Pros and Cons of Apartment Blocks in Barcelona

Barcelona is a popular destination for tourists and relocation packages alike. The Mediterranean City offers much in terms of quality of life and proximity to nature; be it the sea, the countryside or the mountains, so it's no wonder finding a property can be so difficult. 2009-2010 is really a buyers market, with a massive amount of properties on offer - so how do you wade through the fog to find the light? Here's how.

The first thing any property hunter must take into account is height. This sounds more straightforward than it is, and many properties can seem a lot better in cleverly-taken photographs and well-worded prospectuses than the cold light of day. Anyone looking for a "bajos" - the term given for the ground floor space usually reserved for retail or the café/restaurant trade can be in for some surprises. There are some obvious benefits for these types of living spaces: no reliance on an elevator/lift, for example, with easy access to and from your property for removals, deliveries, shopping, etc. You're also on ground level, so those people who suffer from vertigo, or simply don't like the idea of living forty of fifty metres above street level will be happy here. Bajos are typically large spaces, often open plan, making your space easily convertible into a "loft"-style home. This also means that you will likely only have one neighbour - whoever is above you - so acoustic disturbances from other occupants will be at a minimum. Having said that, street noise and general city life will be much closer to any dweller, and depending on the street, this can be a real let-down. However, the obvious disadvantage is the dependence of artificial light. Any ground floor apartment-conversion will have very little natural light coming through the façade of the building, which is often covered in opaque glass, or bars for security reasons, leaving any occupant no other choice but to fill the space with lamps and electric lights. Apart from the financial cost this can bring, it also leaves for a constant artificial atmosphere, and is something worth considering. Another important factor to consider is the potential risk of flooding in heavy rain. Many of Barcelona's streets in the old town, for example, do not have capacity in the drainage system to cope with heavy downpours, and certain streets were designed as canals to run to the sea. It's common to see shop fronts boarded up in times of rain, and if this is your home, it's not something you'd like to affront on a regular basis.

Moving up a few floors to the middle of an apartment block can rid you of all the street noise if the property is well-insulated. It's amazing what some double glazing can do to reduce the sound of buzzing motorbikes and police sirens at all hours. You will also gain the benefits of sunlight entering into your property at certain times of the day - Barcelona rests on the banks of the Mediterranean Sea, meaning the sun rises from this direction, and sets at the back of the city - behind Tibidabo Mountain. So if your apartment faces the sea, chances are you'll have natural light for a good part of the day, often up to eight or nine hours. Possible downfalls can be noise from the neighbouring apartments, if the building itself is not well insulated. Many properties in the old town suffer from this problem, as well as (incredibly) new properties, which skimp on building materials and use hardboard plaster to divide the apartments - a terrible substitution for bricks and mortar for neighbour-noise.

Which leaves only one way to go - up! Upper floors, and especially attics and penthouses, have the benefits which outweigh the flaws. Whilst you may be constantly reliant on an elevator - or if you choose an older neighbourhood in the city, such as the Gothic Quarter or El Raval, likely never have the alternative to the stairs - you will also reap the benefits of Barcelona sunshine throughout the whole day, coupled with fantastic views. Panoramic views of the coastline, Monjüic Mountain and Tibidabo will greet your eyes each morning as you raise the blinds, or draw back the curtains. You may also have the added advantage of a terrace or a large balcony, meaning you don't even need to hit the beach or the local park for a spot of sunbathing. This is equally a pleasure on an evening, when you can curl up with a book on your terrace and watch the city light up before your eyes.

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