Despite the fact that the territory leads the ranking of the most expensive in the Basque Country, there are municipalities in which it is possible to buy a house for less than half of the €3,229/m2 that was paid on average in May in Gipuzkoa as a whole
The Basque real estate market continues to be among the most expensive on home soil. Only Madrid (€3,254/m2) and the Balearic Islands (€3,376/m2) exceeded the prices of the Basque Country which, in May alone, grew by 3.02% compared to the same month of the previous year. In fact, despite not being the one that grows the most – a position occupied by Álava where prices have risen by 5.51% in the last twelve months – Buying in Gipuzkoa means owning the most expensive province in Spain, with a price per square meter for second-hand housing that reached 3,229 euros in May.
The figures are even more bulky in the capital of San Sebastian, which, once again, becomes the most expensive in the country. According to data from the flats.com sales price report, used housing reached €5,742/m2 in May, 7.20% more than the previous year. Prices double, for example, those registered in Vitoria (€2,713/m2) and are notably higher than those in Bilbao (€3,460/m2). However, the province offers residential alternatives for all tastes and here is a selection of some of the cheapest to buy a home.
Azkoitia, the cheapest but also the fastest growing
Although in many Gipuzkoan municipalities it is difficult to find second-hand houses below €2,500/m2, the truth is that they exist. In fact, there are even those where it is not only possible to lower this figure, but also to pay less than €1,000/m2. They are not abundant, yes, but in the Urola-Kosta region we find something on offer in Azkoitia.
In this town of just over 11,650 inhabitants, the average price in May stood at €980/m2. The data is not only the lowest in the area, according to the records of piso.com, but also makes the town the star of the most important increase in the last year, noting an interannual rate of 15.52%.
The little more than four kilometers -and nearly 4,000 more inhabitants of difference- that separate this municipality from neighboring Azpeitia, are enough to suppose a notable increase in prices. The real estate market of the latter closed the month of May with a revaluation of 2.47% compared to the previous year, which, however, translated into a price for used housing of €1,871/m2.
Interesting destinations in the interior
The Alto Deba region is home to two other quiet municipalities where it is possible to buy a house for less than €2,000/m2. The one that has traditionally been considered the capital of the region, due to its strategic location, is one of them. This is Bergara, a town with 14,584 inhabitants that has an important industrial past. Today, however, it is possible to buy a house in the town for €1,553/m2 or, which is the same, -25.66% cheaper than a year ago.
Along with it, the Oñati real estate market also registered a significant drop in prices in May (-13.83%), which placed the square meter of used housing at 1,724 euros.
In Bajo Deba, however, prices exceeded these figures last month and, in municipalities such as Eibar or Elgoibar, prices were recorded at €2,245/m2 and €2,069/m2, respectively. However, the behavior of the data was different and, while in the Eibar market prices grew by 7.07%, in Elgoibarra they fell -7.62%.
The most expensive, near the capital
The influence of the capital is a factor that is also felt in prices. Its proximity translates into a notable increase and, despite the existence of a multitude of quiet municipalities in the surroundings, it is difficult to find properties with affordable prices. However, the comparison with Donostia is usually favorable and it is that, for example, the little more than ten kilometers that separate the capital from Hernani are enough so that, in this town of just over 20,000 inhabitants, the price of used housing is 2,478 €/m2, the same figure at which a property can be purchased in Tolosa -the former capital of the province- despite being more than half an hour from San Sebastián.
The distance is noticeable and, in the Goierri region, there are municipalities nestled between mountains such as Beasain, for example, where it is possible to buy a house for €2,319/m2. The kilometers, yes, can play against us if we go to the border with France, although it is possible to buy a flat in Irun for €2,492/m2.