Why buy property in Prekmurje, Slovenia?

Sunset over Prekmurje

For many years this region was a forgotten area due mainly to its inaccessibility - there were no bridges to the area over the river Mur.

But things have really changed !

First, look at the area.

It is an entire region of National Parks.

The Gorichko National Park has borders with the Raabtal National Park in Austria and the Orseg National Park in Hungary.

3 Nature parks!

Őrség (Hungary) See details
Goričko (Slovenia) See details
Weinidylle (Austria) See details

Panorama of Austrian village in the winter

3 Adjacent Nature Parks

Development

The European Union have a policy of trying to improve underdeveloped regions of Europe and have been giving substantial support to this area.

A new motorway has been built all the way through Slovenia and over into Hungary which makes the area far more accessible.

The local market town of Murska Sobota (Literally Saturday market) has had a large tract of land earmarked for industrial development on the edge of town to attract inward investment. This is also EU funded. The proposed area is huge with access roads and infrastructure already in place to provide ready-made industrial units. These units are beginning to be developed and industry is gradually moving in. This will make a big difference over time.

A decade ago Murska Sobota was a grey, miserable ex-communist town where you would not have wanted to stay for very long. These days, it is a vibrant, modern market town and the change that has taken place is hard to comprehend. It has modern shopping malls, huge DIY stores, restaurants and countless coffee bars to sit and watch the world go by.

Murska Sobota Park

Prices

Prices in adjacent regions Austria have risen by 30% in the past two years in spite of the world recession. There used to be bargains in south east Austria in both the Steiermark and in Burgenland both these have all been snapped up.

Prekmurje is less than half an hour away.

Property prices in the mountain areas of Slovenia in Bohinj, Bled and in the ski resorts have also risen substantially. Property prices along the Slovenian coast are now beyond the reach of many families. Property prices in Italy are also extremely high and advertisements for derelict old barns to totally renovate which are no more than a pile of old stones attract prices up to €400,000.

Croatia is only half an hour away but property prices there are also relatively high.

There are still plenty of nice little properties in the Prekmurje area offering live-able houses to renovate over time set in National Park surroundings with land and outbuildings and still costing under €50,000

Properties all over the place are being renovated in the region and it must only be a matter of time before the whole area gets discovered and for families to realise what a wonderful lifestyle it offers.

Prekmurje in winter

When you buy a property in Prekmurje this is how you can pass your time

Look at the area - again!

Map of Prekmurje and Gorichko National Park

The small map in the top right hand corner indicates the position of Prekmurje within Slovenia. The light green lines mark the boundary of the Gorichko National Park. Note the closeness to Austria, Hungary and Croatia. 20 minutes by car to Austria and Hungary and ½ an hour to Croatia. Depending on where your property is. This really widens the leisure opportunities which the region offers.

The spas in the region.

Spas in Austria.

Please read this first link completely as it explains all you need to know about visiting a spa.

Bad Radkersburg - See details
Bad Gleichenberg - See details
Loipersdorf Spa - See details

There are also spas at Stegersbach, Bad Blumau, Bad Waltersdorf, Bad Tatsmannsdorf and many, many more.

Loipersdorf, Austria

Spas in Hungary.

Lenti Fürdo - See details - (About 10 minutes over the border)
St Gotthard - See details - (Just over the border)
Zalaegerszeg - See details - (About an hour's drive. The largest water park in central Europe)

Aquacity, Zalaegerszeg, Hungary

Spas in eastern Slovenia

Moravske Toplice - See details - (Near Murska Sobota - with 22 heated pools)
Vivat Spa Moravske Toplice - See details - (Hotel and wellness spa near Murska Sobota)
Lendava Spa - See details - Unique paraffin water! (situated on the ancient Amber Road)
Radenci Spa - See details - (Bubbling waters in a pleasant climate)
Banovci Spa - See details - (Entertainment programs for families)
Ptuj Spa - See details - (Spa with Roman and medieval heritage)

Spas in Prekmurje, Slovenia

Spas in Croatia

Varazdin - - See details - (Varaždin is just over the border - 1 hour. A Lovely old medieval town and really worth a visit)

Golf in Prekmurje, Slovenia

Golf

Moravske Toplice - - See details
Klöch (Austria) - - See details - ½ an hour by car - just over the Austrian border.

Eating Out in Prekmurje, Slovenia

Eating Out

The entire region offers many super restaurants which offer really good, wholesome food. Portions are large and prices are low. It is a region of many specialties often with Hungarian influence.

Bogrács

A traditional Hungarian stew. Bogrács (Hungarian: Cauldron.)

It is often served at your table in a small cauldron heated by a candle, very much like Swiss meat fonfue. However, it is supposed to contain at least three different meats. Pork, beef and venison.

Prekmurska Gibanica

A Prekmurje favourite! - full of poppy seeds ! It is served warm.

Prekmurska Gibanica (layered cake from Prekmurje) is a moist dessert consisting of layers of poppy seed, cottage cheese, walnut and apple filling.

It is protected under the Traditional Speciality Guaranteed Designation and can only be sold under its name when prepared according to the traditional recipe (Typical of Pannonian Slovenia, the region of Prekmurje.).

For centuries Prekmurska gibanica was served as a festive and ritual dish in Prekmurje.

Coffee shops in Prekmurje, Slovenia

Coffee shops

Coffee shops are everywhere - every store, every garage and on every corner.

They serve good quality coffee at prices which are less than half the cost in Austria. Typically, € 1.20 and offers of a piece of cake & a coffee for € 1.50 are common. They usually sell beer or a glass of wine too.

Jeruzalem Vinyards, Prekmurje, Slovenia

Wine

This is a huge wine growing region. The big vineyards are in the south towards the Croatian border but practically every private house in the region has a few vines producing enough wine for the family for a whole year. These are typical family sized vineyards and found everywhere.

You can buy wonderful quality Beli Pinot from a vineyard near Radenci all bottled and labelled for € 2 a liter. Their Traminec costs € 3 for a liter bottle. Your neighbours will be more than happy to give you wine as they usually have far too much to drink themselves.