IT’s undeniable that ever since Francisco Franco’s reign up to the time of current King Juan Carlos I, Spain has been a magnet and static cling for both British and Scandinavian tourists. Others are gays who have recognized the Mediterranean coastline of Spain as an ideal spot for nudist resorts simply because of the temperate climate as compared with the colder weather pattern in the northern part of Europe. The others are British and Scandinavian baby boomers who have just newly retired and are willing to go to Spain as expats. For the bachelors and the bachelorettes, some have even picked up Spanish spouses in the process.

One of the most beautiful and amazing cities in Spain is Salamanca. And there are not just British and Scandinavian tourists here but there are also American ones. Thus, people in Salamanca know how to speak English in both accents – the rhotic and non-rhotic – because it is mandated by the local education authority there as part of a child’s high school curriculum. Of course, that policy for mandatory second language acquisition has long been in effect in mainland Europe as a result of a European Union mandate. So you will definitely have no problem if you want to transfer here in Salamanca.

Mortgage here in Salamanca is not something that should be dreaded because unlike in the United States, Spain and the entire mainland Europe has not and will never experience a credit crunch. There are several villas and apartments for sale here in Salamanca. Salamanca can be relatively compared to Benidorm and Valencia. They are cities still waited to be explored and discovered by foreign tourists. Forget about Madrid. It is too congested. If you want to learn how to play instruments used in flamenco music as well as flamenco dance moves and if you dig into bull riding and rodeo stuff, then go to Barcelona. But if you simply want a hassle-free and smog-free urban air in Spain, then just choose between the three – Salamanca, Benidorm and Valencia.

Salamanca may not be located beside the Mediterranean but it surely is a fascinating city because it has been the setting of an upcoming movie Vantage Point. But if you like to feel the Mediterranean style of urban living, then go to either Benidorm or Valencia. Benidorm is reputed to be the city in Spain with the most skyscrapers. And Valencia City is the most awesome of them all. Valencia City right now has numerous high-end subdivision and condominium developments because it is gearing up for two international events – the Spanish Grand Prix of the Formula One race come August and the America’s Cup by the summer of 2009. The racetrack for the Formula One Grand Prix is the converted thoroughfares in the city so every vacant lot along these thoroughfares is now pricier than last year. There are now condominiums built in the street sides parallel to the modified racetrack.