“La ciudad paraíso”. Así definió a Pontevedra el diario británico ‘The Guardian’ en 2018. O más en concreto, el autor del artículo, el periodista Stephen Burgen, quien quedó prendado de la ciudad tras visitarla y constatar en primera persona las bondades de su modelo urbanístico. Una apuesta donde la peatonalización de las calles tiene todo el protagonismo, lo que se traduce en más tranquilidad para los ciudadanos y menos contaminación ambiental.

Today at Culmia, we want to take a closer look at why this Galician city is considered a paradise by some. And while we’re at it, we’ll show you the new-construction developments we have in Pontevedra, so you can be fully convinced of just how ideal it is to live in one of the most charming small cities in our country.

Characteristics of Pontevedra

Pontevedra is the capital of the province of the same name, which is part of the Autonomous Community of Galicia. However, it is not the most populous city in the region; that distinction belongs to Vigo. In fact, it is curious that, despite being similar in size, Vigo has nearly four times as many residents (according to the INE, 293,837 people in 2021, compared to 83,114 in its neighboring city).

This statistic clearly illustrates what it’s like to live in Pontevedra: a city with a rich history and tradition that stands out especially for being very peaceful and accessible. As such, it’s ideal for people who don’t want to miss out on all the benefits of living in a provincial capital, but who also want to escape the stresses of crowds and traffic, which are so common in large cities.

It is located in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, within a ría. This is why it is also considered the capital of the“Rías Baixas” (Rías Bajas), the coastal area that encompasses the province of Pontevedra itself and part of the Atlantic coast of the province of A Coruña. A privileged location with an oceanic climate, featuring mild, rainy winters and fairly warm, sunny summers. This translates to approximately 131 rainy days per year and average temperatures ranging from a high of 19.1°C to a low of 10.5°C.

Why choose Pontevedra as a place to live?

– It’s a city that has embraced pedestrianization. In 1999, it began restricting traffic in its city center, so its historic district is now almost entirely pedestrianized. This makes it possible to cross the city on foot in just 25 minutes, with all the mobility benefits that entails. And if you own a car and don’t want to give it up, don’t worry— there are also 1,600 free parking spaces located on the outskirts of the city.

– It’s less than an hour’s drive from the historic city of Santiago de Compostela. The Portuguese border is about 50 minutes away, so there are plenty of options for sightseeing.

– Its proximity to the beach. The Pontevedra estuary is home to 5 coastal municipalities that are home to 96 different beaches. In other words, that’s a huge number for such a small area, offering a wide variety of options for anyone looking to unwind or cool off at any given moment.

– Its beautiful sights. Pontevedra is known as the “city of bridges, ” as its unique architecture features as many as eight of them. All of them span the Lérez River, which gives the city center its characteristic semicircular shape. That said, don’t expect to find identical structures, because each bridge has its own unique style and character. So you’ll be able to enjoy some incredible and incredibly diverse views!

– It is located in one of the areas with the highest quality of life in Spain. According to a 2021 survey conducted by the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), Vigo is the city with the highest quality of life in the country. And although this study did not collect data for Pontevedra, it is clear that, given that the two cities are just over 21 kilometers apart, the provincial capital can also boast optimal living conditions.

– It’s a welcoming city. Historically, it has been known as the“Boa Vila”because of the hospitality of its people. It’s no wonder, then, that a Galician saying goes: “Pontevedra offers a drink to anyone who passes through”, so visitors and outsiders will always feel at home when they’re here.

– It is a young city that is experiencing rapid growth. When considering the seven major municipalities in Galicia, Pontevedra is the youngest city in the Autonomous Community. Its average age is just 44.7 years; what’s more, 17.5% of its population is under 20 years old. That’s why its population has grown by 1.1% over the past year, and the General State Budget plans to invest 22% more in the province in 2023 than in the previous fiscal year.

– It is safe and ideal for the education of children and young people. In Pontevedra, four out of every five schoolchildren can walk to school, and of these, half do so without even needing an adult to accompany them. These advantages are compounded by the city’s high literacy rates; according to 2018 data, it is the second Galician city with the highest proportion of residents holding a college degree (nearly 27%) and the one with the lowest illiteracy rate (0.55%).

– It offers more than 20 kilometers of trails and paths to enjoy nature, while also combining the best of the coast and the mountains.

Culmia Portonovo Sanxenxo

If you want to live in Portonovo, in the municipality of Sanxenxo, Pontevedra, this development is for you. Culmia Portonovo Sanxenxo is a new-construction development located just a 10-minute walk from Baltar Beach, with a wide range of essential services nearby.

It offers 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom multifamily homes, as well as 3-bedroom single-family homes with gardens. All homes include spacious terraces or private gardens, parking spaces, and storage units. The common areas feature a community pool, a sports complex, landscaped areas, a Social Club for events, and a playground.

Culmia Aires da Ponte: The Best Place to Live in Pontevedra

After everything we’ve said, you’re probably already thinking about moving to this Galician city. So we have some good news for you: at Culmia, we currently have a new-construction development underway in downtown Pontevedra— Culmia Aires da Ponte.

This development consists of 45 homes with 2 to 4 bedrooms, each with a garage and storage room. These are exterior-facing homes that enjoy excellent natural light thanks to their orientation and layout, and many of them feature large terraces.

Culmia Aires da Ponte is located in an exclusive part of the city, near the Tirantes Bridge and the banks of the Lérez River. It is also very close to Plaza de los Barcelos and offers all the amenities necessary for daily life, such as supermarkets, hospitals, daycare centers, schools, and sports facilities.

So you can enjoy quality time with your family and some leisure time by swimming in the sea or strolling through some of Pontevedra’s most iconic spots, such as the Parque de la Isla de las Esculturas—the city’s most notable park, with nearly 70,000 m² of green space.

What do you think?Check out this promotion now and contact us to start enjoying the benefits of living in Pontevedra!

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