More metropolis, for less

Budget airfares have made short breaks to European capitals possible for Britons from all walks of life, but house prices there can be at London levels. Instead, those with the smart money are turning to the towns, says Ginetta Vedrickas

As increasing numbers of younger people opt to buy property abroad, a change of destination is also under way. Out goes the rural idyll and in comes the city dream, with destinations like Paris and Barcelona now topping many buyers' wish-lists and lesser-known cities also growing in popularity.

Justyn Medd, of European Villa Solutions, has seen an influx of buyers in European cities, particularly in the under-35s market. "Spain is a prime example. At one time, we only sold homes with a beachfront location. Now we see young families wishing to run their businesses from Spain." He believes that improved infrastructure is behind the change. "Only 15 years ago, making an international call from Spain was fraught with delay and healthcare was patchy. Nowadays with a modern infrastructure of telecommunications, roads, schools and hospitals, the barriers are coming down and with this any reluctance to quit the UK."

But buyers who set their hearts on the better-known cities may find prices prohibitive. "Barcelona is a unique city with a tradition of openness and flexibility, a free spirit and, as such, is much sought-after," warns Medd. An apartment in the centre of town will be on a par with London prices and a good location with view can cost anything from £200,000 to £600,000.

Buyers with smaller budgets may wish to scour nearby destinations with more attractive price tags. Around 30 minutes' drive from Barcelona is Tossa de Mar, an old beachside town where apartments start at £80,000. And there are other city destinations that still offer good value.

Medd says Murcia is "an up-and-coming part of Spain where lots of money is being spent on the infrastructure, sports and recreation" and where a good central-city apartment can be bought for £80,000. "This beautiful Gothic city is not unlike Cambridge, clean and tidy with a university and a river running through the centre of the city. There are cobbled streets, nice shops, a restored cathedral and theatre and it is only a half hour from the coast."

For Francophiles, Paris is a long-established love affair, but thanks to improved transport links, previously unknown cities are luring British buyers. Last year, Stuart and Margaret Pearce holidayed in Montpellier in the south of France and instantly made a decision to buy in the area. "We'd never been there before but we immediately fell in love – it's got everything," says Margaret, a customer services manager and a self-confessed "townie". The Pearces live in London but were not attracted to buying in a rural location. "That just wouldn't be me," says Margaret. "I like to be where the action is, where there are people and life, and Montpellier is perfect for that."

The couple paid €152,500 for a new, two-bedroom apartment 10 minutes from the centre of Montpellier and a one-minute walk to a tram station. "The public transport system is a definite attraction, it runs until 1am and within minutes you are right in the Place de la Comédie, Montpellier's central square," she says.

The couple plan to take advantage of everything the city has to offer. "It even has a branch of my language school in London where I'm learning French. There's so much going on in terms of festivals, theatre and cinema; it's a buzzing place that really seems to be looking ahead. Of course, you also have the sunshine."

The couple used the Live France Group to help with the purchase of their apartment. Live France MD Philippa Bowman is seeing increasing numbers of buyers like the Pearces. "Direct flights from London to Carcassonne, Perpignan and Montpellier mean that city breaks are increasingly popular, and many of our clients have bought pied-à-terre apartments for just this purpose, so they can enjoy the metropolitan buzz of the south of France on a regular basis."

The Live France Group has several properties available in the city, where prices start from as little as £60,000 for a two-bedroom flat with terrace in east Montpellier. A very large two-bedroom flat in the central Antigone area is on offer for €109,000 (£72,666). At the very top of the market is a sixth-floor, two-bedroom flat in the centre with stunning views and 85sqm of living space at €243,920 (£162,613).

Bowman explains Montpellier's appeal: "It's a thriving city with an excellent university and highly efficient public transport. It combines stunning, state-of-the-art buildings with traditional 17th- and 18th-century townhouses and boulevards, and is ideally located for access to Spain and Paris thanks to its TGV rail connections. The town centre is 15 minutes' drive from the airport, and regular flights to and from the UK make Montpellier popular property-hunting ground for Brits."

European Villa Solutions: www.europeanvs.com; 01223 514241 Live France Group: www.livefrancegroup.com; 0871 717 4143