Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Hello all!
So, I'm thinking of coming to Spain- mainly to study Spanish, and after looking at many university courses offered to foreigners, Malaga Uni seemed one of the best- and also cheapest!
However, whenever I mention Malaga to friends, their immediate response is "oh god!" or words to that effect. Is it REALLY full of drunk Brits and stag weekend lads on tour?? Is the uni course good if anyone has done it?
And is it easy to find a teaching English job with reasonable pay?
Sorry, too many questions!
Any help would be appreciated!

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Hi - Have you ruled out moving to Lugo, Galicia after all?
I've only passed through Malaga the once, but it seemed ok as a city. Plus I've heard from Spanish people it's quite a lively good place to live. I don't think there are many Brits in the city itself, they're more likely to be found in resorts further out. As for teaching English, the 3 best places in Spain are i ) Madrid ii ) Madrid iii ) madrid :D

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Málaga's a big place. Some of the costa regions during the summer can be a bit rowdy (Tourist areas of Torremolinos, Benalmadena.... ), but they are many miles away from the University and its only gonna be in the summer when the holiday makers are here anyway, when the university is closed!!

Málaga city itself is a beautiful place and the old town is very picturesque and respectable!

As for an Engliush teaching job, well you need to look at the international schools, unless you are totally fluent in written and spoken Spanish. The pay isnt good (12,000€ - 15,000€ a year I believe), but thats the case in Spain, pay isnt good!!

Jo xxx

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

And these people that told you about Malaga (huge place) have had a weeks holiday there eh ?
:rofl:

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Wow, thanks for your help!
No, Ive not ruled out Lugo, just trying to keep my options open to be honest. Plus Lugo's uni course doesnt coincide with possible working hours and it's much quieter. Plus, I prefer the seaside!

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

LOL!!!! Yes, I've heard stories!!

What about the Spanish course for foreigners, has anyone done that??

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

http://www.expatriatecafe.com/forums/index.php Forum for those in Spain teaching English

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

I used to study in the city of Málaga and loved it. You'll hardly ever bump into a British person in the city itself. They've done lots of work on the city in the past 10 years and it is now really nice, the cathedral area is great and you have a couple of kms of beachfront Spanish bars and restaurants in Pedregalejo and El Palo. It couldnt be more Spanish, not an English breakfast in site!

The university area is all joined together near the motorway, the main area seems to have a good atmosphere with lots of students hanging about. You can jump on a tram and that takes you into the city centre (think they are still building it).

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Sounds how I was hoping!! Just the name and friend reactions make bad images! What did you study? How long were you there?

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

I was learning Spanish, but only a 1 month intensive course in Plaza de la Merced at Instituto Picasso.

Now I live close by I go to Malaga a couple of times a month, maybe one day I'd like to live there in the Malagueta. I think its a great city :thumbup:

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Cool!
What about jobs? I guess it's best if I just turn up? I can teach and/ or waitress but my Spanish is rubbish so far.

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

I'm not too sure about jobs. I see quite a few Northern European girls e.g. Swedes, Dutch and Germans watressing in the city while they are studying Spanish. You do see the odd "waitress wanted" sign, especially at this time now the summer season has started, but I can only imagine that it is much harder now with unemployment being so high.

There are the British schools where you can teach in English but by doing that you will find yourself in a complete English speaking world. Not sure what the teaching English to Spaniards job market is looking like at the moment.

If I were you just do a google search for the international schools and English teaching schools in Malaga, then contact them with a covering letter of what you are planning to do and your CV. Then you may get some good replies. It doesnt take long to do this so you wont have much to lose!

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Good one.
I will have a bash and see what comes up. Thanks a lot!!

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

You claim you've taught English in other countries, so that should help you. However I suspect you'll have too many other native-English speakers as competition near the coast. I mentioned in my previous post that Madrid's the best place for work (especially as an English teacher), and perhaps you should really start there? Once you can speak Spanish it's not hard to get private and business classes there at 25-30 Euro an hour (not quite as brilliant as it sounds, as you spend a lot of time travelling around as well as the normal class prep). I fear you won't get half that in Malaga, although someone here may contradict me?
As for waitress work - good luck, but in one of the worst areas for unemployment in Spain, you'll find it difficult to get an opportunity. Especially as you don't yet command the Spanish language. I agree that Cricketman makes Malaga sound a great place to live, but the work situation needs further thought. Good luck!

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Yes all good points. I'd read somewhere else that Andalucia has the worse unemployment in Spain. Luckily at the moment I have enough savings not to work for a while so I can study for a couple of months and take my time searching, BUT Then, if theres nothing anyway it will be tricky and take a big chunk out of my savings.

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

I don't live in the city, but we've had threads in support of Malaga before & I'm one of those that loves it...

There must be others, but I don't know a city with the heart so close to such a lovely beach & LOOOOONG seafront with so much to offer all ages!

Not strictly true, but the gist is right. There are loads of furriners about it's just not even remotely the same as the cliche Costa. Not remotely.

Yip, tram works still clog several zones:frown:

[QUOTE=Fleurette;8599764] (snip) Just the name and friend reactions make bad images! QUOTE]

I suspect the image comes more from people remembering they flew to Malaga than anything else - not many tourists (not beach ones, anyway) venture into the city; it's too far from the more popular resorts to do that easy peasy on a package.

It's the only city apart from London I've even given headroom to regarding living there. And I'm a true country person. Not sure if that's a recommendation or not!

Not strictly true either, but the gist is. If you're lucky you'll find yourself at a school with 80%-plus Spanish, though granted mainly the international schools, particularly costa or west in the province, cater for folk whose priority may not be Spanish language/education/culture.

A couple of months back, or so, I think it was over 26%. Can that be right? I think so...memory's dodgy but someone'll probably find the right figure!
:)

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Well, I think it's all helpful.
I'm definitely a sea side kind of gal, but of course a job would be helpful, and that's the problem for most people right now.
You've cleared up the Malaga being a rubbish tourist trap perspective though! :thumbup:

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

I'll support the positive image of Málaga that people are giving, it's said to be one of the best places to study Spanish in Spain. It is a "real" city, with a great atmosphere and warmth. I will also defend the Costa del Sol while I'm at it: living here is what you make it, if you seek drunk Brits, ye shall find, and if you seek living in "Spain", well you can have that too. This weekend we went to two different swimming pools surrounded by lush vegetation and soooo peaceful, picnicked in lovely countryside just outside Malaga in the sunshine by a lake, listened to guitar music played by a friend from Málaga, generally loving the lifestyle, not a drunk in sight of any nationality! You'll love Málaga, and make sure you tell your friends!

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Thank you! I definitely feel better about it. Do you think it's fair enough to turn up and just look for a job that way?

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

You can look, but without a special skill you'll probably struggle, unemployment rate in Málaga is over 30%. But no harm in trying!
La tasa de paro de Málaga supera el 30,02%, la segunda más alta de España
I also find Málaga OK, wouldn't want to live there, but we have spent several short breaks there and quite enjoy the place. I like the rather "shabby chic" areas, but they are fast disappearing now. :)

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Well if you want to know how bad it is have a look at what happened in Alhauine El Granda at the week-end. Go somewhere else I certainly wont be recommending Andalucia or Spain to anyone from now on.

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Surreygirl, whilst what happened with the bull is disgusting, it's no reason to put people off coming to Spain. It's like saying that people shouldn't go to England because there is fox hunting (I know it's been banned now but you get my point).

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Very valid point. Even after the ban, fox hunting goes on regularly in many areas.:eek:

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

What point is that! fox hunting is the same as bullfighting!! I think not. The two are incomparable, not that I condone fox hunting I dont. What happened in ALG was intolerable. A one off event -I think not -. Spain is well known for its cruelty to animals - it is everywhere. I could take you on a mile circuit of where I live and show you intolerable situations that animals that in an educated, enlightened and sophisticated country would not happen. If you dont see it yourself you must be blind.

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

I think you should get out of the country ASAP surreygirl you clearly hate it here.

Whatever made you come to Spain in the first place? Bullfights are hardly a secret.

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

I think its a great idea to move there...let me know once your moved in, I'll bring a coupla plane loads of friends for one long stag weekend!!!!

All joking aside, I think Spain is lovely..

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

If I had to choose between say Hackney and málaga (God forbid:eek:) I would choose hackney.

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

I am left speechless by that comment Jackytoo! Just looked up Hackney on Wikipedia, it's not good... No world class museums, no beach, no mountains just behind, no fabulous fiestas, rubbish transport system, and lots of other issues I daren't mention here... I don't want to knock Hackney but I don't really think this helps the OP much in deciding whether to spend a year or two in Malaga!

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Believe me, I was born in Hackney and there is no comparison. Malaga every time.:thumbup:

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

What happened?? The feria was on and when I was there it was great, but El Grande does have a problem with Gypsies and Brits not mixing too well???

Jo xxx

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Exactly millions of people a year attend a bloody, sadistic spectacle and think nothing of it, I had hoped Spain would move on, not just with bullfighting but all the feria´s which involve the use of live animals but it hasnt, no feria is complete unless it involves chasing young terrified heifers or calfs through the streets, throwing goats from church towers, horses pushed to exhaustion, chickens tangling down by their feet from rope so people on horses can grap them and pull their heads off!! Cant people have fun here without the use of live animals to add to their pleasure. Sadly it seems not.

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Why don`t you go on a Spanish forum and whinge to the people that allegedly do this, cos I don`t think anyone on here is a culprit ?

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Oh contraire, it seems you think nothing for spanish tradtions?

I have never been, but I think there are a lot worse things than bullfighting > http://thenewsasithappens.com/derek-...ll-his-mother/
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1766372/

Maybe you should think, before whinging that spain is not like your version of little england. :rofl:

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

I live in Italy, but my OH spends a lot of his time in Spain. He's moved further from Malaga to Puerto Banus but we have been into Malaga itself a few times. I liked the city, very much a place to live rather than visit, you can tell people live and work there - I live in Florence, which I love, but it can be a bit like living in a museum/tourist attraction - Malaga is not like that at all! I also like the coast itself, like anywhere you can find drunks and thugs, but I've been lucky enough to not encounter them often on my visits.

Yes, there is bullfighting, like someone said it's no secret and part of the culture that no-one Spanish wants to get rid of. Let's be honest the only reason fox-hunting vanished was because it was pushed through parliament. I don't remember a country wide referendum - reason - most people either wouldn't have cared enough to vote and those that did would've been for hunting to remain...What about stag shoots, coursing, pheasant shoots?? Still go on. Still animals being stressed and scared to death whatever way you look at it. Better than the extortion of human beings which is a regular part of some places here in Italy!:blink:

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Which comic did you read that in??? Bullfighting isn't anywhere near as popular as it used to be and many Spanish are now opposed to it.

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Indeed, let's be honest, the vast majority of Spanish couldn't care less about the corrida.(about 70%) I'm not either for or against the corrida, but to suggest that no Spanish want to do away with the corrida is total nonsense.

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

I am personally in favor of bullfighting, if it ends like this...ole!

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

So the bullrings are purely for the tourists then or foreigners? Presumably so they can then tell all their mates what blood thirsty animal haters Spaniards are?? Gee, sounds like you all need a new PR company!!:blink:

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

no - bullfights do still have a strong following, but far from the majority of Spaniards are pro-corridas nowadays

the following among the younger generation is dwindling

IMO it will never die out - but possibly it will be a largely tourist or perhaps cult thing, eventually

Re: Malaga... Is it really that bad??
 

Can we perhaps leave the bullfighting argument for another thread? It's turning into a "thread on bullfighting" which isn't really that useful for the OP.