I have seen violence in Spain on occasion both in Estepona (largely Spanish resort) and Jimena (largely Spanish inland village with sizeable expat community).

It's usually been drink or drugs based.

I agree with the previous comment that it's not often reported.

I still feel safer in Spain than the UK.

Like everywhere there are good and bad people. However things do happen and not just in the cities or at the coast there was the incident a few years ago in Competa Youth accused of causing the death of a British man faces 12 years in prison. Surinenglish.com

The potential for violence is much greater in busy cities and there will be areas in those cities which are dangerous for normal people, especially at dangerous times.

I live in the greater Torrevieja area, and there are parts of the city, like the Gypsy or Russian quarters which are best avoided after midnight. So is the area known as Bar Street where Spanish youngsters congregate to smoke their drugs all night long.

The 24-hour bars are full of prostitutes and their pimps after midnight and are also best avoided, by ordinary people.

I think the level of graffiti anywhere is usually a sign of the desirability of an area.

... apart from Bristol where the graffiti are taken down and sold for lots of money.

Toronto have not done themselves any favours by allowing a crack cocaine addict and self confessed alcoholic to be their Mayor and allowing him to stay in office despite his continuing embarrassing and sometimes violent behaviour on and off tv.....the sort of image he portrays gives a really bad impression to the young people of Toronto and the rest of Canada.

Hi and a warm welcome to the Spanish forum on BE. I am the Concierge for the Spanish section and thought that you might find it helpful to know that the moderators for the Spanish forums are Fred James and Bevs, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE.

Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderator who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are usually friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. I hope that you enjoy your time participating in the forums.

Please let me know if you need any further help.

Rosemary

Thank you Rosemary!

Thanks to all to have taken the time to reply. All responses have been informative, very helpful and have gone a long way to putting my mind at rest (and confirming what

Oops, pressed send a little prematurely! I wanted to say that your posts have confirmed 'what I thought I knew' all along.. it's been great reading all your opinions and experiences - good and bad.

Thank you all!

Regards,
N.

H Madridboy, I wanted to write and say that I hope all goes well for you (and your family?) when you reach Toronto. As you rightly say, our perceptions of violence are usually based on what we've seen first hand. Toronto is a great place if you're young, healthy and have a job with a drug plan. If you have kids, there are lots of sports to keep them occupied... Dinna worry! It's just time for ME to leave..

Hi NKing

When are you planning to move to Spain? We are going for a househunting visit in early September and hope to leave Canada and move over permanently in October.
Are you shipping your goods over or starting afresh when you move?

Hi there Max and Paddy: I'm still relatively new to this forum, so not entirely sure if I've posted this reply to your post or all of them!!

Firstly, I would like to say that your comments on Rob Ford are spot on! I was in Scotland when he was elected (and with all the shenanigans in UK politics, couldn't imagine why my friends here had themselves in a knot.) All has become clear... And sadly, it wouldn't entirely surprise me if he was re-elected.

I have had an apartment in Spain (Torrevieja area) for about 10 years and love it. Where are you looking at?

My apartment is furnished but really just for short stays. When I move permanently, I won't take much with me. There are some great bargains to be had in my area at the moment (the downside I suppose of the Spanish economy.)

I have a two week vacation booked in October to catch up with some legal stuff and then when I get back here will make a decision on when the move will be. Most likely March of next year.

What made you decide to move?

Regards,
Niesa

Hi NKing

I have pm'd you

Agree. I feel safer here than most places in the (civilised) world. You can legitimately moan about a lot of things in Spain, but violence isn't one of them.

I have lived on the costa del Sol or 'costa del crime' as its lovingly known for 7 years. I have been out and about both with my family during the day and in clubs (when i was a bit younger) til the small hours in Marbella and Puerto Banus amongst others.

My husband has been to various big Spanish football games, Malaga, Madrid for example and we have both seen less violence here than back in our native North East England.

Don't get me wrong there is violence here, there are guns and drug crimes but on the whole if you don't mix with the type of people involved in this sort of thing, you will not see or be involved in any related violence. People here are generally more relaxed and less anxious in my opinion.