hi all me and my family are moving to spain in oct.........
We have got a lovely house lined up and went out last week to see it
its in alhaurin del grande which was lovely also. The problem now is we have friends who live in spain not far from alhaurin and they have advived us not to move to ADG as the gypsys will target and rob/mug a young family like ourselves, In their words that said they would not live in ADG rent/morgage free pls pls help any advise pls.....

nic x

Hi, welcome; don't live anywhere near but there was a recent thread with many of the posts suggesting it's generally fine ... you will find there are always pros and antis for every situation.
Good luck

I notice nobody is replying to this. I don't know the area at all but here is my advice for what it's worth.
If you're only renting. Go. Take all reasonable precautions just as you always do while travelling. And make up your own mind.

If you're buying though you have to bear in mind that if this place has a bad reputation, it's only likely to get worse. Unless the place is VERY cheap you're likely to lose money if you want to resell. The loss of a small deposit may be a drop in the ocean in a case like that.

However. I lived in a street in the north of England which had an appalling reputation that it and it's residents didn't deserve. But it was self-fulfilling. Nobody 'nice' wants to buy in a place that has a bad reputation. So a certain percentage of the residents went from bad to worse.
On the other hand, when some of us got together and started a community group and had an almost Spanish style Fiesta once a year we turned the rep around. And it was a pretty cool place to live for a while.
There were still a few problems but we were a community and we looked after each other.

If buying and it's too late to back out, you might have to be this pro-active in your own community to turn it's reputation around. That can be hard work and maybe not what you're coming here for.

Do not move there then !

I have a friend who lives in AEG, they have had a lot of problems with their house being burgled and cars robbed/damaged. It is a bit rough, and partly explains why it is generally cheaper than other areas.

My friend is a bit flashy with expensive cars and things, if you are like that I would advise not going to live in AEG.

Otherwise, the previous advise was good, if you are renting then its no problem because you can move to another area easily if you have a bad experience.

jojo who posts here used to live there

she'll be along at some point no doubt

There are Gypsies in AEG, my sons friend was involved in a fight with some during the feria (carnival), altho it was very late and more of a "boys will be boys" kinda thing than blatant violence! I also know someone who returned to her house to find several gypsies inside stealing!!!!! they ran when they saw her tho

BUT, its not common, there are gypsies in and around most Spanish towns around here. In El Grande there are also a lot of British living there and most of those have never have cause for concern. Personally I wouldnt let it worry you too much, just be sensible, dont leave your house unlocked, dont have "flashy" goods on show and dont spend your time worrying about it. Once you get here and meet people, they'll tell you that its really not a major problem

I live in a village just outside of El Grande and have never had any trouble at all!

P.S. I've also heard that the gypsies arent really organised or clever enough to "target" anyone in particular - its just opportunist. Dont worry!

Jo xxx

I heard that a lot of problems in AEG are because of the type of many of the ex-pats living there, drunken brawls etc. Friends say that they cannot leave anything outside, child's bike, gas bottle...all disappear, they have been trying to sell for about 3 years.

We nearly bought a property in AEG, whilst we were looking at a property the police had been called to the property next door as it had been burgled. The British owners (of the property next door) suggested we look else where as it was common place. Hence we didn't buy there.

I think Jacky is nearer the truth. There are alot of British expats who can be quite "rowdy", but only late at night in the town (Its no worse that the UK) Also a few years ago there was an incident, I cant remember the details, but either a Spanish girl was raped and murdered by a Brit, or vice versa and this has left a bit of a legacy between the youth culture of both nationalities. But on a day to day level, its fine and as nice as anywhere else!

Jo xxx

that was tony king who murdered a couple of girls and worked as a barman in aeg
was a convicted rapist as well

my opinion of aeg,its cheap so you get the scumbag ex pats there,i wouldn't live there if i had a free house

Dose Spain and the UK CRB not share details of convictions of expats with each other? Surley this would lower the risk of peados etc re offending?

I know what you mean, but it really isnt that bad. Altho I very rarely go there. We live inbetween AEG and Alhaurin de la Torre (our postal address in AdlT) which is much better, not so many Brits tho - does that say something????

Jo xxx

They do but in this case the Spanish police did not seem to take notice of the warnings from the UK police.