Andorra is a unique place, to say the least. As a result, the property market here is quirky — things that you probably didn’t think of before considering Andorran property will turn out to be major selling points. Because these features can significantly impact the quality of your overall living experience here, you need to give them some serious thought.
Here are some of the most important considerations you will have to make before sealing the deal.
Seasonal Weather Conditions
Weather can have a dramatic impact on your overall living experience in Andorra, and even your mood. It’s a big deal here — because the weather can be quite different from one parish to another, it can be warm and sunny in Sant Julia while cold and windy in Ordino. This is one of the reasons why finding the “best place” to live in Andorra is so subjective.
Additionally, conditions will vary seasonally, which is something many foreigners don’t often understand. It’s recommended to know exactly what you’re getting into in terms of weather during each season before buying.
Things like how well the insulation and building quality is, the type of heating equipment the house has, how much sunlight it gets, how the snow might affect your accessibility, and other considerations, need to be given serious thought.
Adequate Sunlight
In most countries, getting adequate sunlight to your property isn’t really an issue. However, the mountainous geography of Andorra means that many properties don’t get much or any sunlight at all during the winter months.
Adequate sunlight won’t just improve your mood, it can reduce heating costs, help to melt snow build-up and provide you with some much-needed Vitamin D during the cold winters.
Access and Roadways
One thing we’ve noticed about foreign buyers is that they aren’t always aware of how unforgiving the Andorran terrain can be in terms of accessibility. Sure, the mountains and valleys are beautiful, but they can be tricky to drive on during the winter.
Make sure any property you purchase has easy access and roads that are accessible year-round. The perfect property won’t be so perfect if you can’t actually make it there!
Overall Building Quality
Finally, you want to consider the overall building quality of your purchase. Too often, we find that foreigners discover properties that are “too good to be true,” finding themselves let down. You’ll want to make sure you get the proper heating choice for winter and find a building with good insulation and access to sunlight. If possible, look to inspect and buy a property in early winter so you can see how the building works in the cold.