And its immense natural beauty is hard to ignore.
Property
Given that Ponga is not an expat hotspot, property can be purchased affordably. It is possible to find a property in Ponga for as little as €10,000. If you are going to be there for five or more years, you might feel in the mood for dedicating yourself to a complete restoration project. Having said that, €100,000 will get you a lovely two-bedroom village home.
Looking for more insight on what it is like to live in Spain? We have advice on learning the language, travel and transport, and even dealing with homesickness.
